LOOKING FOR A NEW DESTINATION THIS WEEKEND ?

AngleThis · 07-11-2002, 08:43 AM

Well, the ocean is 8ft swells on 25k winds....I just have resist big blue and stay away this weekend.....The river is super high and there are almost no camping beaches (hearding dog and no running space don't mix well), so I'm looking for a new destination.
I'm thinking maybe a lake...one not too far from Portland, one deep enough to run my I/O without waisting a prop, and of course, one with GOOD fishing.

I've not lived here all that long and only been with boat for 3 years now. So I'd appreciate some suggestions from the vast member knowledge base. Ideally, I need a place with good fishing, good camping beaches, away from roads or on islands so I don't have to worry about letting my dog loose.

Thanks in advance!

CATCH AND EAT · 07-11-2002, 09:17 AM

What? You're not going to do it for fun? You're such a tease Dino.

:grin: Well, if the bar is closed I guess it will be sturgeon in the estuary. [img]graemlins/idea.gif[/img] I"ve got a feeling that things will calm down by the weekend.

Detroit Lake, lots of fun and good facilities.

AngleThis · 07-11-2002, 09:23 AM

The bar might be open, but I did 25 kt winds last Friday and we found the boat at a 45 deree angle enough times for one month. That was on 3ft swells, this weekend, 8ft swells...NOOOOO THANKS.

I know about Detroit, was hoping for somewhere a litte more "natural". Where there are "facilities", there are regulations, numbered sites, fat sweaty women in bathing suits, and overpaid state employees in uniforms. Niether I nor Titan particularly care for that kind of setting.

Who knows about Mayfield? Maybe one of the larger lakes on Mt. Hood?

Fishing freak · 07-11-2002, 09:27 AM

Angler,

Actually the river has been dropping for the past few day's. There should be plenty of good spots to camp at!

letstroll · 07-11-2002, 09:36 AM

Angle,

I have not heard of a mayfield lake on Mt Hood,
I know there is one up in Wa by Mossyrock.
There are a lot more beaches on the Columbia exposed since last weekend.

AngleThis · 07-11-2002, 09:59 AM

I meant the Mayfield lake up north. I hear its quite good for warmwater species.

The river is finally falling? Hmmmmmm..... still have some room in the freezer.

Hogmaster · 07-11-2002, 10:09 AM

I haven't been on the Columbia, but the Willamette has dropped fully 2' in the last couple of days in my "back yard" across from Clackamette.

Somebody must have really turned off the spigot at Bonneville!

Angle, there is an island where the Cowlitz comes into the Columbia I see people camp on that might work. Then you could fish the mouth (in the Columbia) for salmonoids...

AngleThis · 07-11-2002, 10:12 AM

Hogmaster...I was just thinking that. I also know some good island spots higher up.

Is the river open for Chinook now all the way to Bonneville?

Fishing freak · 07-11-2002, 10:17 AM

Angle,

Yes it is, but the bite has been nothing to write home about. Giving it another shot on saturday. The tides should be good. I believe Hi tide is at around 8:40. Good luck.

Hogmaster · 07-11-2002, 10:19 AM

Yep.

Fin clipped steelhead and Chinook are open all the way up.

As you probably know there are some spots off Govt Island that will no doubt be campable now too.

The river isn't as low as it was last year at this time, but it is getting there (at least the Willamette). It always amazes me how what they do on the Columbia affects the flow and height in WL/OC...

I think the Red Sled is headed for either the mouth of the Kalama or Cowlitz this weekend. Time for the F4s!

Hogmaster · 07-11-2002, 10:23 AM

Oh yeah,

FishinFreak mentioned the tides.

HUGE swing on the outgoing this weekend.

8.4 to a minus 1.6! Run out will start earlier in the day closer to the coast. Solunar indicates a "good" bite will be between 8:45 and 10:45 AM on Saturday.

Figure the tide will be running well then in the Kalama Cowlitz area.

This is science dudes! :smile:

Phish_on · 07-11-2002, 10:27 AM

I like Timothy Lake, 'course it's a "res" too.

There is ostensibly a 10MPH speed limit, but no one seems to mind if you zoom out in the middle of the lake.

Some boat-in camping on the far side.

Fishing is not what you'd call excellent after the spring time, but some nice brookies around. And tons of crawdads!

No obstacles that I'm aware of except right near shore.

I thought of Detroit too, but - be that way. I haven't been there this year either.

AngleThis · 07-11-2002, 10:40 AM

Hmmmm...Decisions decisions. Timothy would be nice, but I want to ski this weekend so 10MPH just isn't going to work unless I can find a way to loose about 90 lbs by tomorrow...

Mayfield sounds really nice...visited the web site. Anyone ever fish there...I've never caught a tiger muskie but will bet I can manage it. The river could work, but will be a zoo with the heat; unless the bite is really on, and being rough for skiing, I'm torn.

bigshark · 07-11-2002, 10:45 AM

A This
How about going out to Sauvie Island and fishing the Columbia on the WA side. Use eggs and anchor in 6 to 8 feet of water along a brushy bank. Lots of nooks and jacks if you don't mind a plunking type activity.
When are you going to hit those tuna? I keep looking for a post that you are watching those temp lines that have been getting closer in. When you go take the camera. Would like to see what the bait and lure rigging looks like.
I think I'm turning into a wannabe tuna guy.
Have you read Pilar's posts? Darn some guys have all the luck! :grin:

Hogmaster · 07-11-2002, 10:56 AM

Angle,

Haven't tried the tigers at Mayfield but it is supposed to be a 1000 cast type thing. Would be pretty though. If you go you'll have to let us know what you think. Yeah right, like you wouldn't anyway!? :smile:

One other suggestion for you for a different experience if you haven't already is to try Lake Billy Chinook. High desert country.

There is a National Forest Service Campground around the far side of the lake that is much more rustic than the State controlled ones at the front of the park.

Kokanee fishing is good, skiing is good and you can fish for big dollies there too.

Tanner · 07-11-2002, 12:00 PM

Angle,
There are no Mackinaw in Lake Billy Chinook. There are some BIG Bull Trout though. From Portland it is about a 2.5 hour drive. It sounds like it is about the same distance to Mayfield in WA.

AngleThis · 07-11-2002, 12:26 PM

I'm still bogged with hiouse projects so I've decided to go with Old Faithful... the Columbia. My favorite spot is at the top of Govt Isle, main channel side, the furthest up sandy beach. It's nice and sandy with a little shelf then a steep drop off into the deep side of the main channel, which is very narrow there; the migrating fish have to swim right past. I've even gotten peelers there. On the other side of the island, the tip of which is directly accross, and up from there is a good sheltered water skiing area.

That's were I'll be (unless the water is too high) so feel free to hale or stop by for a cold one and thanks for all the good suggestions guys!

Adrianna...Out.

Hogmaster · 07-11-2002, 12:38 PM

Angle,

Just FYI -

Like Tanner says there are no Macks in Billy Chinook. The place to go for those is Odell. It too is about 2 1/2 hours and wind can be a real issue there too. Actually it is more like 3 to the Natl Forest Service campground at Billy Chinook - 1/2 hour of road around the lake.

Odell has some HUGE Macks in it! Kokes too.

Neutron, fishing seems like it has been pretty slow, but maybe these big tides and some stablization of the flows will get them in and active! Where would the mission be fishin'?

[ 07-11-2002, 01:40 PM: Message edited by: Hogmaster ]

NEUTRON · 07-11-2002, 11:23 PM

Hogmaster...I think you're on the Money...
3100 summers and 2k nooks over Bonnie yesterday. Good numbers...I wonder if Mission
is out today?

mike5097 · 07-11-2002, 11:29 PM

Went and checked out Mayfield/Riffe/Swofford area last Saturday.

Easy drive, beautiful country, about a hundred miles north of Portland on I-5 turn east on the highway twelve exit.

For a holiday weekend they did not seem too crowded. But it was about 4PM when we got there.
Seems to be far enough from Seattle and Portland to make it an effort to be there. Maybe it's not bad because your right in the middle of two big lakes and a good size pond and the people are spread out. Lot's of places to explore there.

There is a little tackle shop on the right side of the highway, in one of the little towns before Mossyrock, Ethel I think. People there were pretty friendly and gave us some maps and info about the area.

There is also a tackle shop on Mossyrock's main drag.

Wild Country Sporting Goods
137 East State Street
Mossyrock, WA 98564
Phone: 360-983-8008
Owner: Mike Weigant

Check out Swofford pond, boats are allowed but no gas motors. unimproved boat ramp. Very bassy place. Caught lots of bluegill, perch an a few nice bass. Good place for a slow pace, if your into that. Didn't fish Mayfield or Riffe because we had no boat.
Wish we had brought it though.

Mike

AngleThis · 07-11-2002, 11:34 PM

Bigshark, Ya I read Pilar's posts all the time. We built my enigne in his garage. The Pilar is the same year, make, engine, outdrive, color boat as mine. The only differences are his is a foot and a half longer and a tri hull, and mine has been put together with more than just fishing in mind.

This will be my first Tuna trip. I am limiting my one way range to 35 miles and will only go on a really sweet LOW WIND day. Watching and waiting...and yes, U bet I will bring the camera. Which reminds me, I have yet to post any photos..will have to work on that...got one shot being developed right now with a 29lb nook in one hand and a 33lb flattie in the other.....ba haahahhaha! :smile:

Hogmaster, Lake Billy Chinook is at the top of my 'long weekend/bad ocean" list. I used to catch Mackinaw in Colorado and want a crack at them at Billy Chinook...but too far for a two day weekend I'm afraid.

Mike, Excellent info...just what I was looking for...Thanks!

scrod · 07-11-2002, 11:54 PM

I've been to Detroit three times this year with the kids. The State campground is a zoo but there are places around to get away from that. The fishing is good for holdover trout , medium kokanee and the occasional landlocked chinook. Catching a 20" chinook on a little trout pole is a blast! The lake gets boaty but the better fishing is away from the crowds at the marina end.
Went to Billy Chinook last weekend. The kokanee are scattered and the bite is rather slow right now. I'm still trying to find the bull trout as it is one of the only places in the country you can target them.
You might try Green Peter for a close destination. The Thistle Creek camp is nice and there is room to fish away from the skiers. :grin: