Welcome Josh Leach!!! Tricks and Tips Part 1
January 3rd, 2010
Josh Leach
MESSAGE FROM THE FOUNDER:
From the inception of Allaroundangler.com some five years ago….I always hoped for the kind of web resource that is developing right before my eyes. I have surrounded myself with good people…like-minded people…who have a common passion for angling and for sharing the enthusiasm and knowledge of all that is involved with this very dynamic subculture we all belong to.
My vision of an ‘all-in-one’ educational angling resouce that ‘teaches’ and spreads positivity throughout the minds and spirits of anglers of all skill levels has come to fruition. Not only is Allaroundangler.com a resource for planning your next outing and learning how to do so…but it is also a culmination of experiences shared in the form of what I have always called “Fishing Edutainment.”
We are entering a new level of professionalism with the likes of local fishing guides who are embracing this idea by contributing with their own knowledge and expertise. I am very proud to be attracting some of the premier minds in this industry and am very grateful for all views out there. It’s with this in mind that I am very proud to announce the first of many tutorials with our new contributor; Guide Josh Leach. Josh will be submitting content regularly under the handle of “Josh’s Tricks and Tips.”
Josh’s articles will be posted on the Blog (main page) and then archived into their own page which is easily located on the left hand column of this site. In addition to this I have provided a link to Josh’s website in the Blogroll section which will allow our readers to easily surf to Josh’s site where they can sign up to receive his newsletters, book a trip with him or just check out his awesome photo spread.
It’s without further ado that I welcome Guide Josh Leach to Allaroundangler.com! H3llcat
JANUARY 2010…JOSH LEACH
When I first started fishing out of a drift boat at the age of 15, plug fishing was the most popular technique for catching salmon and steelhead from a drift boat. It is still on of my favorite ways to catch fish, especially if it is slim pickin’s. I’ve had a chance over the years to hone my skills and I’ll be sharing a few tips and tricks on rigging that I hope increase the amount of fish on the end of your line.
PLUGS
When I fish plugs in the tributaries I flat line them without divers or lead. All I do is tie the duo-lock they come with to the end of my top shot. The plugs themselves I will change the hooks from treble to siwash. Siwash hooks seem to hold the fish better once hooked, not to mention it is much easier on natives when you have to release them. My most popular plugs are Extreme Kwikfish in sizes K13, K11, and K9. I also use 9900 Tadpollies and Hotshots in sizes 25, 30, and 35. Pinks, purples, oranges and metallics are all good producers, but on the rivers I fish Pink gets the most playtime.
DIVERS & BAIT
There are two primary ways to rig a diver with bait, fixed in line and sliding. I use both, but tend to prefer sliding.
A Brad’s Magnum Diver is a great choice for a fixed in line rigging because it adds action to your bait and doesn’t dive once you are hooked up. The only draw back is it doesn’t dive as deep as a Jet Diver. You don’t want your leader any longer than five feet or you’ll find yourself snagged up a lot. The Brad’s is a great choice for shallower water and pink worms or flies.
Jet Divers are my go to diver for holes over six feet deep. I like to rig these sliding so I can play with leader and dropper lengths. I’ll tend to use bait instead of worms with this rig. A new plastic bait, Gulp 3” Ghost Shrimp, should work very well instead of using live Sand Shrimp. It will be easier on the fish and the wallet than the real deal because one bait will last multiple fish and the fish will not swallow it like the live ones. Thread them on your leader straight and you’re in business.
Another rig that is also very effective is called the “Wacky Rig” by a few of my friends and I. Instead of using a Jet Diver, use a plug. It wont dive as deep as a Jet Diver 20, but a K13X will dive to 15’ with a bait and 75’ of line. What I like best about it is you have the best of both worlds, plug and bait in the zone. Just be sure to follow the regulations on how many hooks you can use. Plugs work just fine with a tail hook and you only need one hook for your bait. Give it a try, you might be surprised with the results.
JOSH LEACH IS A SALMON, STEELHEAD & STURGEON FISHING GUIDE SPECIALIZING IN THE OREGON NORTH COAST AND THE COLUMBIA RIVER…..BOOK HIM TODAY TO LEARN HOW TO BECOME A MORE EFFICIENT ANGLER.
