Fishery Sturgeon

[Thick-N-Thin]

Anyone have the latest on what the Sturgeon fishing is going to be like (or has been like) for Saturday??

I'm driving up from Eugene and just want to make sure it's worth my while. I have smelt, squid, roll mop hering and WD-40 anything else needed other some heat?

Thanks!

[Pete]

You should be ready for a little hassle ... there was a big landslide which covers the exit from I-84 for the Fishery. You may need to go up to the next exit and turn around so you can take the exit from the west-bound lane.

For details CLICK HERE and scroll down to the Accident/Hazard at MP 35.

[ 12-07-2001: Message edited by: Pete ]</p>

[brshooter]

You do have to go to the next exit and double back. I heard this morning that the eastbound exit will be closed for about a month. They said that the had to move approximately 15000 dump truck loads of material out of there.

[Thick-N-Thin]

Pete & Brshooter,

Thank you! I forgot all about that. I appreciate the advice on going up to the next exit! Save me some time wondering what to do.

James

Drive a little further past the dam, pay the toll over the Bridge of the Gods. Launch for free on the Washington side right below the dam. Total is under 4 bucks versus 7 bucks. 3 bucks over and back for a single axle boat trailer.

You'll probably be one of the only few rigs there and have an actual place to park, not all the way back across the Fishery RR tracks and back up on the road, long walk and logistics dealings with the boat ramp at the Fishery.

Cascade Locks exit. Left into town. Follow the signs (not an immediate right, but a pretty quick right before you go into the actual town of Cascade Locks) to the Bridge of the Gods toll bridge.

Cross the Bridge into Washington. Turn left immediately back downriver on Highway 14. Stay on 14, past and below the dam. Turn left at the first huge power towers on the left. Follow boat ramp signs into the park.

Fairly steep launch is only heads up, but it is paved. Pretty overall crowd hassle free.

150 HP and above is about 10 minutes downriver back to the Fishery and below the Fishery when the water is flat. NORMALLY, no big rolling water in a West wind, until below the Fishery.

Anything West over 25 and gusting up there is taking your own chances. Many times, I've gone, said well, it's too rough for me and went somewhere else for the day.

This was after having to throw away a few pair of brown shorts though, after being talked into "we came this far, let's launch and see" :grin:

Be careful and wise up there, if you don't already know this. I would not touch it in the Winter (or even on the best of days below the Fishery) when it gets 35 and over West Winds.

The other thing for now, through Winter is watch the road conditions. Snow and Ice can get real mean too, real quick.

Not just a paranoid old **** trying to discourage anyone. Mostly heads up for folks who may read this and don't know.

Dress warm and take some heaters. Smaller boats, REALLY be careful. This is all big water.

Rick

[ 12-07-2001: Message edited by: ****** ]</p>

[Thick-N-Thin]

Thanks Rick....

I was just checking one last minute before I left tonight to go up there. I've never tried the Washington side. I think I'll give that a try since I have never been there. I have a 21ft Jet Sled and have been up there dozens of times, so I know the dangers as you spoke about. Some very good warnings to keep in mind!

Thanks for the great info!

James

[Thick-N-Thin]

Oh by the way any Ifishers that are going to be out there give me a wave! I don't have an Ifish sticker yet! I have a Red 21ft Maxxum Pro Series Jet Sled with a grey top.

How did the launch work out James?

[CATCH AND EAT]

Hey Thick n thin, I was parked right next to you on Saturday. We were just slightly above you in the flat bottom Alumiweld with four fishers. Beauty boat my friend. What happened with the engine trouble? Sounded a little flooded. Glad to hear that baby finally start up.

We had a lot of fun up there Saturday. Beautiful weather and nice extra calm water until about 2 pm. West wind came in and so did the rain. We finally left at 3pm.

As far as fishing was concerned, tons of shakers but no keepers for us. Largest was 39"s. On board we had Pop's, Uncle Bob and Shaggy. You all remember Shaggy nine year old that realed in Spooled's fish for him. The 42#r. Well Shaggy and Pop's (his grandpa) got into a competition on how many fish they could catch.


Well here we go. Pop's had Shaggy by 8 to 5 around noon. After I hooked Shaggy's first five for him I told him he was on his own. The little 9 year turned on the heat and hooked the next 5 by himself and put the hurt on Pop's 10 to 9 :tongue:

Uncle Bob got Shaggy going on how to respond to Pop's when Pop's was braggin about being ahead. He said to just tell Pop's "yeah yeah yeah...Whatever Grandpa" This stratagy worked and Shaggy was triumphant for the day.

Thick and Thin did you guys get any keepers? Next time I see you guys we'll stop by and say hi.

[Thick-N-Thin]

******,

I ended up going to the Fishery insted of the Washington side. The Fishery wasn't all that busy. I didn't see a dock on the other side. Is there one? When it's busy at the Fishery it looks like that is the ticket though.

Catch & Eat,

Yeah, I remember you there. Wish I knew that ahead of time I would of said hi to ya. Man, wasn't Saturday a great day to be on the river? I kinda messed up and was just telling my buddy I couln't believe how great of a day it was. That's when I decided it was time to move since we were just catcjing shakers. As you well know, I at that point had a problem starting the boat.
The problem I had was that It was in need of a tune up and I had put it off one trip to many. The cap & rotor required a little bit of descaling. Then of coarse it was flooded, so I got it running and ran up the river a ways and back to the dock and shut it down and then made sure it would start. Then went back to fishing.

We didn't catch any keepers either, but did see several boats with one keeper. I didn't mind it was such a great day. Sounds like you guys had a good time. I see Rip-N-Lips truck (couldn't miss it), but didn't know what boat he has.

Next time I'll look for you!

James

[CATCH AND EAT]

Glad to hear the boat is doing better. Plugs, cap and rotor are in order. Saw Rip'n Lips rig too but he must of gone up river.

After you left the river really turned to chocolate. Especially when the rain started. See you next time.

Bernie