Free fishing Weekend 11 and 12 next weekend

[Spotted Owl]

What are your experiences of the free weekend. I think it is a great idea. Seems to be combat fishing any place you go. I see alot of folks who for a weekend loose all common sence and try things that they would not other wise try like anchoring in fast water when they have never done it before. I have seen alot of launching problems as well. I suppose everyone has to learn somehow sometime but I would think that the learning should be when things are alot less crowded and busy. I would like to see people look around and observe what goes on and how it happens before tring it on there own. Some lake equipment just doesn't hold up well to the river environment. For all those that are familiar and experienced please help everyone keep and eye on those that are not, not only for your safety but for the less experienced boats safty and the passengers safty aswell. If you see them starting to have problems or about to make a mistake please let them know nicely how it could be done better and safer. Lend a helping hand after all that is what the free weekend is all about right? Helping those who aren't already become hooked on fishing. Most folks are very intimidated by the surroundings on the river and a helping hand or another willing to help instead of yell, cuss, and scream will greatly help our ranks grow and that in turn will give us a bigger voice when needed. After all why are you out there fishing more often than not the folks on the free weekend are out there for the same reasons.

That said what are some of the things that you have seen on the free weekend. My favorite and one that I will never forget is when a guy went over the side of the boat a couple years ago. They were fishing shad and he stood up on the transom and gunnel to fight the fish. We were about 20 - 30 feet away. One foot on the transome the other on the gunnel fighting the good fight. He had two on the same line. We look down stream and see one of them big river crusers headed up our way. His wife saw the same and asked him to get down before something happpened. His relpy was that he would be fine that when big boats come past on the lake he never has any trouble. Well we all know how the wakes can be from them crusers. When it came by our boat wasn't to far from takeing water over the side and their boat was about 6 foot smaller than ours. Up went his stern and when the stern went up the wake also pushed to the side some of those are hard to keep balance while in the boat and off the side he went. The only reason this is funny is because it was a nice hot day and nobody got hurt. No pfd nothin but him and his rod in the water. All I remember is tossing a line to him before he got too far down that we would have to unhook and go after him. He got the rope the other end went to his wife and she tied it off to the back cleat and he pulled himself back up and into his boat. soakin wet and no rod or fish.

What thoughts, ideas, or stories do you all have on or about the free fishing weekend?

Owl

[FishSniffer]

My favorite is seeing a young boy or girl catch their very first fish after I've shown them the basics at one of the ODFW sponsored events. Nothing can beat that smile and they're hooked for life. So everyone, go share your excitement about fishing with youngsters at one of the many events statewide. It's something you'll all reflect on for years to come.

For more information on how you can impact a young persons life go to
The ODFW Free Fishing Weekend web page or contact the Association of Northwest Steelheaders who are very active in this as are many other clubs and organizations.

And, above all, have a safe weekend.

Greg

[lor]

I spend the day taking my niece and nephew on the water. The combat fishing I don't mind, because the day is really for kids and people who don't normally fish as an
introduction to this great sport.

[Fish Mode]

oh dang, that's finals week...I'll be home the entire weekend if anyone's wondering...

[wthr4d]

It sthe weekend after finals for me!! I will be up at Green Peter resivior working the ifish Koke-a-tilla and having a birthday party for my daughter!!

You all should join us!! look for the thread in the community section.

Paul

[3riversBob]

I normally go to a small lake at the coast. It is stocked the night before. I am usually on the water at first light and for 2 hours literally a fish every cast. (catch and release) When the youngsters get on the water I try to help them out.

This year I am going to Lincoln City to take my Grandson and Granddaughter out on the lake for a little boat action. I'm sooooooooo looking forward to it.

Take a kid fishing this weekend!

Bob

[cheeseburger]

Just a little heads up on what i did last year if your planning on taking your kids to Bonny fish hatchery. I took my son there last year. He was a month from being four at the time. The pond area the goes around the front of the hatchery is stocked with trout. We showed up, my son seen all the kids casting and was all excited. Well you have to register. Then go through alot of different stations that teach kids different things about the outdoors. Well in my opinion they are things that he was not interested in and stuff i teach him my self. Well after spending almost two hours going through all the stations(you had to get a stamp at each station for your kid to be able to fish, long lines at each one) we got to the end, then they tell me because the age of my son, he could only fish in these small round bath tubs with a stick and a string. He was crushed. He wanted to go fish the bigger water and cast a fishing pole. I will never waiste my time going there again. Just a heads up if your planning on going there. You will spend alot of time just to catch two fish in a few minutes.

[cheeseburger]

OH by the way. If your looking for somewhere to take your kids in Clackamas County. Go to small fry pond at Promatory Park. Its alot of fun for the kids, they can go right down and fish, and they have alot of prizes and tagged fish. Thats where my son will go this year.