By Haley Rodriguez, Mack's Lure Staff Writer
If you’re looking for effective, proven techniques to put more salmon in the boat, Cam Walker has some advice: Keep it simple. Keep it Mack's.
A seasoned salmon angler in the Pacific Northwest, Cam Walker is known for his consistent success targeting Chinook and Coho across the region’s rivers and coastal fisheries. This year, he’s been running a handful of Mack’s Lure setups that have produced fish time and time again, from the Columbia to the Puget Sound.
“Salmon aren’t always looking for the loudest presentation,” says Walker. “They want something that moves right, looks natural, and holds their attention. Mack’s Lure gives me that flexibility.”
One of Cam’s favorite setups this season has been the Smile Blade Shrimp Spinner, a killer combo of subtle flash, pulsating color, and irresistible scent.
“When the bite’s tough, this rig is my go-to,” says Walker. “I’ll run it behind a 360 flasher or solo behind a Double D Dodger. That blade keeps turning at slow speeds, and with a cured coon shrimp on there? It’s deadly.”
Smile Blades spin at speeds as low as 0.4 mph, making them ideal for low-and-slow trolling in colder water or when fish are holding tight to structure. Pair that with shrimp scent and a soft presentation, and even lockjawed salmon will react.
Yes, it’s a trout favorite. But Cam's been using the Mack’s Lure Wedding Ring Spinner to great effect on Coho and even some upriver Chinook.
“People overlook the Wedding Ring because they think it’s just for kokanee or trout. But when you match the size and color to what the salmon are feeding on, it becomes a sneaky-good presentation,” Walker explains.
Cam runs the Wedding Ring Spinner behind a small inline flasher or dodger, tipping the hook with a small herring strip or dyed shrimp for added attraction.
His go-to colors? Chartreuse, pink, and red—especially on overcast days or in stained water.
Every great lure needs the right delivery system, and for Walker, the Double D Dodger is one of the most versatile tools in his tackle box.
“The Double D is one of the smartest dodgers out there. You can steer it into different parts of the water column just by adjusting which hole you clip it to. That gives me a huge edge when fish are holding at weird depths or off to the side,” he says.
Cam uses the Double D Dodger behind a slow-trolling motor or on a side planer setup, often with Smile Blade spinners or shrimp rigs trailing behind. The side-to-side kicking action of the dodger adds lifelike movement, while the ability to fish off-angle helps cover more water.
Cam’s success is no accident, it’s the product of careful observation, strategic presentation, and gear that flat-out works. From the reliable action of the Smile Blade, to the retro magic of the Wedding Ring Spinner, to the directional versatility of the Double D Dodger, Mack’s Lure continues to be a staple in Walker’s arsenal.
“If you’re looking to hook more salmon, you don’t need a tackle box full of gimmicks. You need Mack’s Lure, a good rod, and some time on the water.”
Whether you’re trolling big water or drifting smaller rivers, take a page out of Cam Walker’s playbook, and trust Mack’s Lure to bring fish to the boat.
Description Details Tips The Wedding Ring UV Spinner is a Wedding Ring Classic with a UV twist. This enhanced presentation combines highly ...
View full detailsDescription Details Tips The Double D Dodger not only has the proven, traditional dodger action, but it also delivers its patented stop-and...
View full detailsDescription Details FAQ/Tips Ensure a high hook-up rate with the Smile Blade Shrimp Rig. Effective for salmon or steelhead thanks to the Cha C...
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