U-Da-Man tourney Yaquina River 10/10/10 report

Met up with Kiwanda Jr. at the tournament check in at South Beach boat ramp in Newport at quarter to six. I was one of the last participants to register and I was boat number 256. We picked up our stupid t-shirts, raffle ticket, and copy of the rules and jumped back into our trucks. We drove up river to Toledo in the steady rain and darkness. We dock launched at the downtown ramp when we had enough daylight.

We both started trolling spinners, then switched to Brad's. We covered a lot of water, in front of the mill, up past the holding ponds, the old mill site. Then we came back down river and went past the grinder and up a ways. Nothing, nada, zilch. They were rolling and jumping everywhere, with tons of little jacks flying through the air.

At least we weren't the only ones getting snubbed. The PB's weren't getting any action either, which just gave them more time to think up stupid shit to say to us. Comments like, "oh you hook a big one on that thing they might drag you back out to sea" or "what's the matter can't afford a boat payment."  

K Jr. and I really fished it hard and we were hungry for a spot on the podium so we could rub a few noses in it, but it wasn't meant to be. In the end there we a few silvers taken, but those don't count in this contest. It's biggest three Chinook. First place is good for $500, 2nd is $300, and 3rd is $200. On this day 254 PB's could only wrangle two skinny snake blackmouths. The winning fish was 16 and a half pounds, second place was 15 pounds 4 ounces. In the event of only 2 fish being caught it's a 60/40 split, so Da-Man Jason Cortright took home $600 for his efforts.

Would have been nice to see a few more NWKA out there. The salty dogs on the Central Coast know how we do, but it appears we have a ways to go getting respect from the river rats. Anyway, the weather cleared up in the afternoon and it was all for a good cause, proceeds go towards building up the salmon run on the Yaquina.  

BTW- Photos are taken with my new W-90, I'll have a review up when I get a few more shots under my belt, but so far I'm pretty impressed.

Thanks for the report. Salmon in poisonwater are a real tough one sometimes. Good on ya for you guys getting out there. Just redirect those PB'rs to our hall of fame.

Z