Sturgeon Time soon

[cohoho]

Anyone going on the 1 Jan for the reopening of retention on the Big C?  Thinking of heading down but don't really want to drive at 0330hrs with all the morons that might still be en route home from the parties...

[bullcanyon]

We go every year. Usually have a group too big for the sled so we make the drive upriver and bank it.

[fishcrazy]

Cohoho I might be able to get out for that trip. I havn't had the boat out since October. If you want to lead the way I might be up for it.

Kris

[carpsniperg2]

Good luck, to everyone who goes out. I am hoping to get a little sturgeon fishing in this year. It has been awhile since i have been out.

[cohoho]

Yea, I just trying to check the weather forecast as the Gorge has beat the snot out of me on previous Jan trips...  But I am always game..  Figure last year it closed off I think on the 21st of Feb, so gotta get some eats early then catch and release the rest of the time..

[robodad]

Yea, I just trying to check the weather forecast as the Gorge has beat the snot out of me on previous Jan trips...  But I am always game..  Figure last year it closed off I think on the 21st of Feb, so gotta get some eats early then catch and release the rest of the time..

I just ordered a fancy schmancy chamber vacuum sealer I am dying to try out !!   

[cohoho]

So does that mean your in Robo??

[robodad]

So does that mean your in Robo??

I talked to the chief of staff and she said I can go so if my back feels better by then I'm in like flynn !!   

[cohoho]

Yea, that reminds me at the beginning of the year to all my Kitchen Passes signed in advance for upcoming years events....   

[rasbo]

wonder how this will affect the kepers this year?



Commission will consider sturgeon policy,
hear from public on Elwha fishing proposal

OLYMPIA - The Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission will consider adoption of new management guidelines that address the declining abundance of Columbia River white sturgeon during a public meeting here Jan. 7-8.

The commission, which sets policy for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), also will discuss Puget Sound crab-fishing seasons and hold a public hearing on a proposed fishing moratorium associated with the removal of two dams on the Elwha River.

The commission will convene at 8:30 a.m. both days in Room 172 on the first floor of the Natural Resources Building, 1111 Washington St. S.E., in Olympia. A complete meeting agenda is available at http://wdfw.wa.gov/commission/meetings.html on the commission's website.

On the second day of the meeting, the commission will consider adopting a policy to guide WDFW in negotiating a joint three-year management agreement with Oregon for sturgeon fisheries on the lower Columbia River.

Fishery managers from both states have expressed concerns about declines in sturgeon abundance in recent years, and have recommended a 30 percent reduction in harvest levels for sport and commercial fisheries below Bonneville Dam from 2011 through 2013. Final decisions on harvest levels and fishing seasons are expected in early February.

Meanwhile, with two major dams on the Elwha River scheduled for removal starting in 2011, the commission will accept public comments on a proposed fishing moratorium designed to support restoration of native salmon and trout populations in that watershed.

WDFW, in conjunction with tribal and federal fishery managers, has proposed a fishing closure in the Elwha River Basin to protect fish during the dam-removal process and encourage their expansion into 70 miles of new spawning and rearing habitat.

The commission is scheduled to make a decision on the proposed fishing moratorium at its Feb. 4-5 meeting in Olympia, where it will also consider adopting new sport-crabbing regulations for Puget Sound.

In October, the commission approved a new crab-fishing policy designed to expand sport-fishing opportunities for Puget Sound crabbers. At their upcoming meeting, the commission will receive a briefing from WDFW fish managers that focuses on how the proposed crab regulations conform to the new policy.

In other matters, WDFW will brief the commission on issues regarding the state's Columbia River summer chinook policy; the North of Falcon season-setting policy; the Commission for Persons with Disabilities Advisory Committee; and the department's "Turn in a Poacher" program. 



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[fishcrazy]

Keeper season will be very short this year in any part of the river. Probably won't be to many more kill seasons before they close it and go C&R like the Frazer.

Kris

[cohoho]

Keeper season will be very short this year in any part of the river. Probably won't be to many more kill seasons before they close it and go C&R like the Frazer.

Kris

Which wouldn't be bad either, I love catching them in every size, but man I like eating those tasty buggers also.....

[robodad]

Keeper season will be very short this year in any part of the river. Probably won't be to many more kill seasons before they close it and go C&R like the Frazer.

Kris

Which wouldn't be bad either, I love catching them in every size, but man I like eating those tasty buggers also.....

I'd sure like to get my dad out here to catch a few before they close it down to keepers though, it would be nice to send him home with a couple filet's, (not that I ever catch any  ) I'd also like to get into the Walleye fishery sometime too, hopefully I can get a reliable truck and can tow my own boat down later next year for some walleyes  !!!

[buckhorn2]

I am ready again I could;nt beleive the mice ate throgh my 350 foot bonnieville anchor line in two places but I got another new one so am ready to go. Wonder how much a bucket of smelt would be worth now.

[WASHBCBOOK]

just asking were do you put in i have a 20 ft wooldridge sled closed bow will this work ive never been on the columbia
any help would be sweet thanks steve

[cohoho]

For sure, it's a Wooldridge!  If your running a S/S Offshore then water levels might be a problems at some of the launches like Beacon Rock or Roster rock.  Almost anywhere below the Bonneville would be fine.  I can't speak for above too much except for Hood River and Drano are both OK... but there are numerous launches all the way down on both sides of the river and haven't hit probably half.  I haven't found one yet that scared me with a 22 foot I/B TJ.  Some are shallow and and some are crowded from the recreational boaters (alot can't figure out how to back let alone launch when there is traffic or how they should wait while the driver gets the vehicle).  The best one I think is in Washougal.  Crappy one is at Deep Creek.  (Actually it isn't bad- it is all the people that can't figure out how to load and unload quickly that is the problem).  What part of the river are you looking at running? Be extremely careful when anchoring is more important than the launch.  The launch will only embarrass someone, the river will kill during a mistake... Practice in calm out of the current (maybe a lake to start).  That water can be outright dangerous for sure.  Large buoy's and 300 foot lines will prevent a lot of problems but even then practice safety when dropping in that volume of water, it only takes a second or two of a tangle to drop you under. 

[WASHBCBOOK]

hey cohoho
thanks for the tips my wooldridge is a 180 hp sled
i live on the cowlitz so running the boat im pretty good at but you still have to be safe
again thanks alot

[cohoho]

Is it the Alaskan?  Man I used to have that boat and I miss it really bad, could run 3" on step and would take it places where only the Air Boats could get too, I ran 90 Honda Jet.  Punched a couple holes in in the bottom and rubbed/wore out one of the ribs from river rocks, but some friendly welding and it was back to beaver dam and sweeper jumping....    Careful between the dam and roster rock, as it kicks up there in the afternoon winds making a shallow boat pretty scary return trip for sure...  Heck - maybe trade off a trip or two as I don't want to run my heavy boat on the Cowlitz, atleats the upper end. 

If I sell mine this year, I can't make up my mind about what I am getting, but it will be another Wooldridge for sure either the 22 foot S/S Offshore or a 23 foot XL...

[bearhunter59]

Cohoho, I think you need to change your screenname to something like Sturghoho or something.  It interesting to see how your taste in fish has changed since you moved down here.  Since my wife is down at her family in San Antonio, till the 4th, and I haven't sturgeon fished in ages, I could probably get my tired ass out of bed and over to your place at that time of the morning.  I'll give you a call this afternoon....rick

[fishcrazy]

Cohoho just get it over with and buy a Willie.


Kris

[Antlershed]

Cohoho just get it over with and buy a Willie.


Kris

Just don't power it with a Merc Optimax Sportjet, or you will hydrolock it 

[cohoho]

   

See now the Raptor is back on my brain....     

[Antlershed]

I know of one that has been hydrolocked by coming off the throttle too quickly, and the other one was just hydrolocked by backing it in "too deep" while flushing it out in the lake. Both are/were being covered by Mercury under warranty.

[cohoho]

No sportjet for me.. 

[fishcrazy]

Actually I think you might like the Asalter better. It has a deeper V and better suited for running off shore. put a pair of Yami 150's or 200's on with props and you would be set. You would never think of buying another boat.

no more mercs for me. my next boat will be anything but. Love the Sport Jet but don't like mercury customer service.

Kris

[cohoho]

Actually I think you might like the Asalter better. It has a deeper V and better suited for running off shore. put a pair of Yami 150's or 200's on with props and you would be set. You would never think of buying another boat.
no more mercs for me. my next boat will be anything but. Love the Sport Jet but don't like mercury customer service.
Kris

The Asaltor seems to be real close to the Wooldrige Sport Offshore, similar dead rise and angles, without motor it quickly came to over 30K.  Add a 200hp blow out Yamaha for 17K and a trailer for 4K.  Or get the V-Max two stroke on a blow out sale for 11,900- alot more hole shot but the cost of oil will probably take over quickly... Hmmm decision, decisions.................  Got to sell first... crap, I like my TJ, but need and want more ocean ready vessel that I can still Sturgeon out of in comfort for 5.....

Ready for Saturday the 1st run of the year!

[Antlershed]

What time are you guys heading out on Saturday? I might decide to drag the NorthRiver down so I can show Kris how to fish 

[cohoho]

Be on the water around 0700-30hrs.  Meeting my group in Tacoma at 0400hrs...   Get to play swerve the drunks...  Hey we can anchor the first boat and then bouy between the other two to keep any wind from moving us at all...

[Antlershed]

I've got the TR-1 now, so I'll just put it in reverse autopilot 

I'll let you guys know by tomorrow afternoon if I am making the trek down.

[fishcrazy]

Cohoho I think we can drop our hooks and put that little NR between us like a big raft. Then if the wind is a problem he can run that TR-1 and hold us right in the money spot. As long as that little yami don't twist a shaft we should have a fun day. Who knows might even catch a fish or 50.

Got a full bottle of propane and a big heater so we can keep the bait from freezing.

Kris

[cohoho]

New Years Day
Mostly sunny. Highs around 35. East wind 5 to 10 mph...except east wind 20 to 30 mph near The Gorge. Near The Gorge...gusts to 50 mph in the morning.

I will check another site, but this came today.  Holy crap, if this is true I am tapping out.  Kris can you call me, I lost your number?  Mike

[cohoho]

New Years Day
 Partly Sunny
Hi: 28°
 Partly sunny. Breezy. Highs 25 to 30. East wind 20 to 30 mph cascade locks westward...And east wind 10 mph near Hood River. Cascade locks westward...Gusts to 50 mph in the morning.
 

[Skyvalhunter]

Coho I know you are biting at the bit but you may have to chill for better weather this time.

[cohoho]

Yea, I believe I will wait this one out.  The problem is the forecast, when it says 5 and under then it is manageable up there cause it will be actually 10-15, but when it is 10-15 stated, holy crap it is going to blow and my wind sail (large and tall hardtop) is no fun when I can't stay on line and fish. 

[cohoho]

Your entire boat is a sheet of ice! headed out on new years day for the sturgeon opener, weather report was cold, but the 8-10 mph winds would make fishing possible. Put in at drano and as the sun was breaking we had a light wind and little chop, I was very happy! made the 3 mile run down to my first spot and instantly that calm wind vanished! we had a steady 20mph wind with gusts to 35+.I tried my best to fish, but between the wind and waves it was almost impossible, after a insanely cold hour ( id guess the windchill was near 0 ) I had the unfourtunate task of heading back upriver into 3-5 ft swells for 3 miles.... in a open boat!! what happend for the next 35 min or so was nothing short of hell...... I took wave after wave and was hit with gallons and gallons of ice cold river water. Once we made it back to the calmer water, my clients had more then enough.... I dropped them off and surveyed my boat. I was literally frozen solid, my sweatshirt had a solid 1/4 sheet of ice on it and I could barely move, my beanie hate was frozen in the shape opf my head.... every rod and reel was frozen solid.. one of my reels had a coating of ice around 1/2 inch thick. My entire boat was basically a sheet of ice and both my tiller handles were frozen solid. It was INSANE! I felt so bad that mother nature did not play nice that I gave my clients 2 trips on me. Nothing upsets me more then things going wrong that I have no control over. These pics do not do yesteday any justice................
 

This is from Guide on another site that actually went out in that crap on New Years day, I am glad I read the weather reports is all I can say, wow, crazy weather..  I can't believe what crap people will go through for a fish...  A silly fish is not worth the risking the lives of others for sure..

[groundhog]

My brother and I have an open center console 22' Willie boat Asaltor with a 200 two stroke Suzuki. It has 37 inch sides and the bow is wrapped up so that it is about ten inches higher than a standard model. I used it in South east Alaska for many years and it is an amazing boat!! This boat handles like a sports car and it well eat up seas that you wouldn't even think of going out in in most boats. The deep -V and variable degree hull makes for an unbelievably smooth ride in rough seas.
I highly rec comend Willie Boats!! You won't regret it.

[fishcrazy]

And just think how that boat would be in their newer VII wide model.
They are biulding alot of their models an optional 7' wide at the hull now.
My 21' Raptor is so stable I can't imagine it being another 6" wider.

Kris

[Antlershed]

Any of you guys making the run down this weekend? I've got some guys from work that wanna go, but I can only go on Sunday if at all.

[groundhog]

Fishcrazy,
I agree the 7 foot bottom would be the chit!! We also have a bunch of Predators and a few Legends and we love them all. Man, I sure like the looks of the Raptor!! If this economy would turn around a little.......