River Current

Does anyone have any insight regarding river current and Hobie kayaks? If you launch into the Columbia River (or other rivers) and drift down stream, can you peddle back up? I don't know how fast the current can flow, but would think it is faster than I could sustain speed in my kayak. Is there an area in the river that is easier to paddle up stream?

My only experience with current was at Nehalem Bay crabbing last fall when the current was going out.

Thanks,

I can't speak for a Hobie, but with my T13 I usually have no problem making way in a moderate current (Columbia/Nehalem Bay ebb).  It just depends on the total payload of your yak, your draft, river/flow level, your level of fitness, wind direction, etc.

Not realy sure about that river but movin to the side and using eddys to help pull you back against the current works most the time for me..and I ve been in some fast rivers..the wind is more of a work out.

It depends on the river level and tide. With a strong outgoing tide it can be difficult to make a lot of progress in the middle of the river. Certainly not imporssible but you might be pretty tired after a mile or so. You can however push out to the sides of the river, out of the main current, and make your way back up. The tide seems to have a bigger impact during the summer when the water is lower.

I plan to fish the Columbia a lot this year, as my new office is very close. Let me know if you ever want to head out once the springers move in.

Thanks for the feedback from everyone - that helps settle my mind.

Noah, thanks for the offer, I am pretty flexible with my schedule and can go during the week with short notice. Where do you typically put in on the Columbia?

Does anyone have any insight regarding river current and Hobie kayaks? If you launch into the Columbia River (or other rivers) and drift down stream, can you peddle back up? I don't know how fast the current can flow, but would think it is faster than I could sustain speed in my kayak. Is there an area in the river that is easier to paddle up stream?

My only experience with current was at Nehalem Bay crabbing last fall when the current was going out.

Thanks,

Kevbro
 Keeping the other guys posts in mind. What I do if I think the current may be to fast is I put in below where I want to go and move up stream to fish. Then I can just coast down stream to take out. If that will not work you can set up a shuttel with friends or family and just move down with the current and take out when your done and not worry about having to go back up stream. Like was said before you can also use areas in the river that have less flow and shadow the shore line.

I usually put in here, but there are a lot of launches in the area.

http://maps.google.com/maps?q=gleason+park,+portland,+or&hl=en&ll=45.605031,-122.617121&spn=0.009908,0.027509&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=23.067146,56.337891&hq=gleason+park,&hnear=Portland,+Multnomah,+Oregon&t=m&z=15&iwloc=A

My plan is to try and fish a couple of days a week after work. I'll let you know when I start heading out.

Hi Gentlemen,
It's good to be back on the forum.  My wife is now on the mend which in translation means it is time to get back on the water. As for the current, the Turbo fins made the difference for me.  Going up against a strong current with standard fins was a little challenging.  When does the Springer season start in earnest?

SteveHawk

I think we have a little bit before the fishing really gets going, but there were 2 Chinooks counted at Bonneville last week. 
With a Hobie with turbo fins you can move upstream against a decent amount of current but doing it for a long time gets tiring.  I try do what Firebunkers23 recommended because floating downstream at the end of a long day is nice. 

You can look up stream velocities online. Going 3 mph in my outback is a nice steady pace, 5mph is pushing it hard.

A related question is how folks measure trolling speed in moving water. A GPS does not take current speed into account. Is it mostly that you go the same speed as everyone else or do you self measure.

I've spent a bit of time paddleing on rivers.  If you stick to the sides most of the time it isn't much of a problem. 

You will fatigue afte a bit though.

A related question is how folks measure trolling speed in moving water. A GPS does not take current speed into account. Is it mostly that you go the same speed as everyone else or do you self measure.

Stevehawk welcome back dude.

As far as trolling speed goes in moving water, I don't personally spend much time worrying about what my gps is telling me of ground speed. To me it's more about getting a feel for watching how my bait is spinning in the water. Once I determine what kind of peddle power is creating a perfect spin I will drop my bait down out of view and into the depth I plan on fishing. I may check speed at this point, but mostly rely on angle of line into water. Every so often I reel up to see if my bait is still intact and spinning below the water line. I'd highly recommend attending the upcoming Springer clinic in March. It will be a good one and should cover each and everything that pertains to "SPRINGERS".
I can't freakin wait!!!

A related question is how folks measure trolling speed in moving water. A GPS does not take current speed into account. Is it mostly that you go the same speed as everyone else or do you self measure.

Stevehawk welcome back dude.

As far as trolling speed goes in moving water, I don't personally spend much time worrying about what my gps is telling me of ground speed. To me it's more about getting a feel for watching how my bait is spinning in the water. Once I determine what kind of peddle power is creating a perfect spin I will drop my bait down out of view and into the depth I plan on fishing. I may check speed at this point, but mostly rely on angle of line into water. Every so often I reel up to see if my bait is still intact and spinning below the water line. I'd highly recommend attending the upcoming Springer clinic in March. It will be a good one and should cover each and everything that pertains to "SPRINGERS".
I can't freakin wait!!!

What he said, but I think it takes a bit of practice to get comfortable with what the proper line angle should be. I still like to keep an eye on my speedo, sometimes I find myself not maintaining a consistent speed and watching the speedo helps. I usually shot for about 1 mph, trolling upstream.

Hey, Guys, I'm heading back from the Caribbean on Saturday night, hope to fish lots over the next month including some trips out of Washougal on the Big C for Steelhead, Walleye, Sturgeon, etc.

Also have a few spot or two in mind up past the Gorge for Rainbows. Anyone up for a trip next week?

iHop

Ihop, what day are thinking about going?