I-Fish North of the Oregon Border - Fishing Trip

Fred N · 08-23-2004, 01:29 PM

I'm thinking about putting a post up for a fishing trip at the mouth of the Toutle River, possibly Saturday, September 11th. No prizes, no agenda, just fishing for Silvers & Kings. This is one of the combat zones familiar with lots of people - so nothing sacred, but there are quality fish here.

Jennie@ifish · 08-23-2004, 01:47 PM

I'm sorry, but I don't get it. What are we voting on?
:smile:
Jen

Cowlitz Kidd · 08-23-2004, 02:16 PM

Jennie:Fred is just trying to get some s.w washington ifisher together. This is combat fish at it's best or worst.It's blue Cr.for silver and kings.But I'll come down Fred just to watch the show and maybe wet a line.

Fred N · 08-23-2004, 04:37 PM

Thanks Cowlitz Kid for clarifying. If we had a fairly large showing maybe we could show proper fishing techniques out produce all those other ways of catching fish. There is plenty of room for all there (about 1/2 mile of beach area) so there is plenty of room for a lot of fisherman.

My main thought on this post is mainly just to get a bunch of I-fishers together to share a fishing trip and what better day than 9/11?

Jen, I did not ask for any permission on doing this yet as I am just putting a feel out to see what the consensus would be. At the present time of this writing it is looking pretty close to 50/50 which indicates some do and some do not feel it I-fish worthwhile. I understand both sides of the story, I just would like to share my second love of fishing!

Thumb Burner · 08-23-2004, 05:01 PM

I did well there a couple weeks ago, I do like that spot when it isnt to crowded. But if it was ifishers I would like to go. It would be fun.
TB

jokester · 08-23-2004, 05:50 PM

You know i'll be there with ya Fred!! Took a trip to the mouth a couple weeks ago. No fish for me, but did see 5 caught. Bite was on till the sun got overhead

Then it was like someone flipped a switch...NADA!!

-jokester

Jennie@ifish · 08-23-2004, 05:56 PM

Oh! I get it.
You certainly don't need my permission to fish. LOL...

But if you want, you can tell me all of your fishing secrets!

Jen

Fred N · 08-24-2004, 06:01 AM

Sorry Jen, I will just have to keep you in suspense on all those secrets!

I will give out one of the secrets that most down at this location do not use though - it involves using a long float rod with eggs!

Jennie@ifish · 08-24-2004, 07:42 AM

Don't be discouraged by the "nah" voters.

There is a handful of members who retain their membership at ifish, here, for the soul purpose of voting negative on these types of things.

(laugh!)

Jen

Bounty Hunter · 08-24-2004, 09:19 AM

I'll probably be a "maybe" until I know my schedule that week.

Just curious though, for us newbies to the Toutle.

1) Is this a bank fishery (We don't need a boat right?).
2) Should people bring their drift rods, bobber rods, or meat-stick-plunking rods and bells? Waders or chairs? Just curious. The way I see those make shift shelters over there off I-5 I always thought this was a plunking fishery, but I have no idea???

Fred N · 08-24-2004, 01:18 PM

Bounty Hunter, this is a bank fishery on a sandy/gravel beach with a medium flow river which can be plunked on the lower end, but it is mainly to be a drift fish location. A float rod is useful if you get there early enough so you dictate how your section is fished, but usually it is fished with corky & yarn with about a 1/2 ounce of lead. Personally, I prefer to fish it with spinners which can be very effective at times. You do not need waders or a chair, but you can bring them for your comfort. There is a chance of catching some big kings, excess of 30 pounds so you may wish to bring heavy enough tackle to handle these fish though most the fish are in the 10 - 20 pound range so it is optional.

*This is for the out of state members, a two-day consecutive fishing license is $6.57 plus I believe $2.00 Dealer license fee. Fred Meyer, Walmart, and Bobs in Longview sell them.

I already have my leave slip from work in for that day, so it is definitely a go for myself! Looks like the fishing poll is turning more positive also! Look forward to seeing all - Fred.

Fred N · 08-26-2004, 05:38 AM

One last run through ...

Fred N · 09-07-2004, 05:49 AM

As it is only a couple days away now, I should give the particulars of when and where on this trip. I checked the mouth of the Toutle yesterday, looks like the fish (Kings & Silvers) are showing in decent numbers now - there were about 30 guys lined up and there was a fish on about every 5 to 10 minutes. The river was still fairly high from the recent rains - so waders might be a good option. Anyway back to when and where - I will be up at the parking area near my vehicle from 7 a.m. to 7:30 a.m., I only plan on fishing the mouth for a couple hours and for those who wish to follow, I will show some more desirable locations upstream afterwards. To get to the mouth of the Toutle take Exit 52 off I-5 going North, take a right at the stop sign, go about a mile (crossing the Toutle River) and take Steelhead Drive on the right side which is a short dead end road where we park. Look forward sharing some knowledge.

P.S. Bring drift gear, lots of eggs, spinners, corkies, etc.
P.S.S. I will be near my vehicle, a 97 White Nissan 4x4 Pickup with a Black Cargo Box & I-fish sticker, so you can find me.

Fred N · 09-10-2004, 05:58 AM

One last drive by as tomorrow is the day I have set for this adventure. A few things have changed, mainly they have risen the Cowlitz to near Winter levels around 6,000 cfs, it was running around 3,000 cfs for the past month. So now where I was standing on a sandbar it is now under two foot of water and everyone fishing down there, last time I checked - Monday, were standing in the water. Also, the river is also running much faster with the additional water.

I am still going to share this trip, but I think it will be much more fruitful to go upstream on the Toutle as there are a lot of fish in this river now. Meeting place is the same, I plan on being at the mouth 7 - 7:30 a.m. and we can discuss more options at that point.

P.S. Bring rain gear!

Talljeeper · 09-10-2004, 06:17 AM

DAGGNABBITT!!! Kid Patrol...Marci is on call....I never win...

Good Luck all Fred is a great teacher!
Paul

jokester · 09-10-2004, 08:14 AM

Fred,

I've got a poker tournament tonight from 5:00-whenever I win

, but i'm still gonna try to get up there tomorrow morning! I might not make it up there by 0700, but i'll do my best!!

-jokester