High Water Willie Sturgeon

Nice! I'm jealous, I need to get out and catch something. I've never fished there - were you able to just sit on the hole (I don't see any anchor lines)?

No current what so ever.

Sweet

I'm glad you guys got out there and hammered them. I went out myself today to make sure I wasn't just blabbering about Swan Island and did equally well. I only caught one nice 50" keeper sized but I fought and lost after an hour an absolute giant and landed around 20 shakers. It was a really nice day. Swan Island isn't my favorite place to fish, but when the river is like this, it is so nice to have a place to safely catch and catch and catch.

A buddy and I met Captain Redbeard, his wife and Rumluck at the Swan Is. Boat ramp in hopes to get on some of that crazy Dino action that has been all over this thread. It turned out to be super cold and a little soggy. I used the pictures from this thread to find where the fish were. There were some pretty distinct land marks. When we got to the fishing grounds, sturgeon were rolling every where. I got a couple of drive by nibbles but nothing seemed interested. I think we spent a lot of time just freezing our assess off. I took refuge from the freezing wind and tucked in close to a barge and searched around. I had just missed Rumluck losing a nice fish and decide to fish near him in hopes of enticing a bite of my own. I had been using a sandshrimp/yellow perch combo with not much luck. I finally decided to do away with the perch and put on a single shrimp. It wasn't more than a minute when I started feeling nibbles. I set the hook and thought I missed but I noticed my line was slack. I started reeling it in and felt the pressure. It wasn't a giant and the fight didn't last long but I was excited that I didn't drive four hours for nothing. We got some pics and tried a bit longer but it was so cold that we bailed shortly after.
I want to get out there again! I liked not having to deal with an anchor.  I just used my fish grips to tie off to structure so I could fish a spot. It allowed me to move around quickly, too.

I've always said one fish is infinitely better than no fish! 

I've always said one fish is infinitely better than no fish!

I agree, it was my first sturgeon. It seems like my first fish of any species has always been small. I'll be back up here to do it again.

Way to stick it out for a fish! I think of myself as pretty hardy but after my feet started to numb up I was done for. We had a lot working against us (river temp, air pressure, tide) so I'm glad you got one in the boat. Interesting place to fish; I'll definitely be back.

Way to stick it out for a fish! I think of myself as pretty hardy but after my feet started to numb up I was done for. We had a lot working against us (river temp, air pressure, tide) so I'm glad you got one in the boat. Interesting place to fish; I'll definitely be back.

I learned a valuable lesson about layering properly. I have never been so cold! My feet were killing me by the end of the trip. I was shaking violently, too. I can't wait to get back up that way. I want to get in on the Bouy 10 fishing this year, especially after all these crazy predictions.

Way to stick it out for a fish! I think of myself as pretty hardy but after my feet started to numb up I was done for. We had a lot working against us (river temp, air pressure, tide) so I'm glad you got one in the boat. Interesting place to fish; I'll definitely be back.

I learned a valuable lesson about layering properly. I have never been so cold! My feet were killing me by the end of the trip. I was shaking violently, too. I can't wait to get back up that way. I want to get in on the Bouy 10 fishing this year, especially after all these crazy predictions.

Nice job on the fish Chris.  Buoy 10 is on my short list as well.

I'm surprised nobody is fishing upstream of Bonnieville where retention is still open.

I'm surprised nobody is fishing upstream of Bonnieville where retention is still open.

I don't check the weather (wind and temp) up there often but the times I do it's an easy decision. Also it would add an hour (each way) of driving. Maybe if they counted towards ATOY...

edit: AOTY. You know what I meant.

So, so jealous. Although, why be jealous, when you can partake in the fun as well?

That's it, i've had enough of the steelhead doldrums up in Seattle. I'm packing up, and hitting Swan Basin one day this weekend for some sturgeon. It'll be my maiden voyage in the Pac NW with my tarpon 140 (plenty of experience in Lake Michigan, but will be first time since moving here).

Anyone want to join?

So, so jealous. Although, why be jealous, when you can partake in the fun as well?

That's it, i've had enough of the steelhead doldrums up in Seattle. I'm packing up, and hitting Swan Basin one day this weekend for some sturgeon. It'll be my maiden voyage in the Pac NW with my tarpon 140 (plenty of experience in Lake Michigan, but will be first time since moving here).

Anyone want to join?

I'll join you Saturday. PM your contact info if interested.

I'd go again if I could but this weekend is not looking good for me. It should be much warmer, though, and probably not as wet, especially Saturday. Good luck, and report back!