by Stan Fagerstrom for The Mack Attack, August 26, 2014

The Columbia River is still kicking out its share of walleyes that weigh 10-pounds or more. But hold the phone! If you’re thinking of heading to the Columbia to get a big one there yourself there are a number of extremely important things to do before you ever leave home.

In my last couple of columns I’ve told you part of what one of the Pacific Northwest’s most knowledgeable anglers has to say in that regard. His suggestions and advice can and will improve your chances.
The walleye wizard I’ve been talking about is Doug Allen, a resident of Yakima in the Evergreen State.

As I’ve mentioned, Doug has been concentrating on walleye angling for decades. He has monstrous Columbia River fish of more than 18-pounds to his credit.“There are so many things a newcomer to the Columbia River needs to know before he gets here,” Doug says. “Much of that information can be obtained in advance.”

Do you, for example, have the foggiest idea of what time of year gives you the best shot at big walleye? Do you know what areas of the big river consistently provide the best prospects?

Chances are you don’t have that information but the guides who concentrate on the Columbia River do. That’s why Doug Allen suggests the best first move you can make in planning a Columbia River trip is to get in touch with a fishing guide who works there.

Find out what that guide has to say regarding the best time to come, the best gear to bring, the area of the Columbia he suggests you should fish and every other darn thing you can think of.

It’s not all that difficult to line up a Columbia River walleye guide. Just go to www.ColumbiaRiverGuideService.com. Get yourself lined up with an expert who can provide the answer to the questions I’ve mentioned and any others that might occur to you.

Sure the services of a guide will cost you some bucks. But you’re up a well known creek with no means of propulsion without one. Having a guide might even wind up saving you a dollar or two and your chances for catching fish are a cinch to soar.

The right guide is going to do something else for you. He’s going to have a boat that can handle the potential dangers the big river presents. I’ve personally had the good fortune to fish waters over a sizeable chunk of the world during the past half century. Some of the meanest water I’ve encountered in doing so came right on the Columbia River, where it divides the states of Washington and Oregon.

Part of the danger comes because conditions can change so darn fast. I’ve seen times on the Columbia Gorge where conditions changed in a matter of minutes. When the wind starts howling in from the west and encounters the big river’s tremendous current coming down from the east---look out!

You can bet a guide will be familiar with these dangers. He’ll also be able to put you into areas where the weather and wind pose fewer problems.

“You simply can’t over emphasize the importance of a guide,” Doug Allen says. “As I pointed out earlier, knowing what the forage base is when you’re out there is essential to consistent walleye fishing success. In the Columbia, the forage base often varies from one area to another.”
You’ll probably also want to ask your guide for his thoughts about the tackle to bring. I was curious what a proven walleye expert like Doug Allen favors on his own fishing. “I favor a 6 to 7-foot rod for the most part,” Doug says.

Allen also uses a lot of 14-pound test braid on his reels. “My leader strength may vary bit,” he says, “but it’s usually 10-pound test. I use fluorocarbon for my leaders.”I’m always reluctant to use the names of guides I’ve not fished with myself and it has been years since I last fished the Columbia. There is, however, one walleye guide that I keep hearing mentioned whenever I get into talking with someone about present day Columbia River walleye fishing.

Those comments I’ve heard have always been positive. The guide I’m talking about goes by the name of “Walleye Willie.” You can get in touch with him on the Internet via www.walleyewillie.com.You’re going to get a look at some great catches of walleye at that website.

This Columbia River guide can also be contacted by calling (541) 993-7335.

As I mentioned earlier in this series of columns on the Columbia River, Doug Allen for many years operated Valley Marine in Yakima. Among other things, he was the dealer for Lund Boats. Today, that business is operated by Doug’s son, Allan.

I mention it because Doug told I’d me current fishing reports are also available by calling his son’s Valley Marine operation. The number for the business is (509) 453-6302. If I were a newcomer heading into Columbia River walleye country, I’d sure as heck take advantage of this information.

If you’ve been reading these Stan’s Corner columns you know just how effective Mack’s Lure products have been for Columbia River walleyes. You’ll be wise to make certain you have those proven Mack’s Lure fish getters in your tackle box. Ask your guides for their advice in this regard.

Put these lures to work along the lines Doug Allen has suggested in this column series. Chances are good that you’ll be able to tell some big fish tales that are really true when it’s time for you to head home.