L & C Ducks

Capin' Dan · 11-11-2001, 02:10 AM

Just got back from 3 days at L. C.
I was quite surprised this being my maiden voyage. Scouting on Thursday resulted in 15 ducks for 3 people and a two-hour wait for a tidal swing that left us high and dry for a while.

Friday started off bad. We waited in the line at Sauvies (Westside) three of us and the best we could draw was number 174 so we left and headed for L. C. that was when things started to go great. It wasn't fast, but was constant shooting. We wound up with 19 ducks for the day consisting of mostly widgeon, pintails, (Beautiful drakes), one Can. Drake and a redhead and some mallards. Here again set out and waited out the tide.

Sat. Started with a nice mallard drake that the dog couldn't find. Went out to our island where we started on Friday the tide was too high so hunted the shore line unsuccessful for a few hours once the tide got out a ways went back to the island and shot fairly consistent for a couple of hours wanted to leave before the tide got us so left with birds flying went back to our mallard bay and shot four birds in one pass and found our mallard from the morning

Totals: 3 days
6 pintail drakes
15 mallards 13 drakes and 2 hens
2 pintail hens (Look like weigeon coming in early)
1 redhead
1 canvass back
21 wigeon
2 teal (What can I say it was during a lull)

There are lots of birds if you can keep them moving.

Bald-pate basher I can change your name if you want. I have those mallards numbers now that I have figured them out a little. (I think)
I need a bigger boat.

Dan!

[ 11-11-2001: Message edited by: Capin' Dan ]

[ 11-11-2001: Message edited by: Capin' Dan ]</p>

MikeT · 11-11-2001, 07:04 AM

Way to go, Dan!
I haven't been out there yet this season, mostly because the reports I've been hearing have been pretty slow shooting. Sounds like things turned around.

I've hunted L&C maybe 6 or 7 times and have found it to be a really challenging area, given the tides, shallow areas, and complexity of the habitat. Any chance you'll share what tactics worked for you guys in setting up?

regards....Mike

jet · 11-11-2001, 07:06 AM

Good shoot... just wait when the the river is windy/colder and the birds are down. Some of the sheltered sides of the isle. are awsome.You can have some of those days where you drive and set up for 3 hours and shoot for 20 min. and them you are done with all big birds. Not collector series bags, all fat mallards.

How is the houseboat (basecamp) working?

Jet~~~

Capin' Dan · 11-11-2001, 07:25 AM

Well, I got the guy down to 12,000 for the house boat and that was still just to much to pay for it.
I'm thinking of just making signs and posting on all those duck shacks and seeing if I can find a time share for Thursdays's and Friday's and some Saturday's.
I think this weeks hunt was luck and idea tides. They were very lite tide this week compared to whats coming next week. We set up on a small island in the middle of the bay. Once the tide went down we managed to get in the tule's and have a great hunt. The birds just dove in and rarely circled. I will be weary of tides and also I need to get a bigger boat at least a 12 to 14 footer.
Tactics that worked:
We did have a roto duckk which seemed to make a difference.
well camo'd
try and keep your decoys in water during low tide they did not like them on the mud as much. Other than that it wasn't anything special. People driveing around or coming in seemed to move the bird around and that helped some also.
Send me a private mail and we can talk over the phone if you want.

Dan!

Lured In · 11-12-2001, 09:32 AM

Hey Dan:

Just out of curiousity, how big is your boat? My buddy has a 16' with a 50 horse on it. It is a little low on the sides, about 14" of free board. Will this be enough to handle it down there?

We are hoping to make a trip down there at some point.

bigshark · 11-12-2001, 09:45 PM

LuredIn, you just have to be careful down there.
If your going to take a 14 inch freeboard hull down I would suggest that you stay on the lee side
of all the islands. I think you can still get a free map of the area at the hatchery. To be on the safe side I would go get a map at GI Joes. Even if its only a Metsker of Clatsop county. It shows the layout as well as any. As hard as it may be to believe its easy to get turned around out there and if a fog comes in on you its TROUBLE
pure and simple unless you are oriented. The other
thing to remember is what is good water conditions for a 14" freeboard can change very quickly to bad. I know several guys who hunt it in 14 footers with not much more freeboard than you have. But, they are very careful. I am not suggesting that you shouldn't give it a try, but this is a good place to explore on a nice summer
day. Scouting at this time of year isn't always safe. That water can really get big and sloppy at times. I didn't mean to but-in to answer the question you asked Dan, I offer this as just an "also thought".

Baldpate Basher · 11-13-2001, 12:51 AM

Can't wait! To hunt L&C that is. I wouldn't change my name just because I got to shoot some big mallards. Bin thar, got da T shirt! :grin:

L&C shound like the right place, but you're right' Need a bigger boat.

Talk at cha' latter.

Bounty Hunter · 11-16-2001, 01:48 PM

Wow guys you got me excited. I'm tired of the Sauvie's Island shuffle so I think I'll check it out on the way out to clamming tomorrow. Cap'n Dan, how big was the boat you were in? I've got a 12' SeaKing with a Minn Kota troller and an 8 hp Honda. I'm feeling brave so I might try and venture out on a scouting trip with that. If I'm careful about it do you think that's doable?

I'd definately be willing to pay gas if anyone had an extra seat for a newbie!

Capin' Dan · 11-17-2001, 11:22 PM

BH, Pick your days and weather. I was using a 10' boat with a 9.8 hp motor. It is a little small I think but as long as you astay inside the islands you shoul dbe ok. This week had some very big tide swings.
Let me kow how you did.

Dan!

Bounty Hunter · 11-19-2001, 09:16 PM

Capin' Dan, well I'm sorry to say that I didn't get out there this weekend. I chickened out and just scouted the ramps and access on Sat. I wish I would've taken the boat since the weather was cooperative, but I figured that it was too much of a bluebird day to have much success. I'll put a post up with report when I actually get out.
BTW the clamming was awesome at least. I recommend that everyone that is interested go on December dates.