Fishing
With Jigs In The Pacific Northwest.
(New Technique that has been introduced in the last ten years.)
By Jim Erickson
Jig fishing for steelhead probably evolved from fishing with single
eggs suspended below a bobber in areas that were too snaggy to drift
fish.
This method has been revised by several fly fishing enthusiasts using
a puff ball or imitation salmon eggs.
This is usually accomplished with an indicator liberally smeared with
mucilin to make a float.
Just above the gooey puff ball, a couple of split shots are used to
get the bait near the bottom, However, this method, if you aren't a
fly fishermen, is not applicable in most areas.
A few years ago, people reported success using coctail shrimp, sand
shrimp or single eggs suspended below a bobber 2 to 3 feet. These people
were fishing areas too snaggy for the drift fishermen, with spectacular
results.
This method was highly used by retired guide Jim Erickson in the early
80s and quickly caught on, especially for summer steelhead using coctail
shrimp.
Now then along comes Bill Bradbury, with a maribu jig, in several different
colors, pinks, whites, black, you name it, if its sold, they made it.
This quickly caught on, and worked as well, if not better than any of
the other methods going.
Jig fishing is relatively inexpensive, and is very productive, especially
in cold clear water.
The equipment you need Is extremely basic:
I use a long whippy spinning rod about 8 1/2 to 9 feet long, preferably
about an eight weight. I also prefer a spinning reel, with line compacity
of at least 200 yards using 6 to 8 lb test line, because if you arent
fleet of foot, there are many times you will be spooled using this 6
to 8 lb test line.
To rig up, go from your jig and put two or three split shot sinkers
abut the size of bb shot
between your jig and your bobber. Then you need a small fixed bobber.
It is very important that you use a fixed bobber.
The usual distance between a bobber and a jig is two to three feet,
no deeper, because I have found in my travels, the fish will come up
to the jig.
One of the beauties of this method is it is practically snag free, except
for the trees! (Jennie take note!)
You can fish long stretches of the river from one area. You can cast
way upstream and let it drift by you.
Happy jigging!
Jim
E MAIL JIM!
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