Brownlee Res. Question?

Idahoan · 02-10-2009, 11:49 AM

I am looking to plan a trip to Brownlee this year. What is the best month to do a crappie and catfish combo trip?

raptorschild · 02-10-2009, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Idahoan

I am looking to plan a trip to Brownlee this year. What is the best month to do a crappie and catfish combo trip?

Look for Crappie Chaser to answer your post as he is a guide down there and certain can steer you in the right direction.....In fact, it would probably behoove you to hire him, as I tried it on my own last year and caught fish, but there is a learning curve to it, and it can be a little tricky if you've never been there.

My first time was last year, and it was May 15th or so, and we caught lots of small crappie, and catfish were starting to heat up, but not yet red-hot fishing.

My guess is that crappie chaser will say late may, early june for the best of both worlds.

Don't forget about the bass!

JerryM · 02-10-2009, 12:57 PM

Later June to mid July in my opinion. Depends on weather though. I like it hot and water low but stable. I target mostly cats though.

fisher guy · 02-10-2009, 02:22 PM

I will second going with crappie chaser. He will put you on the fish and is a pleasure to talk too.

Crappie Chaser · 02-10-2009, 06:16 PM

Good advice allready given. If you are going to be here for a few days you should be able to get into both anytime from May thru October. In May you will pick up some cats on jigs while fishing for crappie. There is a short time in early to mid June when the crappie have the post spawn blues but other than that they can be had thru mid-November. When asked to do a combo that will provide a substantial catch of both in the same day I am confident of doing it from July thru mid September.
Fisher guy, thanks again for the jigflies. Those will work good on the top end of a double rig.

retaliate · 02-11-2009, 11:48 AM

Yep!, end of April, & May Catfish can be caught on mini jigs, & Trolling Repallas while fishing for Crappie, Bass too, what a hoot! on light gear, espically in a float tube, Crappie fishing is usually excellent than, & Catfishing is picking up as already mentioned, & as also mentioned Catfishing is better a little later during the warmer months, the Wife & myself only fish Brownlee in the spring, cause Ocean season starts in May, & the weather is pleasant than, we plan on starting at Owyhee this spring, but might end up at Brownlee...we'll see how it goes, can't wait...bring on spring.

Idahoan · 02-11-2009, 07:51 PM

Thanks for the info guys. What is the better part of the res. to catch the two in the same area?

1bigfish · 02-12-2009, 05:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Idahoan

Thanks for the info guys. What is the better part of the res. to catch the two in the same area?

As long as they actually fill the Brownlee on time this year(and i really hope they do

) I think you should fish Richland if you want a good mix or crappie and cats.

tsaelee · 02-12-2009, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JerryM

Later June to mid July in my opinion. Depends on weather though. I like it hot and water low but stable. I target mostly cats though.

My family and I have been fishing over in the snake down between Richland and Huntington for a long while now. At least 2-3 trips a year. We go as early as mid April to late May. We mainly go for crappie. Last year we bought a WHOLE lot, but they were tiny. I would be thinking about late May to June would be awsome for cats.

Crappie Chaser · 02-13-2009, 06:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tsaelee

My family and I have been fishing over in the snake down between Richland and Huntington for a long while now. At least 2-3 trips a year. We go as early as mid April to late May. We mainly go for crappie. Last year we bought a WHOLE lot, but they were tiny. I would be thinking about late May to June would be awsome for cats.

Who and where are you buying the crappie from?

raptorschild · 02-13-2009, 07:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crappie Chaser

Who and where are you buying the crappie from?

I'm thinking that was a typo for Cought?...caught?...Cot?, or perhaps Brought?

Anyway....I don't know who would bother to buy small crappie when you could probably handline about 50 of em in a few hours?

hehe.....I can feel Crappie Chaser's veins getting ready to burst!

Crappie Chaser · 02-13-2009, 08:36 AM

You really have no idea what goes on over here,do you? I wish you would have let that guy answer for himself.

snake river · 02-19-2009, 01:18 PM

I think I know what you are talking about when it comes to selling crappie over here. We see it ever year and ever one just turns their heads!

tundra5 · 02-21-2009, 08:15 AM

don't know or care about selling or buying crappie but as for fishing i go mid july. cats are great, crappie is o.k. and last year managed to limit on three to five lb. smallies every day off the drop. hung out with in a couple miles of spring cr.

snake river · 02-21-2009, 08:59 AM

Are you saying that you don�t care if people are breaking the Law by selling Crappie? As long as you can come over here and catch a limit of smallmouth bass. When they start selling the bass at the rate they are selling the crappie maybe you will think a little more about it.

snake river · 02-21-2009, 09:16 AM

Sorry for being rude. Selling crappie over here is a bad subject. I think May is the best time to fish weather is good and you can aways catch alittle bit of all the warm water fish then.

Pyrojake · 02-21-2009, 01:43 PM

I third the recommendation on going with Crappie Chaser i know that I will be. Nobody is more knowledgeable in that area and you'll have some great company. By the way, thanks for the nibble injector Crappie Chaser. Fried up any of those clams yet?

Crappie Chaser · 02-21-2009, 04:54 PM

Jake, haven't got to the clams yet but the crab didn't last a day. Thanks. You know the spot where you were catching slab crappie near camp? As soon as the ice opened up a little this week the local guys were catching fish there. It's lower right now but they are getting perch & crappie.

snake river · 02-21-2009, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crappie Chaser

Jake, haven't got to the clams yet but the crab didn't last a day. Thanks. You know the spot where you were catching slab crappie near camp? As soon as the ice opened up a little this week the local guys were catching fish there. It's lower right now but they are getting perch & crappie.

Were did the ice open up at ? I was over at the parks last week at all three boat ramps and it was ice city. Sag road from the dump is snow and ice 4x4 to almost the Water .

retaliate · 02-22-2009, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snake river

Were did the ice open up at ? I was over at the parks last week at all three boat ramps and it was ice city. Sag road from the dump is snow and ice 4x4 to almost the Water .

Is Sag rd open all the way to Brownlee? Last time I tried about 15 years ago there was a locked gate about 1/3 way down.

Crappie Chaser · 02-22-2009, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by retaliate

Is Sag rd open all the way to Brownlee? Last time I tried about 15 years ago there was a locked gate about 1/3 way down.

P.M. sent!

1bigfish · 02-25-2009, 11:32 AM

Hey Gary, I was just looking at the water levels over there when it occured to me that the water level is already higher now then it was when I was there last May.

Crappie Chaser · 02-25-2009, 06:20 PM

We don't have near the snowpack as last year so hopefully we will have more stable spring levels. Last year the level finally came up to the ramp on May 18th. Boats are launching at Hewitt now, 2 went out today. No report yet but I'll post when I get one.

Crappie Chaser · 02-26-2009, 07:27 AM

The guys that launched out of Hewitt yesterday blanked. They were stopped by ice down past the Powder River Queen. Rising, muddy cold water. The fish they caught from shore last week got them all fired up.

1bigfish · 02-26-2009, 07:40 AM

Bummer that they got blanked but you have to expect that this time of the year. I cant wait to get over there. By the time I get there there will zero chance of getting blanked.

snake river · 02-28-2009, 11:57 AM

Went fishing at park yesterday got a few small perch and 4 crappies 7or 8 in.
and one small cat. Only ones their at the time water muddy had one other fish on think it was a fair cat from the fight only using 4lb line hook pulled out and lost it never saw it but we think it was a good one just didn't have the right rigging to fight it . Oh well we were just having fun.

1bigfish · 03-01-2009, 05:12 PM

Great pic snake river.

Thanks for the report.

dragon67 · 03-02-2009, 05:02 AM

Did she catch any? I love it when we take kids fishing.

Don Fischer · 03-02-2009, 07:00 AM

Dumb question of the day I guess. Why would anyone buy crappie if they are that easy to catch? I haven't fished for them but those I saw were awful small. You'd need 40 to make a meal!

bassnbass · 03-02-2009, 08:21 AM

that's a nice trout snakeriver

1bigfish · 03-02-2009, 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Don Fischer

Dumb question of the day I guess. Why would anyone buy crappie if they are that easy to catch? I haven't fished for them but those I saw were awful small. You'd need 40 to make a meal!

Just do a search using the word following key words.
selling Brownlee crappie

You will several post. Here is one for you to check.
http://www.ifish.net/board/showthrea...rappie+selling

The problem is real and I have see it myself.

Don Fischer · 03-02-2009, 12:56 PM

WOW! I didn;t finish reading all of that. How big do they average? I've never seen on in the state that was very big. I talked to a guy in georgia several years agoand they throw back everything under a pound. I've never seen one that big. I assume they must be good eating? About like cats and bass? They are my favorites.

1bigfish · 03-02-2009, 01:10 PM

Here you go Don.

More here...
http://www.ifish.net/gallery/showgal...r/2920/cat/500

enjoy

Webwader · 03-03-2009, 11:43 AM

I don't know if Crappie Chaser ever told you about the trip he guided one day at Brownlee when they caught three crappie with a combined weight of 10 lb and they were all caught in the same spot. Probably a once in a lifetime occurance.

retaliate · 03-03-2009, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Don Fischer

WOW! I didn;t finish reading all of that. How big do they average? I've never seen on in the state that was very big. I talked to a guy in georgia several years agoand they throw back everything under a pound. I've never seen one that big. I assume they must be good eating? About like cats and bass? They are my favorites.

Oregon is not know for large Crappie, Brownlee is as good as it get's...on average, altho last year was the smallest average I've even seen there, should be better this year tho, Crappie are excellent for eating, Catfish, & Bass don't even come close IMO, however you do have to fillet a few or more to make a meal. My brother in San Diego reported a #75 limit of 25 one day, & the average is well over a pound down there most years.

nsyhunter · 03-04-2009, 07:11 PM

If water levels are sufficient I would go as early as mid to late April or after the crappies spawn late May or June. For years I went one week either side of Easter and caught big crappie & big bass. The crappie are usually scattered but we always caught plenty of bass and catfish while trolling for the slabs. Hells Canyon & Oxbow typically produce trophy smallies and the water level is usually fine that time of year.
The other plus is there are way fewer people especially during the week.

snake river · 03-05-2009, 09:46 PM

The little girl does her on fishing .She can crappie fish with the best of them.Got first place in the 2008 Brownlee crappie tournament .these are her fish for the tournament last year.

snake river · 03-05-2009, 10:03 PM

The little girl does her on fishing .She can crappie fish with the best of them.Got first place in the 2008 Brownlee crappie tournament .these are her fish for the tournament last year.

snake river · 03-05-2009, 10:28 PM

forgot pics

1bigfish · 03-06-2009, 05:37 AM

Looks like you were having trouble with the pics so I thought I would help, hope I got the right pic.

Quote:

Originally Posted by snake river

The little girl does her on fishing .She can crappie fish with the best of them.Got first place in the 2008 Brownlee crappie tournament .these are her fish for the tournament last year.

That is a real fishergirl you got there.

Blacktailfiend · 03-07-2009, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snake river

The little girl does her on fishing .She can crappie fish with the best of them.Got first place in the 2008 Brownlee crappie tournament .these are her fish for the tournament last year.

Nice!!! I fished that tourney the last couple years and its a blast....Cant wait for this year...

Pyrojake · 03-07-2009, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blacktailfiend

Nice!!! I fished that tourney the last couple years and its a blast....Cant wait for this year...

When is that tournament?

EZOP · 03-09-2009, 05:44 PM

I'm curious of the tourney dates also, I'll be up there enough this year and if it just happens to be during that time it could be fun.
Anyone know who sponsers it, I may give them a call.

Crappie Chaser · 03-09-2009, 06:32 PM

I think it's set for June 6-7 this year, same weekend as the free fishing days. The Hitching post is the sponsor (541) 893-6175.

snake river · 03-09-2009, 08:12 PM

Fishing was Fair today for small cats She got these after school ( 03/09/09 ) plus 4 more about this size . On cut bait (a dead crappie we found on the bank) a #6 circle c hook 4 lb. cajun red line and 7 foot UL rod. They are small and the cold water makes them not good fighter . But she had alot of fun with them . and it getting us outside and out of the snow in Halfway. If you fish alot over

here you know where we are fishing from the picture.

FelonFinder · 03-09-2009, 08:52 PM

Well, I'm jealous!

snake river · 03-09-2009, 08:58 PM

days end

FelonFinder · 03-09-2009, 09:15 PM

You're killing me, man. Killing me!

snake river · 03-09-2009, 09:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FelonFinder

You're killing me, man. Killing me!

We still have half of that dead crappie if you need it! We fried up those cats in cajun batter and man were they good! Winter cats have the best flavor and these were small and that helps too. We have some left if you are in Halfway .

FelonFinder · 03-09-2009, 10:34 PM

I'm going to have to wait till April when I go all the way to Mt. Home, ID. Also June with CrappieChaser. There will be blood.

1bigfish · 03-10-2009, 05:50 AM

Very well done snake river.

Rank Amateur · 03-13-2009, 08:59 AM

I think I recognize that spot in the second cat fish pic! Looks like you got quite the little fisherlady there.

fishcrappie · 03-13-2009, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1bigfish

Very well done snake river.

Oregon black crappie record 4#, White crappie record 4#12ozs gutted and frozen it came from Gerber reservior. I have seen 5 crappie in the last 10 years in the Portland area 4#s and caught fish to 2 locally, some as deep as 40' in the winter. Brownlee is normally full pool by mid-June and by July very hot but the flats up on the powder river are putting out cats.

Don Fischer · 03-14-2009, 06:46 AM

I'm planning on going to the Powder river arm in June and taking my dogs. What are the snakes like then? Really active and a lot? Are there places to camp along the powder river arm?

Crappie Chaser · 03-14-2009, 09:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Don Fischer

I'm planning on going to the Powder river arm in June and taking my dogs. What are the snakes like then? Really active and a lot? Are there places to camp along the powder river arm?

There is a good chance of running into snakes that time of year. They're not behind every bush but there are snakes. The only developed campground on the Powder arm is Hewitt Park. You can rough camp out of your boat but there are not many good places on the Powder. More of a chance of the dogs getting into snakes rough camping athough I killed one at Hewitt last year.

Don Fischer · 03-15-2009, 10:55 AM

Thank you. Might just camp in the boat. And keep the dogs on a short leash.

snake river · 03-16-2009, 11:53 AM

She got this bass on Friday the 13 2009 On a 2in. crappie jig (purple and red) it had a little fight in it for being still cold water . It was released right away.Sorry but this is the wrong picture this was a bass from last March. I posted the wrong picture and deleted the one I wanted to post #@$%$$ !!! It was about the same size maybe alittle smaller.

1bigfish · 03-16-2009, 12:08 PM

Your killing me.

I can't make it over there for another couple of months.

Oh well at least I have something to looks forward to.

raptorschild · 03-16-2009, 01:53 PM

I know 30 year old fisherman who havent caught smallies that big. Thats awsome!

Is that right out of hewitt?

snake river · 03-16-2009, 02:20 PM

NO was Oxbow. Was trying to get a sucker for the cats. And she wanted to crappie fish