Newbie first story

[FINZ]

Well being that it is almost derby day, I felt it was time for me to post my first story. I am telling you about my last 2 experiences in the Eric Lindy derby(EX-Fishermans derby). Two years ago I was fishing with a couple friends down around shaker city and the KP area. We caught many shakers but no keepers I also lost my cell phone out of my shirt pocket while releasing a shaker. That was the High Point of my first derby ( got a new cell phone out of it any way.) Then at the banquet our team won egg cure as our prise.
Last year I got my own boat and had my own team. I thought this would be the year. we had to launch at PORT CO ramp in wa. Got the boat in the water ready to go and my boat wouldn't start. :shrug: (Dead battery - I thought) We drove all over trying to find an new battery and finaly found one at fred meyer when it opened. already 1 hour behind everyone else in the derby. Got back to the boat and installed the new battery and still nothing. I turned out to be my battery selector switch. I bypassed the selector switch and off we went about 1 1/2 hour behind. We went into the willamette and got our first fish 45" keeper!!! :dance: caught several shakers more than another keeper 47"!!!! :dance: we kept fishing catching shakers all day. It was around 2:00 and bam!! big fish on. Got it to the boat it looked nice and big. I pulled it out of the water to measure it and it had NO TAIL?? :shrug: must have been hit by a prop when it was little Shaker. The fish still measured 40". All most a perfect day except for the start. At the banquet our team once again one the big prize - 3 bags of beef Jerky.
This is going to be the year we will win!!! or atleast have my boat run and keeping all equipment in the boat.


So how come everyone has been so quiet lately about where they are catching Gators? I am going to fish up river by the wall? How about everyone else?

[Hawg Hunter]

Finz,
Welcome aboard! Enjoyed your story and hope to hear many more. I think everyone is gearing up for salmon and they don't have time to look for gators. I think you will enjoy this site. :cheers: :cheers:

[jr sherwood]

Hi Finz, i'm a new guy also and i really enjoy this computer stuff. Good luck this year with your derby. Let me tell you what happened two weeks ago at Kelly Pt. The secret was fresh,fresh bait. Put 3 fish in the boat,59,47 &45. Best day so far this year. Did fish last Sat.with fresh bait @ Troutdale, nota,nota,nota. I think the big guys are so full that they don't want another smelt. Good luck & welcome aboard. jr

[Stz ll]

Good luck in the derby this year.

Welcome aboard!! :cheers:

[corkycaptain]

Good story! graemlins/applause.gif Good luck! :cheers: Good times here...enjoy the site and welcome on here!
Fish On!!

[RiverRogue]

Sure seem slike those "little" things crop up when most unneeded! At least you were able to get it going and sounds like it paid offjavascript:void(0)
Smile!! There are a miriad of stories from the past derbies. Think I have been in around the last 8 or so. Saw a guy lose not one, but 2 anchors at the wall last year!! He also reportedly lost a cell phone too. Seems he had a problem saying out of the way of the barges. A boat I was on a few yrs ago actually lost a steering knuckle while we were headed up to the wall. Made some interesting temporary repairs, (vice grips on steering arm under the dash) and was able to navigate...sort of. Then there was the guy who forgot his plug at the Gleason ramp a few years back and came close to sinking his boat right there. Cannot wait to see what the misfortunes of this year will be!! javascript:void(0)
Big Grin Most imprtant though, so far no serious mishaps or injuries, but with that many boats out there, it is sure a possibility. As for winning something, used to be that everyone got something. Not anymore. I think about a third of entrants dont even get a door prize. My team is two years running and nada.javascript:void(0)
ohbrother Oh well, this is supposed to be a fund raiser and a benefit to the sturgeon. Anyway, one newcomer to another here, Welcome! BTW...Good luck at the derby.