By Bob Schmidt and Bobby Loomis
Buoy 10 and the Columbia River’s Hanford Reach offers some of the finest fall Chinook salmon fishing on the West Coast. The revolutionary Mack’s Lure
ScentFlash UV Paddle Flasher has transformed how anglers tackle this legendary fishery. As someone who has spent countless hours perfecting techniques on these waters, we can confidently say this 11-inch rotational flasher, featuring a patent-pending scent release system, has become an indispensable tool for serious salmon anglers.
Understanding the ScentFlash Technology
The
ScentFlash UV Paddle Flasher represents a significant advancement in salmon fishing technology. As the manufacturer describes it, “This flasher will release a scent trail through the water, attracting fish with scent, high UV flash, and incredible movement.” The key innovation lies in its dual-chamber design, which allows water to flow through the flasher, continuously dispersing scent while maintaining the critical rotational action that drives salmon to strike.
During a recent outing at Buoy 10, we demonstrated the proper technique for loading the scent chamber. Bobby says, “I make mine kind of runny because I want the water that flows through this to wash it out,” I explained while preparing the flasher. “So I make mine kind of runny. I don’t necessarily put a lot in there.” This approach ensures optimal scent dispersal without overloading the system.
Scent Selection and Preparation
The choice of scent can make or break your salmon fishing success. For our Columbia River applications, we’ve had exceptional results with Mack’s Lure custom scent line produced by Pro-Cure.
Mack's
Garlic Plus is a little bit different than Pro-Cure’s regular Garlic Plus - it is made with a Mack's twist.
The key is creating the right consistency. We combine the
Garlic Plus with Pro-Cure’s bait oil, which has chartreuse coloring. This creates a mixture that flows properly through the flasher’s water entrance and exit ports. “Even after the bait is gone, all the tuna is gone, you still have the scent stuck to the inside of the scent flasher, which continues releasing scent into the water,” ensuring long-lasting effectiveness.
Rigging and Setup Techniques
Proper rigging is crucial for maximizing the effectiveness of the
ScentFlash Paddle Flasher. Our standard setup includes a 24-inch bumper between the weight and the flasher, keeping the lead separated from the flasher presentation.
PRO TIP: A bumper is used to keep the lead separated from the flasher so that the flasher can still do its rotation properly. If the lead needs a 24-32” bumper between it and the flasher or dodger because it can't do its job with the lead right on top of it.
“These are the KastKing 10'6" Pro Troll rods,” Bobby says, referring to the rods that provide the necessary backbone for handling both the flasher system and powerful Chinook salmon.
The key to success lies in achieving the proper action: “If it’s not working, it’ll kind of be dead. When it’s working, you’ll have a nice throbbing action. That’s what you’re looking for”. This pulsating rod tip indicates the flasher is performing its wide rotational pattern, producing vibrations that salmon associate with feeding activity.
Downriver Trolling Strategy
The strong current of the Hanford Reach makes downriver trolling especially effective. “A lot of times down here, our current can get so strong that you can’t troll upriver. So trolling downriver allows me to cover three or four times the water that others are covering by sitting still or trying to hold in one specific spot,” Bob explained.
Speed control is critical with this technique: “It’s not really a speed thing—it’s more about watching my rods and seeing what the flasher action looks like. That’s what I’m focused on, rather than trolling speed.”
For line deployment, we typically run back rods at 40–45 feet on the line counter and front rods at 30–35 feet. This staggered approach prevents tangles and ensures each flasher is working in clean, undisturbed water.
The Removable Fin Feature
A unique feature of the
ScentFlash Paddle Flasher is its removable fin. These actually have a removable fin that changes how they perform. With the fin, they do a traditional 360 roll. Without it, they act more like a dodger,” Bob noted
However, for Hanford Reach conditions, we typically keep the fin in. “Down here, we’ve got a lot of heavy current, and that makes it float a little. Without the fin, it doesn’t track true,” Bob explains. The fin adds necessary stability in these challenging current conditions.
Pairing with Effective Terminal Tackle
“That’s on some of Mack’s Lures products,” Bob said, referring to the specialized hook design that provides superior hookup ratios.
Practical Application Tips
To fish the ScentFlash system successfully, keep a few best practices in mind:
Watch your rod tips; a pulsating action indicates proper flasher performance.
Don’t overload the scent chamber--a thin, runny consistency works best.
Use Good Day Fishing releases, but be ready to modify them slightly. “I had to adjust mine a bit because they’re designed a little thicker, and they don’t have a short swivel,” Bobby noted.
Check your leaders between fish. As guide Mike Roth emphasized, “It’s really important to check your leaders. One nick can cause your next big fish to break off.”
Proven Results on the Water
The hookup-to-landing ratio with this system has been exceptional. Thanks to the combined fish-attracting power of the flasher, scent trail, and hook design, the system not only draws strikes, but lands fish consistently.
Seasonal Considerations
The Hanford Reach fall Chinook run typically begins in early September and continues through mid-October. These upriver brights have traveled over 400 miles from the ocean, making them especially aggressive when presented with the right mix of visual cues and scent.
Water conditions during this period can vary, from crystal clear to slightly colored, depending on weather and dam releases. The ScentFlash system’s combination of UV flash and scent dispersion remains effective in all conditions.
Advanced Techniques and Modifications
Advanced anglers can improve their results by customizing their ScentFlash systems. Some experiment with mixing flasher colors, combining UV and green panels for a unique presentation. The scent chamber can also be loaded with crushed baitfish, tuna, or scent pads for added attraction.
In tough conditions, consider the triangle flasher option for slower presentations. Bobby says, “I’ll run those with the Wiggle Hoochie setup, like this one here,” Use the triangle version with longer leaders for more erratic action.
The
ScentFlash UV Paddle Flasher represents the evolution of salmon fishing gear. It combines time-tested flasher design with a modern scent delivery system, giving Columbia River anglers a powerful new tool. With proper rigging, scent selection, and technique, the ScentFlash system can significantly boost your catch rates, especially when traditional methods fall short.
