Observations @ Knappton this Wednesday the 15th

   There will be a low tide of -1.2 feet this Wednesday at 8:00 am.
   Because I have always preferred an early morning bite -- I will be hitting the Knappton launch a little before daylight to fish the last few hours of the out-going tide toward Shipwreck and Dismal Nitch. Then let the tide push me back toward the launch after it starts coming back in. Probably 4 to 6 hours on the water.

  Open invitation to anyone that would like to take advantage of this situation and maybe get into what has been describe as a "good" bite by some folks.
Seems this has been a spinner show with the warmer water temps. In my eye--- that's perfect. Or about as close as it gets.
 
  Come on out if you have the time. Unlike "Shipwreck" where you have to drag your boat over some logs and across some beach and shallow water---at Knappton you can drive right to the waters edge, drop in, go through some pilings and be fishing less than 50 yards from the launch.
 
  I don't "need " company--- but it is a good opportunity to get into some salmon . Feel free to come on down.............

              Mark

Damn I sure wish I was there to hit that water with you. Won't make the left coast til mid Aug. Hope to see you then Mark I've got a little over a month to fish and only thing lined up now is Roy's tourny on the 22d. Art

  Hi Art,

 The last weeks of August are prime time for fishing the lower Colombia and I would be pleased as punch to help you get into some salmon. You still a salmon virgin ? If so we need to change that.
  If you are not bringing your Sport up I do have 3 kayaks and you can certainly use any of them.  I also have any gear you could possibly need . Let's make it happen. You are way too old to be so "virginal".

    Mark

Can't make it this time but would love to go on that trip with someone who knows the waters.

Good luck Mark!  I'll be there in a few weeks.

   Well....... made it down to the launch at 5:30 this morning. No rigs there
 Has the bite died ? Weekend warriors only ?  Lots of questions in my mind --- but that is fine. Quick in and get this party started......

 There was about a foot and a half left of the tide -- which was plenty for launching there. Only had to drag the yak about 10 feet to get in the water. Through the pilings and out into the current...... and it was ripping out. It had gone from a +7.6 foot high working to a -1.2 . A seven foot tide change moves a lot of water on the Colombia. Nothing compared to Cook Inlets' 30 foot changes --- but it got me moving pretty well.
 Put on a 4 oz slider weight about 3 foot above a 6.5 Toman Thumper and started "downhill". As usual ... I zig-zag around a lot attempting to cover as much water as possible. Going with the current I was hitting 3+ mph easily Got up to 4.7 just for kicks. I'm not sure if that is "ideal" for Chinook or not so I'd turn sideways often to slow down and to speed up. I tried to follow contour lines keeping between 25 and 40 foot. Several times I saw Kings leaping out of the water-- nice bright, fat, delicious looking kings.
 But alas------non of them leapt onto my offerings.

 Observations
 Let the tide be your friend. The current was moving over 3 mph prior to the ebb. You really don't want to fight that for too long. At least I don't.
 My Lowrance was not marking very many fish. I probably saw more jumpers the 1st 2 hours than my fishfinder showed. Hmmmmm ?
 While I do believe that zigzagging is a good tactic-- today I could have just drifted with the current all the way to the Astoria Bridge (about 4 miles) then come back up river when the tide changed and started coming back in. (make mental note for future).
 I might have had 2 drive-by hits. Could have been weeds or rocks also. Most of the time I keep my rod in hand not pole holder. Both (maybe) hits came when rod was in holder.
 I was the only boat in sight until about 7:30 No one else fish low tide
 After I pulled out (11:45) I stopped at Dismal Nitch rest area. There were suddenly about 15 boats on the water. Put the binos on 'em to see if any nets were flying but didn't see any.
 Apparently --- the incoming and high tide are the preferred times to fish for most people. Is that because folks are hoping that new fish will be coming in with the tide I have caught fish during high and low . But I don't keep records to see which is most productive. Anyone else do this
 The biggest surprise of the whole morning ---- I never saw a seal all day. Yeee-hah......maybe they migrated back to California.

 I only pulled spinners today. Used about 8 different sizes and colors. Tried to keep the lure within a few feet of bottom. Apparently they were not the right ones. I should be getting a new order of spinners from First Strike Lures in a few days. Maybe they will find co-operative fish with me.

 I'll be back at it on the 20th. Even a blind squirrel occasionally finds a nut.
 
 I'm open to suggestions from anyone who has better ideas to help make this work .
 Until next time--- I guess I am just paying my dues....

This has helped me:  fish the incoming tide.  Crank up the sensitivity of your ff to see the thermocline.  You want to make sure your gear is below that.  Look for current seams which can be hard to see.  Spinners can work but I have the best luck on spoons that look like herring.  Oh, and go for medium to low tide swigs.  Six feet or less.

Mark, how did you do on the 20th?

Mark I would recommend focusing your efforts to the high tide exchange as the chinook are known to follow the herring and colder ocean water up river past the bridge even know their not pushing up river yet. Spinners are always great, but green label herring is my personal favorite go-to bait with med dick's sure spin. I'm looking forward to spending lots of days guiding/personal near Astoria in August and September. Good luck!

Mark, how did you do on the 20th?

    Short answer----- skunked again.

    Long answer----

  Met up with Dbaum and Mursestrong a little after 9:30 am at Knappton. Fishing a bit after that. Low tide wasn't until noon so decided to beeline toward the bridge with the outgoing --- turn around and fish the incoming . There was a fairly strong exchange so making the 4 miles down to the bridge was an easy float that took 2 hours. we didn't zig zag too much going out-- just a little. Hardly any boats out there with us. Saw a few rollers on the way out. My fishfinder was having issues (not fully charged battery- so would show depth-- not fish). Maybe the other guys can report on what they  were seeing down below.
  A few boats started showing up with the in-coming tide and we  did see a seal or two. I was switching from spinners to spoons (cop car and green herring) . I think I'll have to break out the real thing like you suggest Michael.I even pulled a K-14 and a purple Wiggle Wart for a while. Just wasn't happening for me -- connecting that is.
  It was very cool to share an area that was new to the other guys. They seemed happy to learn about a spot they hadn't fished yet. The water conditions were outstanding--- light winds (5-15 mph) not choppy at all, cloudy all day, and good company. I don't think Mursestrong or Dbaum got any hits-- they will have to chime in on that. If you haven't fished there-- I recommend giving it a shot. There are fish out there.

 OBSERVATIONS
 Fishing above Knappton is fairly limited due to shallow water and very narrow channels working up-river. Lots of room below with better depths. But the last two trips down there have had 8' tide exchanges so I try to fish with the tide.
 There are some "softer tides " coming this week that might be more comfortable to fish without getting beat up
  Take bait... at least have some available to mix it up.
  Putting in at Humpy Hollow (Shipwreck) might open up more "fishable" water above and below your put in so the tide wouldn't be as important. It takes a little more effort to put in there than Knappton--- but it might be worth that extra time and energy to start and finish more "in the mix of things".
  Persevere---- the more you fish a smallish area-- the better you learn that area. Between Knappton and the Astoria bridge is only 4 miles so there is plenty of water  and holes and running lanes to find and explore.
 
  I have been skunked a few times down there and it's getting old. Even though we had a good time on the water-- I would rather it be a great time and bring home some fish. Time to make some adjustments and make that happen.

 The lures I had ordered from First Strike Lure Co. arrived after I got home-- they look like killers-- but next time i'll still take some bait too.

    til next time
                       I am Mark

Thanks for the report!

Fred "True" Trujillo

Way to get out there!

Thought I would contribute since we put four kayaks in at around 6:30 this morning and made our way past the shipwreck.   Fishing spoons and spinners, No bites and none of the boats I talked to had seen any nets fly.  Did see several fish rolling and was a beautiful day on the river.  Maybe give it a shot toward the end of next week.

  Welcome to the affliction Kaw. I drove by Knappton about noon today and met a couple of guys Mario and Phil in a PA 14 and a PA 17 that didn't have any luck either. Also met a gal Paula out there in a Hobie Sport. None of these folks were members of NWKA but I did suggest they at least check it out. None of them had a fishfinder (which I think is a real handicap) but they were out there giving it a go. I have a feeling I will see them again out there. We talked for nearly an hour about kayak fishing and other like stuff. Good people.
 Maybe see you out there one of these days. I'll be on a mango Outback.

  Mark

Can I ask where and what the shipwreck is? Googling "Shipwreck in lower Columbia" gets a rich history of wrecks going back 160 years or so ...