greetings from Philadelphia

bucketmouth · 01-11-2004, 01:24 PM

I'm not as familiar with the Columbia as I am with the Willamette which converges with the Columbia at Portland. The Willamette has a good population of Carp. So does the Snake. I have caught Carp on both rivers while crappie fishing. There are so many carp that you can see them sunning themselfs in large groups. They will litearlly boil the water when they discover you coming.

They can be caught pretty easily with a nightcrawler.

If you do not get to the Portland area, then try the Snake at the Brownlee pool or the Oxbow pool. I have seen 12 pounders taken out of the Willamette, but have not seen any 20+ lbs. It seems to me that carp receive little pressure around here. Average size seems to be about 8 to 10 lbs. I suppose there are larger ones around though.

There are two lakes near Portland that are virtually full of carp and I'm sure some are trophy size. Last time I was out there, fishing for Bass, I saw two guys carp fishing with Bow & Arrow.

If you do a search in this thread, you are bound to find additional information that is helpful regarding carp. Good luck.

shalom · 01-11-2004, 03:58 PM

I would have to agree with Buckmouth . I often times see carp while i am bass fishing and chasing crappies . I have seen large schools of carp while i was fish at the Pothole reservoir. Pothole reservoir is in Washington state not to far from the snake river . Drop me an e-mail when you get ready to come out this way . I !m retired and will keep my ears open . I doin !t try to catch them but they are fun when you do get them on . On the bottem of the post far left hand side you can get my e-mail and i will give you my phone number .I have seen the largest schools while fishing at Brownlee Reservoir on the snake river .There are two other reserviors on the snake Oxbow and Hells Canyon . They are seperated by dams so all are close together .

Crappie Chaser · 01-11-2004, 08:24 PM

Bucketmouth and Shalom are telling you right. There are tons of carp in Brownlee and lots of them will go over 20lb.Oxbow and Hell's Canyon pools also.If you make it out to Brownlee give me a call and I will put you on them if you will show me your system.

phillyguy · 01-11-2004, 11:45 PM

[note, I posted this same message in another thread, but was told this might be a better thread to post inquiries about carp]

Hello fellow fishermen(& women),

My name is Matt, I'm from Philadelphia PA and I'm an avid fisherman who mainly fishes for carp but I also fish for trout when looking to explore hidden mountain streams. I used to fish for a wide range of species but once I discovered the challenges and adreline rush that are a part of fishing for specimen carp (20+ lbs.), I have become obsessed with carp fishing. My style of fishing would be considered "euro", using baitfeeder reels, bolt and hair rig terminal tackle, large rods with light action and baits such as boilies and maize.

In late May/early June I will be fishing the Western U.S from TX to British Columbia for a few weeks. Before doing some trout fishing and a strugeon trip in British Columbia, I plan to stop off in Oregon to fish for carp somewhere on the Columbia River system for a couple days. While I recognize most of the contributors to this forum probably don't fish for carp, I was hoping to learn more about trophy carp fishing on the Columbia or Snake river. From what I have heard, there are some trophies dwelling in the river that receive almost no angling pressure.

Are there any carp fishermen on the forum? Could anyone recommend good carp fishing venues on the Columbia, Snake or the back sloughs in Oregon? I am really excited to visit and fish Oregon, since I have never been there.

Best, Matt

phillyguy · 01-12-2004, 07:34 AM

Thanks for the info! I will be sure to check back with everyone. Of the places mentioned to fish, is it possible to camp waterside as I plan to fish for 24-48 hours straight (of course I will stop to sleep)?

I would be more than happy to share my techniques with you all. If you want to learn more about carp fishing check out www.carpanglersgroup.com

I am a member of this organization and have learned a great deal from the members that are seasoned veterans of carp fishing.

Thanks for all the help, I will be sure to check back in and ask more questions!

Best, Matt

Smj · 01-12-2004, 07:56 AM

Phillyguy...You might consider bringing some bass gear also. May and early June are prime times in these parts to get in on some of the best pre-spawn smallie fishing of the year! The Columbia and the Willamette are loaded with smallies, as is the Snake in the areas mentioned.

Smj

shalom · 01-12-2004, 09:38 AM

Crappie Chaser ..... Did you fish the first crappie tournament that was put on by the town of Richland last year ?

Were you in the pontoon boat that i waited with untill the early blast off ?

Do you know the date of the this years tourament ?
I have a white and black RANGER VS 620 WALLEYE BOAT WITH THE 225 HP . suzuki i was tied up to the pontoon boat . Thanks a lot . for any info on any of the above questions .

Denali · 01-12-2004, 02:09 PM

Matt,

I grew up in Philly (Delaware County) but have lived in Spokane, WA for the past 9 years. You are going to be visiting some wonderful country. It is big country too, more then you can cover even in a week. Very diverse as well from the east side of the cascades to the west side. I can't help you on the carp too much since I really haven't fished for them since I moved from Philly. This is salmon/steelhead/sturgeon country for most fisherman out here. Enjoy the trip and feel free to e-mail me if you want.

bucketmouth · 01-12-2004, 04:51 PM

phillyguy,

If you go to the Snake River to fish for carp in the areas we have already suggested, you will also be in some of the most geological diverse country anywhere. This area is known as Hell's Canyon. The deepest canyon in North America. In some places over one mile deep. It is a remote area and yes it's big country. Over the years while fishing the River I have been treated to many glimpses of various forms of wildlife. Ive seen Deer, Quail, chukar. Bear, Elk, Big horn Sheep and Rattle snake. Oregon is a big state and Hells Canyon is only a small part of it. When you get out here you will know you're in Gods country. Regardless of where you go fishing here in Oregon beautiful scenery abounds.

I live in Portland and the Snake River, (being in eastern Oregon), is a 7 hour drive one way. So trips over there are limited to once or twice a year.

If you come through Western Oregon, please make an effort to contact some of us, we would love to show off the area and take you for some good fishing!

Crappie Chaser · 01-12-2004, 05:05 PM

Shalom, I did not fish in the tourney.They are just now holding meetings for it. When they decide on the date I will post it here.If any of you have any ideas for this years event I will pass them along to the committee.
phillyguy,for the real NW experience you need to see the coast.It would be good if you could spend time on the west and the east.Lots of good camping at Brownlee and Oxbow on the water,both developed and rough camping.

Airborne · 01-12-2004, 05:23 PM

There is a pond at I believe MP42 on HWY 84 as you are going East it will be on your left side there is also a truck weigh station there it holds some nice bass but I have seen some HUGE Carp in there just cruising the top water, they look like submarines and during mid summer I have counted as many as 30 of them. I have never been into carp fishing so I dont know what they want as far as bait. Hope this helps some

Mojo · 01-12-2004, 05:49 PM

Phillyguy,
I posted this on your other thread. The Snake River in southern Idaho, Eastern Oregon (it forms the border) is loaded with carp. I fly fish for them Let me know if you will be cruizing through the area, and I will hook you up with a combination Carp, Bass, Sturgeon, Catfish trip.

There are several great places to fish carp here. C.J. Strike reservoir, Lake Lowell and the Snake River all have big (to 40 pounds) carp. Brownlee, Oxbow, and Hells Canyon are prettier scenery, with plenty of big fish as well. There are a ton of great places to fish for all kinds of warm and cold water species around here. You will have a great trip, no matter where you go.

phillyguy · 01-12-2004, 11:17 PM

Again, thanks for the info about Oregon and the carp there. Where would everyone recommend I go for unforgetable scenery, great fishing (preferably carp, but trout and bass are fantastic too) and camping? Both Brownlee and Oxbow res. seem pretty good. As someone who has never visited this region, where would I get the best Northwestern experience?

Thanks! Matt

SKP · 01-16-2004, 12:08 PM

Forget carp, while in Oregon, fish for salmon and steelhead. Chinook up to 60+ pounds, and steelhead up to 20+ pounds are super fighters, and better table fare anyway.

SKP

marko · 01-17-2004, 07:36 AM

If you are really serious and not pulling our collective legs, you might want to consider stopping in the vicinity of Needles, CA or Laughlin, NV. The Colorado river is clear and full of large carp. :whazzup:

andy-ap emerger · 01-17-2004, 02:50 PM

Hi Matt,

Sorry I didn't respond to your email 2 weeks ago. Busy busy busy...AND it IS winter steelhead here afterall

Welcome aboard ifish! If you haven't done so yet, it is customary to post a "Newbie" story on the forum. Make it a funny one too! Embelish, what the h#ll, it's all fishing right?
Check your email, I sent you very specific locals' to point you in the right spot. Also, call me when your trip nears.
ps...Bring your 8wt fly rod! [img]graemlins/idea.gif[/img]

take care!
andy-ap merger [img]graemlins/eek13.gif[/img]