A discussion of the subject of fishing rod sensitivity. How graphite and fiberglass affect the "feel" of a fishing rod. This episode is based on the various factors that affect how you can feel a sinker or bite through a fishing rod. Based on 5+ years of work in the fishing rod industry, Lucas talks about this subject.

Keeping it simple for weight, color and style is gospel when twitching for trout. After doing research (reading all I could find) and taking journal notes for six years, two weights have worked best. Eight species of trout in 100 plus lakes, March through November. One-eighths and ¼ ounce will be your “working tools” in 90% of all conditions and situations. These weights are easily cast, sink at ideal rates and seem to fit into the attraction threshold- small enough to attract, but not too large to possibly repel.

Lucas talks about the perils of getting those lock-jawed early A-Run Coho (Silver) Salmon to bite! Although it can be tough, there are ways to get those fish to snap. Whether it be repeated casts, or switching up to various lures, sizes and colors, there is a chance to get those fish to snap. It is certainly not easy, but in this podcast, Lucas discusses certain methods that are worth trying to get a bite when A-Run Coho are rolling all around you!

Unfortunately, many people mistake a near-spawn Chinook (King) Salmon for the famed "Ivory" or "White King". In reality, there is a massive difference.

All Chinook, whether red or white, will eventually lose nutritional value and turn a mushy, pale white color. The "Tules" of the Columbia River are famous for turning to white meat, even while they are still chrome on the outside.

This can be confusing, but true Ivory Kings are still fatty and oily until they get close to spawn. This is info that is good to spread with your friends - please send them this podcast to clear this up!

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Lucas Holmgren reads an article by Scott Haugen about the Egegik River and Becharof Lodge. This fishery is phenomenal for numbers and delicious meat with generous limits. This is a great place to learn new techniques and enjoy hearty meals and good times with good people. There is a video on the STS Youtube channel about the Egegik River - just search "Fishing Worlds Best Coho River"

An article examining the idea of the "pink worm" and alternative colors that work very well. This is written by the host Lucas Holmgren, along with additional commentary about fishing experiences and some secrets shared along the way!

Steelhead are all the same right? Well...yes and no. There are two major "runs" of steelhead that are differentiated as "Ocean-maturing" and "River-maturing" meaning, some are ready to reproduce quickly upon entering the river, others enter the river with many months to go. In this episode, Lucas explains these differences, as well as the run-timings in the Columbia River as an example. They are varied, but all Steelhead are beautiful!

An article by Bill Herzog, read by Lucas Holmgren called "Fish Lips" featured in STS. This discusses the fact that moving steelhead can hold in the very back of tailouts, just before dropping into the next run!

This episode is based off a biological paper discussing barriers to salmon and steelhead migration. Many factors, such as temperatures, turbidity and dissolved oxygen can have an affect on whether or not salmon and steelhead continue upstream on their migration.

These biological aspects of salmon and steelhead are helpful to understanding the species, and can play into an anglers toolbox for understanding when & where to fish. This episode is created, produced and edited by Lucas Holmgren.

JD Richey discusses the importance of using sinkers when flat-lining plugs in certain areas of the river. Especially important are low and slow holes with uneven bottoms. Sometimes a sinker on a dropper can get a plug like a Flatfish, Kwikfish or Maglip into the zone, and this holds true for Spring Chinook, Summer Chinook, Fall Chinook and Winter Chinook! When you can't get your flatlined plug down, consider using one of these subtle sinker methods to get in the zone, without anchoring the bottom.