Columbia River Sturgeon (PICS)

[Antlershed]

My fiancé (Becca) and I headed to Cathlamet to hang out with my dad and do a little Sturgeon fishing. The derby was going on, but we decided not to enter. Saturday morning, the weather was nice and there were a ton of boats out, but nobody seemed to be catching much. There was quite a bit of ship traffic though, so I managed some decent pictures.





We ended up only getting 4 bites Saturday and catching one measly shaker that maybe went 24”. On the way back in I managed to suck up a nice chunk of wood since there was so much debris floating down the river. Got back to my dad’s place on Puget Island and was able to get it dislodged. We went to the derby weigh-in cause my dad wanted to check out the car show, and it didn’t seem like very many fish had been weighed. I think the leader at the time was a 50+ inch fish though.

After seeing those keepers, I wasn’t sure where to go in the morning, but Becca and I finally devised a plan. We woke up a little slower Sunday morning, but still made it on the water by 6:15 (only a 15 minute drive to the launch). We got to the area I wanted to fish and found a nice ledge that went from 8 feet to 30 feet pretty quick. Got anchored up, got our poles baited up, and we were ready. Much to my surprise, before I even had my rod out, Becca’s was sitting in the pole holder ready to go. I’ve never shown her how to cast a bait cast reel, but she was doing it. I had a quick bite on my Anchovie, but he didn’t stick around. About 30 minutes into the day, Becca is sitting up front under the top reading her book, and I see her rod with Smelt on it get bit. She puts her book down, sneaks back and gets the rod out of the holder, and sets the hook. FISH ON! I think her eyes almost popped out of her head as soon as she set it. I saw the line coming up, but I couldn’t get to my camera quick enough. We were only in 20 feet of water, and the Sturgeon came clear out of the water about 50 feet behind the boat. Some excited choice words came out of her mouth, as this was only her third Sturgeon trip and her first big fish she has ever seen in person let alone fought. After a few minutes and a couple good runs, she has her first ever keeper Sturgeon to the boat. A nice fat 51-incher.





We fished there a little while longer and had a few more bites, but then we lost current so we moved upriver a ways. Sat there for a while and just as I started to fall asleep, I hear the rod going crazy in the rod holder. I jump up, and at first it felt like a good fish, but then once I got it up, it was about a 32-incher that had wrapped himself up in the line. Got him turned loose, fished a little while longer, but we were losing current up there as well, so we decided to call it a day since we had to drive all the way back to Seattle. Got a neat picture while waiting for the fish to bite.



And Becca and I at the end of the day with Gunner our GSP wondering what on earth we were holding.

[tlbradford]

Man, 23, with a boat and a woman who gets up early to go fishing with him?      Wish I had life figured out when I was that age.  Nice work, enjoyed the photos and the story.

[Ray]

Awesome shots. Your fiance looks stoked 

[cohoho]

What part of the river were you fishing?  Just curious, what a great time no doubt......

[Antlershed]

We were below Cathlamet by about 8 miles maybe. We could see the Astoria bridge way off in the distance.

[cascademountainhunter]

awsome fish man

[boneaddict]

Way to go! 

[Jackjr]

Looks like fun

[huntnphool]

Very nice Antlershed, it was slow the entire weekend. We managed to boat several fish but talking to several folks and listening on the radio, loads of boats didnt even get a single bite.

[Antlershed]

It seemed very slow out there. I called for you over the radio on Saturday, but we were quite a ways upriver.

[cohoho]

What call sign do you guys go by, mine of course is COHOHO and will have radio on this weekend, blue thunderjet with hardtop....  I'm pretty sure I know what Huntnphool's boat looks like, I'll look for the shiniest one out there....

[robodad]

Looks like that map I sent you ain't gonna do you any good any more !!  Nice fish Mike !!  Hey post up a picture of your boat and maybe we can BOLO for you this weekend !!!

[Antlershed]

What call sign do you guys go by, mine of course is COHOHO and will have radio on this weekend, blue thunderjet with hardtop....  I'm pretty sure I know what Huntnphool's boat looks like, I'll look for the shiniest one out there....

I don't have any special call sign on the radio. You can call for me by my screen name here, or just by Brent. I won't be out for a while now though.

[huntnphool]

We will more than likely start out in the shallows behind Sand Island, unless we knock them dead tomorrow upriver. I will be on 68, just give huntnphool a yell over the mic. We have been doing well around the "shipwreck", just above where your pic is from, and up to Portuguese Point. I will have to check the tide book to determine our game plan. Make sure you look for us Coho, we will be listening for you.

[jackelope]

just look for a really shiny blue boat with 5 big dudes and 1 little tiny guy sitting on 1 of our shoulders.
 

[huntnphool]

Sounds like we will be drafting more than 4" on this trip, better bring my wetsuit in case we run aground.

[jackelope]

W.O.T....
thats what wide open throttle is for.
 

me and bone might have to take turns in the boat.

[huntnphool]

W.O.T....
thats what wide open throttle is for.
 

In the morning heading up river that wont be a problem but your hemorrhoids might get a little sore on the ride back to the ramp, better bring a kidney belt

[50CalJim]

I sent ya a PM Huntnphool.

[Head-shot]

just look for a really shiny blue boat with 5 big dudes and 1 little tiny guy sitting on 1 of our shoulders.