COLUMN BR Do you try and cover all depths when trolling at Buoy 10? CH In a word: Yes. Of course it depends on water depth, but as a general rule I run my bow rods shallow and stern rods near bottom. As an example, I might run my bow rods at 16, middle rods at 26, and stern rods 36 feet out. That number is the amount of line out on my linecounter reels. BR What are your favorite spinner colors? CH I’m partial to Hildebrandt blades, with the size 4 Indiana being my favorite for Buoy 10. I believe so much in these blades that I have them custom painted, with the red and white, which I call Coast Guard, and the all-copper blades being my go-to favorites. However, I gotta say, the chartreuse and green blade with green/chartreuse beads and squid was my top-producing spinner last year at Buoy 10.
BR Do you fish whole or plug-cut herring? CH I prefer fresh anchovies over herring.
48 Northwest Sportsman
AUGUST 2017 | nwsportsmanmag.com
I rig my anchovies whole, with my front hook placed upward through the lower jaw of the bait, and after bending the bait, I place the trailing hook in the body two-thirds to three-quarters of the way back. The placement of the second hook determines the amount of bend and spin of the bait.
It might be a stretch for some, but Herman says that some of his best fishing has come in early August, when few anglers are fishing the mouth of the Columbia. (DAYONEOUTDOORS.COM)
BR Do you fish divers or sinkers? CH I mostly use cannonball-style sinkers to get down. The only time I use divers is if I’m fishing near Buoy 10 itself on an incoming tide, or on rough-water days, as the divers help keep my gear stable at depth when the surface is rough. – your favorite channel – north or south?
BR How long are your leaders? CH I know a lot of the guides are into this long leader thing, but I keep mine at 3½ to 4 feet in length. I just feel like I lose a lot fewer fish with short leaders, the fish bite them just as well, and it make netting the fish a lot easier.
BR Which side of Desdemona Island is best
CH Both. It just depends on where fish are being caught, which is why I’m constantly talking with other anglers to see where a group of fish may be passing through.
BR What’s the biggest salmon you or one of your clients has caught at Buoy 10? CH An estimated 45-pounder that a client of mine caught and released three seasons