Coastal River Fishing

  671,
  It's been several years since I've put in there but I think we should be able to park about 50 yds from the launch.That said,wheels are your own option.Its sounds like there will be plenty of help getting boats in and to the water.Your call bro..........
   For whatever it's worth,I won't be bringing wheels.But my yak only weighs 47 lbs.Of course,throw in a couple of 15+ lbs silver bullets,a little gear,and a huge grin and my boat will probably feel pretty heavy...............


 Good night all............see some of you in the morning.
                                                                              Mark

How'd it go?

The surf was excellent and clean. I got some really fun rides, maybe even some good ones (for an old man, anyway) and had a great day. Also talked to some local surfer friends who are also fishermen, and heard stories of some good Coho action on both Fri and early Sat morning. One was from a Willapa Bay trib, the other a Grays Harbor trib. My friend said his young daughter hooked up with a nice Coho first cast, just out in front of the boat ramp (which will remain un-named, except via private PM, and also requiring a bribe of some sort)!

Unfortunately I/we got skunked, very little in the way of jumpers/rollers and the PB's I talked to weren't having much luck. Right as we were heading back a big salmon jumps right in front of us, just to tease! Oh well, it was a gorgeous day on the water with good company.

I'm thinking of trying again next weekend, maybe the Willapa.

   Here is my report for "Coastal River Fishing" 10/16/11


  I got to the Aberdeen Burger King about 6:30 in case anyone got a case of early-ites.A little after 7 Roland and islandson671 showed up.After introductions and a little show-n-tell about tackle, Mellow Yellow and micahgee pull in and we head over to the boat launch at the mouth of the Wishkah.For those who have never been there..it's a gravel launch that you can drive to within 50' of..nice and easy.........
  We are on the water a bit after 8:00 and pull out into the Chehalis River.Some have spinners on,some of us are pulling plugs.Mellow Yellow and islandson671 have fishfinders onboard.We start working the pilings near shore in a moderate current but aren't marking too many fish so decide to go upriver.We are in 20' to 30' of water,occassionally drifting out to 50+' out in the main channel.Mellow Yellow's ff starts singing so we hit it hard.No takers..........
  We keep working ,just outside the pilings behind the mall.The fish finders are marking some fish but not any big schools.Keep in mind that the Tribal nets have only been out of the water for less than a day,after having been in for 4 days straight.
   By slack tide,the fog is lifting and it's looking like a great day--weatherwise....Some of us switch to eggs under a bobber but we start seeing fish shallow and deep so we take off the bobbers and free drift eggs witha a couple of split shot.Looking for that fish that will bite and break the ice.Not finding them here we go to the other side of the river,thinking maybe there is a more fish friendly channel over there.By now we've seen half a dozen power boats trolling around but have yet to see any net action.What's up with that...........
  As the tide starts coming in,we decide to work back to the put-in.The tide is starting to pick up steam by now.The Hobies with Mirage drive make it look easy...but the paddlers are having to work .I might have to re-think my "Keep It Simple" thread.Still no takers on our baits.
  We finally pull out at 3:00 pm.Not a nibble,a take down,or a missed hit at all.We only saw maybe 6 fish roll.There were some fish out there I'm sure,just not a whole lot like I had hoped.Maybe  our timing was a bit off.I'm not sure..We did give it an honest effort........it just didn't happen for any of us on Sunday.
  It was good to meet some forum members finally.It's also good to introduce folks to new water that they have never fished.Something tells me they'll be back.........It can be a great place to fish.
   Because I have to go back to work next Sunday,I'll be concentrating on more local water the next few days.I've invited this group down to the Willapa for a Saturday re-try.It is a very kayak friendly water.And I hope I can find some cooperative fish.Getting skunked sucks......pure and simple.I know that's just fishing ...but that doesn't mean I like it (getting skunked that is).I'll keep trying and I will connect...sooner or later.
   So.....you guys that came down..........great to meet you.Sorry I'm such a lousy guide......I hope you can come down and try again.We will catch some fish.

Here's a couple of pictures----------no fish----but will work on it...........
1st pic--at the launch
2nd--micahgee in the fog
3rd--Roland working a spinner
4th---Mellow Yellow and micahgee after the fog lifted

No worries at all Mark, it was nice fishing with all'yall and well get em next saturday!

It was a pleasure to meet all of you. Really enjoyed the time in the water and I learned quite bit about this sport by watching. Mark, thank you for your hospitality. It was great being introduced to a new body of water. Though we didn't hook up with fish, the day was fantastic. On the drive to Aberdeen, I was a little worried when the thermometer in my car registered a low of 35 degree's, but it really was a beauty of a day.

Look forward to the next time!

Despite the lack of net action,  I regret that I didn't get down there.  Last minute work issue that on the bright side, assures I won't have to work next weekend.  What part of the Wilapa are you thinking of targeting.   I have a friend who I am thinking of bringing down, but he doesn't have much kayaking experience so not certain how much paddling he can handle.   I myself love the paddling part and enjoy trying to keep up with those bicycle boats

I'm way down for another trip.

Forecast looks good enough, chance or rain and little in the way of wind.

   The Willapa has sooooo many areas to target that making a decision about exactly where to put in is tougher than the actual fishing.I would suggest anywhere from the South Bend launch as the lowest area..on upstream.A lot might depend on the wind--read that as the lower--the windier.
   That said--there are several ramps avilable.South Bend is a single lane concrete ramp with a $5.00 parking fee.There is a developed dock at the Carriage Museum in downtown Raymond we could put in at.The 8th Street Park is only good at a positive tide,it gets unpassable at a minus tide,way muddy.Ward Creek public lauch is near the end of tide water and probably has the softest water.And of course we could always find an accessible bank and rough it.
    Let me check and see what nets might be working this week,that might be a determining factor too.
    I did catch a 14" trout off the bank at Ward creek yesterday.Saw 2  salmon roll in the 2 hours I was there.Not great ---yet.If we get some rain Thursday and Friday that could bring fresh fish in to the river.Always the optomist....
   Stay tuned guys...............

I'm going to drift the Satsop on Sunday.  Do nets still come out Saturday at noon?

       
   Lee,
  Tribal nets will come out of Grays Harbor rivers Sat, 10/22 at noon.No commercial nets in until 11/06/11.http://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/tribal/
  Here is the link 
 
  For the Willapa River---looks like no nets from 10/14/11 until 11/06/11    the link 
http://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/commercial/salmon/2011_wb_schedule.pdf

  HHmmm---3 weeks of no nets in the Willapa............sounds good to me...........

  Good luck on the Satsop.You must be taking a drift boat..eh ?It's a great river to drift.......