[Merganser99]

I don't see a Dead Zone thread, so here goes.

Got this one 20 minutes into my first pass this morning somewhere along Bachelor Island. 35 feet of water. 38 feet on the line counter. 16 ounces.

Never saw another boat. Those of you that are waiting for the fish to arrive, get out there. It's white hot!

 

[JD77]

Sweet. I doubt we can know, but is that a summer fish or something else? Seems odd to catch a nice bright fall chinnook up river if guys in Astoria aren’t getting any fish.

 

[ampersat]

Nice fish. Way to get the starty parted!

 

[wack0]

That there's a beauty! Thinking a Summer but that's just me.

 

[Merganser99]

100% sure it was a summer fish two days ago, but the calendar changed, so gonna go with an official fall Chinook. 🙂

 

[Wicked_Stix]

Rookie question: Why is this area called the Dead Zone?

 

[pstutheit]

Rookie question: Why is this area called the Dead Zone?

In the before times, during the long long ago, in an age before 360s, before enlightenment, when man's mainstem CR fall fishery was restricted to primitive anchor fishing, with only wobblers and plugs at our disposal, the Dead Zone was named. For in those dark ages, before the gift of 360 was revealed unto us, only the 10% of the 10% could catch fall chinook on anchor betwixt the Lewis and Bonneville. A barren wasteland of sunburns and wasted rod hours and spilt carrot milk. Let us never forget the sacrifices of our forefathers.

 

[joeer77]

Thanks for starting thread.

Trolled Davis last night with the wife for 2-3 hours until 8:30pm. Windy. A little rough. No bites. No other boats around. Marked a few big fish 22-23ft down. Lots of tug boat activity. Seems like I'm a tugboat magnet these days. Water 72F.

 

[Rykat]

In the before times, during the long long ago, in an age before 360s, before enlightenment, when man's mainstem CR fall fishery was restricted to primitive anchor fishing, with only wobblers and plugs at our disposal, the Dead Zone was named. For in those dark ages, before the gift of 360 was revealed unto us, only the 10% of the 10% could catch fall chinook on anchor betwixt the Lewis and Bonneville. A barren wasteland of sunburns and wasted rod hours and spilt carrot milk. Let us never forget the sacrifices of our forefathers.

Hahaha oh brother! Man that is a masterpiece and no 🧚‍♀️ fairytale story. I applaud you.

Glad someone started the thread.

 

[wack0]

Hahaha oh brother! Man that is a masterpiece and no 🧚‍♀️ fairytale story. I applaud you.

Glad someone started the thread.

Golden! Back in the day we did great on anchor not burning fuel relaxing and caught my share. Now the trolling fleet has forced us to do the same. Can’t throw an anchor with out ping of the fleet. Love fall fishing either way. We all have to adapt I guess.

 

[devonian]

Good tides in the morning. Might be worth a shot.

 

[Rykat]

Golden! Back in the day we did great on anchor not burning fuel relaxing and caught my share. Now the trolling fleet has forced us to do the same. Can’t throw an anchor with out ping of the fleet. Love fall fishing either way. We all have to adapt I guess.

I make them go around me. I don’t care. I get my share too. I’m a wobbler diehard. Keep me posted.

 

[Beefcake]

Rookie question: Why is this area called the Dead Zone?

The dead zone is a misnomer. There used to be a guy on here named Louis that was legendary for catching fish in this area. The funny thing was that he just learned to read the structure. He was anchored in the same spot every day, but it was a travel lane / funnel. I don’t anchor fish much anymore, but most of my success in that area was in spots that the river funneled fish through. I would spend up to a half hour putting around on the trolling motor and staring at the depth finder before deciding where to drop the hook (usually off of a point or in a funnel slot).

I also remember in about ‘04 or ‘05 when we discovered that we could troll wobblers or spinners downhill on the incoming tide with some success. Before that, we only fished anchor tides.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[NEUTRON]

Mr Dorkfish?

 

[flopearedmule]

In the before times, during the long long ago, in an age before 360s, before enlightenment, when man's mainstem CR fall fishery was restricted to primitive anchor fishing, with only wobblers and plugs at our disposal, the Dead Zone was named. For in those dark ages, before the gift of 360 was revealed unto us, only the 10% of the 10% could catch fall chinook on anchor betwixt the Lewis and Bonneville. A barren wasteland of sunburns and wasted rod hours and spilt carrot milk. Let us never forget the sacrifices of our forefathers.

Even with 360's still hasn't changed much compared to lower river. Lock jaw is the norm

 

[ccw]

Nice salmon and I like seeing the old-school Daredevil, Coca Cola Classic colored spinner.

I don’t think I’ve tried that color for salmon in 25 years.

Keep rockin it your way.

CW

 

[JJFishPDX]

Another rookie question....how uncommon (or common) is it to catch a fall fish this early (first week of August) in the Dead Zone?

 

[Stick'em]

Another rookie question....how uncommon (or common) is it to catch a fall fish this early (first week of August) in the Dead Zone?

Not uncommon. Just a tad more difficult. There are simply fewer fish to fish for this early.

 

[JJFishPDX]

Not uncommon. Just a tad more difficult. There are simply fewer fish to fish for this early.

But there are indeed some fall fish around this early? Good to know. Might try my luck this weekend.

 

[Stick'em]

But there are indeed some fall fish around this early? Good to know.

409 chinook over the dam yesterday. So yes. It only takes one bite.