ibuoy 10 report and river courtesy rant

blueback17 · 08-25-2005, 10:10 AM

This is my first post on ifish, and I hate to start with what sounds like a rant, so I will start with a fishing report instead. I know that I owe a fishing story, and I ensure you that that will come later.

Earlier this week I found out that my 225 horse power Suzuki had a cracked block due to a vibration caused by a bent prop shaft (a reason not to have a stainless steel prop, but that is a different story). The timing could not have been worse because the tides are great, and my dad was in town to do a little fishing. This morning (8-25), we borrowed my neighbors 14 foot skiff, launched above the Megler Bridge on the Washington side, and started fishing. We had a 23 pound chinook, a small one (6-7lbs) that we released, and one other take that did not stick. The east wind looked like it might come up, and the tide was starting to ebb fairly hard, so we headed for the truck at about 8:30am. A good bite, good action for an hour and a half of fishing, and a good time with my dad which is, of course, the best part. There is my report.

Now for my rant, or rather a discussion about courtesy. I am sure that is comes up every year, and maybe it already has this year, but it really bothered me today. I have lived in Astoria for the past 7 years, and I grew up in Port Angeles, Washington. I have been a fishing fanatic since I was a little kid, and I have spent a lot of time chasing fish around the country. Growing up when the fishing in Port Angeles, Freshwater Bay, Pillar Point, Sekiu, Neah Bay, etc. was outstanding, I learned a lot about boater courtesy because there were a lot of people fishing in the 80's and early 90's. Having fished the Columbia estuary a great deal in the past seven years, I have, I think, become accustomed to the "rules of the river." This morning, I could not believe the number of boats that were running, full tilt, right through the area where people were fishing. The people that were fishing were not spread out very far as the majority of the action was taking place in the 20-40 foot bottom depth range. I know that the price of fuel is high, but it would be nice if the people who were running up to the top of the "drift" to fish back down would please get to the inside or outside of the pack of boats that are fishing. There is no need to go 20-35mph through a tight area where the boats are obviously fishing. Manuevering in a tight space when there is a good bite becomes more difficult when you are constantly fighting boat wakes and dodging the speeding oncoming traffic, especially when you have a fish on. If you are running to the top of the drift, it is much safer to get to the inside or outside of the pack of boats and make your run to the top of the area you want to fish, cut into your chosen location when the time is right, and put your lines in the water. It sure would make the experience a lot more enjoyable for all involved. Sorry if this is repetitive and/or long winded, but I just want everyone to enjoy the experience, and be able to fish safely.

Thank you, and get to the river because the fish are there to be had.

TyBoo · 08-25-2005, 10:27 AM

Hello there Blueback. Good to hear from you. Sorry about your boat troubles, but I like how you got your dad fishing anyway. My dad is coming down for all next week, and he won't be doing it for too many more years (he's 80 now), so that part of your tale meant a lot to me. I am glad you guys saw a fish or two.

As for the other part of your post, I will add a hearty Amen! It happens on both sides of the sands. It only takes another minute and seven seconds to do as you suggest.

OK - I'll get out to the river as soon as I can!

Fishfeet · 08-25-2005, 10:31 AM

Welcome! Good story and good rant!

Ff

FisherJack · 08-25-2005, 11:00 AM

Welcome to ifish, blueback.

Thanks for the report.

Sorry to hear about your boat trouble. Glad you and your Dad got out anyway. I understand your frustration with the lack of courtesy of some boaters. Just like driving down the highway, I guess. You will always run into some that think they own the road/water and don't really give a damn about others.

Jack

TundraIII · 08-25-2005, 11:07 AM

That is the normal procedure in that area and has been for many years.....but there is light at the end of the tunnel..you only have about another 3 wks to deal with it.

We hear you man!

Rubber Robin · 08-25-2005, 12:01 PM

blueback17,

You nailed it! I was amazed at the number of boats both large and small returning from the ocean that plowed right through the middle of the Buoy 10 pack. We are talking about gaps between boats that might be 10-20ft. This was last Sunday.

This is extremely hazardous and leaves very little room for a last gasp manuever. Why they couldn't swing around the outside of the pack and have no traffic interference, I could not understand.

We did make a joke at the time that maybe because of the price of gas, nobody wanted to deviate from a straight line between point A and point B.

A collision is only a matter of time.

Welcome to ifish!

TundraIII · 08-25-2005, 12:14 PM

Actually the reason for this is simple....it's bragging...ego...machismo....whatever. These boats that come ripping into the crowd from the ocean want everyone to know that they were brave and fearless conquering the mighty Columbia bar and have their limits of fish on board and are returning home early and victorious...while the rest of the low life bumper boats at the deadline have hours of fishing to do in a feeble attempt at limiting their boats. Hang your heads in shame and defeat as these mighty fishermen blow past you at breakneck speed....

PS. I ALWAYS go around the crowd....and my boat only does about 27 knots in good conditions....also, my boat is painted in caution yellow so I would have a hard time hiding if I did something stupid out there....

Tilla · 08-25-2005, 12:44 PM

Your rant is right on!
And they cannot seem to just cruise.......nothing but wide open and if they are wearing their hat on backwards.......pray!

Sturgeon Ryan · 08-25-2005, 04:47 PM

This happens not only from sport boats and such. Many times we fish the evenings for sturgeon below the east end by the red barn. The captin of the pilot boat must get a kick out of watching us rock about. We will be the only boat out and he will pass within 50 feet of us full tilt just smiling.He's got the whole river,why so close?