Just stopped by to say howdy.

[Chumley]

Posted this on the general chat and it was suggested that I check in here.

Howdy everyone,

I'm new here, but not to the the NW. I've lived in Beaverton, OR, for 28 yrs. Haven't fished much all those years; too busy as they say, but now I'm retired and I have the time and the means to do it. I am kind of giving my kids an early inheritance present, ha ha, by buying them a boat and plan on having some fun fishing with them.
I am originally from the midwest and bass, walleye, pike and muskie and misc panfish are in my blood and I am told that the Columbia holds plenty of good bass and walleye.
What is the best way to find them. Maps, experience (I don't have)but plan to get, this forum, what else?
Looking forward to getting out on the water. :yay:

[shelikeschrome]

Hey you found it! Saw your post earlier....
Have never fished Bass before and found someone to take me out and learn a whole new way to fish. Guess they don't start until March or April. Saw some pictures of some very nice looking fish. Can't wait! Think you will find the elusive steelhead, salmon, and trout are pretty popular around here. I'm ready for a change even though I still haven't caught a salmon! Good luck! Somebody will pop up here to help you out and probably offer a go along with!
:wave:

[beetlespin]

Hi Chumley,

You joined this discussion group during the kinda quiet period but it will get very lively beginning in March. I also recently retired and bought a boat so have only one good year of experience ahead of you.

But it was a great year with a fair mess of bass to boot. This group will help you get on the smallmouth and some largemouth too, mainly on the Columbia and Willamette, close to home.

I started fishing the Columbia just north of Portland in April and May and I must say it was an incredible experience. The scenery from a boat is incredible and the fishing is unbelievable.

The first thing I picked up was that both rivers, but especially the Columbia, are very very different from the boat lake fishing that I did in the past. I had a barge pass me on the Columbia that was at least as large as a several story building. The currents are tricky and both the visible and underwater hazards are humbling.

I think of myself as a careful person and still:

* Got caught between rocks and rushing water on the Willamette that could have capsized me.
* In the Camas Slough on the Columbia, I got jolted and spun around by some metal underwater object JUST DRIFING in the current. It left bare metal scrapes. I'm lucky the object didn't penetrate the aluminum.
* In the Multnomah channel, in near idle, I ran up on a submerged post and had a hard time poling off.

If you're unfamiliar with a fast flowing river you will be surprised how fast a deep channel turns to shallows and where the shallows suddenly just appear out of nowhere.

By the fall I was very cautious but felt much more comfortable feeling that I had learned enough to keep me safe. I never though I’d wear a PFD but I’m a believer now.

One of the first steps should be to get a Columbia/ Willamette River Cruiser book available at any decent sized sporting goods store. I study mine the night before I plan to launch, every time I go out, looking for marked or likely hazards and promising fishing spots.

Maybe we could hook up this spring. I live in Beaverton near Sunset Hwy and Cornell.


Welcome,

Mike

[shalom]

Welcome Aboard !!!!!!!!

[Super Fluke]

Welcome if you want to catch bass go to Hagg or Silver lake

[bucketmouth]

Welcome aboard Chumley. Bettlespin offers some good advice. Time on the water is the best learning tool. Do a search or scan earlier post from this forum and check out what most of us are using for tackle.

What kind of boat are you getting? Or have gotten?

[Knot in leader]

Welcome aboard :wave:

[Hunt'nFish]

Welcome! Your in the right place now!
Lots of help here, just holler.

Walleye???? Are there walleye out there? :grin:
My best eye is 12lb... ya gotta love fish w/ teeth!
Email me if you want some C.R. walleye info or just want to sneek out some time. email ady in my profile, just click on my name above my pic. BTW, yes that is a walleye in the pic!
Hunt'nFish