Drano?

[dubnvento]

Is it to early to expect decent fishing this weekend at Drano? I've seen the numbers over the dam but I'm new to this fishery and wasn't sure.

[SPL]

It may depend on what you consider decent, but with high numbers crossing the past two days, and the relatively short distance from B'Ville to Drano, I would venture to say its worth the trip. Good Luck!

[steelies_R_US]

Usually I wait until a couple days after it reaches 5-6k fish a day.

[chromebright]

Dead Dead this AM. Saw one fish for for 20+ boats in the circle jerk and about the same number of guys on the bank.

[the_admeral]

Originally Posted by chromebright

Dead Dead this AM. Saw one fish for for 20+ boats in the circle jerk and about the same number of guys on the bank.

Was there anyone enforcing the no boat zone by the RR bridge? Or is that just a myth??
Thanks...

[Backlash2]

It's no myth...starts May 1st.

[mic4fish]

Thanks for the report!!

[steelies_R_US]

I think the new boundary line started April 15th

[Srchn4Salmon]

April 14, 2009


Drano Lake outlet limited to bank fishing during spring chinook fishery

Action: The immediate area around the outlet of Drano Lake will be limited to bank fishing only.
Species affected: All species.
Effective dates: April 16 through June 30, 2009.
Location: The bank fishing only area will be west of a line projected from the eastern most pillar of the Highway 14 Bridge to a posted marker on the north shore.
Reason for action: Over the last several seasons, the department has received numerous concerns about bank and boat interactions near the outlet of Drano Lake during the spring chinook fisheries. Bank fishing is limited in the lake and the outlet is a popular and productive area for both bank and boat anglers.
In the spring 2008, the department opened the adjacent mainstem Columbia to bank fishing only to provide additional opportunity and reduce conflicts just inside the lake. That effort had only minimal success as the result of limited access and prevalent windy conditions.
During the recent North of Falcon process, the department proposed a test to reduce the bank and boat conflicts by limiting the immediate area near the outlet of Drano Lake to bank fishing only during the spring chinook fishery. A similar bank fishing area at the mouth of the White Salmon River has been successful in reducing bank and boat conflicts.
Based upon public response, the department will move forward with the proposed test. If the test is successful in reducing conflicts, the department will propose making this rule permanent.

Other information: The remainder of Drano Lake will remain open to fishing from boats and the bank. The bank only area will be in place during the spring chinook fishery but not during the summer steelhead and fall salmon fisheries. The adjacent mainstem Columbia from Bonneville Dam to the Tower Island power lines (located about 6 miles below The Dalles Dam) remains open to fishing for hatchery salmon, hatchery steelhead, and shad from the bank through April.

[Backlash2]

Originally Posted by steelies_R_US

I think the new boundary line started April 15th

Ooops! I was mis-under-informed.

It started April 16th...

[gnuesse]

Hit Drano Friday for 9 hours and this morning for 4 hours. It is very slow. A few fish caught in the toilet bowl. It is very busy, I would wait for more fish to come over the dam.
With the new restrictions on trolling around the toilet bowl it can be very challenging and frustrating on a busy day.
Wind was horrible today making trolling even more challenging.

[steelies_R_US]

Drano today was just plain bad..........Fished for 5 hours with 3 rods and didn't see any nets fly at all for 70 boats and talked to a couple very reputable guides with big ole goose eggs as well

[Starfish]

Same story here. Half a day Friday with Leo and zilch, no bites at all. Saw two caught, no other nets flying.

[Salmon Chaser]

Was going to meet some friends down there to fish yesterday. Glad I did not go. 3 fished for 8 hours no hits for them and they saw 3 nets fly. Still a wee bit early. They are fishing the Wind tomorrow will post a second hand report tomorrow night. We may go down this coming thursday and friday if things pick up.

[mic4fish]

Thanks for the reports going to hit the wind on tues will report back.

[coyote one]

what changes have been made this year about trolling that differ from last year?

[HntnFsh]

Closed the toilet bowl to boaters.

Somebody above posted the announcement.

[chromebright]

Very slow again yesterday. One fish for lots of boats and bankies. Does not look good and the tribes are now fishing the Columbia so it's only going to get worse before it gets better.

[steelie817]

The counts are not very good. Can't expect too much.

[Salmonsalsa]

Salmon Chaser, how did you friends do at the Wind yesterday?

[mic4fish]

Does anyone have a wind report? going up there tomorrow didn't want to go up blind if possible .

[Salmon Chaser]

Originally Posted by Salmonsalsa

Salmon Chaser, how did you friends do at the Wind yesterday?

They fished for less then 2 hours saw nothing caught had no hits and the windy conditions forced them off the water. They were going to stop at Drano on the way home but another buddy said it was not worth stopping they saw no fish caught or nets in the air.I'm sure that is not the report anyone wanted to hear.......

[CRR]

There are a coupe of fish being caught in the Wind, I would say more than Drano right now. Fishing should pick up soon when the dam counts get higher..... hopefully

[Salmonsalsa]

Here are the bonneville chinook counts since 4-21

4-21: 1164
4-22: 1990
4-23: 2142
4-24: 1509
4-25: 1604
4-26: 1765

Did anything change from the 23rd to the 24th?

Big weather change? Was water released from the dam? Did a seal park himself infront of the ladder entrance? Or is that just a normal run deviation?

We're gonna give it a shot at the Wind tomorrow. Wish us luck!

[Hook'm&Book'm]

There are fished to be had in drano, fished it on sunday and picked up three. Saw the bankies get a couple, and a few nets fly on the lake. And I'm pretty sure we didn't see all the action.

[mic4fish]

Originally Posted by Hook'm&Book'm

There are fished to be had in drano, fished it on sunday and picked up three. Saw the bankies get a couple, and a few nets fly on the lake. And I'm pretty sure we didn't see all the action.

Well sounds like you fared ok!

[washingtonsalmon]

Anything exciting happen today? I will be their all next week hopefully the fishing will pick up, those "DAM" counts should break open anyday.

[Daz]

Like hook'm and book'm said. Sunday has been the only substantial day up there yet. Just have to wait a little longer.

[fishhog1]

Fished the Wind River yesterday and today for zero fish.
Saw very few caught for all the boats out there trying.
Back at it up there next Monday and Tuesday.
Never seen this poor of a bite this late in the year in the 25+ years I have been fishing the Wind River. Hope it picks up in the next couple weeks.
fh1.

[mic4fish]

Originally Posted by fishhog1

Fished the Wind River yesterday and today for zero fish.
Saw very few caught for all the boats out there trying.
Back at it up there next Monday and Tuesday.
Never seen this poor of a bite this late in the year in the 25+ years I have been fishing the Wind River. Hope it picks up in the next couple weeks.
fh1.

Fished the wind today 1 nate seen very few caught cant believe how dead it is for the amount of fish going over the dam. Did feel good for getting 1 for all the boats who had nothing.

[dawhunt]

Haven't the Indians started netting,if so it might be slow for awhile at
least untill the counts really go up , if they go up ???
Bob

[Cosmic Lazy Susan]

5 hours yesterday and a great big NADA.

Didn't see any nets fly, heard of a couple at the ramp.