Big Columbia River Walleye

[Born to Fish]

Couldn't get the smile off my face the entire weekend. :cheers: Fished the Columbia River in the Umatilla area, below the dam. Was fortunate in catching my life-time best 'eye on Saturday afternoon - a beautiful 15 pound 4 ounce giant! To make things better, I realized, as I watched her swim away, that in another year or two some angler as lucky as me might catch her again and she could be a new state record for Oregon or Washington. What a kick!!! I now know of a good guide in that area if anybody is interested.

[chummer]

WELL! did i steer ya right? or did you find another? Either way, glad your trip was successful.There are fish in excess of 25lbs. up there, caught in live traps by biologists and turned loose, that's a world record, i think. So, were you trolling, blade baiting, worm harness's, jigging??? Come'on out with it! :grin:

[Born to Fish]

Chummer, you definitely steered me right. I sent you an email last night with the picture attached. Couldn't figure out how to import a picture here on ifish when I posted my report.

As you suggested, I contacted Rod at High Desert Marine and he gave me the names of two walleye guides in the area. Was able to connect with my first contact, Bob Roberts of Columbia Basin Guide Service. Been fishing there all his life and started guiding 8 months ago. Knows his stuff, has good equipment, reasonable price, and good company.

At any rate, caught the hawg on a Luhr Jenson hot lips lure that was dark [size 1/2] purple with silver sparkle glued to surface. Supposedly this is a color made specifically for that area. We were fast trolling [2-3 mph] in about 23 feet of water. Caught her about 2:30 - 3:00 pm.

The smaller, 3-4 pounders that I kept, were caught on smaller hot lips [size 1/4] blue top silver bottom also fast trolled in 17-19 feet of water. Don't recall catching any on worm harnesses/spinners behind bottom bouncers.

Also caught some very nice 2-3 pound small mouth bass on the hot lips.

Lots of chinook and steelhead rolling around in the area but didn't hear of any nooks caught and very few steelhead.

I'm hooked, great place to fish, no big crowds, good marinas.

Thanks again. :cheers:

[PRINCEMASTER]

Ok you guys have me convinced. I fished walleye for years in Michigan and now that I am here i am itching to get some eyes. I already have all the lures and such to try,but need directions. Any advice would be helpful...email me at CEDIK@AOL.COM :grin:

[bassfishingnw]

Born to Fish~

Send me the picture and I will post it on her for you!

I'm can't wait to see it!!

jleastman4@attbi.com

[Born to Fish]

Bassfishingnw -

I just sent you the jpg "walleye2" attached to an email. Hope you get it. Sent it to the "jleastman4@attbi.com" address instead of what's posted in your profile.

Thanks.

Born to Fish :tongue:

[bassfishingnw]

HERE IS THE PICTURE!!!

http://dropshot.net/images/walleye2.JPG

NICE!!

[fishnagain]

how do you run the hot lips for walleye? I have never caught one before and never fished for them before I heard they are the best eating?

[Crashin' Bait]

Nice pic! Hey, that place looks familiar.

[pkg40]

Anyone have any tips for Lower Columbia Walleye. Caught lots of river walleye in my day back east. I have finally caught enough salmon (after 20 years) that I am ready to catch some walleye again

Peter

[PRINCEMASTER]

Same here Pete...even brought my boat when I moved here. The house and all I have had to do to it have stopped me....but really want some walleye about now.

[dan(or)]

I would recommend joining the Lower columbia walleye club ($20 annual). Their main purpose is to educate folks about the lower columbia are where how when to fish. They produce a great newsletter and also conduct informative meetings the first thursday of each month. The meetings are informative if you are just getting started out west... web site and contacts are:

http://www.walleyecentral.com/lrclmbia.htm

dan

[Wood N' Fish]

A good place for tips would be to visit one of the Walleye tournaments that go on from March-September. Even if you don't enter, you can fish right alongside with some of the most knowledgeable. You'll find favorite hot spots, and might be able to get a peek at what they're using. :smile: