Columbia report 5/13-14

My Buddy and I got lucky and were granted not one, but two days on the river.  We loaded up Thur and arrived at the Deschutes launch at 2pm.  The river was like glass and we paddled down the Deschutes and under I84, swallows dive bombing us from the bridges.  After we paddled into the Columbia proper we found our hole and dropped anchor in 25ft of water.  The sturgeon were biting lightly and we suspected sculpin were madly attacking the squid.

We did get into the the fish and they were not sculpin.  We fished for a while and then moved down river to another spot.  This location is unique because a channel about 19ft deep just ends abruptly at a steep sand bar at a depth of just 6-8ft.  I would guess the sand bar extends out about 1/10 mile from shore.  The current here is nil...no need for an anchor just drop down and stay in the deep end of the pool.  The sturgeon were stacked in here, and there were alot breaching around us.  We caught some and they were all so healthy, no lesions, fat, and fought like hell.  The smallmouth were just as gorgeous. 

Smallmouth structure was limited to us, only because I did not want to paddle two miles upriver.  We paddled about a half mile and fished some light rocky shoreline.  I managed 3, one about 17 inches.  We were told the bite up above us was hot.  I'm sure it was. 

A new bait trick for sturgeon proved well.  My Buddy made "Oyster Balls" using magic thread and netting.  The oyster holds so you can cast and it oozes like mad!  The fish had no problem with Oyster Balls on the half hitch.  I have some pics but can't get them to fly due to "size"?  I'm not computer savy, I need my tech (dear wife) to help me get the pics up.

This was the first trip where I actually thought I was going overboard with a fish.  I cranked my drag a tad to much and a large fish made a run at the right time.  It was either me, the rod, or the braid that was going to give.  The braid snapped just in time!

We investigated a slough at the mouth of the Deschutes that traveled west from the westbank, inside of I84.  It looked bassy, overhanging trees, lots of structure, reeds, cattails, but nothing but carp.  It was neat to paddle for the change of scenery.
I'll get the pics up when my support staff has time to humor me...
-Scott

Sounds like a great time to me! Sturgeon fishing is some of my favorite and I'd love to try something above Bonni for a change!