recommended lures for salmon and trout

[Sota]

Gentlemen,
I am a total newbie to fishing and new to Washington state. A friend has got me into fishing here. Going after trout and salmon. So far i have caught a lot.... of water.
What i am wondering is what kinda baits/lures have best shot at working? I am river fishing off the bank and wading. Thanks for any help you can provide.

SOTA
aka: student of the art
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[Erawk]

Spinners and spoons are good choices for river fishing. Blue Fox, Mepps and Panther Martin make a variety of different spinners to suit different needs. It's a good idea to match the size of the spinners to the rod/reel you're using and match the rod/reel to the fish you are targeting.

The rods and reels usually will have recommended lure size ranges printed on them. Using too small of a lure for a rod/reel will result in difficulty throwing it. Using too heavy of a lure for a rod/reel can cause the line to snap.

if you must use light spinners on a larger rig, you can add split shot weights about 12 to 18" up the line from the spinner to make it easier to cast. It's not ideal, but will work.

I've attached photos of spinners and spoons so you'll have a general idea of what you're looking for.

Ask around locally to get recommendations on colors and styles to use on the specific waters you plan to fish. Good luck, fishing is a great pastime.
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