Columbia River Springers

After deciphering the current springer regs, I'm wondering about potential launches for Springers between the Hayden Island powerlines (west towers)  and Bonneville Dam. 
The Regs...
http://www.dfw.state.or.us/resources/fishing/reg_changes/columbia.asp

From March 16 through April 30 the lower boundary for this river section will be moved approximately 3 miles downstream to the Hayden Island powerlines (west towers) and will open to adipose fin-clipped Chinook and adipose fin-clipped steelhead except all angling for any species (including warmwater species and catch-and-release fishing) is prohibited from one hour after sunset on Monday to one hour before sunrise on Wednesday in the area from the Hayden Island power lines west tower to Bonneville Dam during the following dates:

    * March 24-26
    * March 31-April 2
    * April 7-9
    * April 14-16
    * April 21-23
    * April 28-30

On days open to salmon and steelhead angling, the daily bag limit will be two adult salmon or steelhead (Chinook ≥ 24” and steelhead ≥ 20”), only one of which may be a Chinook. Catch limits for jacks remain in effect as per permanent regulations. All non-adipose fin-clipped Chinook salmon and non-adipose fin-clipped steelhead must be released immediately unharmed.

I have a friend coming through town next week and would like to give the Columbia a try, probably on Monday.  I suppose I could scout out Drano Lake, but according to the Bonneville count only a couple hundred springers have been counted making it past the dam so far this year.  Multnomah channel is my backup but the fish per rod counts right now seem pretty decent on the Columbia.

Anyway, any ideas on launches and areas to fish?  I'm thinking we could maybe launch somewhere on Hayden Island itself. Alternatively, I also think there are a couple boat ramps along NE Marine Dr including Chinook Landing.  Any local insights would be helpful.

Brian

I'm chicken when it comes to taking the kayak out on the main Columbia, particularly this time of year with high river flows on top of the winds, current, tides and cold. 

With Willamette springer #s coming up now, Multnomah Channel or the Willamette would be my suggestions.

If you do want to try the Columbia, I'd suggest someplace like Willow Bar off Sauvies Island, where you are not so far from the beach and safety if things go awry (like 200 yards).  I would not want to have the kayak out fishing anywhere that involves a long paddle to or from the launch point.

You'll definitely want to plan your trip according to the tides.  Fish your way up with the incoming and back with the outgoing.  There's a lot of water moving around out there!

Also, stay away from Bonneville!  For several miles below the dam, the water moves REALLY fast.

You might consider taking two vehicles.  Put in up river, troll or back-troll downriver and take out down river.

 My suggestion is to go a bit higher in the Willamette and shuttle. Best exposure looks like a drift from Clackamette Park in Oregon City to Spring Park or the Milwaukie Boat Ramp. That’s a 7.2 mile drift with a 13 minute drive time from top to bottom. There are a lot more launches on the east side of the river and also a number of shorter options if need be.

A little later (late April, May, early June) Cedar Oaks is a great place to launch for Shad and ought to be good now for Sturgeon.