Weekend on the Willey 5/16-18

[Hunt'nFish]

Well loaded up the Crestliner and hit the river for a weekend of camping w/ the family & friends at the secret Hunt'nFish camp.
Mike "QH'sPaw" joined me for a Friday morning fish and we found a few fish all fat with eggs. The river had come up and was a bit off color but not a good as I've seen it before. After staying up all night getting the boat & gear ready, and no sleep, I was a bit off my game. Mike spanked me in the fishing but I still had a lot of fun. Mike's a super guy and I enjoyed his company. Craw cranks and pearl tubes seemed to treat us better than others.
http://www.ifish.net/gallery/data/500/thumbs/My_smallie.JPG (http://www.ifish.net/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/78027/ppuser/9048) http://www.ifish.net/gallery/data/500/thumbs/Hunt_nFish_smallie.JPG (http://www.ifish.net/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/78026/ppuser/9048)
High flow w/ Mid 50's water temp & visability to ~4ft.
All fish seemed to be staging for spawn.

Saturday my Uncle "GrumpyGrouper" joined me and we found the fishing tougher. Water had come up and water clarity even less. Focused on protected backwater after fishing all the same water from the previous day to no avail. Finally found them back up in a cut.

Shuttled a few more people in for a Saturday night BBQ dinner, including "Headhunter" and his little girl who stayed the night w/ us. Normally we can fish right out of camp, but the flow was so much that this was difficult but he did manage a few on a mepps spinner.

Ran into Bassinator and sounded like they did pretty good fishing depper. Perhaps I should've searched longer but the heat had me seeking a cold one and some shade.:D Even had to jump in a few times to cool off.....BOY does 55F water feel COLD when your that hot! Sunburns all the way around. But the evening fire sure were enjoyable once it cooled off.

Sunday I didn't fish, water had come up a good foot and visabilty down to a couple foot.
Anyway sure was nice to get out and enjoy some time on the river.
Hunt'nFish

http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n122/Mike_in_Oregon/Willamette%20Rvr/Willy%20May%2016%20to%2018/P1030408b.jpg?t=1211220793

http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n122/Mike_in_Oregon/Willamette%20Rvr/Willy%20May%2016%20to%2018/P1030407.jpg?t=1211220761

[AtItAgain]

Sounds like a great weekend Mike. :applause:

We hit the river Friday night and your right that water did feel very cold. The dogs didn't mind the temp though.

[MXRacer105]

That looks like a money camping spot you have their Mike....

[team doyle]

great report mike.
i look at that spot every time i cruise through there.
hopefully the angling will pick up after the flow subsides.

joe

[Hunt'nFish]

Yeah, pretty special spot. When the valley hits the 90's, you'll know where I'll be.

AtItAgain, I almost called you....but figured you were headed for Fern Ridge w/ the family. Next time.
Hunt'nFish

[QH's Paw]

Thanks again Mike for a great day on the water. It was just the kind of therapy I was in need of. It was good to finally meet you. We'll have to get out there and chase'em down when the water settles a little.
I can't imagine how burned you guys are, my arms and shoulders are bad enough in just part of a day.
I might of caught a few more fish but, you caught the biggest fatty hen. It all evens out.:wink:

[Hunt'nFish]

Pretty red after that first day, but a good slather of SPF50 saved the day. Looking pretty tan today.

Maybe we should do a fathers & kids fishout?
You know, get the kids out and give the wives a quiet weekend off.
A little father kid time.

Hey Joe, how old are yours now??
Hunt'nFish

[ExBassGuide]

looks like fun Mike:applause:!
Thanks
Roger

[team doyle]

i've got a couple teenage girls.
and a baby girl that's 16months.
maybe i could get one of the big girls to come.

joe

[QH's Paw]

Maybe we should do a fathers & kids fishout?
You know, get the kids out and give the wives a quiet weekend off.
A little father kid time.

Hey that sounds great but we would have to hitch a ride.

[Headhunter]

Mike,

Thanks again for having my daughter and I join you. We had a great time! You know this worked really well into the master plan:whistle: All my daugher could talk about to mom was a boat and a black lab:throb: Don't worry....i'll give you a commission:D

Once again, THANKS!

[Hunt'nFish]

It was a pleasure to have you and your daughter join us. I knew she'd have a ball.
Now we just need to get a fish pic of her. Did you let her reel in one of yours... or were you selfish?
Hunt'nFish

:laugh:Let the boat conspiring begin!

You know I saw an old $400 fixer upper Tri-Hull Larson the other day.
We could paint it OD green, shoot it full of foam, put some Whaler stickers on it and make believe it's TarHeel's boat.

Whalers are hybrid tri-hulls anyway. That's why they ride so well.