Hunting Washington Forum

Other Activities => Fishing => Topic started by: Mfowl on March 18, 2015, 11:38:09 AM

Title: Springer Reports?
Post by: Mfowl on March 18, 2015, 11:38:09 AM: Anyone been fishing the Lower Columbia recently? I am headed to Portco rain or shine this weekend and the next to give it a go. I'll be in my 16' Crestliner Sportsman with 2 other guys. My dad and bro will be in a 17' Wooldridge there as well. Sounded like there was a push of fish a week or so ago but I haven't checked any reports this last week. What's the real time report like? Anyone else gonna be out there this weekend? Good luck if you are!
Title: Re: Springer Reports?
Post by: buckhorn2 on March 19, 2015, 09:08:44 AM: Look on Ifish it has spriger reports dailey today water has 4 foot visability at kalama. I am going down to cathlamet on Monday and staying until the 10 of april hope the bite picks up.
Title: Re: Springer Reports?
Post by: fishnfur on March 19, 2015, 10:35:52 PM: My neck has been jacked up for 2.5 months and I'm having a hard time talking myself into working the trailer hitch onto the truck without working my neck completely out of wack. I've been watching the effort across from Abernathy Creek area - just a couple of boats a day, so I was guessing it is still pretty slow.

I missed all the Outdoor GPS shows on Comcast last week (and tonight) so I completely missed the talk about what the Springer situation is. I think once the weekend is over, it's going to be time to do it. Hoping for the weekend rain to stop and temps to climb again.
Title: Re: Springer Reports?
Post by: Mfowl on March 20, 2015, 06:51:10 AM: Thanks for the updates guys! I caught up on the Ifish springer thread earlier in the week and watched Outdoor GPS last night. It doesn't sound like hot fishing but they are around. I'll take my chances. Sounds like the "Willy" is muddy and below the Cowlitz is muddy as well. Glad I'll be at Portco. Have fun out there this weekend if you go! Tight lines!
Title: Re: Springer Reports?
Post by: C-Money on March 20, 2015, 07:40:44 AM: Good luck, hope to see some success pictures!
Title: Re: Springer Reports?
Post by: BABackcountryBwhntr on March 20, 2015, 06:49:25 PM: It has been grind it out fishing, every guy I know who is a good fisherman is getting 1-4 bites a day right now.. we went out today for the first time went 1-4.
Title: Re: Springer Reports?
Post by: fishnfur on March 20, 2015, 11:30:38 PM: Awesome fish. Chrome bright!

11 boats across the river between Germany Creek and Abernathy Creek (vs. 2 just a few days back). The bite must be on.
Title: Re: Springer Reports?
Post by: BABackcountryBwhntr on March 21, 2015, 05:31:31 PM: Lol hardly it was a dead zone today and that was the only fish I saw yesterday where I was.
Title: Re: Springer Reports?
Post by: mainer78 on March 21, 2015, 08:59:55 PM: They are there man. Just got to get the boat in the water, troll slow and get in front of a biter!(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ftapatalk.imageshack.com%2Fv2%2F15%2F03%2F21%2F387ed863d07094ffb3a03cd37e5da10e.jpg&hash=f2046f0ba075647712fca457f4ad5ddeaff8d25f)
Title: Re: Springer Reports?
Post by: Mfowl on March 21, 2015, 09:15:12 PM: Quote from: BABackcountryBwhntr on March 21, 2015, 05:31:31 PM
Lol hardly it was a dead zone today and that was the only fish I saw yesterday where I was.

Agreed! It was dead at Portco today. Saw 1 fish netted heard of a few others. We split time between trolling and anchor fishing. Tomorrow is a new day! :tup:
Title: Re: Springer Reports?
Post by: wildmanoutdoors on March 22, 2015, 06:23:26 AM: Was down stream of Longview yesterday. Lots of boats, no fish. Waters 49 and a little colored up.
Title: Re: Springer Reports?
Post by: fishnfur on March 22, 2015, 09:50:21 AM: I swung by Bob's Sporting Goods yesterday to listen to the news on the bite. The regular guys weren't working, but the guy in front of me asked about Springers, so I just evesdropped - something about a hot bite near Cathlamet on a purple Mag-lip that Bobs was currently out of. No help.

Owen on Outdoor GPS this AM implied that a trolled chartreuse flasher in front of a brined cut-plug herring seemed to be the ticket in much of the river.

Go get 'em!
Title: Re: Springer Reports?
Post by: BABackcountryBwhntr on March 22, 2015, 10:26:56 AM: Quote from: mainer78 on March 21, 2015, 08:59:55 PM
They are there man. Just got to get the boat in the water, troll slow and get in front of a biter!(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ftapatalk.imageshack.com%2Fv2%2F15%2F03%2F21%2F387ed863d07094ffb3a03cd37e5da10e.jpg&hash=f2046f0ba075647712fca457f4ad5ddeaff8d25f)

With all due respect, no they are not lol. I know you have got a fish both trips and that's great but that's a lot more to do w luck then tons of fish. These are the best water conditions we have had in 5 plus years. If the fish were here I would not see 1 fish for literally 400 boats and not touch a fish w 5 rods for 8 hrs yesterday. We did a veterans derby and 2 small dunks for over 50 rods. If the water stays like this it will be good once fish really show up.
Title: Re: Springer Reports?
Post by: buckhorn2 on March 22, 2015, 10:43:43 AM: Do you think the 7500 seals and sea lions might be slowing the fish down they might have heard that and just went up another river. I am headed to the lower river to fish Tuesday sounds like more rain but still its fishing. Some nice pictures of fish anyway.
Title: Re: Springer Reports?
Post by: BABackcountryBwhntr on March 22, 2015, 02:26:48 PM: Quote from: buckhorn2 on March 22, 2015, 10:43:43 AM
Do you think the 7500 seals and sea lions might be slowing the fish down they might have heard that and just went up another river. I am headed to the lower river to fish Tuesday sounds like more rain but still its fishing. Some nice pictures of fish anyway.

the river is closed on tuesday.
Title: Re: Springer Reports?
Post by: Mfowl on March 22, 2015, 03:28:15 PM: What a difference a day makes! We went 2/2 today. Saw 1 other caught. Ours came from 13' and 38' while trolling at Portco, Oregon side. 1 above I5, 1 below. Hopefully "its on" next weekend!
Title: Re: Springer Reports?
Post by: buckhorn2 on March 22, 2015, 03:47:13 PM: Anyone know the dates the river is closed I heard Tuesday and that was the day I had planned I was trailering down tomorrow.
Title: Re: Springer Reports?
Post by: Mfowl on March 22, 2015, 03:51:44 PM: Quote from: buckhorn2 on March 22, 2015, 03:47:13 PM
Anyone know the dates the river is closed I heard Tuesday and that was the day I had planned I was trailering down tomorrow.

The closures are 3/24, 3/31 and 4/7.
Title: Re: Springer Reports?
Post by: wildmanoutdoors on March 22, 2015, 04:11:17 PM: Quote from: buckhorn2 on March 22, 2015, 03:47:13 PM
Anyone know the dates the river is closed I heard Tuesday and that was the day I had planned I was trailering down tomorrow.
Tuesday's are always net days.....
Title: Re: Springer Reports?
Post by: allen on March 22, 2015, 05:13:46 PM: Check the WDFW site for rule changes.
Jan. 30,2015 Columbia River Season, as Mfowl & WMOdoors said closed Mar. 24, 31 & Apr 7
Title: Re: Springer Reports?
Post by: WoolyRunner on March 22, 2015, 06:08:16 PM: Any word on the Cowlitz?
Title: Re: Springer Reports?
Post by: HntnFsh on March 22, 2015, 06:28:12 PM: Springers are few and far between. Mostly bankies at Barrier getting them right now. Some steelhead in. Some really big ones. Got a pic of 1 at the separator the other day that would go 20 lbs. No exaggeration. Several others in the mid to upper teens.

SuzyQ and I got out at the crack of 11 this morning. I got a nice 10-11 pound buck metalhead above Toledo. Didn't see any others caught. But we weren't out there at the crack of dawn either!
Title: Re: Springer Reports?
Post by: WoolyRunner on March 22, 2015, 08:49:55 PM: Nice! I love me some Springer.. nom nom nom!!
Title: Re: Springer Reports?
Post by: Tealer on March 26, 2015, 12:12:23 AM: Super slow on the big River still.

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Title: Re: Springer Reports?
Post by: WoolyRunner on March 26, 2015, 06:25:25 AM: :bash: im patiently waiting....
Title: Re: Springer Reports?
Post by: ELKBURGER on March 26, 2015, 09:00:21 AM: Quote from: WoolyRunner on March 26, 2015, 06:25:25 AM
:bash: im patiently waiting....
:yeah:
Title: Re: Springer Reports?
Post by: wildmanoutdoors on March 26, 2015, 09:32:16 AM: Word is the lower river picked up good yesterday! Heard of limits even!
Title: Re: Springer Reports?
Post by: allen on March 26, 2015, 02:05:29 PM: The limit is one adult salmon, so do you mean they limited the boat?
I went out late in the morning & did no good. Three other boats came in when I did & two of them had a fish & had lost one also. Opinion seemed to be it was slow, but picking up. I guess there was a pretty good bite at daybreak.
Title: Re: Springer Reports?
Post by: bigjohn98591 on March 26, 2015, 02:51:43 PM: I don't know much about the big river, but I have seen a few nice fish hooked up on the Cowlitz. I guess I'm going to have to start spending my lunch hour at the "Water Works " hole.
Title: Re: Springer Reports?
Post by: gasman on March 26, 2015, 07:40:06 PM: Got a call from Buckhorn2 today, he said the are slaying the springers down there, cant wait for the pic when he returns :tup:

i believe he was to Kathlamet :dunno:
Title: Re: Springer Reports?
Post by: BABackcountryBwhntr on March 26, 2015, 08:37:19 PM: found a few today.
Title: Re: Springer Reports?
Post by: westsidehntr on March 26, 2015, 08:47:46 PM: Quote from: BABackcountryBwhntr on March 26, 2015, 08:37:19 PM
found a few today.

Lake river?
Title: Re: Springer Reports?
Post by: Tealer on March 26, 2015, 08:49:51 PM: Nope that is willow grove. Paul was in his secret spot.

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Title: Re: Springer Reports?
Post by: fishnfur on March 26, 2015, 10:25:02 PM: I put in at Willow Grove this AM. The parking lot was half-full at 0900. Very busy out on the river. Hog lines were set up around Kalama. My trim unit failed with the engine halfway down just after putting in. We had a great 15 minutes on the river! :bash:
Title: Re: Springer Reports?
Post by: WoolyRunner on March 27, 2015, 01:03:19 AM: :chuckle: Giggity, Giggity
Title: Re: Springer Reports?
Post by: HntnFsh on March 27, 2015, 05:01:17 AM: Quote from: BABackcountryBwhntr on March 26, 2015, 08:37:19 PM
found a few today.

You done did good!
Nice fish!
Title: Re: Springer Reports?
Post by: HUNTINCOUPLE on March 27, 2015, 06:48:36 AM: Quote from: HntnFsh on March 27, 2015, 05:01:17 AM
Quote from: BABackcountryBwhntr on March 26, 2015, 08:37:19 PM
found a few today.

You done did good!
Nice fish!

Nice chrome there! :tup:
Title: Re: Springer Reports?
Post by: Gobble Doc on March 27, 2015, 07:33:28 AM: Awesome job.
Title: Re: Springer Reports?
Post by: BABackcountryBwhntr on March 27, 2015, 08:05:35 AM: Quote from: Tealer on March 26, 2015, 08:49:51 PM
Nope that is willow grove. Paul was in his secret spot.

Lol yes the secret spot with 20 other boats around us. I only saw 1 other fish. 4 boats decided to idle buy and discretely GPS the " spot" . While where I was is good, the reason my 6 rods had 8 good takes and a few drive bys is the proven plugs and quality bait. Plenty of fish came through yesterday. Sitting where we were won't help if your gear is not up to par.
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Title: Re: Springer Reports?
Post by: Tealer on March 27, 2015, 04:10:16 PM: I have that spot saved already.

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Title: Re: Springer Reports?
Post by: BABackcountryBwhntr on March 27, 2015, 05:23:06 PM: Quote from: Tealer on March 27, 2015, 04:10:16 PM
I have that spot saved already.

Lol good, I don't but I'll fish above or below you :tup:

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Title: Re: Springer Reports?
Post by: Tealer on March 27, 2015, 08:12:45 PM: Lol I have your super, super secret steelie spot too.

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Title: Re: Springer Reports?
Post by: Blacklab on March 27, 2015, 09:13:22 PM: Hitting the CR tomorrow hopefully we'll get bit ;) I'll post pics I hope :tup:
Title: Re: Springer Reports?
Post by: BABackcountryBwhntr on March 28, 2015, 09:51:04 AM: Quote from: Tealer on March 27, 2015, 08:12:45 PM
Lol I have your super, super secret steelie spot too.

That's good, I have more then 1 though.
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Title: Re: Springer Reports?
Post by: fishnfur on March 28, 2015, 11:01:37 PM: I'm still hearing mixed reports. Some upriver, near Portland are hit and miss, one here and there. A few limits of four fish/boat down near Cathlamet, but others have nothing to show for their efforts. Gotta put in your time on the water.....
Title: Re: Springer Reports?
Post by: Blacklab on March 29, 2015, 07:18:57 AM: It was a great day on the water just no bites. Maybe next week ;)
Title: Re: Springer Reports?
Post by: HUNTINCOUPLE on March 29, 2015, 07:52:29 AM: Quote from: BABackcountryBwhntr on March 27, 2015, 08:05:35 AM
Quote from: Tealer on March 26, 2015, 08:49:51 PM
Nope that is willow grove. Paul was in his secret spot.

Lol yes the secret spot with 20 other boats around us. I only saw 1 other fish. 4 boats decided to idle buy and discretely GPS the " spot" . While where I was is good, the reason my 6 rods had 8 good takes and a few drive bys is the proven plugs and quality bait. Plenty of fish came through yesterday. Sitting where we were won't help if your gear is not up to par.
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:yeah: That is so true! :tup:
Title: Re: Springer Reports?
Post by: wildmanoutdoors on March 29, 2015, 04:47:59 PM: Late report but fished 6 miles below willow grove Friday and went 2 for 6. Saw others catch too. Be in cathlamet for a 4 day Easter fish.
Title: Springer Reports?
Post by: Tealer on March 29, 2015, 05:38:23 PM: We were 2 for 7 today. 4 rods, I had the cracker king with me today. 35' fow on a hump. K 15s wrapped in brined tuna bellies.

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Title: Re: Springer Reports?
Post by: h2ofowlr on March 29, 2015, 07:08:49 PM: We went 2 for 5 today. We had to pull out at 12. Wish we could have put a few more hours on the water. Might have picked up a few more.
Title: Re: Springer Reports?
Post by: HUNTINCOUPLE on March 29, 2015, 09:02:46 PM: Nice fish! :tup:
Title: Re: Springer Reports?
Post by: Mfowl on March 29, 2015, 09:09:37 PM: Portco was a desert this weekend. 3 guys for Sat/Sun w/out a single takedown. We saw very few fish caught as well. I heard Kalama had a great bite on Saturday but it sure never materialized up river. We split time trolling and anchoring, it didn't matter, no action at all. Time to slog through the work week and give it a go next weekend.
Title: Re: Springer Reports?
Post by: buckhorn2 on March 29, 2015, 11:11:37 PM: Boated 9 keepers and 3 realesed at cathlamet all on the hook. Only landed one today it slowed down the past couple of days.
Title: Re: Springer Reports?
Post by: wildmanoutdoors on March 30, 2015, 06:48:26 AM: Nice haul Buckhorn! Ill be there Thur thru Sun. Hope another wave shows up.
Title: Re: Springer Reports?
Post by: Tealer on March 31, 2015, 07:53:57 AM: We went 1/2 yesterday. 2 rods 3 hours.

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Title: Re: Springer Reports?
Post by: BABackcountryBwhntr on March 31, 2015, 09:00:42 AM: 2-6 yesterday, half the day w 2 rods, the other half w 4.
Title: Re: Springer Reports?
Post by: mainer78 on March 31, 2015, 01:44:12 PM: They are there!!! People are having success and some aren't. But I have taken home fish 4 out of 5 trips.

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Title: Re: Springer Reports?
Post by: WoolyRunner on April 01, 2015, 10:31:21 AM: Cowlitz???
Title: Re: Springer Reports?
Post by: Tealer on April 01, 2015, 05:26:37 PM: Been ok last couple days slower today. The nets pulled a 1000 fish yesterday.

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Title: Re: Springer Reports?
Post by: h2ofowlr on April 01, 2015, 08:24:22 PM: Caught 2 more on Monday. Didn't see to many caught that day. When I got back to Ridgefield at 1. There had only been 3 checked. 2 from Warrior Rock and 1 from Batchelor Is. All on the troll.
Title: Re: Springer Reports?
Post by: TONTO on April 01, 2015, 11:42:42 PM: Quote from: WoolyRunner on April 01, 2015, 10:31:21 AM
Cowlitz???

Yesterday and today banking the lower Cow. Not what I would call a hot bite, but semi productive. Fresh springer and rice sure hit the spot tonight.
Title: Re: Springer Reports?
Post by: ELKBURGER on April 02, 2015, 05:45:03 AM: Nice one Tonto!
Title: Re: Springer Reports?
Post by: HUNTINCOUPLE on April 02, 2015, 09:43:10 AM: Quote from: ELKBURGER on April 02, 2015, 05:45:03 AM
Nice one Tonto!

:yeah: :tup:
Title: Re: Springer Reports?
Post by: Tealer on April 03, 2015, 04:03:55 PM: 2/5 again today all released.

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Title: Re: Springer Reports?
Post by: Swatson on April 05, 2015, 10:43:55 AM: This one took a sardine wrapped 4.5 mag lip the other day.
Title: Re: Springer Reports?
Post by: Mfowl on April 05, 2015, 06:32:56 PM: I fished Kalama with 2 other guys this weekend. We went 2/4 overall, 3 Saturday, 1 today. We saw much more action than last weekend but we still had to grind it out for our bites. 3 on anchor, 1 trolling. I had to battle my fish out of the jaws of a sea lion this morning. He grabbed hold of it behind the boat and ran for open water. We were still on anchor and I was double thumbin the spool to try to break/rip free but suddenly the fish came free and I horsed it up to the boat and we netted it. It was still in one piece, the scales were raked off and the tail was split. Later a springer porpoised between us and shore, seconds after that a sea lion popped its head up in the same spot. They were extremely active and we saw them eating numerous fish through out the weekend. Unless we get an extension this will be my last crack at columbia springers this season. Good luck out there!
Title: Re: Springer Reports?
Post by: BABackcountryBwhntr on April 05, 2015, 07:32:13 PM: been slower for us last few days, grind it out fishing to get takes. Some people are doing good in certain areas.
Title: Re: Springer Reports?
Post by: bolsen on April 05, 2015, 07:52:55 PM: Good action yesterday in cathlamet but today it was dead where we were.
Title: Re: Springer Reports?
Post by: TONTO on April 05, 2015, 09:45:08 PM: Pulled another cowlitz fish today, in the duck boat this time. Partner put one on the bank friday.
Title: Re: Springer Reports?
Post by: robodad on April 05, 2015, 11:18:44 PM: Was in the hog line saturday at Kalama with Cohoho and ended up 0/1, had a chinese fire drill trying to get off anchor then panicked captain pass the fish going down river and the fish ended up rolling out of the hook while we were trying to get back up river to the fish !! OK It may not have went down exactly like that and there may be other reasons that fish came unbuttoned but from my perspective (dodging fire drilling chinese folks) thats what happened LOL !!!

(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi173.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fw55%2Fbb021099%2FMobile%2520Uploads%2F2015-04%2F20150404_123449_zpsa6s6xrhk.jpg&hash=ffc44cc318e5854c388dbcf5711c7ff265c1ecb7) (http://s173.photobucket.com/user/bb021099/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-04/20150404_123449_zpsa6s6xrhk.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Springer Reports?
Post by: WoolyRunner on April 07, 2015, 03:34:28 PM: Fished the Cowlitz above Blue Creek. Saw 4 jump & 1 Steelie caught. Still trying for that springer. Should I be using a mag lip 4.5 or 3.5??
Title: Re: Springer Reports?
Post by: Mfowl on April 07, 2015, 04:06:20 PM: Quote from: WoolyRunner on April 07, 2015, 03:34:28 PM
Fished the Cowlitz above Blue Creek. Saw 4 jump & 1 Steelie caught. Still trying for that springer. Should I be using a mag lip 4.5 or 3.5??

Either one should work just fine. How are you fishing them? Backtrolling, plunking? Bait wrapped? If so, make sure your wrap fits the plug and doesn't inhibit the action. Hours logged on the water seems to be the ticket for springers this year. Good luck!
Title: Re: Springer Reports?
Post by: WoolyRunner on April 07, 2015, 04:31:57 PM: I think a bigger plug would spook em?? Or am I wrong? I usually anchor first with 1 plug & a bait diver with eggs & spin glo. Then start back trolling once i get bored. I dont wrap anymore. I dab a little bit of Pro-Cure super gel on the plug. That was passed onto me from a good friend who is also a guide.
Title: Re: Springer Reports?
Post by: WSU on April 07, 2015, 04:46:43 PM: When are you going again? I'd go fish the Columbia if it's the next few days.
Title: Re: Springer Reports?
Post by: WoolyRunner on April 07, 2015, 04:58:24 PM: Turkey season starts next week. So ill be out of the game for a while.
Title: Re: Springer Reports?
Post by: buckhorn2 on April 07, 2015, 10:19:38 PM: Sure hope they give some more time.
Title: Re: Springer Reports?
Post by: Cap.Silver on April 08, 2015, 07:37:48 PM: The season is extended till Saturday 11th and there will be one more day on thrusday the 16th :
http://wdfw.wa.gov/news/apr0815a/ (http://wdfw.wa.gov/news/apr0815a/)
Title: Re: Springer Reports?
Post by: WoolyRunner on April 08, 2015, 09:08:36 PM: Cowlitz?
Title: Re: Springer Reports?
Post by: Cap.Silver on April 08, 2015, 09:12:45 PM: CR - just read the article because its divided into areas
Title: Re: Springer Reports?
Post by: BABackcountryBwhntr on April 08, 2015, 09:29:55 PM: Very good fishing today, we hooked 9, landed 6.. lost 1 to a sea lion and 2 others literally at the net. saw well over 35-40 fish in the general area today.
Title: Re: Springer Reports?
Post by: ELKBURGER on April 09, 2015, 05:44:17 AM: Great day! Looks like they are coming in some numbers now
Title: Re: Springer Reports?
Post by: Blacklab on April 09, 2015, 07:38:50 AM: Quote from: ELKBURGER on April 09, 2015, 05:44:17 AM
Great day! Looks like they are coming in some numbers now

:yeah: :yeah:

This is when they close it Every year. Just when it's getting good the door shuts :bash: :bash: :bash: :twocents: