Columbia Advice

I'm fairly new to the yak fishing game and I have not fished the Columbia.  I'm interested in trying a little Smallmouth fishing up there but I'm trying to figure out where to go to avoid the worst wind, and what type of conditions are reasonable to avoid getting blown off the water.

As to location, I've heard Mayer Park mentioned, is that somewhat sheltered (it looks like it on google maps).  Are there other locations that may be a bit more sheltered and kayak friendly?

Also, how windy is too windy up there?  I was going to go last weekend but didn't bother driving up because the weather showed 15-20mph+ winds.   

Thanks for any thoughts you guys can share.

Fish early in the morning.  That's generally a good time to avoid wind.

Have you tried the willamette yet? It's more sheltered and offers some good options close to you. George Rogers park or cedar oaks boat ramp. Even the tualatin had some bass in it.

We got sea bass in Tillamook bay , crab also.  Plus you can eat these ones!

I second the Willamette around George Rogers (downstream towards the railroad trestle as well) and up river towards Cedar Oaks.  Lots of good structure and doesn't get real windy.  I prefer the Willamette to the Columbia for bass. A really fun day, if you have a shuttle, is to put in at Meldrum and fish both sides up to the Milwaukie boat ramp. Lots of bass in that stretch.  But then again, there are lots by Ross Island and up by Swan Island.

If you're set on trying the Columbia - Salisbury Slough there at Mayer State Park was pretty sheltered and we were successful getting into bass during the Bass tourny last month.

And I will pile another +1 on the Willamette.

Also, anybody looking to fish the Willamette this weekend, you'll want to avoid George Roger's Park - it is set up for the annual Arts Festival and will be a zoo this weekend!

-Sam

Hey thanks guys, I appreciate all the thoughts.

Yes, I've tried the Willamette, it's great and definitely more convenient.  I live in Sherwood and I've fished out of Newberg a couple times and last weekend I tried the San Salvador launch in St. Paul (caught a couple smallies and a largemouth on that trip).   And yes, I have even fished the Tualatin (from my SUP) a couple times.     I've just been thinking of broadening my horizons a bit and for some reason I keep thinking I need to try the Columbia.

Oh and yes Jojopotato, I'm due to make a Tillamook trip one of these days.  I've bank fished most of the rivers around there but haven't fished the bay since I was a kid. 

Hey thanks guys, I appreciate all the

Oh and yes Jojopotato, I'm due to make a Tillamook trip one of these days.  I've bank fished most of the rivers around there but haven't fished the bay since I was a kid.

Just shoot me a pm if not busy ,which a rarely am, I will go out with ya. An early low tide is good I like to row out about 1.5-2 hours before low tide.

Hey thanks guys, I appreciate all the

Oh and yes Jojopotato, I'm due to make a Tillamook trip one of these days.  I've bank fished most of the rivers around there but haven't fished the bay since I was a kid.

Just shoot me a pm if not busy ,which a rarely am, I will go out with ya. An early low tide is good I like to row out about 1.5-2 hours before low tide.

Thanks man, I'll likely take you up on that one of these days!