Willy Dino Meet Up Sat 11/26

Are 2 crab buoys ever not enough? I am trying to decide if I should buy a second crab buoy or bite the bullet and get one of those (expensive) orange anchor balls. I remember seeing some kayak folks using orange anchor balls on some salmon fishing posts earlier this year. I am sure the anchor balls are better (higher floating, more visible), however, if 2 crab buoys are enough to keep my line and reel afloat then buying one more would be the minimum cost/effort solution.

Does anyone know if Fisherman's has a black Friday sale?

I use a crab buoy and just a $10 boat bumper. I'm sure you can go a number of different ways but this works for me. I usually run the crab buoy and then the bumper, but I guess I reversed it this day.

I use a crab buoy and just a $10 boat bumper. I'm sure you can go a number of different ways but this works for me. I usually run the crab buoy and then the bumper, but I guess I reversed it this day.

Thanks Noah! Looks like the current was running pretty fast that day (your rope looks quite taught)  Looks like two crab buoys would work in a fairly stiff current. (I assume the boat bumper is about the same amount of flotation as the buoy - the look similar in size).

Thanks CastIron that cracks me up.

Brother where's the Love???

You work in a Firehouse Paul What do you want? 

I use a crab buoy and just a $10 boat bumper. I'm sure you can go a number of different ways but this works for me. I usually run the crab buoy and then the bumper, but I guess I reversed it this day.

Thanks Noah! Looks like the current was running pretty fast that day (your rope looks quite taught)  Looks like two crab buoys would work in a fairly stiff current. (I assume the boat bumper is about the same amount of flotation as the buoy - the look similar in size).

Yeah that was on the Columbia with a pretty good outgoing tide. The bumper is actually about twice the size of the float and seems to provide more floatation relative to it's size than the crab float. Which probably makes sense (at least in my head) since it should contain more air than the float. I would be worried that two crab floats would dive a bit. Check the link below for Craig's set up, pretty similar but he has much better pictures
http://www.northwestkayakanglers.com/index.php/topic,6879.msg71657.html#msg71657 

Brother where's the Love???

Well, since I know Firebunker won't be there, count me in! 

Hah! When is your next off day?  I am basically working whenever I feel like it (or when my superiors tell me too) until my use or loose leave is gone.  I will be working tomorrow and Wednesday, though.

As for this Saturday, I like the way DC thinks!  I will probably be there around 8 am, as well. 

Starting a new thread.  pdxfisher, jammer and I have offered to send joesnuffy on a Willamette sleigh ride tour on Saturday, Nov. 26th.  A reminder, this is a non-retention fishery right now so no AOTY points are possible.  But catching a big fish is very possible.

I recommend George Rogers park for 1) lack of construction noise  2) ease of anchoring  3) plenty of room  4) few PBs this time of year and 5) less parking lot break-ins.  But I'm certainly open to other spots. 

Joe.  Don't worry if you can't get the gear you need out there.  We'll all have plenty of extra gear and bait. 

Can anyone else make it?  It'd be great to see a flotilla again.

If anyone's coming from the East side of town, don't forget about the option of launching from Oak Grove Blvd just southwest of Milwaukie. Its all street parking in a decent neighbor. I've parked here a lot and never had any issues or seen any signs of breakin's. Let me know if anyone needs more info from the Milwaukie side.

I use a crab buoy and just a $10 boat bumper. I'm sure you can go a number of different ways but this works for me. I usually run the crab buoy and then the bumper, but I guess I reversed it this day.

Thanks Noah! Looks like the current was running pretty fast that day (your rope looks quite taught)  Looks like two crab buoys would work in a fairly stiff current. (I assume the boat bumper is about the same amount of flotation as the buoy - the look similar in size).

Another option for an anchor buoy is a Poly Form inflatable anchor buoy you'll see a lot of PB's using here in the PNW. Nate and I picked up a couple of the A-O size(smallest)last winter at the Sportsmans expo for $10 and work really well.

Thanks CastIron that cracks me up.

Brother where's the Love???

You work in a Firehouse Paul What do you want? 

I figured you'd know I was joking, besides, I'll still fish with you even if these other guys won't. 

Jammer....I'll be coming from Vancouver so as much as I'd like to launch/park with everyone else, I might consider an alternate. I'm also paddling, but assume I'll be able to find the party. Feel free to pm or post very detailed instructions as I got lost leaving the Fred Meyers parking lot to go crabbing a couple weeks ago. Luckily, Stevehawk pulled over and waited for me to pull my head out of my  get back on track. Thanks.

If anyone needs directions to the East side launch, use the following address as your destination location.

801 SE Oak Grove Blvd. Portland, OR 97267 (if you're using a GPS, make sure that you enter Portland as your city and not Milwaukie. This area of Oak Grove is un-incorperated Portland and not Milwaukie)

Notes: After launching from ramp at Oak Grove Blvd, pedal/paddle upstream or towards the South about 1000 yards and look for the group. George Rogers Park will be on your right when you get upstream. This East side launch has a very small hill you'll hike out at the end thats maybe 50-60 feet, but nothing like the hill at GR.
Cheers!

A couple more facts about George Rogers park.  Park by the old stone furnace in the lower parking lot.  You'll see some stairs and a zig zag ramp to your right, but don't use that.  There's an old boat launch on the left, past the bathrooms.  You can't drive down it, but walk into the oval park, go left past the furnace, stop at the restrooms and continue down the ramp.  As far as anchoring, the whole area is basically one huge, deep hole with some ledges on the sides.  You can't go wrong anywhere around there.  But with that said, feel free to come up and anchor close to me (or the group.)  I always like the company and its better for photo/video.  And Joesnuffy - you are welcome to tie up to my yak for a while and fish with me if you like.  PM me if you want to talk in more detail.

Looking forward to it.  Looks like the heaviest rain is a little north so hopefully the southern valleys feeding the willy are not washed out.  Anyone else able to join us?  I know an old timer named bsteves who used to fish for sturgeon from a kayak.

And Joesnuffy - your are welcome to tie up to my yak for a while and fish with me if you like.  PM me if you want to talk in more detail.

That's an extremebly generous offer!  I learned everything I know about fishing that area from and with DC.  In fact, my current avatar is DC's hook with the secret sturgeon bait, The Gothic Postage Stamp.  No, that's not the remains.  That's the bait.    


-Spot-
   

Keep and eye on the river graphs..  If you're looking at a steep raise in river level for the day you plan on fishing you might reconsider fishing a different day.  Sturgeon and most other fish (salmon/steelhead) seldom bite well on strong rising water.  Give it a few days and hit it when the water settles out or is falling will often yield significantly better catch rates.  I looked at the clack and the willy today and both were on the rise and starting to get a little colored up.  Still fishable but time will tell what they look like after this big rain.

http://water.weather.gov/ahps2/hydrograph.php?wfo=pqr&gage=orco3&view=1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1%22

Well I hope that the water doesn't get too bad over there. I don't want to make the drive and not go fishing

deepcolor, I'll definatly take you up on helping me out.

Right now I've got all gear that I need except the bait.  I just can't get the correct things over here.

We can always go fishing bro.  Just can't always go catching.  We'll give it our best shot though.

We can always go fishing bro.  Just can't always go catching.  We'll give it our best shot though.

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