Try Fishing for Kings!

Here we go again. Another tremendous run of Chinook salmon are making their way up the Lake Ontario tributaries. How are you going to fish for them?
Many anglers believe that these migrating fish will not take a bait, lure or fly once present in the streams and rivers. Most of us know that this couldn't be further from the truth. Chinooks enter the tributaries for the sole purpose of spawning. All Pacific salmon,die after spawning and their feeding habits are curtailed once they begin to ascend the tributaries but, Chinooks are instinctive, aggressive and territorial and at times readily take an offering.
To truly catch Chinook salmon it is imperative to first understand its behavior. They begin their migration in late August and early September and there is usually fishable numbers available on the Salmon River during the first two weeks of September. Other tributaries along Lake Ontario may not see solid numbers until later in September.
Early in the run it is best to fish the lower reaches of the tributary. Active fish will rest in pockets and at the heads of pools on their journey up river. The runs usually peaks in the first two weeks of October. The fish continue to move up in search of suitable spawning gravel and the best activity will be centered in the upper reaches.
The key during the peak, is that salmon will be found near gravel. Here spawning beds are constructed and chinooks become very territorial when on the gravel or the pockets and drop offs nearby. The game is to play on their aggressiveness.
Savvy drifboat guides have employed backtrolling techniques that are deadly on post spawn and spawning kings. Running high action bright colored lures passively downstream allow the fish a choice of striking or swimming away. If the fish haven't been spooked or molested, they will generally strike a properly presented plug.
Since most of you will be fishing from the bank, your technique will be different, but the results can be the same.
Tackle requirements for Chinook salmon are quite simple. A medium to heavy weight rod is normally a good match for the powerful fight of these bruising fish. My preference is for a rod which is at least nine feet in length. I spool my reels with 15 pound maxima and leader down with 10 or 12 pound fluorocarbon leader, about 3 to 4 feet long. Weight is added to the leader to take the fly or bait to the bottom where the fish will be located. I usually use split shot affixed to a dropper formed by a long tag end of the knot between leader and tippet. I haven't found fresh run Chinooks to be particularly tippet shy, but once they spend a few days in the river system, you will have to go light on the leader.
There are a couple techniques employed that fresh fish in the lower reaches of the rivers will often take well. The bait or fly should be presented in a slow, nearly dead drifted manner. The best approach is to take a position across from the suspected lie. Occasionally, you will be able to see the fish. The cast is made up and across. The bait should be on or near the bottom when it is in front of the anglers position. The rod tip should be held high and away, while you follow your line with the rod tip. Any hesitation in the drift should be met with a firm hook set. Weight should be adjusted accordingly to allow your bait to drift near the bottom but to minimize hanging up in the rocks and boulders.
Later in the run it will become easier to spot fish near spawning gravel. When fishing to Chinooks that are clearly visible it is best to take a position slightly upstream from the fish. The cast should be made across and slightly down to allow the bait to drift towards and slowly swing away from the targeted fish. This motion seems to enrage a Chinook into striking. Again proper weighting of the leader is essential. Line control is the key as the fly or bait should swing slowly. Takes can be quite delicate and intense concentration is important.
For flies, a size 2 or 4 Woolly Bugger in black or chartreuse is a good basic pattern. A black Egg Sucking Leech with a chartreuse head is a top producer. Comets, large streamers and Glo Bugs round out a good selection.
If you are using bait, try egg sacs in blue and pink ,you may even find an early steelhead or brown that will be laying behind the spawning chinooks. (See photo's)
It is more important now than ever to set good examples for your fellow anglers. Fish ethically and give the chinooks a chance to show you that they will indeed bite.This year's run should prove to be a tremendous one, as the fishing in the lake has been outstanding all summer. Good Luck, Troy