Draino lake boat ramp?

Bat-Ray · 02-08-2004, 04:16 PM

I was thinking about launching at Drano next weekend and doing some sturgeon fishing but I heard the ramp is out of commision. Does anyone know what is going on and when it will be available again? Last week I launched at Wind River and it was mighty shallow trying to get out into the columbia. The water was high and I could not find a definate channel. Any help on either location would be greatly appreciated.

steelheadslayer · 02-08-2004, 06:53 PM

Bat-Ray, when leaving the launch at the Wind, stay to the left just inside the pilings. The channel seems to run just fine along that line. Take it slow when you get a little closer to the bridge because it gets shallow for a few feet in there. Now, did you head straight for the bridge after launching? I did that once myself. :blush: I haven't heard any news on Drano.

Bob Barthlow · 02-08-2004, 07:56 PM

Bat-Ray, they' re putting a new launch and more parking at Drano. It will open temp. during springer season then be closed June and July so they can finish it.

dampainter · 02-08-2004, 07:59 PM

I drove past drano a couple weeks ago and it looked like they were making a ramp on the opposite side, which is what they should have done in the first place, will make for easier launching now [img]graemlins/applause.gif[/img] ....wonder if that will bring more people in?

[ 02-08-2004, 09:02 PM: Message edited by: dampainter ]

Nodakr · 02-09-2004, 05:39 AM

Launched at..................

[ 02-09-2004, 06:44 AM: Message edited by: Nodakr ]

Nodakr · 02-09-2004, 05:40 AM

Launched at the wind ramp sat.mornin,followed the pilings out to the center of river,hit bottom several times!!!Its only about2ft deep just before the center of the river even now that the water level is up!!!so be carefull if you launch there!!!I bought a skagg plate for my motor,it has save me more that once!!!

[ 02-09-2004, 06:41 AM: Message edited by: Nodakr ]

Bat-Ray · 02-09-2004, 06:44 AM

I made it to the bridge on the Wind just fine. After I left the bridge and tried to make it to the main c.r. channel, the deepest water I could find was 1.6 feet. There is a small island straight out from the bridge and I went to the left of it. I figure there must be a deeper channel somewhere.

finclipped · 02-09-2004, 06:54 AM

BR,
After you go under the bridge, take a right and follow the contour of the cove. After about 100 yards west of the bridge, you will see a red marker on the shore. This is the channel marker and the channel is basically south from there out to the Columbia.

Don't go straight out from the Bridge to the Columbia. There is a sand bar out there (as you already found out.) Once the season starts, it will be easy to follow other boats out. Sometimes there are a couple hundred boats out there, so follow the pack. It can get crowded.

Bat-Ray · 02-09-2004, 07:42 AM

Thank you much, That sounds like a better route. I assumed the channel was downstream of the the bridge but all of it looked shallow. Mabey becuase the river was so high it was harder to recognize the deeper water.

Jignfloat · 02-09-2004, 06:59 PM

Back in "97" a few of us who happened to be camped at Drano fishing springers in the middle of the week.....had a chance to talk to some uniforms from both Wa. and Or. THe jist of the conversation was putting the boat ramp on the lee side of the Drano parking area, and to also bring in more material and make the parking area somewhat larger. I guess they are getting around to it finally. Also under consideration was allowing camping for like 5 days with modest fees to cover usage of sanicans and additional required maintenance. Nice spot to hang out during the week, miserable on the weekend.

Russ

diehard2 · 02-10-2004, 10:10 AM

Came by The Wind and DranoSunday The Columbia seams to be low, There was a large sand bar along the rt side of the ramp heading out. You would need head straight for the pilings, you will see the bottom. Be carefull. At Drano they are adding a new ramp, but it looked like the old one was still in use.

wetonwhite · 02-10-2004, 10:59 AM

the decking for the ramp showed up monday and it looked like it well be going in this week the old ramp is still in and that may be what gets used this spring?? the intersection with hiway 14 is also going to be changed so the old ramp will be gone when that happens. I think that everythings shut down till april 1st and then shut on june 1st till august 1st when it will reopen. dont know about camping [img]graemlins/dork.gif[/img] but its not like a lot of the rv's moved a lot anyway. still did'nt make it big but now you dont have to park on the other side of stump lake :grin:
just bring your money and hope for the best