Springers Anyone??? Any Where???

new boat · 03-30-2001, 05:42 PM

Well, this is supposed to be the best springer run in years, but based upon my last couple outings, you could have fooled me!!! Spent all day out, trolling the Mult. Channel, hogline on the Columbia side of sand island and anchored in the mouth of the Lewis. Saw three all day. One was caught by a buddy, missing a fin no less in the mouth of the Lewis early this am. The other was wild and released in the channel and last was wild and released off Sand Island. Maybe this springer run forecast is like forecasting the weather around here. Can usually forecast when it is going to be bad and get it right, but usually get it wrong when they forcast it to be good. By the way, when we pulled out at Ridgefield, the WDFW guy said he has seen only six fish all day!!!! Is everyone having the same kind of luck???
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David Johnson · 03-30-2001, 06:07 PM

From were I've been fishing this week I have had about fifteen boats fishing within sight and have seen about the same kind of action you have in the other boats.

Today there were about ten boats above me and four others in my line. Above me there were no fish caught and in my line there were ten hooked, we hooked five/landed three of them and the boat next to me caught four.

So far this week I have fished the Columbia three days and put nine fish in the boat, only seeing a total of fifteen others. All but two of our fish were clipped as well.

It's just knowing how to get them, I've caught 50% of the fish in my area.

I have faith there is going to be the run they are predicting. For one, the water in the Columbia is still pretty cold for a good chinook bite. Back "in the day" we never really did good until the last week of March just before it closed. Why should this year be any different? I know they have way more over Bonniville to this date than they did this time last year. I have also heard very good reports coming from down river just above Astoria. I think fishing will really break loose in the weeks to come as we get warmer and warmer water.

David Johnson

HOGTIDE · 03-30-2001, 08:02 PM

I think David is right.Things won't really heat up around here til the 2nd week in April, even with a good run.

However, I think there are alot more fish in the slough than catches are indicating. If you find the right corners, current breaks and passages, you will find a constant stream of fish on your F Finder.

February was good.March was not that bad. I only had 2 'skunk' trips the entire month. Stay positive.... drag a bottom bumpin' herring downstream on the outgoing. And troll at mid ranges on the slack. There are just enough dumb biters to keep your fish box filled.

PS. I wanna fish where Dave fishes!!!!