I also hit the river on Oct 20th.
Hey Big Steel, I was fishing just up-stream of you - I saw you truck at the side of the road, and was going to put a note on it to meet us for breakfast at the Pointa Vista.
Lot's of dirty Chum and Chinook. Saw some fresh bright Coho, but Big Steel and I must have hit the same school, as they all had lock-jaw. I might as well have taken my vest off and thrown it in the river - I threw everything at them - NOTHING. I'm thinking of taking up golf. Look for my fishing stuff in the Buy & Sell Section.
I observed many people taking home fish that are the colour and condition of an old tire inner tube. Leader length seems to be an issue. I asked one guy why he was using about a 9 foot leader. "You need it in this clear water" he replies. Funny though, I caught more fish on my 2 foot leader. Oh well, you can only try.
The method of fishing by all races, colours, and creeds seems to be an issue. I sometimes feel like I am some kind of an elitist out there, with selective fishing techniques. Many times I have approached people and offered to set up the proper terminal gear for them (Remember when we went out Big Steel? We saw those guys with bouncing bettys?). I seem to give more stuff away at the river with advice and coaching than lose while fishing. The people are very receptive to this, and hopefully they realize that you cannot be an "expert" angler in 1 season.
Enough of my venting ....... I am off to do a "Rain Dance" ..... everybody join in.