Lower Willamette Sturgeon Report

[Deleted User]

The fishing was a bit slow due to an incoming tide. However, our guide thought it better than fishing out in the Columbia because of the commercial netting lately. I was invited to be a late fill-in for host Scott Kappas's cameraman, who had a cold, to film his 'Hot Tomale Outdoor Show'. We went with Kieser guide Dennis Hull, yes, of "Bite Me Guide Service" http://www.ifish.net/forum/images/graemlins/smile.gif , and his son Bob. It was fun to film the show, and Scott took over the cam enough for me catch a couple shakers. We caught several of those, and the bites were very light. There were a number of boats fishing but only saw a few other shakers caught. Dennis is a fine guide and moved us several times from just above the mouth of the channel to upriver near the old "Ports of Call" complex, a ways below the 405 bridge. Scott was the star hooksetter today and also got the only keeper; a nice 47" wire tagged fish that likely roamed up from the Columbia. I am going to batter fry up some sturgeon that Scott shared with the rest of us. ... Also, Dennis got some still digital pics of the fish that I hope Scott will be able to post here. Thanks for the fun day guys. - Steve

[Hottamale1]

R.T.

Good job on the report. I think we were the ONLY ones at the Launch Ramp with a fish....Slow Day! Just think...that SAME fish ate 2 of our previous baits before getting hooked, finally. One Smart Fishy.

Scott

[Biteme]

steve, scott I just wanted to say that I enjoyed fishing with you boys and hope that I wasnt to nervous in front of the camera. as far as the sturgeon fishing goes, it has been very hard to locate any number of fish in the columbia even before the nets went in the river, but when you do find them there is a good percentage of keepers in there tuff to hook them though. I have found that in most of my usual places alot of which are shallower than 60ft the fish just arent there. they are in the deepest holes that you can find, and they move around alot so you have to chase them if you you want to find biters. another tip dont get hung up on plain smelt, and dont even bring shrimp. I dont want to give away all of my secrets but try squelt. I sent the pictures to scott and I will also try to post one here. http://home.att.net/~bitemeguides/page0003_files/scottstrug2.jpg
See ya on the water
Dennis

[This message has been edited by Biteme (edited 02-05-2001).]

[This message has been edited by Biteme (edited 02-05-2001).]

[Pilar]

Hey it's no secret. The sturgeon candy pickled Squid is cured with formaldehyde. That puts a hell of a scent footprint around your bait and makes it easy for the gator to follow his nose.

Back in the day the biggest legal I ever caught was a 71-1/2" fish. It gave it up for a 7/0 hook 18" of leader and a postage stamp size piece of pickled squid pulled up tight with the egg loop on the leader. I thought we were hung up but the snag swam slowly away and started peeling line.

We use that same deal now and pull the squid up into the smelt's mouth. That stuff is like taint, you can't wear it out.. Even when the smelt is gone it stays on your hook.

The bend is your friend!

[This message has been edited by Pilar (edited 02-05-2001).]

[Snapshot]

Thanks for sharing some of the secrets with us non sturgeon fishers. Every time I read about them I say that I want to give it a try. About the time I'm up to the challenge the fall salmon are coming in. Then, it's the winter runs and then the springers. By the time they slow down, the summer fish are in the rivers. By then, my honey do list is about done and I have not touched the waters. Moral of this sad story is that I always put off going out until it's over.
Is there an area of the Wilamette where I can find sturgeon? Anywhere around Oregon City to Newberg?
Thanks for any advise and also for the story. It's a perfect picture.

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[Deleted User]

Nice pick of Scott and his catch Dennis. Hey, Coke gets their cans into so many movies and TV shows don't they?! Look in the lower right of the pic. How much did they pay ya Scott, while you drank Pepsi off camera? http://www.ifish.net/forum/images/graemlins/grin.gif ....

Dennis got us into more action than any other boat we saw out there. And yes Pilar, you are a sly ol' dog - you figured it out about adding squid to smelt. But I won't tell you what additives Dennis uses; he would have to do that http://www.ifish.net/forum/images/graemlins/smile.gif . ...

Speaking of secrets John, I hope you will put them in the sturgeon section your doing for me. Save some of your multi-fish pics for the book. ...

Snapshot, sturgeon are caught regularly in the stretch below the falls at Oregon City. Dennis said that there is some decent sturgeon fishing in the Willamette above the falls. But I would be reluctant to eat them from up there due to them being confined to poluted waters. - RT