16' boat in Astoria

[Wet_Willy]

Okay, I have fished Nehalem, the Columbia and Clackamas this last month and just can't stand to see any more reports of limits up at buoy 10 and the Church hole. I've got a 16' Klamath Alaskan with 55hp ob and 6hp kicker. I don't have a death wish and am pretty careful. Have I been too careful in not taking my boat up there to get in on this catch? I'd sure like to come home with a nice cooler of fish while the fishing is still open but with my boat I've been nervous that it isn't quite big enough for that water. I know that guys take their drift boats out there, not looking for "big kahone's" stories. My drift boat will never see that water. I'm just wondering if a high sided boat like mine is really overmatched by that water...Or if there is an area I should stick to. I've never been out there.
Thanks all.
WW

[chuck 'n' duck]

I was out there last weekend and saw plenty of similar boats. If I were you, I would stick to the incoming tide ONLY. That outgoing tide really rips, and if your motor should fail, you could be in a whole lot of trouble. Fish low slack through high slack. I would recommend fishing just outside of Chinook, WA. If you launch at chinook, and stay in the area it is a really quick run to get to protected waters if it gets nasty out there. We did really well running delta divers and whole herring at 10-15 pulls.

Good Luck,

CnD

[scrod]

Remember the reports you hear are only the good catches. The river has been really off and on lately. The only sure thing is the ocean. Mind your weather reports, lauch at Chinook and fish the Church hole and east . You should be fine. Boat traffic is as big a hazard as the water so wear flotation. images/icons/smile.gif

[Phish_on]

Willie,
My boat is just under 16', an antique wooden runabout (deep-V hull), with an antique 35hp Merc. My "kicker" is a Minn-Kota which is all but comepletely useless out there.

I would be out there today, but all my buddies have JOBS and have to work today. Incredible!

I think you're good to go, as long as you don't act like a wildman. Don't bother trying to get to Buoy 10, there are plenty of fish on the inside.

The weather is the biggest factor, I mean the WIND. Also be very aware of the tides. Usually either side of the river will be reasonably calm, but if you try to cross - - a lot of stuff is happening with the water, let's put it that way. Keep your head up, it comes at you from every direction.

My boat handles rough water quite well, and I've spent a lot of time out there, but I don't go alone (it would be really hard to FISH, mainly), always have the PFD on and the VHF radio.

Go catch salmon.

[GaryB]

Hi Wet_Willy,

I am originally from Astoria and have spent a lot of time on the river up there.
I used to fish and duck hunt out of a 12' smoker craft on most all the river from bouy 22 up. Bouy 14 can be a problem,that seem to be where a lot of people get into trouble. The boat you have should be no problem up there as long as you use your head and only go out when condition are favorable. Pay close attention to the tides and the wind, wear your PFD and stay away from the spit, log dikes and other vessles.
The boat I fish @ 10 and even out in the ocean when weather permits is a 1973 robin egg blue fiberform. You can't miss this one
images/icons/wink.gif Plenty seaworthy but still only a fair weather craft. I don't want to be out if it's sloppy anyway.

Hope this helps....

GaryB
Bay City

[finclipped]

Wet Willy, if you feel you need to get in on the action, I would recommend fishing just outside the Hammond Marina. It is relatively sheltered and is close to the take out. Only seconds outside the Marina, you can fish. Should the winds kick up very strong, you are close to the take out. You do need to avoid the ships coming in and out, but this will be one of the more sheltered area's in that area. If in doubt, don't try it. Most people who get in trouble are not aware of the places to avoid. Staying outside the harbor in 30-60 ft of water, you should be okay. I have seen just about anything that floats, fishing down there from jet ski's to 60 ft yachts.

[Pete]

The channel outside Hammond may be sheltered, but on an outgoing tide I've experienced 4 foot standing waves there which made my 20 foot boat seem very vulnerable. If you choose to fish there, remember, the wind, the tide, the river current and the boat chop can all make things really dicy. Things change quick at the mouth of the big river ... be observant and careful .... and most of all, remember, it's supposed to be fun! If it isn't, save it for later.

[Wet_Willy]

Thanks guys, this was exactly what I was looking for. Straight shooting. I haven't decided if I'll be down there or not yet but this gives me an idea. I'll check the weather reports and tides and I definitely will wear the pfd and not be out there alone. Great info, I really appreciate...so does my 5 month old daughter who doesn't want her dad to get hurt... images/icons/smile.gifThanks again.
Bill

[Wet_Willy]

Thanks guys, this was exactly what I was looking for. Straight shooting. I haven't decided if I'll be down there or not yet but this gives me an idea. I'll check the weather reports and tides and I definitely will wear the pfd and not be out there alone. Great info, I really appreciate...so does my 5 month old daughter who doesn't want her dad to get hurt... images/icons/smile.gifThanks again.
Bill

[RGB]

I have a 16 foot welded jon boat that I took to the Astoria bridge on Sunday. When you cross the bridge into WA. turn right and drive four miles to a gravel ramp called Knappton. You may need four wheel drive at low tide, but I think the tides this weekend are small. It's ten minutes to the bridge with my 40hp jet, and only four other guys used the ramp on sunday. Good luck. We got two keepers there last weekend.

[Phish_on]

just have to say "what Pete said" on that rip at the Hammond entrance. Chinook is probably just as good for being close to the takeout and better for close to more fish.

That said, last time I found myself in the middle of a big "riffle" (during the ebb) between Chinook and the bridge that made me a bit uncomfortable... I seem to find surprises every time.

I've seen that baby-blue boat out there!

[Crabby 2]

WW, I fish in a similar hull. Mine's a Sylvan Yukon Select. I've got a 25 hp and a 6 hp kicker. Two weeks ago I launched at Chinook and stayed close to 5. You have to fish within your comfort level. For me, I stayed away from the rips and was on my way back to the launch at high tide. Don't even think about fishing the ebb! You'll see some brave or stupid people out at 10 in boats like ours. You don't need to fish with the herd at 10 to catch fish in the Estuary!

Dale

[IAMFORELK]

WW,
I also have a 15' Sylvan Yukon with a 45hp jet with a 4hp Yam kicker, and last Saturday I tried to put in at Chinook.....tried was the word here. With a south wind the Chinook side was ugly for small boats. Once the tide comes in, it starts to lay flat again. I love to fish but losing my life for a few fish isn't worth it. I will try again tho...
Usally small boats are fine, you just have to pick the right time...and last Saturday at Chinook was NOT the right time for my comfort level.

I just love the sound of.."FISH ON"

[Firedog]

I would also say to launch at Hammond or Tackle time. Both have good fishing right outside them. I was down tuesday and it was windy and still very fishable out in front of the skipinon all the way down to about buoy 22. was rougher down on that end though. We did our best up between 27 and 29 and also right in fron of the skipinon. Good luck. Saw a guy in about an 8' zodiac fishing, now that is way to small fo me.

[FishinMission]

Wet Willy...ride it out..limits will be the rule anytime now on coho at the mouth of the Clack. No fish is worth your life...or anybody elses. Trust me ...in about a week or so...you can hammer right here in Oregon City on flat water, and no death defying acts are needed. Wait it out. They're coming dude..."Big time"... images/icons/grin.gif

[Silent Lucidity]

JUST MAKE SURE AND WEAR YOUR LIFE PRESERVER!!!

[Tacklebuster]

WW,
Your boat will be fine just as long as you use your head. I would not fish outside of the Hammond marina for 1 reason, getting back in. When that current rips through, those rocks can be pretty dangerous. I have personally blasted through 4 to 6 foot standing waves just to get back in. The ramp is the other reason I wouldn't do it. Too long of a line at the ramp and when you do launch and make it past the rocks, the shipping lane is right there.
I personally would launch out of Ilwaco. I have launched on the weekends and have never had to wait more than 20 minutes. I wouldn't probably fish buoy 10 but as soon as you spit out into the river, fish the Washington side from the A jetty on up. The jetty will give you some pretty protected water and there are tons of fish in that area. Fish an incoming tide and keep out of the shipping lanes and away from all the people in the "rips."
I have caught more fish from that stretch of water and it isn't all that crowded. If the weather gets rough, you are only a couple of minutes away from getting off the river. The A jetty also protects the entrance so you don't have to worry about the current and the waves. I have fished the area for sturgeon for years in a 16 footer before I bought my sled and never had any problems.
Use your head and be smart. There are tons of fish so go get some. Have respect for the river and be prepared to leave when it starts to get rough. Fish an A.M. flood tide and be off the water before the afternoon. Do not let all the hype "scare" you off. I am planning a trip on Tuesday morning and would be more than happy to show you some good safe productive spots images/icons/cool.gif

[ 09-07-2001: Message edited by: Tacklebuster ]

[fishbait]

WW,
I have fished this area on and off for many years, I would NOT, repeat WOULD NOT go out in your boat. IT MIGHT be fine most of the time BUT.... your margin of error is small. IF you do not run very far, pay careful attention to the tides and weather you SHOULD be fine.......... Check out the Knappton ramp... WA side 2.5 Miles above bridge. Make sure you have a high axel and pivot license plate on trailer. That is you best bet. HEy. I have caught 33 chinook and over 50-60 silvers so far this year... my attitude is simple....your boat is too small for this water and it aint worth it for a few fish..pure and simple..it aint worth taking the SMALL/MED or whatever risk....OK, call me chicken, call my nads mouse like..Say whatever the F#$% you want the fact is, I will live to fish another day. I have been in serious trouble in this water in 24 ft boats. THIS IS OR CAN BE BIG WATER. I see lots of people out in 12, 14, 16, 18ft boats, drift boats, etc. Remember, natural selection does work. The fact of the matter is that we fish because it is supposed to be fun. How much fun would you have worrying about the tides/weather, talking to you buddies on the phone and they are just spanking um at 14 in the swells and you can't go there. The nice thing about these fish is that you do not have to go to them... They WILL come to you...Just go get them up river. Your boat is perfect for the meat hole on the N. Fk Lewis, or the mouth of the Kalama, tidewater on the nehalem. siletz, upper Youngs bay, there are lots of places where you can catch a ton of fish where your boat would be perfect....Why risk it for a few lousy fish..... my 0.02 cents worth. You make your own decision, remember, opinions are like noses.......everybody has at least one.........Fishbait

[ 09-07-2001: Message edited by: fishbait ]

[Trick]

O.K., since you asked. Fishbait you have nads like a mouse. images/icons/tongue.gif

[Tinman]

Wet Willy: I have a similar boat, a 15 foot Bayrunner with a 25 Hp Evinrude and 3.5 hp kicker. The boat has the same kind of high bow yours does. Though I've not fished buoy 10, I've had my boat on the ocean quite a bit. For its size, your high-bow Klamath is a seaworthy design, much more so than the average sled. Here's my 2 cents worth on safe operation of your boat.

1. Be ready to scrub a trip when conditions look marginal, no matter how much you ache to fish. There's always another day.

2. Remember that collisions (with other boats or with fixed or floating objects) account for about half of pleasure boating fatalities according to the Coast Guard. Keep a constant lookout, play defense, and be ready to get out of the way in case some idiot doesn't see you. I also keep an air horn at the helm to warn people off.

3. Don't drink on the water, and to hell with the macho male bonding associated with beer and boating. That's a part of fisherman's culture that we need to scrap.

4. Go slow if you need to. Your hull will probably plane at 14 knots, which makes rough water much more manageable.

5. Wear a life jacket, preferrably a bright orange or yellow one. Don't worry about looking foolish, I'd like to see the day when fishermen WITHOUT life jackets were the ones that looked out of place.

6. Don't overload the boat. On big water I carry only one passenger besides myself. A lightly loaded hull is much more seaworthy.

7. Learn how to use your GPS so that it becomes second nature. Build confidence in using it, and learn to operate it quickly and without referring to the manual. In an emergency (sudden fog or you need to radio your position to get help) you need to operate your GPS quickly and surely, and have confidence in it..there's no time to consult the manual. The same goes for your VHF radio. $300 will will get you a GPS and handheld VHF. Skippers who go without just aren't serious about safety.

8. Leave a float plan (see other threads on this subject)

As they say, there are old sailors and bold sailors, but no old bold sailors. You've got a great hull...enjoy it.