Smallmouths from the willy near wilsonville

[bucketmouth]

Went fishing today with Team Doyle out of Boones landing. It was a pretty slow day and fish were few and far between. We managed 12 though, 7 of which were Mr. Doyle's - spanked me again.

None were monsters and worthy of pictures but Joe did pick up a couple decent 15 inchers. Fat chunks too.

We knocked off at about 11:30AM as it was pretty cool from the wind chill.

Got to see K-stock and MXRacer out there too. Good to have a chance to talk to them and compare notes on what the bite was like. All in all it was a fun day.

Last Saturday however, I did the same stretch of the river and although it was much colder air temp that morning than today, the fish were on the bite. I picked up 5 quality fish that if entered in a tournament would have gone 15 lbs 6 ozs. Here are some pics from that days catch.

http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q33/Bronzeback-album/WillametteRiverFallBass012.jpg


http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q33/Bronzeback-album/WillametteRiverFallBass008.jpg

http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q33/Bronzeback-album/WillametteRiverFallBass010.jpg

http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q33/Bronzeback-album/WillametteRiverFallBass004.jpg

http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q33/Bronzeback-album/WillametteRiverFallBass002.jpg

http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q33/Bronzeback-album/WillametteRiverFallBass007.jpg

[boblag]

Those are some nice fish!

[FelonFinder]

Wow!

[mkwerx]

Score - what were they taking?

[KStock]

Nice fish, Rich! I was so glad I got to see you (my ol' mentor) today after 3 years and pick up a few tips like old times. I was nice to finally meet Joe as well. It sounds like you did about as well or just a bit better than we did today. 4 of my 5 fish were between 1.3 and 1.8 lbs... so not too bad. Most of our fish came on crank baits (Orange or Red did well) but I caught 2-3 on either a Drop-shot Rob worm or 3" Senko... shad color. To their credit, Matt and Ryan both experimented with Jerk baits today as well with no luck. The fish seemed to be all over the water column and skattered... as you had suggested they might be. We couldn't seem to find any real pattern. I hope to see you again soon.

[ExBassGuide]

Good job Rich (you are killing me man).
With the change to your work days, it looks like we will not run into each other much.
Thanks!
Roger

[MJ13]

Nice lookin fish. What's that growing off the belly of the first fish pictured?

[bucketmouth]

Roger, That's disappointing. Had hoped I would get to fish with you again this season.

MKWREX. These smallies were taking soft plastics for the most part, but one came on a hot lips crawdad pattern crank.

MJ13, I'm not sure of what the growth is. Seen a lot of fish over the years with similar stuff on their bodies.

[team doyle]

great to see the photos of those quality river smallies rich.
some of us haven't seen a 4 pounder since june!
joe

[MXRacer105]

It was nice to meet you Rich (and good to see you again Joe).... yeah the bite was not the best but could complain about the weather!! I was surprised the water was as warm as it was....

We were able to pick up a couple right around 3lbs, but all the other were between 1.5 and 2. They were pounding the cranks on the pause early, so I tied on a jerkbait (as Kurt mentioned) with no luck.

And nice pics from last weekend Rich, that is a great bag for this stretch. How many time during the morning did you tell Joe, "Should have been here last weekend...."

[1bigfish]

The fishing was about the same on the Willy in Salem on Saturday. I also hooked my first Salmon in the Salem area. I did get a really good look at it but it was one of those things where I knew I had a few nicks in the line but didn't retie like I should have. At least it was only a salmon I lost and not a trophy size smallie. I was more upset about losing my crankbait then I was about the salmon. Hopefully it will be better next weekend. And next time I will retie when needed.

[KStock]

That must have been fun while it lasted, David! Tuan hooked into one last weekend as well near Cedar Oak while fishing in my boat. The Salmon swam with his crank bait right up to the surface as Tuan was reeling it in and we didn't even know it was on until it saw the boat, made a huge splash a foot away from us and was gone. It surprised the hell out of us both. We saw several Salmon rise that morning. One of us is bound to actually catch one, one of these times.