I'm Becoming a Surgeon Fan

I've been such a hard core salmon and steelhead angler for the last quarter century or so that I have not fished for trout and sturgeon much over the years; just on occassions. There were so many salmonids to catch years ago that I got plenty of action sticky to angling for them. That's obviously no longer the case; with exceptions this year. However, Guide and friend Joe Studier is helping me appreciate sturgeon fishing again. It's back to frequent action when fishing for them! And they fight petty well too. I could only stay out for 5 hours this morning off Kelly Pt. to Frenchman's Bar; due to an appointment. Joe caught the only keeper over 42" by the time I had to go, and it jumped completely out of the water during a good tussle. We were catching shakers right and left for a good bit of the time; 2 of them measuring 41", just short of legal. Lots of fun. And very timely in light of the low 'nook return and lack of rain in Tillamook so far. Thanks again Joe (he also showed us some good sturgeon spots in the Astoria area during the summer). - RT (sturgeon fan again).

[Captain and Marie]

RT,

How far is Kelly point from Astoria?

Dennis & I want to give it a try soon. We want to try our NEW Sturgeon Scent out.

Whats the quickest route to take?

And did you get any pictures? What was the biggest sturgeon you caught?

Were you using smelt? Shrimp? Muds?

Thanks in advance,
D&M
home of the TBC Shrimp Scent.

[potter]

RT, I thought you were going to have an operation, "I'm becoming a surgeon fan."

Glad to see your not!

[Salmonator]

Actually we fished three (normally good) spots w/out a bite before we found some biters. Lots of short biters, due in fact I think to the not so fresh anchovies we used. Between the two of us we couldn't find sandshrimp fit for even a sturgeon the night before. We were also injecting sturgeon feast into the baits, which I thought smelled like a cross between Zekes garlic floatin' bait and campbells tomato soup. I don't think Steve bought that but the fish seemed to like it. Steve did bring some Shad sturgeon candy, and it was all we could do to keep him from eating it. After dropping him off at the dock we ran back out to do a little more fishing but by then the tide must have been near high because the water was completely slack, no current whatsoever!! So we flung anchovies for a little while longer, boated a few more shakers in a lake-like setting and called it quits. Thanks again Steve...

Marie, K. Point is at the mouth of the willamette. Joe

[NorthRiverS]

I just thought he liked his doctor a lot.

Thanks for pointing out the topic typo Letty! And I'm glad I'm not too, thanks. The only surgery I would like more of is removing eggs from some nice Kings or big silvers . Why can't we edit topic lines?


Marie, while the Kelly Pt. area is a pretty good one for sturgeon it is a long drive from your place! You would have to drive over Hwy.6, Hwy. 26, then north over Cornnelius Pass Rd., and right/east on Hwy. 30 toward the upper end of Sauvie Is. and down Marina Rd. to Fred's Marina. Launch and run down a couple miles to the area at the mouth of the main Willamette. There the east side point is Kelly Pt. I guess it might be a toss up to drive up thru Astoria along Hwy. 30 to Fred,s, but there is a lot of good sturgeon holes down in the lower reaches of the Columbia that are closer. I'll get some of that sturgeon scent to try next time I'm down there. - RT

[This message has been edited by RT (edited 11-08-2000).]

[Dances]

Hey I ahve fished for the uglyest fish on this planet and I ahve to say they are the best tasting to. Sturgeon are one of the best fish to fish for if you have the patients

[THE REEL HEY_YALL]

I'd be a "surgeon" fan too if she looked like Pam Anderson. I would be tearing my ACL more than the 2 times I have already done it, just so I can.... umm see her....face, yeah that's it. ( . )( . )

[THE REEL HEY_YALL]

Oh and Fishhead JR. The ugliest fish on the planet are either the Flathead Catfish or the Paddlefish. A sturgeon is a tropical fish compared to these guys. Flatheads back home get over 100 pounds..they're all funky with their colors, scars, and moss growing on them. Pretty disgusting. I am not sure if a paddlefish is actually ugly, but rather one of the weirdest fish I have ever seen.

[Tanner]

Hey Y'all I think I saw your picture in a Field and Stream once. It was an article on noodlin for catfish. You ever do that or know anyone who has?
Tanner

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There's No Nookie Like Chinookie

[Mr. Fisherman]

Talk about toe jam!

Bet that fish never did get that smell out of his fin!



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Live to Fish
Fish to Live

[Phish_on]

I try to avoid surgeons as much as possible, but in the long run I guess it's good to have them around.

Sturgeon is some tasty stuff though. I've never gone sturgeon fishing ! I guess I should get a decent anchor and learn to use it. Or make some new friends. Surgeons, maybe ... they should have nice boats

[THE REEL HEY_YALL]

...hmmmm....maybe... Naw, if it's been put in the Field & Stream, then it's without my knowledge of it. I don't like catfishing that much. I like catching big fish. I got stuck by a catfish when I was 12. I was bream fishing with my grandpa and granny, and I think one of my brothers. We were catching the hell out of them. I caught a mudcat, and in this pond, they are considered trash fish. Well me being a field goal kicker decided I would punt the fish off of the pier, so I took my 3 yard step back, aligning myself up for the field goal. Built up speed and swung through and YEEEEEEOUUUUUUCH. At the end of my foot was the catfish, with his fin stuck through my tennis shoe, into my big toe, down to the bone. Of course I had to go to the doctor to get a tetnus shot and I couldn't walk on my foot for a day or so. So that basically burned me out on catfishing. ..lol shuuud uuuup don't say a word, anyone. You can take that story to the presses.