Author Topic: columbia river sockeye below wanapaum (Read 9250 times)

rasbo · « **on:** June 22, 2014, 05:59:04 AM »

I wanna try this real bad,I have never used my down riggers and would like some help on what to use on these fish..I my down riggers are good for 8lb weights...any tips would be helpful

Quackwhacker · « **Reply #1 on:** June 22, 2014, 06:48:34 AM »

I will PM you with some info.

Brad Harshman · « **Reply #2 on:** June 22, 2014, 07:08:34 AM »

Advice - test out your gear before hitting the water. You will find out that this place is not a place to learn on the opening weekend. IT WILL BE CROWDED. Between the current and everyone else you may not find your outing enjoyable.

Good luck!

I think I'll be fishing it as well.

Badhabit · « **Reply #3 on:** June 22, 2014, 07:11:36 AM »

I heard that do to the crack in the dam that there is now a 400' restricted zone below the dam. I think the "toilet bowl" that everyone likes to fish is going to be within the restricted zone.

rasbo · « **Reply #4 on:** June 22, 2014, 07:14:47 AM »

during the week will be when I try it,do you guys use rubber snubbers for the sockeye?

MtnMuley · « **Reply #5 on:** June 22, 2014, 07:21:01 AM »

Quote from: rasbo on June 22, 2014, 07:14:47 AM

during the week will be when I try it,do you guys use rubber snubbers for the sockeye?

No

MtnMuley · « **Reply #6 on:** June 22, 2014, 07:23:32 AM »

That fishery usually consists of 1.5 - 4 lb fish. With that being said, I've never broke more 15-20 lb leaders.

bowguy · « **Reply #7 on:** June 22, 2014, 03:46:33 PM »

With the way the water in hole has been the water is in no way close to normal conditions. You can use light leader for sockeye, however you will have the occasional summer run king hit it. 8lb balls are ok, on a normal year you may wanna go heavier to get straight down the current is that bad. It is a fun fishery, pending where you are from check out the sockeye in lake Wenatchee also (personal favorite). I'm planning on hitting the reach here after them this week a few days. Limit is 4 plus 2 clipped kings. Good luck tight lines.

bowguy · « **Reply #8 on:** June 22, 2014, 03:55:53 PM »

Any of the Mack's sockeye set ups, silver magic with shrimp, chrome dodger 12" leader to red hooks (bare, pink power bait at eye, pink shrimp). Let me know how you do. Word of wise don't go against traffic see what everyone is doing with boats and repeat. Best if you have a fishing partner with you to help out, otherwise trouble can come up quick here. Set balls anywhere between 6'-17' and get ready.

L-ofalab · « **Reply #9 on:** June 22, 2014, 04:38:57 PM »

Boats get swamped below Wanapum often don't go in a small boat. Even 20 foot boats take on waves there.

rasbo · « **Reply #10 on:** June 23, 2014, 03:46:09 AM »

thanks guys ,lots of good info

I need to go down there and look around,17.5 alumaweld should be fine Im thinking,I will stay away from the blast of water..I worry more about getting to the area, not knowing the water,be it rocks or bars...Im excited though

C-Money · « **Reply #11 on:** June 23, 2014, 08:12:41 AM »

This sounds like fun.....tagging! Are there sockeye below Priest Rapis?

bowguy · « **Reply #12 on:** June 23, 2014, 08:29:27 AM »

Few guys starting to limit out on the reach, should be real good here in a few days for the next month I'd say

rasbo · « **Reply #13 on:** June 24, 2014, 05:09:43 AM »

I see barbless hooks must be used, are you guys crimping the barbs? and on kwickfish with trebles to you have to use singles or crimp them.sorry wont have regs till

birdmanwa · « **Reply #14 on:** June 24, 2014, 08:09:24 AM »

Quote from: Badhabit on June 22, 2014, 07:11:36 AM

I heard that do to the crack in the dam that there is now a 400' restricted zone below the dam. I think the "toilet bowl" that everyone likes to fish is going to be within the restricted zone.

Did you hear this from a valid source? I will be fishing up there. It is not exactly a joyful fishery with the waves and current and the idiots, but plenty of fish to catch.

HUNTINCOUPLE · « **Reply #15 on:** June 24, 2014, 08:38:14 AM »

Quote from: rasbo on June 24, 2014, 05:09:43 AM

I see barbless hooks must be used, are you guys crimping the barbs? and on kwickfish with trebles to you have to use singles or crimp them.sorry wont have regs till

.
You can crimp the bards on the trebles. There is a lot of info over on ifish.net about how people are rigging them with single hooks and the treables. Good luck!

rasbo · « **Reply #16 on:** June 24, 2014, 06:34:53 PM »

thanks for all the info and pms you guys rock

bowguy · « **Reply #17 on:** June 24, 2014, 07:08:47 PM »

Let's us know how you do. I'll keep you updated down here on the reach and out front of tri cities.

rasbo · « **Reply #18 on:** June 27, 2014, 05:36:37 AM »

where is the launch ramp ???and how far of a run is it to the toilet bowl

bowguy · « **Reply #19 on:** June 27, 2014, 07:11:52 AM »

Launch is right at dam and the run is about 15 feet to the toilet bowl. Be careful launching as both sides if the ramp have concrete walls going into water

Mfowl · « **Reply #20 on:** June 27, 2014, 07:46:54 AM »

Is there still a rough launch on the Vantage side of the river off Huntzinger Rd? There used to be one near the base of the dam, not sure if its been closed off or not. It was a gravel ramp with no dock or anything and a gravel parking area.

MtnMuley · « **Reply #21 on:** June 27, 2014, 08:14:43 AM »

Quote from: bowguy on June 27, 2014, 07:11:52 AM

Launch is right at dam and the run is about 15 feet to the toilet bowl. Be careful launching as both sides if the ramp have concrete walls going into water

LOL, nothing better than watching guys play bumper boat/truck backing down that ramp.

rasbo · « **Reply #22 on:** June 27, 2014, 05:37:48 PM »

thanks ,the gentleman I wanna take has a hard time getting around,Im gonna check out the ramp this weekend

rasbo · « **Reply #23 on:** June 29, 2014, 04:16:18 PM »

holy crap that launch will suck big time, the little docks or walkways are under water and white caps right up the ramp..

Brad Harshman · « **Reply #24 on:** June 29, 2014, 05:13:33 PM »

Quote from: rasbo on June 29, 2014, 04:16:18 PM

holy crap that launch will suck big time, the little docks or walkways are under water and white caps right up the ramp..

They aren't docks. They're concrete bulk heads. Grant PUD just built a new launch off Huntzinger Road, west side of river south of vantage. Has an ADA floating dock and vault toilet.
ALSO the fish slide is hardly running and the toilet bowl is much calmer. Get ready for combat fishing guys. Last year I counted 65 boats circling In the toilet bowl. I bet we'll see 80 plus this year. Either on opening day or Friday independence day.

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rasbo · « **Reply #25 on:** June 30, 2014, 03:53:38 AM »

do the fish stack up on the westside by huntzinger ramp?After seeing the water flying out of the damn Im thinking a guy has to go a ways down river to get back up to the toilet bowl..My concern is not knowing the area is rocks or shallows

bowguy · « **Reply #26 on:** June 30, 2014, 06:25:29 AM »

I don't know of one person who has come from that side. Typically with all gates open and over flow shoot cranking no one dares to go outside that rip.

Gringo31 · « **Reply #27 on:** June 30, 2014, 06:32:05 AM »

Quote

Last year I counted 65 boats circling In the toilet bowl. I bet we'll see 80 plus this year. Either on opening day or Friday independence day.

Can't wait for pics!

Rasbo, You are right to be concerned in that stretch of the river but when there are that many boats...play follow the leader.

C-Money · « **Reply #28 on:** June 30, 2014, 09:21:27 AM »

Looks pretty good. Appears a boat will need at least two skilled fishermen to be successful. Looks like a chore to fish, but great fun!! What are the season dates, and limits? Looked at the WDFW site, no luck.

Wanapum Salmon with Shane Magnuson

Blackjaw · « **Reply #29 on:** June 30, 2014, 10:42:35 AM »

Yes, if you launch from the Vantage side, go downstream (at least a couple hundred yds to be safe), then head out into current to cross to the Toilet Bowl side . There is a gravel bar that stretches quite away down stream out in the edge of the current.

Brad Harshman · « **Reply #30 on:** July 01, 2014, 07:31:08 PM »

Well it opened today. How did everyone do? There lots of boats on the water this morning...

Ripper · « **Reply #31 on:** July 02, 2014, 06:09:46 AM »

Good video, thanks for posting. I hope to get the family over there to give it a shot. I agree with the previous post, you will want at least 2 experienced fisherman to do this safely. One guy will have his hands full just running the boat.

C-Money · « **Reply #32 on:** July 02, 2014, 06:27:11 AM »

I have been anxious to hear how Rasbo did...

Brad Harshman · « **Reply #33 on:** July 04, 2014, 11:31:08 AM »

I was able to go out Thursday morning. There was about 40 boats. I caught one sockeye; fishing seemed okay, some boats appeared to much better than others. Its a tough fishery lots of boats, crazy toilet bowl currents and a horrible boat ramp. It's tough to do this by yourself.

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mwhunter · « **Reply #34 on:** July 04, 2014, 12:45:03 PM »

Dont forget your supper dipping sauce it I will get you more bits I won't fish without it

rasbo · « **Reply #35 on:** July 04, 2014, 01:28:10 PM »

headed down in the morning solo,going to priest rapids

Brad Harshman · « **Reply #36 on:** July 04, 2014, 03:23:22 PM »

Rasbo - aboce or below Priest? I was thinking about going just above Priest either tomorrow or Sunday morning.

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rasbo · « **Reply #37 on:** July 04, 2014, 03:35:21 PM »

Quote from: Brad Harshman on July 04, 2014, 03:23:22 PM

Rasbo - aboce or below Priest? I was thinking about going just above Priest either tomorrow or Sunday morning.

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above the dam I will put in at desert aire,never been there its gonna be a learning thing..getting rigged up now,

C-Money · « **Reply #38 on:** July 04, 2014, 07:41:34 PM »

Good luck Rasbo!

rasbo · « **Reply #39 on:** July 04, 2014, 08:42:03 PM »

Quote from: C-Money on July 04, 2014, 07:41:34 PM

Good luck Rasbo!

Thanks,hope its not blowing hard

rasbo · « **Reply #40 on:** July 06, 2014, 04:28:17 AM »

went down to the toilet bowl,with the wind I didnt even try to put my boat in alone,not sure how to do it without it getting beat up.Whitecaps at priest rapids,Supposed to blow a little more today.So doubt I will head out.

The wind just blows me all over when trying to troll its no fun and that what Im after is fun..boy the toilet bowl was packed seen fish being caught,what a cluster#%#$@

RadSav · « **Reply #41 on:** July 06, 2014, 04:51:31 AM »

Quote from: rasbo on July 06, 2014, 04:28:17 AM

..boy the toilet bowl was packed seen fish being caught,what a cluster#%#$@

As much as I like to catch fish I hate combat and hog line fishing more. So I seldom fish the Columbia anymore.

bowguy · « **Reply #42 on:** July 06, 2014, 11:01:21 AM »

Sounds about normal conditions down there. Being fishing solo or with your buddy needing a good easy access launch, I suggest getting ready for the lake Wenatchee opener. Lots of boats but lake is so big I find it never an issue to get into open water and catch fish. No currents laid back great fishery and would be good area to use/learn your downriggers. Usually opens first weekend of August under emergency open. We are already gearing up for it.

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Author Topic: columbia river sockeye below wanapaum (Read 9250 times)

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