Sturgeon challenge: Columbia warming up?

[Waterfish]

I am trying to decide on whether I will launch Saturday at Catheddral Park and fish the Willamette, or launch at the James Gleason ramp (42nd st) on Marine Drive, and cruise up towards Kelly Point. The Gleason ramp is a much shorter drive from where I live than going all the way to Cathedral Park, so it is my preferred place to launch.

Anyone who's been following the sturgeon threads lately knows that because of the colder water temperatures in the Columbia, the bite has been way better in the Willamette. However, Small Fry posted a report in another thread about his trip yesterday. He fished the Columbia just downstream from the mouth of the Willamette, and found that the water was only 1/2 degree colder than in the Willamette. If it is still that warm on Saturday, those of us in the sturgeon challenge may want to think about this, before everyone bottles up in the Willamette. Does anyone know what causes big changes in water temperature? Was it from the last cold spell, snow melt, or??? Just wondering if there is a way to predict whether we will find the Columbia way colder than the Willamette like it was last weekend, or is it likely to be as warm as what Small Fry experienced yesterday?

[Time Off]

Waterfish; went out today (1-21) on the Columbia. it was beautiful, nice and sunny with no wind but the bite was off. Pulled anchor 4 times but couldn't find any fish willing to play. Temp varied from 40.1 in the main river to 43.5 in the mouth of the Cowlitz. It still beat going to work! :grin:

[Small Fry]

There are no fish in the Columbia. Or should I say (no fish left in the Columbia) :whazzup:

I fished the Willamette on Sunday and did ok, Other around us did much better. If I were going to fish this weekend I would head back to the Columbia. If you do, fish the deeper holes.

[Tacklebuster]

This isn't going to be of much help but the fish are where you find them. You can slaughter them one day and the next get skunked in the same spot. The water will still be about the same just below the mouth of the Willy when the tide is ebbing and warmer Willy water is dumping out into the Columbia. The Columbia might be a good option because a lot of people will be inside the Willy fishing. We will be fishing both areas on Saturday so time will tell.