Frenchman's Bar Report

[garyk]

Frenchman's Bar, Columbia River, 9/17/00

Fished Sun, from approx. the AM high slack, until 4pm - about 8 hours.
After the tide was running out for about two hours, saw one boat quickly catch two smallish fish - couldn't tell if they were small silvers or jacks. Finally a flurry of action around 2pm - nearly 5 hours after the tide change.

Silver Alvins w/blue tape seemed popular among the nearby boats. The boat next to us got one on that and another on the silver w/chartreuse tip. A boat who allegedly got 3 Sat. and 2, that I saw, on Sun. appeared to be using an all gold or brass finish Alvin. Those in the know said a 60" lead-line w/8ozs., and 50" leader was the setup to use.

Through the day we saw a dozen-plus fish caught for about 40 boats.

[Pilar]

Thanks for the report Garyk. Nice to know someone gets bit over there. All I ever see is lots of guys going to sleep. zzzzzzzzzz. Reminds me of winter sturgeon fishing when the bite is off.

The bend is your friend!

[garyk]

Waterdog--

You Wrote -- "The one boat I saw catch 3 in about an hour was using some kind of flasher or "dodger" that was fairly small and triangler in shape."

I assume you mean this was an attractor and then there was also a lure. If I understand this correctly, the boat next to me that got 2 was using that flasher ahead of an Alvin. It was a triangular, prismatic flasher, with some bend in the fins to make it move.

Now the boat, that got 5 total on Sat/Sun did not appear to be using flashers.

Of note, 2 weeks ago at the TB Coast Guard Hole, when I watched Greg of Greg's Marine get three of a total of 4 caught - he also was using that prismatic flasher.

Guess it's time for lunch and now I'm motivated to hike over Fishermans Marine Supply and check those things out. Especially with the count = 'boats next to me w/flashers: 5 fish' vs. 'me without flashers 0'.

[WaterDog]

garyk,

You saw the same thing I did. I saw it from 500 yards away through my binocs. Looked like they were using about a 5 foot leader and the "flasher" was spliced in the middle. Does that sound right? I'd like to try one of those things this Saturday, but darn it if I can't get to Fisherman's this week.

Mojet, what number is your boat? Mine is #29!

------------------
EAT, SLEEP, FISH!

[MoJet Driver]

WaterDog, mine's #70. Center console, silver bullet!

[garyk]

Waterdog--

You Wrote -- "The one boat I saw catch 3 in about an hour was using some kind of flasher or "dodger" that was fairly small and triangler in shape."

OK, I got one (actually two) in my hand, from Fishermans Marine Supply. They are 'Fish Flash' - 'small size, lazer finish' by Big Al's Tackle Co., Gig Harbor, WA, 800-535-3350.

F.M.S. had about ten left (the two bigger sizes appeared un-touched judging from the jammed-full peg board hooks). IF you call the 800 number they can tell you if there's a dealer closer to you - or maybe do a mail order; then you'll have 'em for the weekend.

Anyway, after talking with more folks - who actually catch chinooks - it seems the real secret to success is tuning the Alvin so that it has the correct wobble. (I suppose this means its back to F.M.S. for an Alvin-tune-up kit; or maybe thats a NAPA parts store item, we'll see.)

[WaterDog]

I was there Sat and caught a 12# silver, lost another, had a strike, and foul hooked a jack. The one boat I saw catch 3 in about an hour was using some kind of flasher or "dodger" that was fairly small and triangler in shape. Another boat was doing the same set up and they landed 2 and lost one. What are those things?

I was using a silver clancy with blue tape.

------------------
EAT, SLEEP, FISH!

[MoJet Driver]

'Dog, sounds like a Noors lure. Were you close enough to eyeball the color(s)?

[Deleted User]

No kit needed. Use a long nosed pliars and gently reduce the angle of the lower "flaps" on the Alvins. If you turn the 2 outside lower and the lowest bottom bends/flaps closer to horizontal, but not quite, the wobbler will rock more gently from side to side (about from 4 o'clock angle to 8 o'clock angle) instead of strong wobble rocking (from about 3 to 9). Adjust with the varying currents. This seems to draw more strikes from the warm water lazy 'Nooks. And of course you've probably read that particularly this year better success has come in deeper slots (40' to 50') and with longer lead droppers (5' give or take). - RT

[WaterDog]

Thanks for the info garyk! Unfortunatly I'll be in a conference for a couple of days out of town and wont be able to do anything about it till Thursday. http://www.ifish.net/forum/images/graemlins/frown.gif

As far as tuning goes, I've had some good luck with using larger and heavier hooks and split rings. Also some tubing on the hook shank works well. RT, your a braver man than I to bend a $10.00 lure!

Opinons on this is like everything else, everyones got one. A couple of weeks ago I fished next to a coulpe of retired guys. They didnt think much of the tuning thing. Said color was the key and that they had caught fish everyday on a white, chartruse tip clancy. However, for me a combo of tuning and color has put fish in my boat.

------------------
EAT, SLEEP, FISH!

[garyk]

Waterdog, can you shed some light on the color tape aspect. Blue seems popular, do you like anything else. How about shape? dots? stripes? Appreciate your thoughts, and thanks too RT for the bending advice. While I fix the plumbing tonite, I'll be sending my wife down to the boat launch with Alvins and pliers, with the jaws cushioned, (then if we don't catch anything on Weds. it'll be her fault!).

[RKB]

The flasher that you are looking for is a tri flash you can find them on line in Cabela's or there web site is.. www.hotyellow98.com/trolleytrout/triflash.html (http://www.hotyellow98.com/trolleytrout/triflash.html)