Flotilla 4 --- The Really Big One!

Thumper · 01-20-2002, 09:10 AM

Several folks have asked about Flotilla 4. This is Gizmo's (Walt's) baby, but I'll try to answer a few of the more general questions.

We will be meeting at Sand Island directly across from St. Helen's after fishing. We have been looking to pick a date (a Saturday) that has a low slack tide near mid-day since most folks fish the outgoing tide for springers in the Columbia. The thinking is that everybody is on their own until we all get together for a big party near or after low slack.

There are acceptable tides on March 1 (low at 3:33 PM), March 16 (low at 2:43 PM) and March 30 (low at 2:27 PM). I believe that Spring Break in Portland is the week of March 23-31. That may not favor that Saturday. March 1 is probably too early to ensure that the nets will be out, so the date will likely be either March 16 or 30. My vote would be to have the event on March 16, though that may find us with nets in the river yet. We'll see. Walt and Keith (Stlhdr1) will make an executive decision on this. I am merely their humble servant and bait boy.

This area fishes a huge number of boats of all kinds and sizes. The mouth of the Lewis River is excellent for springers, and people fish that in 12-footers, drift boats with electric motors, all sizes of prop boats, 30-footers or bigger (anchored), etc. Excellent multiple hog lines set up at this location, and good trolling is also available.

Bachelor Island is only about a half mile upstream of Sand Island. It is on the Washington side and is a popular area for trollers, hogliners and plunkers (off the beach). You will find many hoglines and boats of all sizes.

Just upstream from Sand Island is the popular troll/plunk area at Warrior Rock on the North Unit of Sauvie Island and the mouth of the Multnomah Channel (trolling). These are all in Oregon.

Downstream from Sand Island is the Marker 72 (Oregon) and Picket Fence (Washington) hogline and trolling areas.

All of these locations are within about a mile from Sand Island, which will be our picnic and gathering spot. There is excellent mooring space and toilet facilities at Sand Island.

Boat launching facilities will include St. Helens itself (a stone's throw from our party spot), Beebe's, Pekin Ferry and several other places in the lower Lewis (0.5-1 mile from our party) and I'm sure several other places on the Oregon side.

Walt and Keith will be adding a whole lot more info about this event in the near future.

[ 01-20-2002: Message edited by: Thumper ]

[ 01-20-2002: Message edited by: Thumper ]</p>

CATCH AND EAT · 01-20-2002, 09:40 AM

Sounds good guys, March 16 is great. Order good weather!

dogfishboy · 01-20-2002, 12:17 PM

I would suggest to the F4 guys that 3 weeks later might make for better fishin' in this zone. I'm curious how the others in the area feel about run timing from Martin Bluffs to the Willamette?
Last year was the first time I have - and a lot of others - ever fished the Columbia for the whole season. Felt strange not working Mult. channel at all...but I can get over it. :grin: :grin:

C&E, even if the weather looks rough there is a great metal shelter to gather under...if the "Yachties" are not there.

Mofish · 01-20-2002, 01:12 PM

Count Mofish in Have to repeat my great fishin display. I will have 4 in my boat. Names to follow.

Ok Can I be Boat #1

Mofish
:grin:

CATCH AND EAT · 01-20-2002, 02:51 PM

Now Mofish Bro. don't let that 9#'er go to your head. :grin: Flotilla 4 should be a lot of fun. Hey Gizmo, maybe this would be a good one for the Hottamale Show to cover. What do ya think?

Spooled did a good job of setting the standard for fun and certainly you boys will "bring it on". Looks like I'll have to do some research on this area since I have never fished it. Always looking for new places.

Mofish, are you sure you want to get blood on that yahat of yours?

Hey, do you know why Fishing Eddie did'nt get a fish? BANANA!!!!

And he was sneeky about eating it too!

What next Rod? banana muffins :grin:

Spooled might be a threat on 4 if he ever gets that dang motor. :grin:

King13fisher · 01-20-2002, 05:08 PM

Looking forward to it, which ever day is chosen. Strive to fish every weekend :smile: and with the fun we had at Busters afterwards looking forward to Sand Island :grin: WOODUXS and Sealice will be with me.
It was mentioned that we'll be having a potluck and that grills are needed. Both WOODUXS and I have portable gas grills. "a trip on the water without good eats just isn't the same"
Just keep the info coming and we'll be there :grin: :grin: :grin:

fishchaser · 01-20-2002, 05:38 PM

Count me in. I can make any date you want. But I think we should do it later in the month like the 30th to make sure the run will be in well enough to get people into fish. Plus our chances of good weather are always better the week AFTER spring break :grin:

Jim · 01-20-2002, 06:15 PM

Without net seasons firmly in place I certainly vote for a later date....Personally April would be fine with me...just let me know though...the boat is committed!

Jim

Stz ll · 01-21-2002, 07:08 AM

Count me in also. What ever the date I will be there.

Pete

Thumper · 01-21-2002, 07:34 AM

The next Saturday with a mid-day low slack tide is April 13 (2:47 PM), then another one on April 27 (2:23 PM). So the possible event dates would be March 16, March 30, April 13 or April 27. All have similar tidal changes and low slack times.

Jim · 01-21-2002, 07:46 AM

Jack,
Thanks for your help...with that info I would go with the 30th or 13th. I will let you choose! Nice guy eh!? If you need some help on something let me know!

Thanks,

Jim

Ramstrong · 01-21-2002, 08:41 AM

Jack, Giz or Keith,

I'm for any of the March dates. Hopefully my fishing sugar daddy (Rippenlips) will have a boat by then and we'll be able to field a team. Hopefully the same slot over there that produced for us last year will produce again this year.

Thumper · 01-21-2002, 09:03 AM

Would someone please doublecheck the tides I posted to make sure that my 7-year-old tides CD is accurate? Man I would hate to be responsible for screwing up the tides and facing 200 POed springer fishermen at Sand Island!

Crusty · 01-21-2002, 02:56 PM

Dianne and I will be there. We will go anytime, but experience indicates that later in March is better.

Crusty

Tilla · 01-21-2002, 03:12 PM

Well I guess I better give it a try too, I'll be there with 3 or 4 others, I'll even take Fishalot with me, someone's gotta do it

Fishalot · 01-21-2002, 03:30 PM

Tilla does this mean that I have to be the net boy again? I hate netting your fish all the time, how a guy can run the boat and out fish everyone on the boat I will never understand. It sounds like a fun time to me so count me in please. I do however need a fish fix right now.

Fishalot
Team "Sneakin' Out" member.
:grin:

FEAR NO FISH! · 01-21-2002, 04:04 PM

What about the Wind River? 40,000+ fish coming back. You don't have to release any. Area big enough to accomodate everyone, small enough to keep track of everyone. We could have BBQ under the bridge. Easy fishery. Mag-Warts! Just my .02 cents. It is hard to release such a sacred fish. Ya can't buy it this good. You know where I want to go. :grin:

Stz ll · 01-21-2002, 04:14 PM

I like the Wind River idea for later in the spring. Flotilla 5?

Fishalot · 01-21-2002, 04:21 PM

The Wind sounds like a lot of fun good idea Fear No Fish.

Fishalot :smile:

Thumper · 01-21-2002, 04:51 PM

Let's hear it for Fear No Fish as our leader for Flotilla 5!!!! Steve, you could have a BBQ at Gut Beach. Nice and protected.

[ 01-21-2002: Message edited by: Thumper ]</p>

Fish Hunter · 01-21-2002, 05:00 PM

Thumper your tide times for April 13 and 27th match what I get from the Westfly tide link I use. http://www.westfly.com/or/or_tides/sthelens4.html

It's too early to make your one mistake this year anyway. :tongue:

Steelie Ben · 01-21-2002, 05:12 PM

I would be interested in doing the floatilla with you all but there is one little problem. I have no boat or access to one. If anyone has an open seat for this event I would gladly give gas/snack cash to get a seat. I would be able to fish any day that the floatilla is scheduled for so if you have an open seat drop me an email and let me know whats you think. Floatingrock 21@cs.com.

Thanks, Ben

dogfishboy · 01-21-2002, 05:38 PM

Steelie Ben, One of the nice things about F4 is that there are areas on the east side of Sand Island and below Warrior Rock that produce fish and I know we can arrange shuttles from the mainland. Also, the mouth of the lewis is drive-in. I've seen guys use canoes to access Sand Island and Sauvie Island to fish springers. If there's a will, there's a way

[ 01-21-2002: Message edited by: dogfishboy ]</p>

Jim · 01-21-2002, 05:46 PM

Fear No Fish....Dang it!!! Why do you have to keep telling people about our secret spot...shoot a mile I am personally tired of this.

40,000 eh....hmmm....Springer Barbq....yummm

Alright go ahead but just this once...no Tri Cities specials allowed though!! hehe

Jim

Steve...I'll help you with this one if you want to do it!

RipDatLip · 01-21-2002, 06:46 PM

And who's going to show me how to fish this time? I don't think bobber and jigs are going to work at the mouth of the Lewis, but what do I know.

Matt

FEAR NO FISH! · 01-21-2002, 08:14 PM

Jim,
That does sound like a hoot. Last
year our hottest week was the first
week of April. 16 fish in the boat
for two rods. That is with no
releasing! Jim, are we up for this?
It sounds like a tremendous amount of
work. Who can do all that work when
there are Springers to bonk? Gotta
think hard on this. :shocked: :whazzup:

Jim · 01-21-2002, 08:32 PM

I think we could...I think...do you have Don Youngs number?? The guy with the makeshift Marina I bet he could help us!

Jim

DF · 01-21-2002, 10:56 PM

this sounds like alot of fun, I cant remeber what the hot thing to use was, I know my dad hooked into 4 over there last year on a green and silver K-14. Santa brought me a k-13 this year.
Hopfully it will bring fish to the boat! :grin:

Capin' Dan · 01-21-2002, 11:17 PM

Dustin how was the fishing Monday did you guys hook up.

I think saturday we are having a Sea Swan resurrection get together. We will start in Longview doing the smelting thing early and then working on the boat. We are going to fire up the barbeque and do the cookout thing. You and Tye should try and attend. I also have a nice K-14 & K-15 with your name on it.

Dan!

FEAR NO FISH! · 01-22-2002, 06:22 AM

Jim,
I don't have his number. Are you sure about this? What if you have clients that day? If we could get Dons spot for a BBQ then I think we should do it. If not, I am a little leery of being able to pull it off. After hearing about all the success stories of the past flotillas, I would hate to be less then adequate. :shocked:

Thumper · 01-22-2002, 07:18 AM

Steve and Jim --- The guy who runs "Wind River Resort" (that is pretty funny for those of you who know the place) is Don Lane. His phone number last spring was 509-427-5580.

FEAR NO FISH! · 01-22-2002, 09:00 AM

Thumper,
That number is no longer in service. Must be from all the trouble he had last year.

Thumper · 01-22-2002, 09:07 AM

Steve --- He probably doesn't stay there in the winter. May have to drive over there in a month or so and see if he is about.

FishinMission · 01-22-2002, 12:21 PM

O.k....Did my "tide" research, and the "Mission" boat will be able to make it. Figure on at least 3 people, maybe 4.

Will finalize the tally as we get closer, and set the date.

Also I'd like to know what y'all think about a flotilla sometime in late August/ early Sept.????

Mark

WaterDog · 01-22-2002, 01:05 PM

I guess I’ll throw me and my boat into this thing since it’s not a sturgeon flotilla.

Just name the date and I’ll pull myself off my home water to make it. I’ll have 2 or 3 in the boat.

Hey CAGEY and Sailcat!!!! What do you guys think? Maybe get Team Donuts together and see what kinda trouble we can get into. :shocked: :grin:

I like Fishin’ Mission’s idea. Maybe take over Frenchmans Bar for a day for some of those fall fish. :grin:

Bait O' Eggs · 01-22-2002, 01:56 PM

I dont care what weekend it is. I say we pick a date that leads to the most possible fish being caught. After F3.5 and only 4 fish being brought in with about 50 fishers and 2 of them were in the ringner boat with a guide, we need to show some success this time.

I wouldnt expect spring break to be a big factor at sand island, but then again I havent been to sand island during spring break, maybe it is a hot bed of partying.

Team SMS will be there with our game faces on. :grin:

DF · 01-22-2002, 07:55 PM

Dan,
im there man
I will call you ummmm, i forget when your home..... ummmmm i dunno i'll call ya though :smile:

Hottamale1 · 01-22-2002, 08:28 PM

Hello,

Whenever the date is....The TAMALE SHOW will be at THIS one. Not sure HOW we will coordinate getting lot's of ifisher's on the Tube, because we too will be fishing, so maybe it will be an before & after event shoot. Or, maybe we can coordinate with a few of the "Ringers" in this area to Assure us, to some degree, that the Star (the fish) will arrive!

Give me some good ideas....

Scott

Drachir · 01-22-2002, 08:36 PM

You can count on me and my wife for both Flotilla 4 on the Columbia, Flotilla 5 @ the Wind River. Just pick the dates and we'll see you all there!! :smile:

Snapshot · 01-22-2002, 09:40 PM

Just to keep everyone honest, I'll show up with my home tied big bang fly again. Maybe I can blast something out of the water with the live one. I only catch fish when no one is around and I limit every time.
Just a thought, how about making it a dutch oven event. To coin a phrase, we could bake, broil, BBQ or fry something. I'd be happy to do a pot and share a kettle of Crow meat with Catch and Eat. Wouldn't take much.

*Fish only bite wet hooks*

Capin' Dan · 01-22-2002, 11:06 PM

I know I'm getting way ahead of everything here and floatilla 4 and 5 have to get done with but as someone mentioned above an August floatilla at Bouy 10 would be awesome. Think of all the different species that could be caught. Crabs a boiling, coho on the "Q", maybe some bottom fish with the Pride of the West, Cold Beer, soda, and good ifisher people what more could a person dream of. I may be able to volunteer to help set this one up. We will have to see what the dates are for everything a little later in the year. Until then 4 and 5 here we come.

CAGEY · 01-23-2002, 10:01 AM

Yes Waterdog you can count me in. I will email you and advise you of what creature comforts us old folks require ha ha. Is that scrambled eggs guy gonna be around us? If so i will bring some extra tear drops to mortar his tub. hee hee hee.
Cagey