Anyone headed to Church

Fishplay · 01-16-2002, 06:39 AM

Anyone willing to introduce me to Mouth of the Willamette Sturgeon? I know the Bonneville, Astoria, Trojan and Rufus area but have never fished the Willamette except near O.C. I'm an experienced anchor man and have a 19ft. sled to fish from. If your headed to Church Saturday I'd like to follow you around for the day. Or......if you know the area well and want to just throw in with me and show me around that would be great also. I beleive I'll have room for two.
My Email is Fishplay@juno.com

Pilar · 01-16-2002, 08:39 AM

Hi Fishplay, just go there. You could dive right into the fray at the punchbowl off Kelly Point or go up or down the Columbia a short ways and join a hogline.

In any case keep your head on a swivel and be ready to pull up and leave if a barge wants the water you're sitting in. The main problem in that area, besides inconsiderate fishermen, is boats obstructing the channel. Even on the edge of the channel you have to be ready to use your anchor puller and clear out quickly.

I just hate it when 'Joe Boater' drops his sand fluke and 120ft of line, no bobber, no puller. and tries to line up with the bunch anchored in 80ft of water.

Then you get to watch him pull the line by hand and try again. Or even better, pull it quickly when a barge comes through.

I've heard about netting for gators in the Columbia. Does anyone have the details on the seasons?

SureSet · 01-16-2002, 04:44 PM

Jan 7th Thru Feb. 1th, basically noon Mondays thru 6pm Tuesdays and Noon Thursdays thru 6PM Fridays.

Kinda cleans them out right before the weekend

SureSet

[ 01-16-2002: Message edited by: SureSet ]</p>

Fishplay · 01-16-2002, 06:25 PM

Thanks Pilar,
We don't got no stinking sand fluke!!! I use a custom made large rocking chair type anchor made of Stainless Steel. What time is the tide? Is the ebb still the flow I want to fish?
I'll be coming up 5 North. Can you give me directions to a safe ramp.
I had not heard about the netting but I guess I should have figured it would start about the time I was ready to fish!
I'll be in a Maxweld Ranger with a green top. Ive seen pics of your boat pilar. Hope to meet a few of you guys up there.

Pilar · 01-17-2002, 07:27 AM

Ok, from south of Portland, follow I-5 to Vancouver. Take the Highway 14 exit to Camas, first one after the bridge. About 2 miles down Hwy 14 look for Columbia House Rd. Take a right at the exit go under the railroad underpass and then make the first left. Follow this road through the industrial area to Marine Park. This is the first right you see once past the warehouses. It's free and open at 6am. The ramp is OK but there is some sand on either edge, use the middle. Your Oregon tags are good since the Columbia River is a border waterway.

Or go to Cathedral Park in St John. Follow I-5 to I-405. Follow I-405 to Hwy 30, the road to St Helens. Hwy 30 north to the St John's bridge. Cathedral Park is under the bridge at the east end and it's a free launch. Some Ifishers have reported car crime problems here. So cross the bridge and make the first left. About a block down make another left and go down the hill. The Willamette tends to be full of wood this time of year so watch out for 'boat killer' logs.

You can also launch further north on Hwy 30 at Fred's or Larsons or on Sauvie Island there is the 42nd st. ramp on Marine drive. All of the ramps mentioned so far are 6 or 7 river miles from the spot.

One more ramp is much closer. I don't know exactly where it is but you get there by heading towards Vancouver lake from Vancouver, Wa.

Fishplay · 01-17-2002, 06:33 PM

Thanks Pilar, that is just what I needed. I don't have a problem jumping into the fray. I've learned nearly all I know that way. It's just been fun meeting new personality and I was hoping to do that again. :depressed:
City folk must be shy these days! :grin:
Good luck with the crabbing. (Pilar)
Thanks for the email (Larry)