Chinook fishing

Question
Resently moved to Roseburg OR. Salmon are in the North Umpqua river. I have a 81/2 ft Ugly stick with 10 lb line that I use for Steelhead and intend to bank fish for Chinook here locally. What lures or 'baits' would you advise for catching the big ones?

Answer
Hi Michael,
I like Roseburg.  It is such a gateway to the outdoors.  Any way, I hope you are getting a few fish down there.  Spring chinook can be frustrating at times because they just are not interested in biting.  That is why I like to use bait for springers.  My first choice is sand shrimp.  I also use salmon eggs and the preserved, dyed shrimp you can find at G.I.Joes or Bi-Mart.  If I am fishing a river like the Umqua, I like to set my line up with a corky or egg immatation that is buoyant.  I like orange and red corkies about a 18-20" above my weights.  I use a three way swivel.  Tie on your main line to the swivel and then tie on a 3" leader for your split shot to the 3 way and then tie your 18-20" leader on.  For my leader I like to use an "egg loop" knot to tie on the hook which leaves a loop to cynch down on your bait.  So, tie on the hook and then next put a small bead above the hook and then put your corky on and tie your leader to your 3 way swivel.  I like split shot for weights because it is easy to adjust the amount and you can loose the weights without losing your whole rig.  Then when you are out on the river and you have found some salmon water you can cast your rig upstream and let your weights find the bottom and slowly drift down through the whole in front of you.  You want the right amount of weight so that you are not constantly hung on the botton but that your weight slowly "tic" the bottom as it drifts along.  This should get you started.  The other option with this set up is you can put an adjustable bobber stop above your swivel and a big bobber between your bobber stop and the swivel.  This will allow you to fish the big deep swirly wholes.  Generally, you will set your bobber at 5-7' for salmon.  I hope this helps out.  Let me know.  
Good Luck.
Scott