Fishery potholes!!

[Gregotis98]

I realize that the folks that run the Fishery are'nt getting rich by any means, but they need to do at least a little maintenance. The potholes are getting huge, my traier nearly bottoms on some of them. And the width of the driveway only permits one way traffic so if you dont get there early in the spring and summer you may be forced to back all the way out while someone tries to leave. I realize I'll probably get flamed for this post, but I just need to vent a little. If I were so upset I suppose I could drive the extra 1/2 hour and launch at North Bonneville. P.S please move some of the old dead trailer homes and other assorted crap for more parking which may turn into more revenue due to increased parking spots.

[Pilar]

Welcome aboard gregotis98. You pushed my button so here's my $0.02. All these guys have going for them is the location. If there was anywhere else to go I'd be all over it.
I've been harshed on for parking wrong, robbed and generally poorly treated at the Fishery for a long time. The general lack of respect towards their clientele is evident in the way the place looks and the way they do business. The potholes are only the most obvious sign of a general give a **** attitude.
Thank you for saying your piece. You are not the only one who sees something wrong with this picture!

The bend is your friend!

[Gregotis98]

How do you get harshed on for parking wrong, when there's no rhyme or reason for where to park? What have you had stolen, and how did they get it? I just can't imagine this happening at such a beautiful place. I just can't stop complaining about this crap heap, but the docks have about two cleats total and they're spread out about forty feet from each other, so if you plan on fishing by yourself and need to tie up while you go get your truck bring plenty of rope and a set of large fenders due to the nails and screws sticking out of the docks. Also watch out for the pothole at the top of the low water pamp. I watched a couple of clowns go up the steep ramp too fast and hit that hole,and their cheap trailer ball broke off. After all this complaining I think I'll have to be true to myself and go use another ramp. Is there one at Beacon Rock also?

[Pilar]

Well, just try ducking into the store to buy something while you are launching or retreiving. Don't leave you rig parked in the staging area and try to spend your money at their tackle shop on a launch fee or whatever. Or you can go clear to the other end of the lot (when its busy in the spring and summer) or up to the highway and park and walk back to the store. Either way.

Whatever you do don't leave your rig or boat unattended with something valuable in plain sight. This problem is really bad in the summer. I realize that the people at the Fishery aren't responsible for the thieves there but it still leaves a bad impression of the place with me. So far a cell phone, fish finder, expensive rod and reel and even a friends kicker have disappeared (right off of the boat). At no time was the stuff left alone for more than 5 minutes!!!

Have you ever tried to ask them about this stuff? Try it sometime, it's a real treat. I've given up on it. They are the only game in the area so you just have to swallow hard and be careful.

As far as other ramps go, the one at Dodson is worse, if that is possible. It's free but rigs get stolen outright there. Trailers stolen, tires cut, windows broken and so on. There is a ramp at Beacon Rock but I've never used it. The one at N. Bonneville looks pretty good but I've only landed there in my boat to give some female fishers access to the can. Not even sure how to get to it from the road.

Enjoy the gorge by all means but don't be very trusting or you'll get screwed.

The bend is your friend!

[Hoosier Daddy]

And don't use their Honey Bucket either

And....I totally agree. For every five bucks
I've laid down, what a piece of SHE YAT this
has become. Part of it is that owner attitude
that came from that state just South of
us as well. Most of my boat damage is from
other doughballs leaving their boats inside
between the two docks as well. The toll
bridge might start getting my money going
forward. Wonder is they are smart enough
to know when they start losing money big
time. How hard is it to protect the docks
with a couple of old tires or something,
and YES, the damn RR tracks going outbound
one day took my trailer completely out of
the game, because of the potholes. I used
to say "git offa my river" now I agree
it's time to say "git offa my river with
your *** boat launch!" (Not that I have
an opinion on this.) Don't do Dalton Point
either, theives are thick, no dock and
if the wind blows you sideways your
motor and skag will be in the concrete.
Rooster is long rough ride if the water
turns on you. FISHERY - wake up DAMN YOU!
Wish I had the money to buy you out and
send you home. Ok, I am calm now.

[This message has been edited by ****** (edited 12-19-2000).]

So, are you guys saying you don't like this place?

Unfortunate that it is the best access
for us on the Oregon side to right below
the dam. Dang.

[Trout,myster]

I'm with everyone else on this one! Place ****** me off! Used to be $3.00 to launch and they tried to keep up the docks. Now it's $5.00, docks suck, and as was mentioned, the potholes are bottomless! The last straw was to build a NEW store and let the rest go to the dogs.

Heed the warnings from others...DON'T use Dodson ramp if you value your belongings. The Washington ramp looks nicer and I'm not sure how much longer a trip it is, but I'm thinking about finding out. Rooster Rock is a nice ramp, but as was mentioned it's a long trip when (notice I didn't say "if") the river whips up.

An alternate I've used is to go the other way to St. Helens area. Fishing may not be quite as good, but I avoid Portland traffic and The Fishery. Maybe from these posts if someone up there is reading them, they will pull the cork out and clean up their facility.

------------------
Troutmyster

[Steve]

Just remember if you launch on the Washington side you need a Washington Fishing License to land any sport fish,,,I think that includes Politically Correct (Pikeminnow) *********. I am not sure but isn't the fishery one of the check stations for the bounty? Merry Christmas.. Steve

[Pitch Pocket]

It is my understanding that you can launch on either side of the Columbia (Oregon or Washington) and legally catch fish if you have an Oregon or Washington license for that fish and have caught it in the Columbia. Did something change without them notifying me?

[ryan fish]

Question,Just were is the fisherys ramp is it the one off Ainsworth exit Its been years since I been up there.Dont sound to nice.

------------------
Ron Wray

[Clamman]

Steve and SJP,

As per current regulations, the Columbia River is considered a boundary waterway. All one needs is a current license and tag from either Oregon or Washington to fish on the Columbia River, regardless of which state you launched from. The only stipulation is that one must obey the regulations from the state launched from. In most cases that is not an issue since ODFW and WDFW try to have concurrent regulations.


ISG

Exit at Cascade Locks. As soon as you get
into town, turn right towards the toll
bridge. $1.50 each way for tandem axle.
Cross the bridge. Turn left. Go below
Bonneville to the Huge Power lines. Turn
Left. Turn right. Follow signs to launch.
Real steep. In low water there is sand at
the end of the lauch, so keep it in 4wd to be safe launching and loading. Ramp is free.
Lot's of parking but kinda tough to get your
trailer in the slots since they go sideways
not longways. BEEP the Fishery until the
pull them heads out of their BEEP. About
20 minutes longer drive. Real cold up
there, don't get behind any frozen ice
on the ramp, again it's steep. Perfectly legal to launch and tag fish with your
Oregon license. They must be brought to
shore where you lauched though.


[This message has been edited by ****** (edited 12-21-2000).]

[whitewaterbill]

Ifish Special Guest.

A question about Washington and Oregon trying to be similar.
If I read the regs correctly....Oregon allows catch and release after you tag out for Sturgeon....Washington does not....Why is this?
Why is an Oregon licensed fisher subject to Washington regulation just because he lanched in Washington?

Not being testy....just currious?

What office do you work in?

Bill

[Clamman]

Bill,

As per current permanent regulations on the Columbia River, the daily possession limit is one sturgeon between 42" and 60" all other fish to be released must be done so immediately. After a legal sturgeon is retained (re:tagged/on punch card) one may continue to fish C&R. If you read through the WDFW synopsis, there are references on page 55 or 56 to look at Columbia River and Snake River regulations within the Eastside Rivers section. If you look within that section, it tells you to call the Vancouver WDFW office for current regulations. Confusing, yes, but due to the fact that salmon and sturgeon regulations can change rather rapidly, it is the only approach available.
As far as why an angler is subject to the state he/she launched out of. Pretty simple, your within the state boundaries. The Columbia is a boundary water, with concurrent regulations, so it is a mute point unless you have different state regulations. This happened when WDFW changed the maximum size limit to 60" and Oregon had a max. of 66". An Oregon resident launched out of Washington couldn't retain a fish larger than 60" and bring it into the launch in Washington, it would not be legal in the state of Washington. In other words when in Rome do as the Romans.

The only office I work out of is my home, I am currently looking for work in consultation.

******,

More clarification on your last sentence would be helpful. Thanks

ISG