Hunting Washington Forum

Other Activities => Fishing => Topic started by: Mfowl on March 25, 2016, 01:17:51 PM

Title: Springer role call!
Post by: Mfowl on March 25, 2016, 01:17:51 PM: Who's gonna be on the river this weekend and where? I am headed for Portco with my father and a buddy of mine. We'll start off trolling but anchor up if it gets windy or we just want a change of pace. I've managed to hold out on going so far this season but I have to say I am borderline insane having not been on the water yet. Reports elsewhere haven't been great but that's to be expected for this time of year. Good luck if your headed out! See you on the water! :tup:
Title: Re: Springer role call!
Post by: SkookumHntr on March 25, 2016, 01:30:17 PM: You've missed nothing
Title: Re: Springer role call!
Post by: Blacklab on March 25, 2016, 01:40:43 PM: water @205 is muddy ;)
Title: Re: Springer role call!
Post by: Mfowl on March 25, 2016, 02:11:58 PM: Quote from: Blacklab on March 25, 2016, 01:40:43 PM
water @205 is muddy ;)

Muddy like chocolate milk? Is this a new development? My brother is fishing in Kalama today, he said the water/vis is decent, the action...not so much.
Title: Re: Springer role call!
Post by: dc on March 25, 2016, 03:36:42 PM: Lower Columbia is fine. Not a lot of fish right now. But water is fine.
Title: Re: Springer role call!
Post by: Timberstalker on March 25, 2016, 04:27:19 PM: Although I'm 250 miles away, and have no idea how the fish stack down in the mouth, I've always used this gauge. I'm sure I'm all wet on this, but what fish are you chasing?

Are you in the ocean?

And ways, good luck.
Title: Re: Springer role call!
Post by: Mfowl on March 25, 2016, 05:19:35 PM: Quote from: Timberstalker on March 25, 2016, 04:27:19 PM
Although I'm 250 miles away, and have no idea how the fish stack down in the mouth, I've always used this gauge. I'm sure I'm all wet on this, but what fish are you chasing?

Are you in the ocean?

And ways, good luck.

I am gonna be fishing Spring Chinook in the I-5 stretch of the Lower Columbia. Those numbers look dismal but that is not necessarily indicative of what's happening below Bonneville. The fish often hold up below the dam when the water is cold, then surge over with the bulk of the run when the water warms up. Usually starting in the middle of April.
Title: Re: Springer role call!
Post by: Utah on March 26, 2016, 12:45:38 AM: Still Pretty early for a quality catch rate. But hey, cabin fever is cabin fever. Best of luck and let us know how you do..
Title: Re: Springer role call!
Post by: Blacklab on March 26, 2016, 08:17:50 AM: Quote from: Mfowl on March 25, 2016, 02:11:58 PM
Quote from: Blacklab on March 25, 2016, 01:40:43 PM
water @205 is muddy ;)

Muddy like chocolate milk? Is this a new development? My brother is fishing in Kalama today, he said the water/vis is decent, the action...not so much.

Not that muddy but still pretty dirty under 205 bridge. Good luck! ;)
Title: Re: Springer role call!
Post by: Mfowl on March 27, 2016, 06:59:31 PM: Weekend report- Definitely not hot fishing. Saturday was a blank, split between trolling and anchoring. Sunday was better, we got our only bite of the weekend, yielding a chunky 16-18lb keeper in the first 5 min of the first troll. We only saw 2 other fish caught and heard of a few others. Water conditions were fine at I-5, there just needs to be more fish. I'll be back at it next weekend rain or shine. Good luck out there, see you on the water!
Title: Re: Springer role call!
Post by: Timberstalker on March 27, 2016, 07:03:35 PM: Damn! That'll work!
Title: Re: Springer role call!
Post by: asmith on March 27, 2016, 07:28:17 PM: Nice! I'd love to get down there sometime.
Title: Re: Springer role call!
Post by: Blacklab on March 28, 2016, 05:32:22 AM: Nicely done :tup:

Weather next week is gonna be great, if the fish start moving in it'll make it a better week :IBCOOL: ;)

Just a REMINDER Tuesday 03/29 & Tuesday 04/05 the CR is closed for the kill nets.
Title: Re: Springer role call!
Post by: HUNTINCOUPLE on March 28, 2016, 08:32:56 AM: Nice fish! Seen a few boats out fishing this mourning up river from Dalton Point Ramp on the Oregon side.
Title: Re: Springer role call!
Post by: h2ofowlr on March 28, 2016, 08:43:33 AM: Usually the best fishing is the start of April for springers. I remember back when you could fish the entire month of April as well.
Title: Re: Springer role call!
Post by: SkookumHntr on March 28, 2016, 09:19:51 AM: And keep 2!
Title: Re: Springer role call!
Post by: Thefisherman83 on March 28, 2016, 09:22:30 AM: We hit Cathlamet on Saturday and got a big fat goose egg. There were fish being caught, but not many. We missed a couple good bites on anchor, nothing trolling the channel.
Title: Re: Springer role call!
Post by: WAPatriot on March 28, 2016, 09:26:42 AM: Congrats!!! How many fow? Was it on cph? Size? Dyed? Flasher?
Title: Re: Springer role call!
Post by: Mfowl on March 28, 2016, 09:51:24 AM: Quote from: WAPatriot on March 28, 2016, 09:26:42 AM
Congrats!!! How many fow? Was it on cph? Size? Dyed? Flasher?

That fish came in 30 fow on the Wa side above the I-5 bridge. It hit a green label herring (natural) in a Dicks Sure Spin helmet, 4' behind double BYO flashers, 8oz of weight @ 2.8mph. Top of the troll just below the condo's. My buddy who caught it does well with the double BYO flashers, that set up has produced quite a bit for us in the last few seasons.
Title: Re: Springer role call!
Post by: WAPatriot on March 28, 2016, 09:57:33 AM: Thanks and congrats. Nice fish!
Title: Re: Springer role call!
Post by: buckhorn2 on March 28, 2016, 08:39:49 PM: Fished cathalamet sat sun lost one at the boat sat and sunday had a nice one on and a sea lion took it and a k14 double trouble the only sea lion we saw all day. When I got there Friday quite a few fish were being brought in checker said over in cliffton chanell. Heading back wensday.
Title: Re: Springer role call!
Post by: Rainstorm Hunter on March 29, 2016, 07:10:55 PM: Fished 3 days last week for one bite lower in the river. Was a chunky 20lb'ish chromer. cut pretty pale and had low fat content. Didn't eat great either (for a springer). Heading out the next five days, see if I can find some upriver bound fish that eat better.
Title: Re: Springer role call!
Post by: Mfowl on March 29, 2016, 07:46:40 PM: Quote from: buckhorn2 on March 28, 2016, 08:39:49 PM
Fished cathalamet sat sun lost one at the boat sat and sunday had a nice one on and a sea lion took it and a k14 double trouble the only sea lion we saw all day. When I got there Friday quite a few fish were being brought in checker said over in cliffton chanell. Heading back wensday.

That sucks to lose a fish to a furbag but it must really hurt when they take a good plug too! :'(
Title: Re: Springer role call!
Post by: WSU on March 30, 2016, 11:22:29 AM: A guide buddy of mine had 5 in the box when I talked to him an hour ago! Time to get after it!
Title: Re: Springer role call!
Post by: fishnfur on March 30, 2016, 11:30:22 PM: Finally got out for the first run today. Downstream from Willow Grove. 5 hours, three rods, 1 hatchery buck landed - around 14 lbs (father-in-law got it - Damn!), one drive by without a hookup. 20 FOW, K-14s, both sardine wrapped and naked. We had eight boats below us and saw no action at all for them. Even though it is going to be a gorgeous day tomorrow, I'm going to sit out a few days until the creel counts come up a bit.

Report from the fish counter had 3 caught for 11 boats when we pulled out at 2:30. Heard from a guy coming off the water Monday that 3 fish were caught by 30 boats. I guess today would be considered an improvement over Monday's report, but I'm starting to think the total numbers for the springer run are going to be lower than forecasted.
Title: Re: Springer role call!
Post by: Taco280AI on March 31, 2016, 12:38:01 AM: Jealous... I wanna go fishing :tup:
Title: Re: Springer role call!
Post by: ELKBURGER on March 31, 2016, 05:40:45 AM: Quote from: Taco280AI on March 31, 2016, 12:38:01 AM
Jealous... I wanna go fishing :tup:
Hurry home, Taco! I'm sure someone will be happy to hook you up! If you find yourself near the Lower Columbia and theres an open season, I'll take ya :hello:
Title: Re: Springer role call!
Post by: HuntinCrazy on March 31, 2016, 06:33:58 AM: 3/28 Hit the lower Cow and went 3 for 4 on the boat. Mine being #16
Title: Re: Springer role call!
Post by: Blacklab on March 31, 2016, 06:53:23 AM: Went plunkin Monday all day. Tons of boats on the troll with one being caught in front of us. We had one ringer. Spent a few hours Wednesday doing the same thing nodda. Beautiful day though.
Title: Re: Springer role call!
Post by: HuntinCrazy on March 31, 2016, 11:02:08 AM: The three amigos
Title: Re: Springer role call!
Post by: WAPatriot on March 31, 2016, 11:17:49 AM: Your guys are studs nice fish. I want some fresh springer haven't hit pay dirt yet but this weekend that's gonna change.
Title: Re: Springer role call!
Post by: Capt. Rob on April 01, 2016, 02:46:56 AM: Fished Monday solo and lost one at the boat. Closed on Tuesday. Wednesday we limited the boat with three fish. One on a flat lined 4.5 with tuna belly and two on the troll. Bite was just before and after low water. Visibility is about three feet on the lower river. Trying to load pics.
Title: Re: Springer role call!
Post by: 87Ford on April 01, 2016, 08:00:03 PM: Here's a little Springer from this morning
Title: Re: Springer role call!
Post by: h2ofowlr on April 01, 2016, 08:45:44 PM: Went this morning and we went 1 for 4. Lost two to seals.
Title: Re: Springer role call!
Post by: h2ofowlr on April 01, 2016, 08:48:05 PM: Saw this guy solo land his.
Title: Re: Springer role call!
Post by: Old Dog on April 01, 2016, 08:52:43 PM: My brother and I went to the Columbia today to celebrate the first day of his retirement. Not a bad start!

(https://scontent.fsnc1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/t31.0-8/12916297_1004492989587144_6085498475470142701_o.jpg)
Title: Re: Springer role call!
Post by: ELKBURGER on April 01, 2016, 09:00:11 PM: I'll be hitting the lower Columbia in the morning. I hope to have some luck like you guys!
Title: Re: Springer role call!
Post by: elkaddict652 on April 02, 2016, 11:24:22 PM: Barrier dam on the cowlitz has been steadily producing. Get there early.
Title: Re: Springer role call!
Post by: Mfowl on April 03, 2016, 02:19:34 PM: Weekend report- in a word, brutal! 3 rods, 0 bites, split between trolling and anchoring. Saturday at Portco we saw a few fish caught but for the amount of boats it was slow at best. Sunday we fished out the Rainier launch and didn't touch or see a thing. We cut out early as the wind picked up and it was already a long weekend. This makes 30+ hours on my rod for 0 bites this season. I was planning on making a day trip next Saturday for the last day but I just can't justify it with the results of the last 2 weekends, especially since they will likely be dumping water from Bonneville again. Couldn't ask for better weather to be on the water though! Good luck the rest of the season!

BTW: Great fish guys, congrats! :tup:
Title: Re: Springer role call!
Post by: Thefisherman83 on April 04, 2016, 06:48:30 AM: We hit Willow Grove Saturday and got 2 in the boat. We were trolling "natural" brined herring in 30ft of water with big flashers. Both went 14-15lbs. Checker had only had 6 fish come through at 2pm, so it was not lights out by any means.
Title: Re: Springer role call!
Post by: WAPatriot on April 04, 2016, 09:31:48 AM: My buddy and I got 3 keepers for two days fishing they are in pretty thick. Went with a guide on Saturday and I personally didn't get a fish but that's how it goes on a quide boat. Yesterday we didn't hit the water til 11 ish cause we had a late night in Portland caught our limits and released a high finner in my buddies boat. One on the hook and two on the troll yesterday
Title: Re: Springer role call!
Post by: oneshot12 on April 05, 2016, 08:38:28 PM: :tup: went out this past weekend down south with friends hooked into a nice 25 lb using flasher and herring. then the next day the wife got her 25 lb fish using the same setup not a bad outing. now its time for the smoker .
Title: Re: Springer role call!
Post by: NorseNW on April 06, 2016, 08:42:48 AM: Oneshot - are you willing to tell me where you fished out of? Mainly curious because I see campers and water in the background. I'm looking for a place that I could moor the boat and stay in my truck camper for a long weekend. Obviously not making the springer season this year but for fall fish and maybe next season.

Thanks if your willing to share.

Beautiful fat springers you got there. Congrats!
Title: Re: Springer role call!
Post by: oneshot12 on April 06, 2016, 12:51:12 PM: Cathlamath was the place my friend moored his boat, I would give them a call to be sure they had room and space to camp if you were of a mind .a nice place . not far off the main road hwy 4
Title: Re: Springer role call!
Post by: NorseNW on April 06, 2016, 03:02:10 PM: Thank you! I was wondering based on the pic if that was the place. I checked it out last winter on the way home from a clam dig and thought it might be an option. Definitely agree on calling before going - I'm sure it was plenty busy this time of year. Thanks again
Title: Re: Springer role call!
Post by: cohoho on April 07, 2016, 08:13:38 PM: Last week.... 0 for 3 on Thursday, 2 for 2 on Saturday and then 3 for 4 on Sunday... This weekend - maybe the coast will lay down for some Lings... Now that they closed it a for Saturday!
Title: Re: Springer role call!
Post by: Taco280AI on April 09, 2016, 04:31:34 AM: Quote from: ELKBURGER on March 31, 2016, 05:40:45 AM
Quote from: Taco280AI on March 31, 2016, 12:38:01 AM
Jealous... I wanna go fishing :tup:
Hurry home, Taco! I'm sure someone will be happy to hook you up! If you find yourself near the Lower Columbia and theres an open season, I'll take ya :hello:

:tup:

Nice pics so far!
Title: Re: Springer role call!
Post by: buckhorn2 on April 09, 2016, 08:00:45 AM: We had a great last two days 7 hooked on Thursday and 8 on Friday even lost two to seals boy I wish we could have fished today things were really heating up in the lower river.