oxbow report

ampersat · 12-29-2002, 06:04 PM

first, let me say that the aluminum/fiberglass/wood hatch is definitely on in this stretch. there had to be about a dozen trailers parked at the ramp and i didn't get there until about noon and even saw a few on their way out before then.

today was all jig fishing. by golly, i'm gonna get the hang of this yet and that means putting in time. you won't catch fish with technique X if you don't fish technique X. i didn't even put the drift rod into the car for this trip. it might mean i miss out on fish now, but in the long run it'll mean more fish total.

visibility was around 3'-4'. it was browner than i remember ever seeing it in the winter time.

first stop, the flood plain. when i got to the water, there were three drifters caravanning down along with two pontoons. it was a regular traffic jam. put in an hour and some, covered the water on my side of the river. no luck.

second stop, gordon creek. i had to go check in on my favorite back eddy. seems the spring flows changed up the bottom and the back eddy isn't there right now. maybe with higher flows it'll come back. not a soul on my side when i showed up. covered to the water on my half of the river all the way down to the tailout. thought i had a bobber down but it was probably just rock or stick (see below for more info). no luck.

third stop, the boat ramp. the oxbow annex of dignity village is going to have it tough this year. with the changes in the riverbed, the faster riffles moved upriver a hundred yards or so where there isn't enough bank space to plunk. the water ran just at 10' for the time i was there. once again, maybe higher flows will get this area to produce in the future.

fourth stop, group area A. covered this stretch pretty quick since technically i should've been on my way home to spend time with the wife. it's narrow to begin with in this stretch and the flow through there was moving at better than a power walker's pace (almost jogging, even). i started at the top and went all the way down to the tailout. thought i had a bobber down or two but couldn't be sure. no luck.

the spinning reel tactic isn't working out too well for me just yet. bobber goes down, close the bail, reel up slack, swing, nothing. could have just been bottom and most likely was. the jig i was using is tied on a gami hook and is super sharp. if it was a fish, they'd be hard pressed to spit it with a bobber pulling it into the corner of it's mouth.

i didn't see or hear of a fish hooked all day. i talked to a guy and his son (good father) who covered the sandy from troutdale to dodge and didn't see or hear of a fish hooked. steel-a-matic must've gotten his while this guy wasn't looking. if someone can make a limit at dodge, that must mean there's fish coming in. my guess is that it's the same as it's been all year: they're late showing up and bolt for the high stretches without slowing down.

ps: i have leaks in my waders. yeah, i can feel the sympathy pouring in right now. mine are duck hunting style (you know, big rubber boots for feet [don't laugh, they were on sale]) and as soon as i got in above the boots, i could feel the water going straight for my socks. any tips on sealing waders would be appreciated.

SafetyChain · 12-29-2002, 06:16 PM

Amp,

Thanks for the report. I will take my sons out on Tuesday (would've taken them today but they wanted to hit the mountain instead).

Fix for the waders... Buy new ones

Everyone has some prety good after Christmas deals.

Bobby Ray · 12-29-2002, 06:59 PM

I've alway's seen guys use that stuff called Goop

Hogmaster · 12-29-2002, 07:03 PM

It is called "Shoe Goo", Amp. And sometimes it even works for a few trips. Then you will have cold wet feet again.

Unfortunately, Safety chain is right...

PS - Try the Clack if you are staying close to home...

Snag · 12-29-2002, 07:19 PM

I had very good results with the Hodgman wader repair kit. Comes in a little cardboard tube with everything you need to repair neoprene and rubber. Sealed two blackberry thorn tears in the knee of my neoprenes for 2 years. Finally had to toss them when the crotch seem failed. Cold wet feet is one thing, cold wet you-know-what is an entirely different matter!

Chris Nordling · 12-29-2002, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ampersat:
first, let me say that the aluminum/fiberglass/wood hatch is definitely on in this stretch.

<font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helv">And you weren't part of it ????? What's wrong with the Ugly Eastsider ?

Thought you might be brushing up for the Challenge in a few weeks.

Thanks for the report. How's the water look ??

Chris

Flatfish · 12-29-2002, 08:42 PM

If you put enough goop on, it will slow the leak down. Do not huff the goop, just glop it on.

Try pinching the barb down about half, so there is some barb left, but less than factory.

You will be the one to watch in a couple years. Keep at it.

Mark and the Maxima prostaff dog.

Ramstrong · 12-29-2002, 08:50 PM

Amp,

Instead of keeping the bail open. Try using the direct drive feature of the reel to back line off to extend your drift. That should help your line control, and if you don't take your hand off the handle you should be able to get a good hookset as well.

ampersat · 12-30-2002, 06:40 AM

well it sounds like i'm going to be wader shopping now. woohoo! i see a set of lightweight breathables in my future.

as for the spinning reel, i tried the direct drive reverse thing a couple of times. too much work and i was afraid of the mayhem that would ensue should the bobber go down.

and as far as the eastsider getting left behind on yet another fishing trip, my regular front seater is the on-call guy at work this weekend and couldn't go. the next two weekends are most likely booked though and after that i'll probably be posting open seats. i need more friends. if i don't get some more friends to get the boat out with, i might be selling it. sad but true.

Flatfish · 12-30-2002, 06:55 AM

Don't sell the boat yet. Wait til spring. We will get you out, when the crazies are fishing spring chinooks. Lotsa big fish, nobody around.
If you can't find front seaters, you ain't looking very hard.

I may stand alone on this, but I would reccomend 2 pairs of neoprenes before 1 pair of gore tex. Waders leak. It's what they do. If you buy the tex waders now, what are you gonna wear when they leak. Prenes aint as comfy. But they are fairly tough, and cheap.Decent tex waders get mixed reviews. Simms makes a nice set of breathables....for 400 bucks. Get the prenes for now and save for the Simms for later.

My 2 cents.

Mark and the dog.

Chilly one · 12-30-2002, 07:04 AM

Repair holes with a 2 part easy mix stuff called "AQUASEAL". Excellent stuff works real nice on neoprenes and rubber too. Cheap too. Can be used w/small patch if needed, tough stuff!! Good luck! "Happiness is a Bent Rod"!