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[Apennock]

I was in a tackle shop yesterday and the gentleman behind the counter (who seemed reasonably experienced, this wasn't CT/Cabelas staff) who was swearing up and down that you have to fish purple lures this time of year because "that's a Chinook colour". 

Does anyone have an experience that suggests colours actually matter?  I've always let depth and contrast dictate my colour choices more than the species I was targeting (as far as rivers go, anyway).

[Fish or cut bait.]

Purple will work but I'd generally use them for chum.
In salt or fresh.
But are you fresh or saltwater?
A dark color with a bit of contrast(red,pink..). .will work if you're thinking these early Veddar springs.

[Apennock]

Can you recommend a book that would be a good place to start?

[Every Day]

I've definitely noticed some species prefer different colors on both lures and with wool. I've also noticed that it often varies river to river.

I've never really fished with purple besides fly fishing with purple buggers for trout or using black/purple for steelhead. They work. Never know till you try. Best thing for Chinook in a river is still cured roe imo (if allowed).

[TimL]

An interesting article on this subject, though more pertaining to ocean fishing:
http://www.supertackle.info/info/what_fish_see

[Fish Assassin]

https://www.amazon.com/What-Fish-See-Colin-Kageyama/dp/1571881409

[Apennock]

Thank you!  I really appreciate the recommendations. 

[andrewscag]

This is a worthwhile read too

https://www.amazon.ca/What-Trout-Sees-Fly-Fishing-Underwater/dp/0762779845

[skaha]

--Check out fishwithgary  kokanee university article.
--Although about kokanee fishing it has colour charts and advice for different depth of water

[96XJ]

Something i found that was pretty interesting

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tpQTh_tnJ6c

[Fish or cut bait.]

I think the trick is not over complicate things.
There are so many variables.
Find an all-around presentation, and go from there.
Experiment?  Absolutely!
But!  There's a lot more to catching fish consistently than just what's at the end of your line.


2 cents.

Fish don't read books.

[RalphH]

I have certainly heard this before and bet he recommended purple because it has worked for him

Purple has been a popular base colour for steelhead flies for a long time. I know that where legal, purple dyed prawns  are effective bait for Atlantic Salmon.

Keep in mind there are 3 primary colours;yellow, red and blue. Purple is a mix of blue and red. Water filters colour and the first to go is red which mostly disappears within a few feet. So the deeper the presentation the more blue purple will appear.

Blue has been shown to be very attractive to trout and most fly anglers will tell you it's great color for coho flies and has become very popular for steelhead.