Hunting Washington Forum

Other Activities => Fishing => Topic started by: fishnfur on February 12, 2015, 10:00:06 PM

Title: Columbia River Springers
Post by: fishnfur on February 12, 2015, 10:00:06 PM: Anyone going out soon for some Springer action on the Columbia? I hear whispers that a few are starting to trickle in. This weather has me itching. The river's a bit brown, but smooth as glass.
Title: Re: Columbia River Springers
Post by: Mfowl on February 12, 2015, 10:13:21 PM: I'm looking forward to getting out there for sure. However I am gonna hold off until mid March, then I'll fish every weekend until April 10th. Good luck out there! This early spring might be the ticket for a great year.
Title: Re: Columbia River Springers
Post by: fishnfur on February 12, 2015, 11:40:09 PM: That's probably what I will do too. The season is too short!

Somebody posted a 10 pounder from the Sellwood Bridge in Portland on 01 Feb on another board. I don't quite have the patience to sit all day yet.
Title: Re: Columbia River Springers
Post by: Mfowl on February 13, 2015, 06:47:38 AM: Quote from: fishnfur on February 12, 2015, 11:40:09 PM
That's probably what I will do too. The season is too short!

Somebody posted a 10 pounder from the Sellwood Bridge in Portland on 01 Feb on another board. I don't quite have the patience to sit all day yet.

My dad caught one a few years ago anchor fishing out of Rainier on the last Saturday of February. If the water conditions, weather and tides are all aligned I might give in and do a shakedown day trip before primetime gets here. Its hard to resist the urge once the fever sets in! :tup:
Title: Re: Columbia River Springers
Post by: buckhorn2 on February 13, 2015, 07:00:16 PM: I usually head to cathlamet around the 20th but this year got my moorage for the 24th to the 10 of april I think it is closed on the 23rd for gillnetting.
Title: Re: Columbia River Springers
Post by: cohoho on February 14, 2015, 08:39:31 PM: I am sure we will bump into you down there Del.... See you then...
Title: Re: Columbia River Springers
Post by: Gobble Doc on February 14, 2015, 08:55:37 PM: Does anyone have the name of a good guide down there? I've never done this fishery but my son has spring break starting on March 22. I'm thinking about booking a trip for the 2 of us.
Title: Re: Columbia River Springers
Post by: wildmanoutdoors on February 15, 2015, 07:35:19 AM: Quote from: Gobble Doc on February 14, 2015, 08:55:37 PM
Does anyone have the name of a good guide down there? I've never done this fishery but my son has spring break starting on March 22. I'm thinking about booking a trip for the 2 of us.

Can't beat Ron Holt!
Title: Re: Columbia River Springers
Post by: SeaRun1 on February 15, 2015, 03:56:40 PM: Mid March through the closing on the 10th is my plan as well. I always burn out if I start in February. That will change depending on the dam counts of course.

I fish the Cathlamet area if any other HuntWa guys want to meet up then.

SR1
Title: Re: Columbia River Springers
Post by: buddy01 on February 15, 2015, 04:43:48 PM: I am going down 3-27 to 3-31 I will be staying at elochoman marine Hope to meet some of you. Lance camper & dodge & northriver 21 sled, come say hi.
Title: Re: Columbia River Springers
Post by: SkookumHntr on February 16, 2015, 12:59:24 PM: Cant wait! I will be anywhere between Kalama and Cathlamet, Any early fish lets post them up!! :tup:
Title: Re: Columbia River Springers
Post by: SkookumHntr on February 16, 2015, 01:06:26 PM: Quote from: wildmanoutdoors on February 15, 2015, 07:35:19 AM
Quote from: Gobble Doc on February 14, 2015, 08:55:37 PM
Does anyone have the name of a good guide down there? I've never done this fishery but my son has spring break starting on March 22. I'm thinking about booking a trip for the 2 of us.

Can't beat Ron Holt!
If you cant get a seat with him try toby muck with sidewinder charters, he has a more comfortable boat but I doubt he will have any dates available either.
Title: Re: Columbia River Springers
Post by: wildmanoutdoors on February 16, 2015, 03:46:24 PM: Water has been a bit murky but the willy was blown. We should have a warm low water year which usually means a great catching season. Warm water means good biters! See ya'll in cathlamet or portco.
Title: Re: Columbia River Springers
Post by: h2ofowlr on February 16, 2015, 04:10:01 PM: I am heading down in March to give it ago!
Title: Re: Columbia River Springers
Post by: WoolyRunner on February 17, 2015, 07:04:09 AM: What about the Cowlitz?
Title: Re: Columbia River Springers
Post by: Gobble Doc on February 17, 2015, 10:42:19 AM: Thanks guys for the guide suggestions.
Title: Re: Columbia River Springers
Post by: D-Rock425 on February 17, 2015, 10:57:39 AM: I'll probably make a trip to drano in May.
Title: Re: Columbia River Springers
Post by: buckhorn2 on February 17, 2015, 12:50:03 PM: I have a toy hauler and will be in trailer spot 13 and out on the end of D float my boat is a 27 foot alumaweld pacific the name is the Skip hope to see some hunt wa guys and share secrets it helps to have some one to share info sometimes its fishing on the hook sometimes trolling the Clifton chanell or this side of the island if you have a vhf it helps to locate where there biting.
Title: Re: Columbia River Springers
Post by: h2ofowlr on February 18, 2015, 07:51:48 PM: Quote from: D-Rock425 on February 17, 2015, 10:57:39 AM
I'll probably make a trip to drano in May.

We hit the mouth of the Wind River and trolled it May 6th and limited the boat. Good times.
Title: Re: Columbia River Springers
Post by: Blacklab on February 19, 2015, 06:07:07 AM: So looking forward to this season. Anything will be better for me than last year. Didn't get bit once :bash: :dunno:. Great times just no fish. Going to start the season off with lemon joying all my gear b4 I hit the CR. Kind of like chicken noodle soup couldn't hurt :chuckle: ;)
Title: Re: Columbia River Springers
Post by: huntnnw on February 19, 2015, 06:08:56 AM: Cant wait for them to get to ID!!
Title: Re: Columbia River Springers
Post by: buckhorn2 on February 19, 2015, 10:01:25 AM: We boated 14 keepers and some released I use a 4 foot dropper with 6 foot leader and did;nt troll all on the hook we use pretty much the double trouble in size 15 with sardine wrap and try to stay inside of 18 feet. Hope some get to Idaho but sure going to try to slow down a few. Hope to see you Cohoho sounds like another good ocean season coming again. I have smelt put up.
Title: Re: Columbia River Springers
Post by: SeaRun1 on February 19, 2015, 12:50:06 PM: Sounds like you and I hit the same spots Buckhorn. I got all of my fish on the hook lays year as well. Not one fish trolling Clifton.

I am still pretty new having only fished the area for five years. All this Springer talk has me getting pretty stoked to go.

SR1
Title: Re: Columbia River Springers
Post by: TommyH on February 19, 2015, 05:03:49 PM: Quote from: huntnnw on February 19, 2015, 06:08:56 AM
Cant wait for them to get to ID!!

:tup: I've caught more in ID than WA. :IBCOOL: But have fished more in WA. :bash: :chuckle:
Title: Re: Columbia River Springers
Post by: h2ofowlr on February 19, 2015, 05:34:01 PM: Quote from: TommyH on February 19, 2015, 05:03:49 PM
Quote from: huntnnw on February 19, 2015, 06:08:56 AM
Cant wait for them to get to ID!!

:tup: I've caught more in ID than WA. :IBCOOL: But have fished more in WA. :bash: :chuckle:

Do they look like a boot by the time they get to ID?
Title: Re: Columbia River Springers
Post by: GUscottie on February 19, 2015, 05:41:49 PM: I'm getting excited for some spring time fishing...sadly, no boat for me
Title: Re: Columbia River Springers
Post by: BABackcountryBwhntr on February 20, 2015, 11:25:39 PM: Quote from: Gobble Doc on February 14, 2015, 08:55:37 PM
Does anyone have the name of a good guide down there? I've never done this fishery but my son has spring break starting on March 22. I'm thinking about booking a trip for the 2 of us.

I guide and get my share of fish.
Title: Re: Columbia River Springers
Post by: TommyH on February 21, 2015, 07:58:44 AM: Quote from: h2ofowlr on February 19, 2015, 05:34:01 PM
Quote from: TommyH on February 19, 2015, 05:03:49 PM
Quote from: huntnnw on February 19, 2015, 06:08:56 AM
Cant wait for them to get to ID!!

:tup: I've caught more in ID than WA. :IBCOOL: But have fished more in WA. :bash: :chuckle:

Do they look like a boot by the time they get to ID?

They are darker but are great eating still. More willing to bite it seems in Idaho. I like fishing the smaller river.
Title: Re: Columbia River Springers
Post by: fishnfur on February 21, 2015, 09:27:51 PM: Do you guys fishing the Cathlamet area go to the Oregon side of the creek? I normally drop in at Willow Grove and head downstream and across, somewhere N. of the Wauna pulp mill. 18 inch dropper, K-14 w/ sardine wrap and smelly jelly. 10-18 ft deep.

All the "locals" tell me the Oregon side is the place to be for Springers. Just curious if that is the case farther west.

BTW, the river is full of seals, sea lions, and gulls apparently chasing dead drifting smelt upstream of Cathlamet. Been like that for weeks. Good to sea something moving in the river. I just hope the mammals go away before the Springers start to come in.
Title: Re: Columbia River Springers
Post by: SeaRun1 on February 21, 2015, 10:55:13 PM: Oregon side for springers and steelhead and later the Washington side for steelhead.

SR1