Salmon fishing in a small boat

Hi, I'm a midwestern native (Indianapolis) that moved here about 15 years ago and have primarily enjoyed bank fishing for trout. My dad-in-law (age 70) moved out here last year and purchased a 16' Smokercraft Lodge SS for us to fish and crab in. The boat has a 25hp Mercury bigfoot fourstroke and a 4hp mercury fourstroke. Dad would love to catch a salmon this year and I'm hoping for some information on where we could safely take our small, but stable, craft. We've an eye on the upcoming Columbia River fishery. Our experience is frankly limited - this is our second summer, with less than 40 hours on the boat. We've enjoyed using it for crabbing in the Nehalem and Tillamook Bays (fun) and on one occasion used it to club the water for salmon in Nehalem (not fun). We found "the jaws" at Nehalem less than enjoyable (too many boats in close proximity). From reading the board, it appears that Buoy 10 would not be our cup of tea, but perhaps someone could recommend a less combat oriented experience nearby? My primary concern is for safety, a spot within easy running distance of a ramp if things get too rough for newbies. The boat is light so it pops easily on plane and tops out at 27 mph in Nehalem with the two of us and a slight chop. Any good spots in Astoria that would fit the bill?

[FISHRUS]

Oakie Drifter and I fish with her 16ft smokercraft on the Columbia. We also do the Nehalem and Willamette,but we dont do bouy 10. That is where we draw the line [img]images/icons/shocked.gif[/img]
Her smokercraft use a 9.9 motor four-stroke

[ 07-27-2001: Message edited by: FISHRUS ]

[Tryin2Fish]

I would recommend the nehalem in the wheeler area. I got lucky enough to pull a 30 lb chinook out of there a couple of years ago and if you go at the right time the chance of success is good. I think when I caught that one it was on a 20' jet diver with a herring, nothing fancy. Most guides use either a herring or spinner and a 3 or 4 oz dropper trolled very slowly. From the sound of your setup you would do fine.

Good luck and hope you and your father-in-law nail a couple nooks.

Jim

[Bait O' Eggs]

If you crab at nehalem and tillamook bay you would probably feel safe fishing there. In Tillamook, you might want to stay inside the bar, but there is plenty of fish to be had right in front of the coast guard station, or over by the ghost hole (along 101 south of the boat ramp) The fish wont be there for a little while yet, but the crowd will show you where to fish when they arrive. Across the bay from where you crab (south) you will find memaloose boat ramp. Lots of fishing to be had within sight of the boat ramp, and that is really easy water. You can chase the fish on up the Trask river with your boat and fish tidewater with the craft you describe.

Just watch out for a blue willies with some alaskan sounding name, ninnyook or something like that [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img] , the name slips me now, rumor has it the likes to belly rip fish in tidewater. He is a good friend of the landowners there by the two bit hole. [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img] he will be speaking highly of the landowner if you see him. [img]images/icons/rolleyes.gif[/img]

The earlier fishing will be nehalem bay. I agree the bar can get rough, but up towards wheeler it is usually pretty tame water.

Watch the post here on ifish, you will see when people start having success in these areas.

good luck