Chacal
07-12-2003, 11:42 PM
I am going to start with a couple of questions I have for my fellow Ifishers, then give a report about the day on Columbia North of St. Helens.
1. If you catch two undersized sturgeon (one of which was 40 inches) does that mean your skunk or drought is over?
2. How many of you wear surgical or latex gloves when handling your gear?
3. When using wobblers or Alvins do you put scent on them?
Now for the report/story
So, for the past several weeks I have posted my fishing trials and tribuations.
This evening is no different.
The day started with a long, dark drive to Hillsboro to pick up "Clown Mouth" my dear, old dad. He has been having car troubles lately so I, needing a fishing buddy, decided to be his chauffer for the day. (Plus with the drought I have going no one would WANT to go "boating" with me!).
I decided that it is time I start learning how to pilot the "Rarin' To Go" as there might be times when I want to go out by myself without my dad. (Is it called piloting or driving a boat? Nautical terms...sheesh.) I have my boater education card and have watched my pops do all sorts of crazy things in our boat, so I know what NOT to do. (Love ya dad)
We head down to 73 on the diamond there in the Columbia and anchor up. First off, the current was really running and we were in about 48 feet of water on the Washington side. One of my dad's friends had put a knot in our anchor rope, that caused some excitement for me, otherwise, anchoring was not a problem.
We were fishing by 6 a.m. and it was a great morning to be on the river. The hawks or falcons or whatever were screaching, the sun was shining that there was a gentle breeze. Only one problem. No fish.
A couple of other people lined up with us, not knowing that they were at ground zero of the skunk scent. Initially I thought the day was going to be excellent because not only did I see fish jumping in the marina, but I was wearing a new set of socks (I have tried changing every other part of my clothing).
We anchored up on 73 and threw out our wobblers and Alvins and even some Kwikfish (we were trying to give them a wide selection changing gear every now and then). No fish were spotted on the fish finder and nothing much was really happening.
Then it happened. A HUGE strike. Sure enough the first thing we caught was a tri-hulled boat's anchor in our anchor line as they tried to get set in the hog line. Nothing major, just a nice bump while they were trying to reset their anchor, no tangles...thank God.
After that excitement we decided to wait until 7:30 a.m. and move over to ditch the Salmon (which I have yet to catch this year) and try our hand at sturgeon.
After we moved and got set, we set up our sturgeon polls and noticed a trend. My dad would bait his hook, throw it out and BAM have a shaker. I would bait my hook, throw it out and nothing. Nada. Zip. Zero.
This was even after having a bucket of water and Lemon Joy, washing my hands like I have OCB. Heck, I STILL smell like Lemon Joy almost 24 hours later!
So my dad decided to bait my hook. BAM I fought a 40" to the boat with my rod.
This must mean I stink.
The rest of the day was spent battling skulpins and I threw out a salmon rig for a bit, but nothing much happened after noon.
In the end we caught about 5 shakers and my 40" that I thought was going to be a keeper. Oh well.
So, you make the call. Is the drought over, or do I have to bring a fish home?
Oh and my dad ROCKS! :bowdown:
He went ocean salmon fishing and brought back a silver. He gave me half because I drove and, well, stick up the entire river.
Next weekend my pops is out of town and I am alone. I am not comfortable taking the boat out on my own and I am looking for a ride. I will gladly help with expenses (being a boat owner I know how that goes) and just am looking to keep the Rarin' to Go in the dock for a week.
Think you can help me get the skunk smell off next Saturday or Sunday?
Chacal
1. If you catch two undersized sturgeon (one of which was 40 inches) does that mean your skunk or drought is over?
2. How many of you wear surgical or latex gloves when handling your gear?
3. When using wobblers or Alvins do you put scent on them?
Now for the report/story
So, for the past several weeks I have posted my fishing trials and tribuations.
This evening is no different.
The day started with a long, dark drive to Hillsboro to pick up "Clown Mouth" my dear, old dad. He has been having car troubles lately so I, needing a fishing buddy, decided to be his chauffer for the day. (Plus with the drought I have going no one would WANT to go "boating" with me!).
I decided that it is time I start learning how to pilot the "Rarin' To Go" as there might be times when I want to go out by myself without my dad. (Is it called piloting or driving a boat? Nautical terms...sheesh.) I have my boater education card and have watched my pops do all sorts of crazy things in our boat, so I know what NOT to do. (Love ya dad)
We head down to 73 on the diamond there in the Columbia and anchor up. First off, the current was really running and we were in about 48 feet of water on the Washington side. One of my dad's friends had put a knot in our anchor rope, that caused some excitement for me, otherwise, anchoring was not a problem.
We were fishing by 6 a.m. and it was a great morning to be on the river. The hawks or falcons or whatever were screaching, the sun was shining that there was a gentle breeze. Only one problem. No fish.
A couple of other people lined up with us, not knowing that they were at ground zero of the skunk scent. Initially I thought the day was going to be excellent because not only did I see fish jumping in the marina, but I was wearing a new set of socks (I have tried changing every other part of my clothing).
We anchored up on 73 and threw out our wobblers and Alvins and even some Kwikfish (we were trying to give them a wide selection changing gear every now and then). No fish were spotted on the fish finder and nothing much was really happening.
Then it happened. A HUGE strike. Sure enough the first thing we caught was a tri-hulled boat's anchor in our anchor line as they tried to get set in the hog line. Nothing major, just a nice bump while they were trying to reset their anchor, no tangles...thank God.
After that excitement we decided to wait until 7:30 a.m. and move over to ditch the Salmon (which I have yet to catch this year) and try our hand at sturgeon.
After we moved and got set, we set up our sturgeon polls and noticed a trend. My dad would bait his hook, throw it out and BAM have a shaker. I would bait my hook, throw it out and nothing. Nada. Zip. Zero.
This was even after having a bucket of water and Lemon Joy, washing my hands like I have OCB. Heck, I STILL smell like Lemon Joy almost 24 hours later!
So my dad decided to bait my hook. BAM I fought a 40" to the boat with my rod.
This must mean I stink.
The rest of the day was spent battling skulpins and I threw out a salmon rig for a bit, but nothing much happened after noon.
In the end we caught about 5 shakers and my 40" that I thought was going to be a keeper. Oh well.
So, you make the call. Is the drought over, or do I have to bring a fish home?
Oh and my dad ROCKS! :bowdown:
He went ocean salmon fishing and brought back a silver. He gave me half because I drove and, well, stick up the entire river.
Next weekend my pops is out of town and I am alone. I am not comfortable taking the boat out on my own and I am looking for a ride. I will gladly help with expenses (being a boat owner I know how that goes) and just am looking to keep the Rarin' to Go in the dock for a week.
Think you can help me get the skunk smell off next Saturday or Sunday?
Chacal