Springer Clinic

Hey, lookit what time it is!  Still haven't been able to organize my gear, to include my boat.  so no go tomorrow.  Hoping to at least have some homemade yogurt to show, since I won't have a Springer. dammit.
One of these days I'll get it together in time.

Made it to the boat ramp about 700 and didn't see any other kayakers. Decided to hit the water anyway and fished from about 730 to 1030. I talked with another boat and got their suggestion on where to troll. Tried trolling a cut herring but I'm not sure my herring was getting the proper spin. Didn't see or hear of any fish landed but it seemed like most of the boats were on the very south end of the island.

Was I at the right ramp?
http://maps.google.com/maps?q=18330+Sauvie+Island+Road&ie=UTF8&hl=en&hq=&hnear=18330+NW+Sauvie+Island+Rd,+Portland,+Oregon+97231&ll=45.653554,-122.838542&spn=0.000581,0.001034&t=h&z=20

Was I at the right ramp?

Ahhhh, no.
You were a tad upriver from the Gilbert ramp.


http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=45.653819,+-122.838436&daddr=45.791595,-122.798873&hl=en&geocode=FTufuAIdXKKt-A%3BFWu5ugId5zyu-A&mra=ls&sll=45.791531,-122.799178&sspn=0.001223,0.003449&ie=UTF8&ll=45.72195,-122.80368&spn=0.13882,0.06898&t=h&output=embed

But I'm sure just getting out was better than a poke in the eye!

Was I at the right ramp?

Ahhhh, no.
You were a tad upriver from the Gilbert ramp.


http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=45.653819,+-122.838436&daddr=45.791595,-122.798873&hl=en&geocode=FTufuAIdXKKt-A%3BFWu5ugId5zyu-A&mra=ls&sll=45.791531,-122.799178&sspn=0.001223,0.003449&ie=UTF8&ll=45.72195,-122.80368&spn=0.13882,0.06898&t=h&output=embed

But I'm sure just getting out was better than a poke in the eye!

You have to be kidding me! I googled it and came up with this site that listed the launch address as "18330 Sauvie Island Road". Ah I feel like a moron.
http://www.columbiawatertrail.org/access/gilbert_river_boat_ramp

I should probably re-name this the Riggin' a Cut Plug Herring Clinic. 

All participants learned to spin a herring at the dock and got an overview of the best trolling lanes.  Since it was early in the season, we had the launch pretty much to ourselves.

It was a pretty good turn out for a spur of the moment, "Hey, who wants to do this?" event.  Kinda reminded me of the early NWKA events.  Kinda like flash mob fishing.  In attendance were Jammer, Rawkfish, Steelheader, TxPaddler and the only true noob (to make it to the launch) Daveo. 
Nice to meet you Dave! 
Noahk, we missed you!  Next time....
 
The weather cooperated ummm, about as well as the weather ever cooperates in March but the winds stayed calm which made for a nice day of fishing.  The fishing was slow today.  Only one boat I spoke with had caught fish.  I managed a brief hook-up on the 1st pass but didn't get a good hook set. #$%^&*(  Other than that, it was nice paddle with a great bunch of guys. 

Jammer, don't forget to let me know when you plan on fishing YOUR honey hole. 

-Spot-

Sure was fun to get together on the water!  Who cares if the fish didn't show up, I had a great time with good company!

(ok, some fish would have been nice  )

Big thanks to Spot for hosting and showing us all the ropes!

Here are some pics from the day...

Thanks Mark, I really enjoyed coming back for my Sophmore year try at a springer. I'm sure all your teachings will go a long way towards helping all of this years Springer Clinic participants put some salmon in the kayaks this year.

Rawkfish, Jammer, Steelheader, and Daveo it was really good getting to fish with you'll for the first time. I hope to get to do some more fishing with you'll again. And I'll be looking forward to that Steelhead Clack clinic next Jammer.   

Yep, thanks a lot mark for the springer school. I also had a great time with everyone. No chrome this time around, but next time. Let's talk soon about the honey holes and steelhead. I sure love this time of year! Cheers

Mark, thanks for the "clinic" yesterday on the channel. I met some great guys and got some excellent tips from you on how to rig up for the elusive springer.  It was great to meet some of the guys I have seen posts from and actually get to take my Outback for its maiden voyage! No complaints from me for lack of fish, it was just fun to put the boat on the water and test it out. I hope to do much more of this and with luck maybe get a springer yet this year?! 

I had my camera out a couple of time between rain showers to capture a couple of scenes from our day. Thanks again Spot!

I blew it and ended up going out of town on Sat...
looks like you guys had a good time though.

I'm sure I will see you guys out there at somepoint

Daveo, nice meeting you, I hope to see you out there again soon.
koboabe, did you get a yak yet?

So, here's a little homework for those of you who needed help with your herring.

Brine: 
- Use more salt than the water can absorb.  Mix it warm so that the salt is disolved more thoroughly and then chill before adding bait.  If your herring is mushy or the skin peels off, it's not properly brined.
- A little bit of powdered milk will make your herring really shine.
- Save some of your brine and store your bait in it.  They last a lot longer in your fridge AND on your hook.  (Do not store in dry salt)
- Don't bend your bait when you store them.

Hooking:
- The trailing hook should reach the tail when the leading hook is in place.
- The trailing hook needs to come thru the fish at the latteral line.  This is the fulcrum for the spin.  The farther back you put the trailing hook thru the bait, the tighter the spin.
- The leading hook should enter on the long side of the cut and come out on the short side.  You should feel the spine as you're pushing the hook thru.
- If it don't spin, don't bother.  Adjust your hook placement or throw it out but don't troll dead bait.

It's all easier than it sounds once you've done it a time or two.

Again, it was great seeing y'all out there!!!

-Spot-

Daveo, nice meeting you, I hope to see you out there again soon.
koboabe, did you get a yak yet?

So, here's a little homework for those of you who needed help with your herring.

Brine: 
- Use more salt than the water can absorb.  Mix it warm so that the salt is disolved more thoroughly and then chill before adding bait.  If your herring is mushy or the skin peels off, it's not properly brined.
- A little bit of powdered milk will make your herring really shine.
- Save some of your brine and store your bait in it.  They last a lot longer in your fridge AND on your hook.  (Do not store in dry salt)
- Don't bend your bait when you store them.

Hooking:
- The trailing hook should reach the tail when the leading hook is in place.
- The trailing hook needs to come thru the fish at the latteral line.  This is the fulcrum for the spin.  The farther back you put the trailing hook thru the bait, the tighter the spin.
- The leading hook should enter on the long side of the cut and come out on the short side.  You should feel the spine as you're pushing the hook thru.
- If it don't spin, don't bother.  Adjust your hook placement or throw it out but don't troll dead bait.

It's all easier than it sounds once you've done it a time or two.

Again, it was great seeing y'all out there!!!

-Spot-

Tossing in some thin slices of raw garlic and a few drops of blue dye never hurts   Also don't forget to use non-iodized salt (LOTS OF IT).. rocksalt is a personal favorite... 2-3 trays per gallon ziploc bag and they live in the bags in the fridge/cooler till they are used up. I just did 12 bags (35 trays) worth Monday.

Tossing in some thin slices of raw garlic and a few drops of blue dye never hurts   Also don't forget to use non-iodized salt (LOTS OF IT).. rocksalt is a personal favorite... 2-3 trays per gallon ziploc bag and they live in the bags in the fridge/cooler till they are used up. I just did 12 bags (35 trays) worth Monday.

Excellent points Pelagic!  The garlic also makes them smell yummy!!!  I crush a couple of cloves and toss them in..
If you're not doing 35 trays    The canning salt is a pretty good low cost solution.

What do I have to do to get an on the water lesson from a guy who uses 35 trays of herring in a season?!?!?   

You can get rocksalt (red box) right next to the kosher salt (blue box) at places like Freddies, its often called  "ice cream" salt.   I like rock salt, I'm not sure why, just what I always use.  Pickling/canning salt is the same thing, just smaller crystals and should works just as well. 


Spot... You can bet you'll hear from me when the fishing ramps up... Don't ask how many pounds of pretty pink prawns are camped out in my bait fridge right now

So once you brine the herring how long can you store them in the frig for? A month or more?