Any tips on trolling the Willy for Salmon, Steelhead??

I am new to the Portland area.  We live near the Willy next to George Rogers Park.  I would love to pull a few beasts out of the Willy in our back yard waters, I know they are rolling thru.  I understand that there is a great Sturgeon hole right here.  An 8 foot Sturgeon washed up on shore yesterday near the boat house.  I suppose I could be convinced otherwise but my passion is for the Salmon and Steelhead beasts.  Please let me know if you have any ideas for the deeper Willy waters.  I have caught quite a few Steelhead from the shore while Yaking into holes, but I have yet to feel the glory from the kayak.  Thank you!!

yeah, i dunno about salmon. i've tried fishing the willy for them and haven't had much of any luck. Most willamette salmon are caught down at St. Johns, Sellwood Bridge, and Meldrum. From Lake O to Meldrum, The river is pretty deep and rocky which makes salmon fishing more difficult.  I'm not familiar with the St. Johns stretch, but trolling Sellwood is done between the bridge and the marina just upstream. There is a hump there that most fish are caught on. Fish a line that puts you on the path of the eastern pylon. Plug cut herring and spinners are the weapons of choice.

I have had, however, great luck through the Lake O to Meldrum stretch sturgeon fishing. Sounds like you know your local hole, and thats my favorite spot.  This will be my first season on the yak, but I know I can anchor there (tested that last week) and fish the hole just as I did from the bank (using lighter gear of course!)

Jeff,
Good to meet you on the other afternoon. I'm glad you found us. There is a wealth of info here and a willingness to share.

Jay

Hey Jay!
Great to meet you the other day as well.  And thanks for the tip to NWKA.  Looking forward to great times ahead on the water.  We shall see if I am man enough to brave the cold. 

Welcome Jeffro.  George Rogers is my stomping ground too so I'm happy to share what I've learned.  I've had alot of fun with small mouth bass this summer out of GR park.  And there are some coho salmon to be had nearby, but the park will probably not produce many coho for you.  The Willamette is better known for its spring chinook salmon run from roughly March through May, but don't get your hopes up because those buggers are hard to catch.  We'll start fishing for Sturgeon later this fall and I'm happy to point out the holes and the rigging, etc.  And see bsteves post on Winter Willy Sturgeon Intelligence for the basics. 

DC 

Jeff, I think you and deepcolor just might live across the water from each other...give or take a few dwellings.