Just getting started and doing some reading on drift fishing from shore/wading. Where do most of you get the tackle? I buy most of my tackle at Fisherman's in Oregon City. Although, there is a very good tackle shop in Tigard named Fish Field. On slinky weights- do you make your own? Yes, I make my own. There is a little tube like plunger device you can buy that make it way easier to make them with. You can buy one at any tackle shop. Where do you buy "pencil lead"? Tackle shop. Just lead plumber's wire? No What is the benefit of a siwash hook over a treble hook? Siwash all the way, trebles will get hung up way to often and they're also very hard on the fish if it's a native and you have to release it. Do you use bait or scent with your drift rigs? Yarn? Yes, both, my typical setup is an appropriately sized corkie with some yarn of which I will usually use some scent on or a small chunk of roe.
On the weight, sort of confused....do you want enough weight that it is more or less tumbling along the bottom and this corkie being pushed further downstream by the current? No, you only want enough weight so you are tapping the bottom every 10 feet or so during the drift. If you cast across current, you get a straight drift for maybe 10-15" and then it starts to swing around on a tight line? You want to cast slightly up stream from your location, say 2 oclock or so. As you drift you want to make sure you have good contact with your rig on the bottom, reel in slack line, hold rod fairly high in position. At the end of your drift is where it can get a little complicated. As your line starts to swing, lower your rod tip slightly and follow the swing with your rod tip. A lot of bites take place on the swing so be alert. Also, I will let my rig set just briefly at the end of the swing as I've had many fish move up and take my rig at that time. Just slightly time wise though as your weight will want to settle and it can get snagged. Now for the part when you get some more experience. At the point where your rig is about to start the swing, you can do what's known as "extending your drift". Simply by opening the bail on your reel you can let line out at a pace that the current will continue to pull your rig down stream for a ways. This technique takes some practice as it's easy to let out to much line to fast and your rig will settle and snag.
Thanks for any help.