Willamette

[Kinebra]

Rumor has it that the Willamette was great today (what else would you expect at the peak of the run and no fishing for eight days). Our boat hooked 12, netted 9 and kept 2 clipped fish (two people). Meldrum had a great bight!
On the negative side we did see three beautiful fish float by, so be careful when releasing your catch. I did see some people back-bouncing Alvins doing great, same with Kwick Fish. So to avoid the chubs and help cut down on the mortality rate try to use hardware when possible!

[Deleted User]

Hey JK, not a bad day of shad fishing! Didn't know they were in yet. http://www.ifish.net/forum/images/graemlins/grin.gif Just kidding- I'm literally ****** off being stuck to a frigin' bag when that kind of springer bite is goin' on! Way to go & keep it up. - Steve http://www.ifish.net/forum/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[Ramstrong]

Yesterday it was Hot on the Willamette. We had about 8 takedowns, 4 were hooked, 2 to the boat, 1 finclip. The worst hookings of fish I saw yesterday came on Kwikfish. The trebles did some damage when fish smashed them. Saw 1 that had all 3 points of the treble holding the mouth shut, that fish couldn't breathe while hooked and had a stressful rough release trying to free all 3 points. Both fish we landed were hooked using RT's prawn rigging, every fish we've gotten to the boat using that rig wasn't hooked deep and was or would have been easy to release without removing from the water. I also saw a lot of unnesecary netting of fish that were to be released, and also noticed fish floating downstream on the surface. If we don't raise awareness of proper release technique, we've been doing it for steelhead long enough to know how to do it, this fishery isn't going to last long.
I personally wouldn't mind seing it go single point barbless.

[This message has been edited by Ramstrong (edited 05-02-2000).]

[Deleted User]

Nice day Ryan.- It is bothersome to hear of floating fish however. They don't float for long- dead salmon usually sink and tumble or settle along the bottom. Even the ones you see on the bottom of coastal rivers in the fall stay there after the decay produces some gaseous bloat. So those were probably just released fish you saw. Improperly released. Remember anglers to try to gently remove jaw hookups while keeping the fish in the water; and if hooked deep simply cut the leader in close. Jim Martin reported on this site several weeks ago about the ODFW studies on various release techniques affect on fish survival (specifically on Willamette springers). While studies showed an acceptable mortality rate average of 7% or less, in 2 years of study thus far, there was still concern over the fish taking trebles too deep because most fishermen will jerk and yank the hooks out, mortally wounding the fish to save a $5 lure. These treble "wire-up" hookings are far more damaging than bait hookups, even the deeply swallowed baits, because most anglers are aware to just cut the leader and a vast majority of those will survive. I agree RA that the ODFW may have to ban trebles because if left legal an unfortunate % of anglers will continue to use them on native fish runs (including coastal steelie nates). I hope they at least de-barb the trebles for easier removal. Kwikfish with 2, barrelswivel extended, sticky sharp siwash hooks do work well. They may miss a "short" strike occassionally but make up for it by better hookups on good strikes. They are mandatory on many NW B.C. and AK rivers (such as the Kitimat & Kenai) and anglers do very well with the siwash rigups; on all plugs too. - Steve

[FC]

RT,
Spoke with Tim (who is too cheap for internet access)about hook sizes. He says for K-14's he uses a 4/0. For K-15 and 16's he uses a 5/0. On standard size wiggle warts he uses a 4/0 and a 5/0 for magnum warts. He said to bend the hook off center for better hookups. If not the end of the hook is protected by the shank and you may miss a few. He also recommended that you stay away from Gamagatzu (sp?) hooks as we have found that they are too brittle and break off. Hope this helps. See ya!

[Deleted User]

Thanks FC & Tim. Those huge 'nooks you fish for up north deserve those large siwash hooks. They work well when your Dad & I use them for fall 'nooks in Tillamook rivers; catches less leaves than the trebles. However, my preference for catching smaller springers with the K14 & standard Warts would be a strong 3/0 siwash (2 on the Kwikfish & 1 on a short beadchain from the belly wireloop for the Wart). As for that hook bend trick your Dad has kept secret from me, heat them up a bit before bending to help keep max hook strength. Talk with you later. - Steve

[Ramstrong]

RT-
Glad to see you back, and in one piece at that. What size siwash do you recommend for both K-14 and 15's? I've been refitting my salmon and steelhead spinners with siwash's for the last couple of years and had good success. I would imagine split ring to the swivel and then the siwash off of that. 1/0 2/0 in the approximate range? Glad to hear your input So I can try the sardine wrap Saturday. As far as the floaters, they had to have been just released. But salmon doing circles belly up probablly aren't going to be alive to long. It is such an awesome fishery, don't want to loose it prematurely. How long till you're out on the water again?

[This message has been edited by Ramstrong (edited 05-02-2000).]

[Deleted User]

Thanks RS. I would try a size larger siwash (rigged as you mentioned). They still won't be as heavy as the stock trebles so won't negatively affect the action. As with the trebles, be careful that the hooks aren't crossed as you let them out (I know you knew that- excuse my style). If you experiment with different sizes let us know what seems to work best. Later, Steve - P.S. (edit) Hey Tim and Chris and others that fish the far north, please give us some feedback on siwash sizes for specific size Kwikfish and plug applications that you do well with up there. Would be greatly appreciated- can help save a lot of fish around here (and you wouldn't be giving up any advantages). Thanks.

[This message has been edited by RT (edited 05-02-2000).]