NorthWest Kayak Anglers

Regional Discussions => Washington Kayak Fishing => Topic started by: Noggin Yakker on February 16, 2010, 10:30:14 PM

Title: Oka'Noggin' River Report 2/13/10
Post by: Noggin Yakker on February 16, 2010, 10:30:14 PM
Paddled a 10+ mile stretch of the river on Saturday. Water temp was 41 degrees. Air temp about the same or a little warmer.

Within the first two miles I hooked five metalheads, landing four. Three were decent 23" to 24.5" hatchery fish which I kept as required. The third was a 30+ inch nate that I quickly released.

(http://www.northwestkayakanglers.com/gallery/419_16_02_10_11_36_22_0.jpeg)

(http://www.northwestkayakanglers.com/gallery/419_16_02_10_11_36_22_1.jpeg)

Because the fishing was so good early on, I kind of lost track of time. With my takeout point still 8+ miles down this slow moving river, it occurred to me that paddling in the dark was a very real possibility if I didn't get my @ss moving! So, for the next two hours or so, I focused mostly on paddling, pausing occassionally to make a few casts to fishy looking water.

About 3 miles from the takeout I stopped at a hole that had produced well in the past. Setting a time limit of 5 minutes, I anchored up and made a long cast up-stream. My offering landed in the riffle just above the hole. I slowly retrieved the lure to the edge of the hole and then let it flutter down into the deeper, darker water. As I was about to resume the slow retrieve, the braided line communicated a sharp twitch and... suddenly, 5 minutes wasn't enough time!  Although not huge, this hatchery buck was a gamer, and got bonus style points for the height of its only jump. Upon netting him and confirming his hatchery origins, I paddled to shore to do the photo measurement routine for AOTY. When I took the first measurement photo a funny thing happened (funny 'now', anyway); the flash flipped open and fired... Uh oh... My camera, which was set on auto, was telling me "hey DUMBASS, it's getting dark fast!"

(http://www.northwestkayakanglers.com/gallery/419_16_02_10_11_36_23_2.jpeg)

(http://www.northwestkayakanglers.com/gallery/419_16_02_10_11_55_24.jpeg)

Tossed everything back in the yak and took off. Last 3 miles were uneventful with one exception... almost 4 months ago I absentmindedly left an anchor with a pool noodle buoy in the river. Almost didn't see it in the low light, but amazingly, there it was, dead center in the river... about two miles downstream from where I left it.

(http://www.northwestkayakanglers.com/gallery/419_17_02_10_12_13_05_0.jpeg)

(http://www.northwestkayakanglers.com/gallery/419_17_02_10_12_13_05_1.jpeg)
Title: Re: Oka'Noggin' River Report 2/13/10
Post by: rawkfish on February 16, 2010, 10:46:01 PM
 :o
DAYNG!! Nice pheesh!!
Title: Re: Oka'Noggin' River Report 2/13/10
Post by: ZeeHawk on February 16, 2010, 11:12:18 PM
What a report! You hammered those steelies NY. Congrats.

Z
Title: Re: Oka'Noggin' River Report 2/13/10
Post by: EOB on February 16, 2010, 11:55:37 PM
That a way to put a hurtin' on em.

Sounds way better than being home sick with pneumonia :angry4: :angry5:
Title: Re: Oka'Noggin' River Report 2/13/10
Post by: Spot on February 17, 2010, 08:26:04 AM
 :notworthy:  :notworthy:  :notworthy:


Way to slay Nog!!!
Title: Re: Oka'Noggin' River Report 2/13/10
Post by: goldendog on February 17, 2010, 03:48:58 PM
Nice fish NY! Sounds like a wonderful way to spend the day.
Title: Re: Oka'Noggin' River Report 2/13/10
Post by: hydrospider on February 17, 2010, 03:56:51 PM
fantastic report! and thank you for the great photos
Title: Re: Oka'Noggin' River Report 2/13/10
Post by: squidgirl on February 17, 2010, 06:09:30 PM
Nice Fish porn NY
Title: Re: Oka'Noggin' River Report 2/13/10
Post by: polepole on February 17, 2010, 06:17:07 PM
Ice ice baby ...

Nice feeshees.

-Allen
Title: Re: Oka'Noggin' River Report 2/13/10
Post by: [WR] on February 17, 2010, 07:57:11 PM
very nice fish.. bet it's nice to have that anchor back , too...

gotta ask; where's you get that OK? i can tell by the color it's recycled... but never knew there was a "classic" model....
Title: Re: Oka'Noggin' River Report 2/13/10
Post by: Noggin Yakker on February 17, 2010, 11:48:18 PM
very nice fish.. bet it's nice to have that anchor back , too...

gotta ask; where's you get that OK? i can tell by the color it's recycled... but never knew there was a "classic" model....


I bought it on sale back in September or October of 2008. I think the store name was Sportsman's Warehouse (located in Burlington, WA). The store has since changed hands and is now Wholesale Sports. Last time I was in there, the only yaks they had were SINKS.
Title: Re: Oka'Noggin' River Report 2/13/10
Post by: [WR] on February 18, 2010, 08:27:34 AM
squidgirl informed me after i posted that you've had it a while.

that sporting goods store was still eliminating its old stock and last i looked they've switched over to perceptions and base line old townes.

guess i'll keep my eyes open for one on CL .
Title: Re: Oka'Noggin' River Report 2/13/10
Post by: ZeeHawk on February 18, 2010, 08:39:46 AM
I'm pretty sure NY's yak is a regular one. The recycled yaks come out pretty muck black.
(http://www.oceankayak.com/images/kayaks/single_kayaks/scrambler_11_recycled.jpg)

Z