I’m just getting into fishing , I will primarily be fishing in pierce county or locally around pierce county . My question is what is the best rigs to run ? I know that’s kind of a loaded question because it depends what river/ lake I’m on and what I’m fishing for . Ther isn’t really anything specific I want to catch , I just want to get out and learn the ropes and be a productive fisher . I would really like to learn river fishing though, I’ve done Lake fishing but never really tried river . I am reading a lot of different stuff online but there is so much info online that i don’t really know where to start as far as beginner rigs and techniques.

First thing to learn about river fishing is that you are going to lose a lot of gear.

Paging Breck

No pun intended right???

I guess it depends on what you're fishing for. Fishing gear is like AR parts. Found a swivel, guess I need a new rod for that. WA fish forums are helpful.

Anytime you are fishing, having the best gear is important. This is the first item you'll need: https://www.amazon.com/Thermos-Stainles ... 0000644AF/

the key to fisting is plenty of lu.... what's that? fiSHing? oh... never mind...

This right here.

Just get yourself a 6'6-7" med fast rod and a 2000 series sized reel. Look to spend around 75+ on each, under that I dont bother. The rod sensitivity and reel quality isnt there. You'll potentially miss fish and your casting distance wont be as good. 8-10 lb fluro or braid line. Grab some jars of floating and sinking powerbait, hooks, bobbers( the red and white plastic ones suckkkkk), weights kast masters and spinners. Plenty of you tube channels out there to show you knots and techniques for all those setups. I like addicted fishing and nw fishing secrets as they are local dudes.

You have a lot of good lakes around you, it's just that bank fishing is pretty pressured and limiting on locations

The OP is a bit vague as "fishing" is a vast enterprise. Even "river fishing" is vague. We talking about the Columbia or something a whole lot smaller? You talking trout/steelhead/salmon or sturgeon?

I grew up fly fishing streams for trout. Moved to the PNW (OR) in high school and there was no room for back casting. Streams were so overgrown with blackberry vines and other plants. The other guys in high school were using ultralight spinning gear and Rooster Tail spinners. Switched to that and have been using it ever since. I can work a stream using so many different approaches, even as restricted as flipping under a log. It's really productive and a lot of fun. Caught a 5lb. Cutbow on the White River in CO on a 5.5' rod and 6lb. test. What a blast.

I'm hoping to get relocated up here to WA and get back into it.

Another thing that I absolutely love are trout magnets. Pink by far is the best color, they are mega lightweight so dont expect them to go past 25 ft with no wind, I usually throw them on with a 1/4 oz weighted cigar bobber and some times add some split shot to get them out further. I can damn near guarantee you'll catch a perch, baby smallie, blue hill or some other little pan fish every single time you go to American lake whether it's at the park in tillicum or lakewood, or the dock walk way at fenwick. Those little dudes are so much fun

Yeah, man. What’s your schedule like? I’d be happy to take you out on a lake and/or a river and show you a few things. This time of year, I’m mainly after Summer steelhead, but I also enjoy lake fishing for trout, bass, perch, bluegill, crappie, etc. In the spring and fall, I’m after salmon and in Winter, I’m busy chasing those pesky steelhead again. I mainly like to fly fish, but use lots of other methods. Not huge into bait fishing, but I’ll do it if it’s the only thing working. Maybe try some of my rods and reels and see which works best for you. I have a 16’ Clackacraft drift boat.

Anyway, I’m always happy to teach. All I ask is that you kick down a little $ for gas and/or bring lunch/snacks/beer.

Hit me up if you’d like to go.

Same offer goes out to the rest of y’all.

-Breck

First off you do not need to spend all that much money. I use a 15 dollar telescoping pole so when I get in the thick shit I can collapse it down and not snag. I have fished some streams where I ran out of bank and had to collapse my pole and swim across. I use a Fluger ultra light real to compensate for the crap pole because I can set the drag just tight enough to be able to reel in so when the fish hits it takes line and sets the hook then I tighten the drag. Braided line is a must. My Dad likes 7-10 pound and I like 15 so when I snag on rocks or logs I can horse it a bit and usually unsnag. I keep a second spool and a second reel on me just in case. For spinning lures forget most of what Yakima Bait Company makes unless it has a more pear shaped body. With a slow retrieve on a capsul shaped body the blade hangs tight to the body and does not flutter. Spoons of various patterns and sizes still work but for fishing the Tieton Panther Martins work best and since it is barbless I pinch the barbs.

If a friend has a 70 year old Mitchel reel that they want to give you do not dispair because you can disassemble that Mitchel and remove the old crud lubricating wax and then lube it with a foaming chain lube and you will be able to use it all day long. I have a box of antique Swiss reels that I have treated and they work better then new and one easily learns to hold their finger out to catch the line on retreve so the line can be picked up as some of these antiques only have a button for a bale to catch the line others have a 3/4 bale but if you do not hold your finger out your are SOL.

I have picked up fantastic old reels for a few dollars at the Goodwill

Thanks for all the info guys , I’m vague on most stuff because I’m open to anything, also I’m not sure what I will like more over others . I am going to be fishing buoy 10 on the Columbia august 15th for chinook and coho. I haven’t spent a whole lot on gear . Right now I’m using a 6’-6” Burkley trout dough rod . I do also have a heavier salmon pole . I have a 12’ fiberglass with minn Kota trolling motor . So prolly for now I will be sticking with lakes more just because it’s easy for me to get around with a recovering knee from surgery .

Moved to WaGuts.

Get there earllyyyy to get your spot on the rock. Dress appropriately for weather conditions.
Learn to cover water, if no bites or sighted fish then move on.
Remember the color spectrum.
If someone yells coming up or coming down, they have snagged a fish. Leave and find more ethical fishing areas.
If you’re standing next to people and they say fish on then reel in and take a short break. Don’t be that guy....
I personally don’t fish around others, I’ll find a stretch of water all to myself to enjoy.

If by chance you want to learn to catch fish in a lake, I can show you a lot of my tried and true tips.