Boat Camping

PeterMac · 06-06-2002, 08:48 AM

Anyone have any good places for boat camping on the Columbia, or other local spots? We are going to try the small camp site on Coon Isalnd Friday night, but am interested on finding out about more facilities like that....

Thanks!
PeterMac

FishinMission · 06-06-2002, 10:03 AM

I like the Washougal area. Mainly because at the Washougal Marina there's complete restroom facilities including a shower. Not sure if the shower part is open to the general public now, but it used to be. Perhaps some of the Washougalites here on the board could update us on the shower situatiuon there.

Mark

shakerfish · 06-06-2002, 12:01 PM

Ya one of my favorite spots is at beacon rock, real nice for dock large boats bathrooms and a few little campsites with fire pits! The best part is the fishing right around the corner at the fishery! ...shakerfish!... :smile:

crabbait · 06-06-2002, 01:41 PM

I like the no-frills, Tom Sawyer approach. We often find a secluded sandy beach on one of the islands below Portland and anchor offshore with a bunge system.

Nothing beats waking up to pre-dawn on the water, hot coffee and spin'n glos! Cool wet sand between the toes. OOOhhhhhh, baby!

Already have a spot picked out and no reservations required.

:grin:

GutZ · 06-06-2002, 03:58 PM

Sand Island was great for F4.! Stinky crappers but what the heck.

We went back and met Trick out there one weekend.

GutZ

Trick · 06-06-2002, 04:50 PM

Stinky crappers...man that aint' nothing. You ought to smell the nasty ones when we hunt eastside in the fall. I like Sand island, we had fun camping over there the last couple months. Me and some freinds are camping on Tenasillea next week. The Tom Sawyer approach as crabbait mentioned. Got to love it. :smile:

fisheromen · 06-06-2002, 05:44 PM

It's a little farther East but the state campground up the John Day arm is very nice - showers, kids wading area w/sand, docks, grass, etc. - and it's only boat access.

FishinMission · 06-07-2002, 12:56 PM

Stinky crappers at Sand Island?? Geez!! They were the worst. Too bad I walked in there with part of Spooled's steak sandwich in my mouth. Thought I was gonna "Barf". :shocked: :shocked: :shocked:

Maybe we ought to try and capture that scent for sturgeon, huh??

Mark

nipper · 06-07-2002, 01:17 PM

Just got back from boat camping at LePage Park at the mouth of the John Day River. Smallie fishing is good and you can go out into the Columbia for walleye and sturgies.

Too things to be aware of. First it gets really windy up there, especially if you are in a tent like we were. Second, there are quite a few rattlesnakes showing up this year. The camp host in the RV section of LePage killed one the morning of our arrival, which brought his total up to about 12. They won't generally come after you, but you need to use common sense.

Nipper

hookem · 06-09-2002, 08:29 AM

I want to boat camp to this year, but am worred about 3 things.
1. Is it safe to leave my ford explorer and trailer in a parking lot over night?
2. Th :shocked: e tide going out and leaving my boat high and dry.
3. big waves from ships beating my boat to death, (16' smoker.)
Any tips on this or other things to think about.
thanks...mike

FishinMission · 06-09-2002, 09:30 AM

I haven't had any problems at all at Washougal, tides are a factor there tho..have seen boats high and dry, and the only big waves you have to worry about there are from cabin cruisers and barge/tug traffic.

Mark

MPT · 06-09-2002, 12:44 PM

Columbia river is going to be high this summer so good luck on finding any beaches.

[ 06-09-2002, 01:44 PM: Message edited by: MPT ]

Fish mojo · 06-09-2002, 07:46 PM

Had a few good camping adventures on the lower end of Reed Island during URB season.

Flatfish · 06-09-2002, 07:55 PM

Thats it,I'm goin camping!Letsee...puptent,spinglo,flatfish(orange sparkles),dog,food coffee(anybody that can fish without coffee is weird :tongue: )wife(gotta good one)and a boat.Late June....
See you on the rivers.
Mark.

PeterMac · 06-10-2002, 07:45 AM

Camped on Coon Island Friday night at the little shelter they have there. Had a great time, fished for shad until almost dark, birds were making a heck of a nice racket out there. Had a great fire, good chow and a few beverages

Woke up and fished again, until a pretty steady rain set in and we called it a day (planned on being home before noon anyway). Talk about a stinky crapper, holy smokes, you could have cut it with a knife. No way, not me, I ain't going in there!!!!! :shocked:

Best part is that it was only a short trip from home and your there.

Thanks for the responses to my question.

PeterMac :grin: