There on their way!!! CR REPORT

[Fish Hawk Adventures]

Well, boys and girls get ready and sharpen those hooks. I saw some sea lions rip apart 3 springers in about an hour in an undisclosed location in the Columbia River, lower near Longview. We also ended up with one miss and one springer of 23# with one to many fins for 3 hours of fishing.

Get ready and good luck!!

[ 02-12-2004, 08:54 PM: Message edited by: TALONS ]

[ZaQ]

Gentlemen, start your engines............

[jokester]

OH MAN!!!! I'm chomping at the bit for my 1st springer!

-jokester

[jokester]

edit...double post

[ 02-12-2004, 09:12 PM: Message edited by: jokester ]

[Silver Hilton]

Spacecraft Hilton, leaving orbit tomorrow at noon...

[fishnbus]

Yes, they are on the way!! Fished the CR yesterday between Astoria and Portland. Saw 2 hatchery steelhead and 1 native landed and 1 springer with too many fins. I think I'll go back again

[AnyFishAnyTime]

TALONS,

Good to hear the report but you were a little vague on your fishing location :smile: . Funny how that works….

<p>I just retired and my one goal of retirement is to do more fishing. To that end I bought a boat and have been getting it ready for about a month now just waiting for the springers to show up. I think the last time I fished for springers the locals were netting them at Celilo Falls and the dinosaurs were still roaming the earth.

<p> I am very much a novice at this and any information that anyone could supply that would increase my chances of actually catching a fish would be greatly appreciated. No information would be too basic.

<p> I don’t have a trolling motor yet so I am going to have to anchor. What depth should I anchor in or what bottom features should I be looking for? Of course the next question is, once anchored how do I setup to fish for these slimy things.

Newbie

[SPAZZ]

[freespool]

AFAT,before you enter the the wacky world of hog lines,go out and practice the anchor set and pull a few times. Better yet find someone who is river wise to teach you the ropes,it's harder than it looks sometimes. Besides you don't want to scratch your new boat or mine either. Good luck on your new found hobby.


salmon hugger

[corrirod]

Hey Anyfishing,

Take Freespools advice. In fact, if I were you I'd make an "open seat" post and try to get one of these springer Pro's to take you out on your own boat. I'm sure you'll get plenty of takers and that will be the fastest learning curve you can get.

Good luck and good fishing!

[Wreckless]

Also...anyfishing:

Once you know the basics you don't have to follow the crowds. My boat got 3 springers last year and the nearest boat was over 1/2 mile away....until they saw us break loose 3 times . Anchor along a nice beach in 18' of water and ENJOY!!

The tip of an open seat trip is a GREAT ONE!!!

[AnyFishAnyTime]

Thanks for the advice and I will probably try and find some old crusty dog to take out for the first time. After looking at freespools post and the abbreviation of my screen name I may have to change it. AFAT is not exactly flattering!

What is the recommended setup to use when anchored and how far off the bottom do you shoot for? Do the fish hug the bottom or swim around at a given depth based on light, temperature or some other mysterious reason?

Thanks again for the help and advise.

[Blue Tip Spinner]

i try to keep my gear near the bottom if i'm fishing the 10-30 foot depth. if it is deeper, try marking some fish on the depth finder, and try to keep your bait around that level. i generally use a 24- 40" dropper and sometimes up to 66" (depending on where i'm fishing) when i'm anchored. keep in mind that the farther away from the boat your gear is, the closer to the bottom your lure is (angle of line).

[Fish Hawk Adventures]

Any Fish Anytime,
Tie off to a Piling that you see others tied to, or in a spot that you see other anchored on, use a K-15 or K-14 in a silver and chartruse color scheme, (the names are double trouble, starburst, and fickle pickle) Wrap with sardine (SMALL AMOUNT)on a 5' leader and a 12" lead line. Put in your time and you will catch fish! Now if you want to shorten the time it takes between fish or would like a jump start on the learning curve, I would reccommend hiring a guide or attending some seminars that guides provide at the local tackle shops.

[DRUNK COWBOY]

anyfishanytime,

If I were you I would take Freespool's advice. I would also go to fisherman's and ask them to show you the exact rig to use when running Kwik-Fish on the bottom. I would explain the rig, but I think it is easier to see it in person. Also ask them about wrapping the lure with sardines!

Look for water in the range of 12 to 35 feet. Your weight will vary depending on location. Make sure you use different lengths of lead lines and leaders until you find the correct length for the spot you are fishing. In 30 feet of water I usually run a 3.5 foot weight line and a 4.5 foot leader.

Remember that you do not need to fish where everyone else is fishing (The river structure changes every year). Last years hot spots might have got filled in by sand or the current might have switched. Look around with you depth finder and find some shelves or small rolling hills. If you find these you will find and catch fish.

[B-run]

Just be careful where you anchor, or tie up to pilings, as the ships put up a mean swell sometimes, don't tie up too short to any piling.