Drift Boat friendly spot on the Columbia

Corkie Monster · 03-15-2003, 08:17 AM

Does any one know where a DB friendly spot on the Columbia would be? We have a 5 hp motor and a 16' DB. would like to get close to the springer action on the CR. :smile: [img]graemlins/1zhelp.gif[/img]

Thanks
CM

24 on/ 48 off · 03-15-2003, 08:48 AM

St. Helens: Trolling right at the tip (downstream end) of Sauvie Island.

--spud-- :smile:

hen slayer · 03-15-2003, 08:53 AM

try launching at the kalama river just downstream of I-5. short run out to the mouth. just be sure to stay to the left going out. then hook wide by the grain elevator so you won't get stuck on the gravel bar. i see lots of drift boats out there in the summer and fall.

Drachir · 03-15-2003, 10:02 AM

Chinook Landing near Troutdale has some pretty good water within a mile of the ramp. Go around the big Dolphin out from the entrance, go down to the wing dams, and anchor up below them.

luguando · 03-15-2003, 10:17 AM

CM,

The best places that I know of to fish with a drift boat is Drano Lake and Wind River. I live in Longview so as far as areas around here I'd stick to the Lewis River and the mouth of the Cowlitz. Hope this helps.

Corkie Monster · 03-15-2003, 10:32 AM

Thanks everyone. Are these area's your talkin about near where everybody is picking up the Springers? Or is that classified info. :grin:

Thanks
CM

Drachir · 03-15-2003, 10:59 AM

Springers should be able to be had in all these locations. Just look for boats and fish near them.

STGRule · 03-15-2003, 02:44 PM

Corkie: Be careful of the Chinook Landing places. We have a 15hp on our 16' drift boat and it can get hard to get back upstream when you come out from behind the wing dams. If the current is flat or coming in you can do it. If not, be careful

the bear · 03-15-2003, 05:09 PM

corkie,i hit chinook landing alot in my 16ft db with 8 hp kicker and,never have any problems,just watch it when anchoringmaking sure you have the right amount of rope for depth of water correct,also found out it helps to throw out a couple sea anchors to keep the swinging motion cut down to the min.fished there today notta,but did see 5 hooked 4 were nates good luck!!!!

ampersat · 03-15-2003, 06:09 PM

so, what are folks anchoring up with out there? some people go with a small rocker and some chain. others go with an animal anchor on steroids. i'm still shopping for the motor for my drifter and am curious what works well.

Silver Hilton · 03-15-2003, 06:18 PM

GI Joes has a small rocker anchor that looks like it would be just the ticket for you.

Flatfish · 03-15-2003, 09:21 PM

We use a sand anchor that works well everywhere except for rocky bottom stuff. A drifter does not pull like a sled does, so anchor requirements are not necessarily the same for the two. The sand anchor is also mucho easier to pull over the side( and even pull up with the ball just like the big boys)when moving. I can't say that I would want to anchor much in a drifter in a rock area. They are not like sleds of regular propped boats that can pull a tight anchor wedged between rocks. I would rather pass up these situations than chance having to cut the anchor rope cause my 8hp aint gonna pull it up.But I tend to err on the side of caution.

2 cents worth.

Mark and the dog.

ctflyfish · 03-15-2003, 10:10 PM

I have seen drift boats at buoy 10 which proves that anything is possible. but most drift boats are built without floatation, so if swamped it floats like an anvil. Also, they can be tricky to control in wind and waves. I fished the Columbia for a couple of years with a 14 foot Slide Rite and it worked for me, but there were limitations.

the bear · 03-16-2003, 02:40 PM

use a small rocker on my db and it works great!! i have a 8hp merc on my db think that is all you'll need anything more is just a waste cause you'll get it to plane on top ofthe water

Drachir · 03-16-2003, 04:04 PM

A samll rocker anchor works well for both DB's and Sleds. Check the one I have in the For Sale section!!