Topic: Swan Island Launch (Read 1227 times)

January 10, 2024, 11:49:49 AM

Still feeling in the holiday spirit, I thought a sturgeon sleigh ride would be a fun way to spend an afternoon. The Swan Island Lagoon was always a fun place for a low key fishing adventure, out of the flow of the Willamette. So I checked out the boat ramp last week to see what condition it was in. EEEKKKK!!! It has become a RV encampment (not unexpected). I wouldnt feel safe leaving my vehicle parked there while out fishing. I am wondering if there are any other launch points that folks use to chase sturgeon in this area?

Happy New Year and tight lines!

January 10, 2024, 12:23:59 PM #1

Cathedral Park is just downstream under the St. John's bridge. It wouldn't be a trivial jaunt upstream in a kayak, but it wouldn't be too terrible.

I'm not promising that Cathedral Park will be any better, however. The last time I was there (around Thanksgiving) the bathroom had feces smeared on the walls and there were needles on the floor.

January 10, 2024, 01:02:02 PM #2

(no snarkiness intended) if you're not numb yet to the homeless encampments and risk of car vandalism then you're not getting out enough.

January 10, 2024, 03:06:30 PM #3

Generally I feel better about parking at Cathedral (or swan island for that matter) once the springer fishing picks up there's nicer trucks and trailers there than what I am rolling with. Not that it's ever "safe" but I feel a bit better with people coming and going more frequently than happens right now. With that being said the "Toyota hole" not far from cathedral park is a great spot to fish if you don't mind anchoring up.

January 11, 2024, 04:48:40 PM #4

Thanks for the advice! I am not sure that I am ready to learn how to anchor at this time of year with the high flows. Will post if I find any other launches for dino rides!

January 16, 2024, 10:47:35 AM #5

The Swan launch always seemed a bit sketchy. I never once had a problem personally, but have certainly heard some stories. Didn't make it up there in 2023, so not sure how much it's changed. Figure it's unlikely that it has improved. Hoping to get towed by some sturgeon this year, AOTY and moving to Eugene kept me from doing it last year.

I'm very interested to hear recent reports of the condition of the Swan launch, Cathedral is a bit far, but I have done it. Probably wouldn't do it again, unless there are salmon to troll for during the journey.

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