Howdy from near St. Helens, OR

Howdy Y'all,

My name is Tony.  I just bought my first kayak (though I've paddled a few of them over the years) and am re-learning how to fish.  I grew up fishing in Michigan and we caught....a LOT of fish.  After moving out west as a teenager, I found I suddenly couldn't catch ANY fish!  It seems west of the Rockies there's something different about what the fish like.  I fished faithfully day after day for years until in my early 20's I finally just gave up.  My father-in-law took me on a charter to Alaska about 10 years ago, where we HIT IT!  Fish on every 2-3 minutes, never less than a 20 pounder for 2.5 days.  That...was...awesome!

Of course...

It pretty much spoiled me for fishing down here.  Finally got sick of not catching anything, so I'm going back to basics to re-learn.  I've been catching a few bass in Scappoose bay (little ones) so there's a start! :-)

For non-fishing news:  I love the water.  We've lived aboard a couple of boats and I've had boats big and small all my life.  That last 4 years is the longest I've gone without a boat, so initially I wanted a kayak just as an easy way to get back on the water fast.  Then I discovered fishing from a kayak...now there's an even better reason to go!

Looking forward to meeting all of you, and I hope to build some friendships with other kayakers in the area.  I will be kayaking and fishing primarily on the Columbia around St. Helens and Sauvie Island, but will hit Hagg Lake next year and who knows where else.  Look for me in my Yellow Wilderness Thresher 155.  The guys at Scappoose Bay Kayaking Center gave me a killer deal on it and I'm really enjoying both going out and just being able to "mess about with boats" again.  I'll post various DIY projects as they come along in the forums.

See you out there!
Tony

Welcome Tony! The St. Helens area is one of my favorites for Fall chinook. I am sure we'll see you out there one of these days!!