Schooled by Spooled on the North Fork .....

09-03-2001, 03:49 PM

..... Caused him to drool on himself [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] . Nah. The hot silver fishing on the N.F. cooled off the previous couple days, but was back on again today; maybe because of cloud cover and cooler weather. I had the pleasure of fishing with Troy (Spooled) and Ryan (Ramstrong) today in Troy's beautiful custom built/painted Willie driftboat. As usual I love to row these great boats. Anyway, ...

... as for the fishing, this was Troy and Ryan's first boat trip on the N.F. We tried the 'meathole' adventure by tying onto an overhanging branch on the north side wall, within reach of 'the zone'. What I learned there is that Keith is right when he says this is true bait dominate river at times. We had a multi fish day with many hookups and all were on good eggs; as with all the other meatholers. I tried a bunch of good things that almost always work elsewhere but the meat fish wouldn't touch them - the pink worm in steelie and salmon size (both floatfished and bottom bounced), custom colored Wart, Blue Fox size 4 spinner in silver blade and a custom red with black angle stripe body, and a jig. Troy started to hook up on just eggs with a real small corkie, while Ryan tried some radical green yarn and corkie with eggs. They didn't want anything but plain eggs, or some with the small pearl corkie with them. So I backbounced some of Scott's eggs and got an immediate hookup and great fighter. Lots of fish were caught up there today but the thick bumper boat traffic didn't appeal to any of us. ...

So on down the river to repeat the same pattern. I was determined again to prove the pink worm would work as well on cohos as they do on steelhead. Well not on this river, this day! Nor did the big schools of silvers respond to the Warts! What's wrong with these Lewis fish? They seemingly only want eggs - period. Troy wanted to try genuine boondogging (backdragging eggs upstream behind our coasting boat), while Ryan side drifted and I floatfished the worm to no avail. Troy did a nice job of hooking cohos this way (especially for an Oregon guy [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img] ), so we joined in and caught some fish too that way. It's fun. ...

The Cow is coming on too, and this is 'thee' place for boondoggin! The inland silver hord has begun in earnest so get after them. The fisheries dept.'s want these overabundant hatchery fish harvested before they get flooded at the ladders, gates, and holding ponds - and the individual coho limits will be large. I haven't heard if they plan to recycle the 'hos back down river or not. Anyone know? ...

Thanks again for the fun day guys. ... Both Troy and Ryan are great guys and fun to fish with. Take care.

Fishin' Fool · 09-03-2001, 04:21 PM

I'm glad it wasn't just me RT. Unfortunately unlike you I didn't have access to eggs (forgot mine and wasn't gonna get ripped off at that fishing store near the river). My Sandy tactics did not work on the Lewis. I thought about going this a.m. but after two previous 4:30am jaunts I was a little tired! Anyway next time I hit the Lewis it's eggs all the way.

CATCH AND EAT · 09-04-2001, 07:30 AM

Hey, RT and Ramstrong. I have to know. Did Troy call you guys his RB? If so I am steaming mad at him. I thought I was the only one for him. Oh well....

Hope you guys didn't slim that custom decal boat up to much. Did he make you wipe your feet before you got into the boat. How about the plastic on the seats? Has he taken that off yet? Here is an idea, next time you get a coho make sure its a bleeder and rub the fish all over inside the boat. Be sure that plenty of scales are stuck to the seats and side walls. Troy lives to polish that boat. Oh yeah, be sure to take a chalk boat with you next time. When he's not looking run you fingernail over the chalkboard that way he will think he hit something and force everyone out of the boat for an inspection. Darn rocks anyway.

I am sure you guys had a lot of fun with Troy. He's a good boy and an ok fisherman even though he releases hatchery fish so that the natives will have more. Total class act except for the RB thing. He is a quick study of water and fish and likes to put on a show at the flotillas.

Funny though, I haven't heard my phone ring lately. Maybe I'm not a very good RB or something. Maybe I don't SPEND enough with him. Oh well.... Troy, I still love ya man.
Sure wish you would post he again though. Got to forgive and forget o'le chap.

Bait O' Eggs · 09-04-2001, 12:23 PM

Troy is a great guy. I kind of miss his humor around here.

Still not sure what got his panties in a bunch where he wont post on ifish.

Ramstrong · 09-04-2001, 03:36 PM

What a great trip. The catching was almost as good as the fishing. Troy and Steve are a blast to fish with. Yes that is a pretty boat he has, after watching 3 fish get put in it in 15 min at floatilla II, it was good to fish from it. Both those guys can catch fish, but I'm still a cracker. CnE, don't worry. After bleeding one of our fish I accidentaly [img]images/icons/shocked.gif[/img] spilled some blood on the boat. [img]images/icons/tongue.gif[/img]

RT, last week I spoke with a lady at Eagle Creek Fish hatchery and she said this year they were intending on recycling Coho to Barton. But by the time they get to EC the first time they're normally pretty abused and dark so I don't know that I'd want to keep a recycled fish. I just hope OSP doesn't turn a blind eye to snaggers because of the large run of fish.

[ 09-04-2001: Message edited by: Ramstrong ]

09-04-2001, 03:49 PM

Hey C&E, your post explains a lot! I thought that was the madden voyage of the "Spooled" Willie. It shined purdy nass. Purdier than any on a showroom floor. The plastic covers are off the seats now, but he made Ryan and I sit on pieces of cardboard, take off our boots and ride in stocking feet, and put our eggs on over on the bank! Geeez [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img] . (Maybe this will make him post now? [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] And that's it BOE - panties have him in a bunch). ...

But what in the heck does RB stand for? His RB's? Raudy Boys? Riding Behavers? What? I know - he did make us row back upstream to re-dog the schools; so Row Backers, right? [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] ...

Hey Paul, if ya have an open seat when ya hit the NF shoot me an e-mail; I make a good organic fishing rodholder. Lots of fish in there!

Hey Ryan, one day doesn't make a cracker. It means you had a cure they weren't in the mood for. But you did a great job landing a fish. Besides, pretty soon I'm going to become known as the "Pink Worm Cracker"! But maybe only during 'ho season - not when the steelies come in!!!

RT

[ 09-04-2001: Message edited by: RT ]

CATCH AND EAT · 09-04-2001, 04:47 PM

RT and Ramstrong. Had lunch with Spooled today and got a little more information on you guys. Troy would never call you guys a cracker but he did wonder about the bass gear you brought along RT.

Seriously, he had a good time with you boys but said that he got tired handing off his rod just so that you would know what these silvers feel like.

I tried to convince him to come back to the board because we missed him. Forgive and forget I say and move on. Nobody he will give him 40 lashes. Everyone is entitled to their opinions....right folks?

Anyway, RB is basically the same NB that he called Ryan. Just use Rod instead of Net if you get the drift....

Come back Troy, we miss you. I promise that we will make you famous again. You and me at Flotilla III will make those Worshingtun dude eat Spotted Bald eagles or something.

Bernie

Spooled · 09-04-2001, 08:58 PM

All right, you guys asked for it!! The reason I couldn't post sooner was I was still cleaning the boat up after RT. It was a good trip. Both RT and Ramstrong are a blast to fish with.

First, the pink worm is for bass... period!!! Steve could have hooked 6 more fish, if he wasn't so intent on proving to Ryan and I that pink worms could catch Salmon. We already knew the answer to that one. [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] At least we got a laugh from it. The best part was when we were laughing, it just made RT more determined. I asked him something and he said "what? I was concentrating". He was trying to think those fish onto the pink worm. [img]images/icons/rolleyes.gif[/img]

Ryan, being of a saner state of mind, used the proven eggs and corky idea. RT hooked a fish on Amerman eggs in the Meat Hole, then went back to the bass gear. I give him credit for persistence.

Steve did however catch the fish of the day. He nailed a nice hen (on eggs of course) that tore up the Curado. After Ryan netted it, RT says please tell me it is a hatchery fish. It was. Ryan is awesome on the net. RT is probably good on the net, getting him to use it is the hard part. [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img] Ryan also got a nice hen.

A word of caution. Watch your eggs when cleaning your catch around RT. He is the reason we have the term "bait and switch". [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] He liked the eggs from Ryan's fish a little better than his, so guess what happened when Ryan turned his back? Ryan is no dummy, and caught the 'ole switcheroo right away. Good eye Ryan.

Ryan ran me up to get the truck and trailer, and we returned to Steve cleaning the boat inside and out with a wet rag. He is a good man.

Thanks Steve for the pink worm show and Ryan for spotting and netting the fish.

I asked RT if he minded if we stopped at Dairy Queen for a burger on the way back, he agreed reluctantly [img]images/icons/rolleyes.gif[/img] . You gotta admire a guy who asks the girl at the counter to show him the largest banana split they have, and waves it off as too small. He says put it in 2 large milk shake cups [img]images/icons/shocked.gif[/img] . She tells him that they are out of strawberries, and asks if he would like caramel, rasberries, pineapple or hot fudge? RT replies "yes". She says "all of those!!?" Rt says "oh I was just supposed to pick one?" She just about fainted. He chased it down with a SLIM-FAST shake. Really. I was amused, to say the least. [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

By the way, I noticed something about me having my panties in a bunch. It wasn't me who suggested cross dressing on the trip. Guess who? I think the pink worms have gone to his head!!

Thanks again for the trip Ryan and Steve. You guys have an open invitation on my boat anytime. Just remember...
WIPE YOUR FEET!!!!
It is nice to be back. [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

[ 09-04-2001: Message edited by: Spooled ]

[ 09-04-2001: Message edited by: Spooled ]

First Bite · 09-04-2001, 09:24 PM

The pink worm is for bass...period? Hmmm...I bet that made RT try even harder to catch a salmon with one. I think since RT has 279 packages of pink worms he wants to try them every chance he gets. And they do work...maybe not as consisently as good cured eggs but they do work.
Mark

Spooled · 09-04-2001, 09:32 PM

Just razzing RT, Mark. I know they will work, it was just fun watching Steve try so hard. If I owned that many pink worms, I would want them to work too. [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

First Bite · 09-04-2001, 09:49 PM

I hear ya Spooled
You should see RT at the salad bar for rubber critters. Everything looks fishy to him. So what does he do?...why he buys one each sometimes two. Experimentation is the key. And that is right down RT's alley...mine too to a lesser degree. One of these days RT will find a winner and it might be that pumpkinseed, crawdad imitation looking thingy. Then RT will say Aha...I knew it would work. Lots of fun fishing with RT, he's always trying something new.
Mark

smilesforu · 09-04-2001, 10:34 PM

He was suppose to share those worms with you and stew. I was laughing my *** off when he bought the store out....sorry had a flashback. [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

09-04-2001, 11:19 PM

Yes, you guys can blame my rubber worm determination on Marty M. I had fallen into the ice cold Hoh R., head upstream yet, up on the Pen and balloned to 400 lbs. with all that ice water in my chest waders! Forget it guys, there was more than 20 lbs. of water adding up to the 400 lbs. ( [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] - beat ya to it). So he runs me into Forks to buy some dry clothes; in a state of semi-hypothermia of course. He new I wasn't of sound mind when I spotted that whole rack of pink worm packages [img]images/icons/blush.gif[/img] . He should never have let me buy the town of Forks out of their entire stash of 4" pink worms in that condition! [img]images/icons/rolleyes.gif[/img] So now I am committed to fishing those dang things until I at least get thru half of them - about 3 years should do it [img]images/icons/rolleyes.gif[/img] . Don't use these soft pink rubber worms you guys. It's a waste of time; right Mark and Shane? ... Besides, I hooked fish on my own eggs too yesterday; on down the river when I got discouraged with my worm. Hey, you guys have all been there, aye? Discouraged with your soft worm? Sure, happens to every guy now and then. ...

BTW, no rod handoffs to me. I had to crack open my eggs and get after it so Troy would know better. [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img] But I must say that he is coming right along for a guy that has only sportfished for salmon and steelhead for a year and a half (claimed that anyway). He's still having to adjust to the smaller catch rates after commercially gillnetting them the previous 12 years! That's how he got the Cadilac Willie - selling off his commercial gillnet boat. No wonder he keeps it polished. ...

A couple of true things here. I did indeed order a double banana split at the Woodland Dairy Queen. But there's an explaination. First off, I hadn't eaten any nutritious fruit the previous day, and needed to make up for that. And I have been trying to edge my way back into my 700th diet (Stew will vouch for that). I was getting low blood sugar at a Dairy Queen! What's a guy to do? ... And also, Mark is right about the bass salad bars in various fishing stores. I have more experimenting to do than a vacine researcher! Geez, someone has to do it. The rest of you guys just keep on doing the same ol' same ol'. I got good coho action on the worm out in the ocean, btw, as did Don up by the church hole. But during my next annual checkup at the doctor office I am going to say I think I have worms when he asks if anything is wrong. [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

EDIT: Aha! I just read on Bob's BB ( www.piscatorialpursuits.com ) in the "Quilsene Silvers" thread about pink worm success in the rivers up there for cohos. Read near the end of page 1 and the start of page 2. One guy is also hammering them on just black yarn. He should also try a black jig with some silver Krystalflash. Just not on the NF. [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

Steve

[ 09-05-2001: Message edited by: RT ]

willierower · 09-04-2001, 11:53 PM

Sounds like you guys had a good time. I hope the ho's are frisky this coming monday. Im planning on floating that streth. Now that I have more eggs I can fish again.
RT, I will be in touch with you.......

OR Coast Range · 09-05-2001, 06:55 AM

Welcome back Troy. [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

CATCH AND EAT · 09-05-2001, 07:16 AM

Nice to see ya back Troy o'le boy. Thanks for lunch!

chuck 'n' duck · 09-05-2001, 08:17 AM

All right Spooled, good to see you back. I was wondering where the hell you had gone. Sounds like you had a couple of good Rod B*tches on your trip. Net B*tch....thats a good one. [img]images/icons/shocked.gif[/img]

Hey, if you get a chance drop me an email. I was thinking about trying a drift on the NF and was hoping you could give me the specifics.

Again, nice to see you back.

CnD

Ramstrong · 09-05-2001, 08:46 AM

Net B*tch I've got your net B*tch right here [img]images/icons/shocked.gif[/img] Actually I have no problem being the net ***** . Notice how when I had the net in my hands at the ready, the fish got netted [img]images/icons/tongue.gif[/img] at least as long as gear wasn't failing. [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

OK guys even though I said I wouldn't tell anyone. RT did divulge some secrets out there. Like the **** and ***** you rig them on a ****** with a ** inch leader and ** inch dropper. Simply dynamite especially when you grease them up with *******. I can't wait to give it a shot with all of those nooks coming up the coastal rivers real soon. [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img]

[ 09-05-2001: Message edited by: RT ]

Firedog · 09-05-2001, 08:48 AM

Troy, good to see you back. Sounded like a fun trip. Will have to figure out a trip we can make, Give me a call or e-mail. My hours are pretty flexable [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]I have a pretty good stash of great eggs also.

SteelieSteve · 09-05-2001, 09:33 AM

Welcome back Spooled
Looks like you broke the boat in finally taking RT with you. Did you wrap the boat in plastic before launching? Looks like y'all had a great trip. Lets go after them in the Clack in a few weeks. [img]images/icons/cool.gif[/img]

Bait O' Eggs · 09-05-2001, 12:16 PM

I just looked at the custom paint job and he charged me 10 bucks. [img]images/icons/shocked.gif[/img]

Nice to see you back Troy. Why dont you kick off your shoes, put your feet up on the coffee table, stay a while and make yourself at home. [img]images/icons/rolleyes.gif[/img]

I think Ramstrong qualifies as my good luck charm. [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img]

[ 09-05-2001: Message edited by: Bait O' Eggs ]

09-05-2001, 12:17 PM

Hey Bernie, yo, no hand off to me! But as Jerry Seinfeld would say, "Not that there is anything wrong with that". [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img] I was hooking fish when I put the worm down for awhile and got my eggs out - and Scott's eggs up in the meathole earlier for an immediate fish. I had a few headshakers that threw the hook, like short striking silvers are so good at. And a couple to the boat, although one actually bent of the snapswivel as I lifted it toward the net! How often does that happen? Don't ask which brand, because it happened again with another one breaking loose from a snag. I did get a nice brat hen that fought like a scared 'nookie, taking long runs against a strong drag Nass feesh; 'specially for a brat with eggs. ... And since my Dad used to be a car guy for Chrysler, I learned about the "bait & switch", that Troy refered to, long ago - I just modified it to work on the river. [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

[ 09-05-2001: Message edited by: RT ]

CATCH AND EAT · 09-05-2001, 05:07 PM

Cheezeeee RT, Troy sure can tell a story can't he? At least he wasn't lying about the banana split. You fessed up to that! By the way, Troy was real upset that you did not put the passenger seat of his truck in the full and upright position [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img] I had to fix it for him. Oh yeah, you left fish blood on the right door panel too. Boy you got to watch that stuff RT or you won't get any more invites.

I got rain on his right door panel and I haven't been fishing with him since. Well, at least he bought me lunch yesterday [img]images/icons/tongue.gif[/img]

RT, I heard you need to work on your NB skills instead of playing in the o'le tackle box with those bass worms thing'ys.

Ya sure you didn't make like a full back and take any hand off's? [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

Bernie

09-05-2001, 05:28 PM

Maybe it's the full moon? No hand off to me Bernie! Troy, what gives?!? Ryan did take a fish on rod handover from Troy, because Troy was having a heck of a time fighting it and needed help [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img] - is this what you are thinking of? (Again, not that there is anything wrong with that). Will it make your day guys if I will lie for you and say I took a rod handoff? It's not something your grandkids will be impressed with. [img]images/icons/rolleyes.gif[/img]

[ 09-05-2001: Message edited by: RT ]

Spooled · 09-05-2001, 08:25 PM

Thanks everyone for the welcome back. RT, if you were a fish, you would be deep hooked by Catch-n-Eat. I said nothing of the sort about handing any rod off. He is totally in your kitchen. Go easy on him Bernie, he is fragile. [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

You two better get along, 'cause your fishing together on the Flotilla III. We can fight all the way up and all the way back, but we gotta whip them Dawgs on the river. I am hoping RT hands all our northern friends his pink worms as a good will gesture to help their fishing.

Bernie did squirt some tears about how RT left the seat in the truck, so he can sit in the back on the way there and back. He can't complain about the back seat, it doesn't move. [img]images/icons/shocked.gif[/img]

Ryan is way less maintenance than you two ladies.

09-05-2001, 09:17 PM

OK Bernie, get outta my kitchen. [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img] And now weeees teamates man, and I need a hug [img]images/icons/blush.gif[/img] . BTW, dibs on the back seat - especially if I haven't slept before we meet to head up to terrorizing the Waaaaasie's. All I need is an hour power nap on that back seat, and I will be breathin fire on those poor little Dawgies. [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] I will bring a blankie to cover your nice back seat Troy; the truck seat man, the truck seat. wantr to keep it pretty. And to cover a shivering Dan or Os at the take out. We will be plenty warm from fighting those man eating hooknosed 'hos. [img]images/icons/cool.gif[/img] - Steve

CATCH AND EAT · 09-05-2001, 11:49 PM

See Troy, I told you you were famous here on ifish [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] These guys love ya man. And, to be loved as a rookie by any fisherman is a great compliment.

By the way, I want that boat shinny when I get in it again. RT was a slob from what I hear bleeding a fish in the boat and knocking over a coke and all. All I did was darn near leave a smolt under the seat which technically qualifies as a fish in the boat even though it was a tad undersized. A least it was a fair caught hatchery fish on my own rod.

Boy Steve and Ryan, taking a handed off fish?????? Oh well, desperate times desperate measures. he he he he. Of coarse I would never even thinks of this practice as a purest fisherman. [img]images/icons/rolleyes.gif[/img]

Hey, by the way, did Troy charge you gas money for the boat? I had to pay him $50 bucks that day on the S. Saintiam. Then I got to thinking, HEY, THIS BOAT AIN'T GOT NO MOTOR ON IT!!!! Boy, Troy really got to me that day. [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] Well, really he only asked for $20 [img]images/icons/shocked.gif[/img]

Bernie

09-07-2001, 11:52 PM

And the Armorall for about everything else, eh? [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img] ...

You will hook fish up there Bernie; I'm bringin the A-team eggs this time. I will try to forget I have pink worms in my tackle box. ... It will be a few Waaaaasie's trying to hand off fish to other Waaas who can't hook them. But they always seem to have to do the 'reach around' on the handoffs. [img]images/icons/rolleyes.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

Looking forward to the fun. - Steve

CATCH AND EAT · 09-07-2001, 11:56 PM

[img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img] Ok, ok, RT. Now that I'm done cookin in your kitchen and the ribs be over done I confess to all ifisher's that RT did not take a hand off from Troy Boy Toy. In fact Troy was extremely complimentary regarding you as well as Ryan.

I was on a day off yesterday fishing the Columbia and Big Blue when I was rudely interrupted by the Troy-myster on the cell phone. "hey lay of RT or your uninvited" says he. Well, he was just joshin but I did feel kind of bad so if you are offended, sorry buddy, if not then Troy is a worry wort. But you got to admit I got you hook, line and sinker to the point you were bleeding from the gills. he he he.

RT, I am truely looking forward to fishing with you and let it be known that I'll take a handoff anytime. Heck, I will even reel in your fish if ya want!!! We are going to blast those muskies....er I mean Huskies... or huskers... what ever you call those Worshaternyans anyways. We will probably end up with a 3 way chinese fire drill coho hook up and no NB to help out. Oh well, Troy's fish will probably be the smallest so he can just put his back in the holder and NB ours [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] .

Hey Troy, will we be allowed to keep the hatchery fish on this trip? [img]images/icons/rolleyes.gif[/img] Are you going to actually tag a few so we can whoooop them dawgs? [img]images/icons/shocked.gif[/img] Just kidding.

Oh yeah, RT if you bring the seat covers for the truck, I will bring the floor mat for the boat to wipe our feet. Don't forget the 409 and paper towels.

I'm pumped!!!!

Bernie