Lower Columbia Salmon Report 8/18/2011

Nate (Ndogg) and myself camped out at Ft Stevens State Park the night of the 17th so we could get an early start on the day on the 18th.  After a couple hours of sleep, we packed up the tent and headed for the bait shop for fresh herring.  After launching, we got in line with the boats and did some trolling. 

To back up a bit, I ran into Nate at Next Adventure the previous Friday when I was picking up my Outback.  He was telling me about steelhead fishing, and for some reason, I thought that was what we were going to target when he asked if I was interested in going on the 18th.  Therefore, the day we left I ran out to Fisherman's and bought a bunch of steelhead spinners and other steelhead accessories. I packed that up with a couple mooching rigs and other trolling gear.  For some reason I tossed in my little blue with silver tape Kone Zone flasher I got as swag at the ORC.  I am sure glad I did. 

When we got there, I used the gear I had and trolled for a while with a steelhead spinner running behind a ten ounce dropper.    Everyone else there, including Nate, was appropriately rigged with salmon flashers.  Even though I thought my chances would be really slim to catch a salmon with the gear I had, I was just happy not to be working and to be out on the water.

After about an hour or two of trolling spinners, I decided I needed to head to shore to take a break and get rid of some coffee.  Nate came over as well, and suggested I rig up a flasher.  I thought, what the hell, and tied on my little Kone Zone and a cut plug herring. I had no clue what I was doing and it was the first herring I had ever cut for salmon fishing.  It had what looked to me like a nice rolling action, so I figured I would give it a go.

We headed back out and continued trolling.  After another hour or two, Ndogg and I were trolling side by side when something slammed my bait hard...then nothing.  I started reeling in to check it when, about 20 yards away, I see the salmon swimming at me on my line.  This is when I realized I for got my net.  

I wish that I would have had my camera on for this, because it would have revived the "how not to net a salmon thread" and raised the bar tremendously.  I thought I had a good idea by telling Nate to come from behind with his net.  He made a valiant attempt at netting it but the fish was having none of that. Then, for about a minute we watched the fish swim back and forth beneath our yaks while pulling me closer to Nate.  The next thing we knew my spare rod was tangled on something on his boat, something of his swung into something of mine and tangled and he could not get the net between us because we were stuck too close together. In a last ditch effort,  I decided to just grab the leader and try to lift the fish by hand. That adrenalin fueled decision still hurts today. Mono can cut deep. Anyways,  that is when we heard the snap of the leader and saw the salmon swim off.  To make ourselves feel better we convinced ourselves it was a native coho so we wouldn't be able to keep it anyways.

I re-rigged everything and we went back at it again.  About an hour later, some fishermen in a power boat were trolling in the opposite direction as us and made some doubtful comments about kayakers catching and landing a salmon.  The timing of what happened next could not have been better, because they were about 50 yards upstream of us and watching when something hit my bait hard. Here is the result (the first minute doesn't show much but the view of the ride I got).


This was the first salmon I have ever caught in Oregon and first from a Kayak (or any boat for that matter).  I was just "winging it".  I hope Nate doesn't notice how close I was to losing his net.    Unless it was a floating one.  It may have been because it was floating briefly. 

Here is a couple other pictures:

Nate in his Revo:




My new Outback with first blood.  That is if you don't count the stuff from my hand from the monofilament cuts 




Thanks again Nate for getting me out there. Sorry I didn't get any pictures of your sculpins.

I sure am glad I grabbed a Kone Zone at the ORC. Thanks again ORC organizers. 

     Congradulation on your 1st kayak king.
   The "perma-grin" on your face says volumes.looks like you were having way too much fun.Again,job well done.
    A couple of comments---You might consider waiting to measure the fish until its dead and not flopping around.That sucks that your Hawg Trough went overboard....
     I am amazed at all the "stuff you have on-board that boat.To me it sure seems like a lot.But,perhaps it's all needed.I try to keep things simple.But I don'thave a Hobie (yet) so maybe I will get spoiled too.
      Again craig-----good job on the fish and the video.Thanks for the report...

Awesome fish comedy of errors even with small fish for me. Thanks for the report.

Great story, thnks for posting.  Happy outcome!

Craig, even with only 4 sculpins and no take downs to show for my efforts it was great fishing with you.  I am so glad you were able to land the second fish after our poor team netting attempt on the first fish.  I didn't get many pictures that day but I did get an OK one of you fighting the second fish.  The picture is not to clear, but you can still see the grin on your face. 

Thanks, I am always open for advice and I think the grin is still on my face .

 The reason I measured this one on the boat was because the regulations said if it was less than 24 inches it had to go back.

COLUMBIA RIVER MAINSTEM, Buoy 10 line upstream to Tongue Point/Rocky Point line

Open to retention of adipose fin-clipped steelhead and adult (≥16”) adipose fin-clipped coho Aug 1 – Dec 31.
Retention of adult (≥24”) Chinook allowed only during Aug 1-28 and Oct 1-Dec 31.
Daily bag limit: two adult salmon/steelhead in combination, of which only one may be a Chinook when Chinook retention is allowed. Jacks may not be retained in this fishery between Aug 1 and Sept 30.
Seasons may be subject to in-season modification.

It was close so I confirmed the length just to be sure.  I just left it on the trough out of laziness while putting the game clip on and bleeding it.  Besides, for as much stuff as I lose, the economy would come to a screeching halt if I started leashing things.

Most of the stuff you see in the cockpit of the boat when it is beached was stuff I was wearing like PFD, radio, etc.  The mirage drive was also laying in the cockpit so it did look very cluttered.  I just dumped everything in there while we were getting ready to load up and leave.  I did have too many rods with me.  Next time, I will just leave the back-up rod in the car so I won't get tangled in it.  I also had a smaller rod because we thought we might go after perch for some more AOTY points.  Next time, this one will be stowed below deck.

-Craig

Craig, even with only 4 sculpins and no take downs to show for my efforts it was great fishing with you.  I am so glad you were able to land the second fish after our poor team netting attempt on the first fish.  I didn't get many pictures that day but I did get an OK one of you fighting the second fish.  The picture is not to clear, but you can still see the grin on your face. 

It was a blast.  Thanks for inviting me and for the picture.

Awesome report Craig!  Nice job on making those dudes eat their words!

That was awesome guys! I was very entertained, especially when you turned the camera around. Way to get out there and hammer 'em. Craig, nice job getting blood on the new outback. How do you like it? Looks like you've already started to pimp it. Great looking yak! Nice job Nate helping Craig find is first oregon salmon. Your a great wingman, especially with salmon. It's only the beginning of the late summer/fall run, so nice job helping motivate. I liked that you guys camped the night before. We may need to plan more of these.

Awesome report Craig!  Nice job on making those dudes eat their words!

I'm sure they still got a laugh out of our landing attempts.  I know Nate and I did.   

Jammer-  I love the Outback, but I need to get my sailing rudder installed.  I found that with heavy weight trolling behind and the current grabbing the bow end, turning became very difficult a couple of times until I sped up.  I love all the space along the sides to set tools out of the way.  I got smart and added a couple padeyes in front of the forward rod holders and made a couple shorter leashes to quickly leash rods.  I got a little scared when I saw how close I was to losing a nice rod and reel.

I need to add a couple more in the back for my plano box.  It kept falling backwards and it is where my safety flag is attached. Not a good thing. I kept having to mess with it to keep it upright.

Nate and I found a couple good sights for camping. One not so improved (no facilities, but close to the launch) and Ft Stevens State Park bike/hike tent sites. $11 and no reservation required. Although you can't park by your site, it's only about 20 yards to walk from the parking lot and there is a nice bathroom next to it.

I am officially hooked on this salmon stuff.  We do need to do more.  I would go again this week, but I have to go to Virginia for work .

Great job getting out there and getting your first one!

 Two words BIGGER NET.  If you plan on chasing salmon much, a bigger "full size" salmon net will be priceless when you hook up with a 30 plus pounder.  Another tip is to leave the net in the rod holder behind the seat until the very last  second before you net your fish.  Resist the urge to grab the net. Wear the fish down till its alongside and tired then grab the net. This cuts way down on the fire drill that a net can cause on the small deck of a yak.  I also have a 1ft ish length of large pool noodle that slide freely on my net handle.  It keeps the net afloat in the event I have to drop it and deal with a spunky fish, yet doesn't get in the way like a leash would.

Sounds like a great fishing trip! If you guys ever want to do another over night let me know. I'm game for it. I haven't done alot of salmon fishing but have all the gear necessary. Just let me know. - Yokut

p.s. good job on getting some slime on that 'yak!

Great job getting out there and getting your first one!

 Two words BIGGER NET.  If you plan on chasing salmon much, a bigger "full size" salmon net will be priceless when you hook up with a 30 plus pounder.  Another tip is to leave the net in the rod holder behind the seat until the very last  second before you net your fish.  Resist the urge to grab the net. Wear the fish down till its alongside and tired then grab the net. This cuts way down on the fire drill that a net can cause on the small deck of a yak.  I also have a 1ft ish length of large pool noodle that slide freely on my net handle.  It keeps the net afloat in the event I have to drop it and deal with a spunky fish, yet doesn't get in the way like a leash would.

Thanks for the tips PP.  I did buy a full size collapsible salmon net earlier this Spring, I just wasn't smart enough to remember it.  I like the pool noodle idea and I will attach a piece to mine today while it is fresh in my mind. It's funny you mentioned catching a "full-sized" salmon.  I was all excited by catching one for AOTY points and then I looked at the points per inch and realized I seriously need an upgrade.  Also, after seeing Ndogg's, Spot's, and Jammer's Chinook, I realized I got lucky and caught a training fish.

great job Craig. We should plan a trip with a bunch of yaks.

great report Craig. Congrats on the first Yak 'Nook !!

Nice vid,reminds me of mine,and everyone elses first yak King, uncoordinated...It gets easier.