One way to get springers - but how about us?

I recieved a report from a reliable source that the commercial draggers (bottom fish and shellfish?) working near the mouth of the Columbia are getting a very heavy "by-catch" of stacked up spring chinook that are waiting a little longer for more water flow before heading on up the river. This so-called 'by-catch' is apparently legal, but the circumstances aren't normal. The states should step in and stop this unethical large take going on, which would include ESA natives. Does anyone know somebody to ask about this at either the ODFW or WDF&G? IGS? .....

And I've heard logical opinions that the huge smelt run is slowing the bite for the 'fewer than expected so far' springers that have come in. Fish caught are full of smelt. Let's all please help each other out for this opportunity to catch mainstem Columbia springers. It will be open thru April 30th, and it's very unlikely we will catch our quota; especially with the relatively low flow and water color caused by the drought. So in helping other ifishers with reports of what's working out there, and with ideas you think may help in these conditions, you will help each other catch more of these over abundance of fish. You won't be putting any more pressure on them than is already going to be out there, so chip in guys! I wonder if the NMFS/Col. Tribal Commission team will allow us an extension past April 30th if the fishing is slow; as they gave the commercial netters 2 extentions because it was slow?!? Anyway ....

.... I put up a post for some ideas to help catch more springers in the low clear flows. I can't remember the name of the post to find and paste it here. So I will put up a couple ideas here and hope other ifishers will too. Thanks. ...

One thing I mentioned is to troll long distances downriver during the slack current of the incoming tide; using dodgers, spinner blades, and flashers at mid-leader with smaller whole red pack sized herring. These are closer to the size of the hords of smelt around, and will help get their attention. I would also try using home made smelt mulch, smelt filet wraps, or OTC smelt oil on K-14 Kwikfish in the chrome with blue scale color pattern. Another idea that often works well when the Willamette gets relatively low and clear, that may work in the Columbia too, is using small size 4 or 5 solid brass cascade shaped spinners with small green beads. Troll them by themselves, with a little baitoil on the hooks. These shapes, colors, and actions will stand out from the hords of smelt and may draw some strikes. So may trying pink prawns, hootchie skirts, or larger 6" pink worms; trolling them with a dodger. Or at anchorup with a strong enough outgoing tide. How about trying floatfishing some larger 3/8th oz. pink and white with silverflash jigs about 2' or 3' above bottom a ways off shore in the Columbia outgoing tide current; in good holding water from an anchored boat, the beach, or boondogging them down river from a free floating boat. You could try this with eggs or sandshrimp too. If these things work, share the news! What ideas can you guys think of? - RT

[Jennie@ifish]

Call here fishy fishy?
Jen

So that's how Bill caught that one with a Kwikfish! Cool, I'll try that. ...

... Oh ya, I forgot to mention somebody had the idea of using smaller Alvin type blade spoons. Or even using the larger Alvins as a functioning in-leader Dodger. If three hooks are allowed, in addition to the 2 in the herring or prawn, I would use 1 siwash on an in-leader spinner or big spoon blades in case the fish hit that instead of the bait. Tie the leader to the siwash shank with a piece of rubberband and also add a barrel swivel between these and the bait; this will help avoid tangles and line twisting. - RT

[WheresMyBobber]

Funny you mention brass cascade spinner blades with green beads, because I just made some very similar to that, but I used copper and gold blades with green beads. I also plan on trying some spinners I made a few years ago with brass blades that have tarnished a little bit. I've seen brass blades with yellow beads work well in low clear conditions too. What I'm looking for now is bronze blades in the cascade style - if anybody knows where to get some I'd love to know. I also plan on using prawn spinners while trolling and anchored. Although I don't know what the water temp is right now on the Columbia, these fish should still take bait quite readily as long as the temp stays below about 55 degrees. I doubt if that will be a problem this early in the year.

One thing I'd add to your post RT, is when trolling the incoming tide to vary your depths and/or use a double rigging. Even with the current conditions, I think the fish may be at varying depths on the incoming tide, as opposed to hugging the bottom on the outgoing.

[FishinMission]

Bobber....did you try BC Angling next to Fisherman's Marine Supply in the Oreegon City Shopping center for your blades?? If you haven't been there...you're missing out!!

[dkingfish]

while trawlers do catch some salmon, they cannot sell or land them. Not too many guys are going to risk losing a multi $100,000 boat to smuggle in a few fish.

[Clamman]

dkingfish is correct in his post. From what I have heard, the catches are sporadic and not as large as was mentioned in the original post. Talked to ODFW people in charge of the drag/trawl fishery.


ISG