Fishing Springers on the lower Columbia

[Fishing Maniac]

Looking for some general info here. No need to provide your favorite holes unless you want to(ha ha). I'm doing some research for this coming season and had a couple of questions regarding the Columbia. How low are you river rats fishing the Columbia? I've been looking at my river atlas and trying to scope out some possible areas to try this season. I know there is a nice put in there in Cathlamet but wasn't sure if anyone was fishing much lower than that. Also, why couldn't a guy troll or anchor down out of Astoria just like they do for URBs and Silvers? With another good run expected I'd really like to get a jump on them before those damn nets go in. I'll be trolling herring and also anchoring up with Kwikies. I'm willing to do my own river scouting, but was just looking for boat ramps and general info on areas where others have had success.

[Tacklebuster]

I have often wondered about the springer fishing down in Astoria as well. I plan on doing a little sturgeon fishing that way in January and would love to give it a shot. I am thinking a wrapped K-15 in the shallow stuff along some of the old pillings might work but who knows There has got to be people catching fish down there that knows.

As far as the rest of your post goes, this place get's a little weird when the springers come swimming in so take what you get with a grain of salt. Your best bet is to maybe look through the search function and send some private e-mails to the folks in the know. I wish I could help but this is the one species that still has me scratching my head [img]graemlins/dork.gif[/img]

[Finn-icky]

As far as boat ramps go, try this. http://159.121.106.106/osmb/

[Mr. BrownTrout]

As far as springers go on the lower columbia river, usually in the past, people catch them down at the river beach or they fish between tongue point and westport. Everyone has their own little secret spot. But for the most part follow the boats out of westport or aldrich point and you will find where everyone is at.
Good luck

[iwanttofish]

How about plug cut smelt [img]graemlins/idea.gif[/img]

[Fishing Maniac]

Finn-icky,

Thanks for the boat ramp web site. That is a great resource. With my river atlas and now these boat ramp locations I should be able to find some fishy areas.

[snit]

I didn't fish the area last year, but 2 seasons ago we did pretty good at Cathlamet. Trolling/mooching herring with a 2oz dropper "siwashing" the south channel on the Oregon side of Tennishelle (sp) Island. ANy more advice would be helpfull.

[Tanner]

I have actually heard rumors of guys fishing the Astorria/Chinook area of the river for springers and doing really well.

Does anyone know if there is going to be another Gnat/Big Creek fishery this year?

[Mr. BrownTrout]

Am sure there will be a season in the knappa slough area again. Also check out Jim Crow sands pile dike, trolling in front of the aldrich point boat ramp. Also try trolling around sevensen island.

Trolling herring or plugs in the Wauna area in February for Springers can be deadly. You can do this on the incoming and then drop the hook for sturgeon on the outgoing. Don't tell Tacklebuster though.

[5-Cents]

Man the Cathlamet area of the CR is one big zipperlip! :shocked: You never, ever hear anything from down there. The fishing has to be good because EVERY fish headed anywhere has to pass through. I am planning on learning that part of the river this Spring too :grin:

[Jignfloat]

If you look at a DeLormes Atlas or similar map book, one can easily find spots on the river that are necked down very narrow, some with islands just above the narrowest points....creating water changes, holding water....for the fish just as they are naturally forced to concentrate in their passage. Now thats where you can find me this February and March.... Narrow areas with water changes.....ya, thats got to work Jign

[ZaQ]

Count me in 5 cent.

[Fishing Maniac]

Thanks very much for all the input!!!

[TonTo]

What about bouy 10 springers I believe it's open through March 31.They have to come by there,just wondering if anyone has tryed it before or heard of anyone trying it.

[DownTime]

Still storm time at the coast through March.Could get dicey even with the right boat at buoy 10.

[Beerbelly]

Don't waste your time below Cathlamet not many fish are caught because they go threw there so fast. :grin:

[Silver Hilton]

If you could catch more fish in the salt, the guides would all be out there. I've never been out there (B10) in march, so I don't know if they are. I keep seeing pictures of D. Johnson further up the river, so I'm guessing it's not necessary to go that far down.

[glowball]

You can catch fish down there, but why fish in sloppy water when you can catch chrome bright fish up the river a ways in calmer waters. It can get pretty sloppy down there in the early part of the springer season. Heck it can get sloppy anytime but more so early in the year. If you insist on going be careful.

[Tacklebuster]

[img]graemlins/idea.gif[/img]

[Thumper]

Mouth of the Multnomah Channel, Warrior Rock, etc. always kicks out some early springers. That's where I'll be in late January, for sure.

[Ray S.]

Hot Tamale Scott did a show with a guide down in the Wauna/Cathlamet area a few years ago. Looked like it was Wa. side, anchored shallow and fishing wrapped Quickies with a drop sinker. They had a real steady conk going on very different from most of my springer expeditions. Maybe you could email Scott and get him to spill the beans???

[slabhunter]

Last year I went down below Cathlamet. It seems to me that the early fish were mainly caught along the south side of the river. Perhaps these were Willamette fish. Trolling areas turned into maggot piles as high tide aproached. There were fish there but they moved right upriver with the tide. Good fishing!

[Riverliver]

Springers

Ill be brining my hering next week.