Springers near the Colombia mouth ???

   With recent news anticipating spring salmon coming to the Colombia and Willamette Rivers --- I wonder if any of our members have fished for springers near the mouth of the Colombia . I'm primarily thinking in the Astoria or Knappton area on the Washington side. Lots of water out that way...... But it's only 50 miles from home and I go down there fairly often anyway.
   So,,, has anyone done any springer fishing out there It's getting to be about that time.

   So.........

   I guess no one participates in this fishery

   This really surprizes me.

   Come on someone 

I've honestly never met a single B10 springer fisherman in my whole life. 200 k versus 1.5 million fish in the fall and all that water must keep folks away.

I think I asked Ron this same question but I can't recall the exact answer. I believe he suggested sticking to the upper portions of the river but I can't recall exactly why.

While people don't target them much in the B10 area, there some people who fish them above tongue point on both the Oregon and Washington sides.  Plus, there are a few S.A.F.E. zones in the area that get fished regularly.

-Mark-

  Thanks for the replies fellows

  Guess I will have to give it a try and be a pioneer....    

Mark,

Check out the 'church hole' on the WA side just west of the Astoria Bridge. Lots of info on that as it's a popular area for springers. Check Salmonuniversity.com. Launching is a bit problematic as it's all rock rip-rap in that area. Launch ramps are a good run away. There is a roadside pull out near the church that holds a few cars and with help or dragging you might get a kayak into the water and you'd be right at the hole (or more accurately a trough).

Other option further west would be the WDFW launch by the USCG station in Illwaco. From there it's about 2 miles out to deeper water inside the buoy 10 line, but you'll be full exposed to westward winds coming in thru the mouth of the mighty C. You can seek shelter inside of the A Jetty (north-south rock jetty) and around the wooden piles in that area, but you'll be lucky to find water much deeper than 20-25 feet. Depths in the main channel are near 60 feet deep. I had some luck with Coho around those wood piles in the fall and even up on the flats in 5 fow, and that area is largely ignored by PBs.

  Thanks for the thoughts Todd.

  I went by the church hole today and checked out the "beach area" there. Not the most friendly launch site.
  And I know about the "trough" you speak of.
 
  However -- that same trough continues to the east side of the bridge as well. The area around Shipwreck and Knappton are much more familiar to me from past trips there. With some success.....

  Now I just have to get my priorities straight and get my ass out there. I've been doing a lot of chainsaw carving lately-- which is a good thing. But I do need to get out fishing more..duh.

  Hey Spot-- what are these S.A.F.E zones you're talking about ? Haven't heard of these before.

I'm also interested in the Knapton and SAFE zone areas for springers, along with Portland.  Really would like to get into a salmon from the kayak this year.  Keep us posted if you have any luck.  Thanks -

Alan

 You betcha amp,

  As Tyler said---the numbers won't be in my favor for getting a springer out there. But I have to give it a try.

  For sure I'll be spending some time there late summer/early fall. I don't always post up an invite when I go.
  But if successful----- I might show off a little......
  Any body is welcome to come on out . But you all aready knew that. Still a free country...

  So--is someone gonna tell me what these SAFE zones are ?
 

Mark, did you go? I'm curious about springers. I'll be in Area 6 in 3 weeks. Can't until summer, but I'll do that, too. Lings don't open until May, so springers are about my only choice without driving. I hope there will be a few around. Keep us posted and I'll watch the thread.

  Need to make an Astoria run tomorrow. Will take the yak -- put in at Knappton a couple hours before low tide (which is about noon) and poke around between there and Shipwreck. Probably just pulling spinners and/or plugs (don't have any fresh bait right now). Let the tide push me back and get off about 3 or 4.
  If anyone want to join in out there-- I'll be in a mango Outback.
  Report to follow........

Go get'em Mark! Wish I could join you on this one but I'll pioneer with you another day.

  Took the Outback with me to Astoria this morning. Got there at what I'd consider the perfect time to fish low tide (which was at 12:54). I arrived at 10:15 at the Knappton launch. As I started to off load the yak I looked at the water and there was only about 12" of visibility. Thought about that-- then thought some more.
  Ended up going down to the rest area just above the bridge for a better look. The turbidity was just as bad there and the current was ripping pretty good. Not enough to keep a guy off the water-- just enough to keep your attention focused.
  For some (unknown to me) reason-- it just didn't feel right. Not fear, not anticipation, just that gut feeling that maybe today wasn't the best day to go out on the water. I have learned to listen to those kind of feelings---even though I may have missed something. I still go with my gut.
  So I ended up going over to Warrenton for some shopping. As I cross that bridge I look over at Young's River and see about half a dozen power boats on the water. Hmmmmmmmm.      I finish my shopping and drive over to the old Megler bridge and sure enough--- the six boats were gill netters. Those guys are not gonna burn fuel for no reason so I figure I need to do some research and see what's going on with that fishery. I always carry binoculars with me but didn't stop to see if they were pulling any fish in or not. Anyone else have any info on this
  Another thing I learned is that a 7 or 8 foot tide exchange gets the water moving pretty good down there. A guy in a kayak definitely wants to use the tide to your own advantage. Actually I already knew that-- just passing on the knowledge.
  So I am sorry to say---"no glory shots today" damhik
  But there will always be tomorrow.

  On a side note--I did see a herd of elk off the Nasselle River, another inland on the Bear River, and the biggest herd I have ever seen off the Nemah River. Must have been at least 60 animals in that bunch. That makes for a good day in my opinion.

Mark,

That's part of one of those SAFE areas I mentioned....  And that's all I have to say about that.

Mark