DINO's??

I've been watchin' the bretherin on NCKA and getting fired up for some Dino (Sturgeon) action. I talked w/ Espiga earlier in the year about going after 'em and I'd like to make it happen. Not sure if it's the right timing, still looking that up but if the interests there I'd like to get out there and give this a shot. Takers?

Z

I don't think it's the right timing locally (seattle area), but you can find some on the Big C.

-Allen

Never fished them, don't know how but I've always wanted to catch one.  Why shouldn't the first one I catch be from a kayak!  I know the big C (Columbia River right?) has them, but the areas I have heard of people fishing for them (below dams) are not places I care to venture with a kayak!  I will have to do some further research.

My understanding is that this is the slow time for dinos on the big C. Apparently they don't like the dropping temps.

Not all fishing is done up near the dams (though that's the best place for oversize fish); the fishing around Astoria can be much faster.

I don't know the deal around Puget Sound, at all, but am curious. Seems all the rotting salmon flesh flushed out the rivers by the recent big flows should have a good "hatch" happening somewhere, like near river mouths... but maybe the water temps are problem there, too. Maybe check out the dropoffs near the mouths, where the denser, warmer salt water may be?

Hmmm ... maybe I got the Puget Sound seasons all messed up.

Fish-On guide service runs local trips from Nov-May (http://www.fishon-gs.com/seasons_rates.html).

Oh course John's Guide service says it's a spring through fall affair  (http://www.johns-guide-service.com/Sturgeon.html).

I'll reach out to them and see if I can get more details.

-Allen

There's supposed to be some good sturgeon fishing near me in Stevenson. We're about 5 miles or so upstream of Bonneville damn. I'll do some asking around.

here's a quick blurb on seasons I just found:

February and March marks the beginning of sturgeon fishing season.  Smelt have started to enter the Columbia and the sturgeon key in on these small fish as a major food source.  In February and March we fish for Sturgeon in the Columbia from Longview to Bonneville Dam and also in the Willamette River.

April - June is when the water in the Columbia River starts to warm up and the shad start running.  Sturgeon begin to migrate farther up the Columbia.  They are following the shad and also heading to their spawning habitat below Bonneville Dam.  After spending a long winter on a low-cal diet the fish become voracious feeders as soon as the water starts to warm!

May - early July means it's time for sturgeon fishing in the Columbia River estuary to begin!  The estuary is the area of the lower Columbia River near Astoria Oregon.  This is in my opinion the best sturgeon fishing of the whole year.  There are other times and areas that produce just as many fish but nothing can beat the beauty of fishing in the estuary using light tackle for ocean fresh sturgeon!  Often times we are catching these fish in six or seven feet of water, and when they are hooked they have only one way to go and that is up!  Jumping sturgeon are a site to see!  Not unlike a marlin they will "tail walk" on top of the water trying to shake the hook!  Very high numbers of fish, lots of keepers and beautiful surroundings make fishing around Astoria my personal favorite.

from:
http://www.totalfisherman.com/columbia%20river%20sturgeon%20fishing.htm

Never fished them, don't know how but I've always wanted to catch one.  Why shouldn't the first one I catch be from a kayak!  I know the big C (Columbia River right?) has them, but the areas I have heard of people fishing for them (below dams) are not places I care to venture with a kayak!  I will have to do some further research.

talked to a couple people tonight. first one said she's fished for them between the mouth of the Wind and Skamania Coves downstream. Most of what they caught were just under the keeper range. Just downriver of Stevenson is supposed to be a good spot as well. Below Bonneville damn should be even better from what she remembers and what I can find. The most upstream put in is Hamilton Island:

http://www.columbiawatertrail.org/access/hamilton_island_boat_ramp

I've never put in there, but I've paddled up from Beacon Rock. There's current, but the water is mellow. Anyway, that's about all I know at this point, but I'd be into going if any of ya'll ever head out this way.

oh, the second source said he didn't know anything about sturgeon, other than it's something only stupid rednecks do. He's a fly fisherman though, so he may have a biased perspective.

I heard back from FISH-ON! Guide Service.  He does run trips through the winter/spring in the rivers and some parts of the sound itself.  I'm thinking of booking a day with them to figure out what this is all about up here.  Anyone interested in joining?  Base price is $150 each with a minimum of $400.  So 2 of use would have to pay $400 total and 3 of us would have to pay $450 total.

-Allen

Alkasazi,

Glad to hear there is someone a bit closer to my stomping grounds here!  I'm in Vancouver, WA and my fishing included several trips to Rock Creek Cove and the other small lakes off the Columbia up there in Stevenson this year.  I have access to a couple local lakes (Lacamas, Round) but I prefer the scenery in the Gorge and find it will worth the drive.

I was wondering about launching on the Columbia but I am honestly afraid of the current and boat traffic.  I am gaining confidence though.  I went out into the Columbia via the inlet from Rock Creek Cove and did just fine.

I'll mark Feb and March on the calendar to remind me and if you are up for it maybe we can venture out together to try some sturgeon fishing?  I'd feel a bit better having someone out there with me especially the first time.  Also - picture taking is much easier if you have someone with.  Hard to take a picture of a 4 feet fish by yourself.

Now I just have to look into how to fish for them!

Bluknight

I heard back from FISH-ON! Guide Service.  He does run trips through the winter/spring in the rivers and some parts of the sound itself.  I'm thinking of booking a day with them to figure out what this is all about up here.  Anyone interested in joining?  Base price is $150 each with a minimum of $400.  So 2 of use would have to pay $400 total and 3 of us would have to pay $450 total.

-Allen

Sounds awesome. When and where? Also would be w/o yak eh?
One more person.... pleeease.

Z

I mispoke on the minimum being $400.  Wade got back to me and said it is 3 people and $450.

Yes, this in not on kayaks.  But the intent is to learn enough about this fishery so that we can go back on kayaks.

Time TBD.  And Z ... I got you covered on this, for the work you put in on the logo.  If someone wants to work on the swag (stickers, shirts, caps, etc.), coordinating orders and such, I'll pay your way on this trip as well.  This means you do everything from deciding the layout (with some feedback from the forum and final blessing from me), to working with the vendors.  The only thing I want to worry about is turning on Paypal and plugging in a web interface.

My winter is turning out to be much more busy than I thought and I could use the help.

I'll check on dates.  It can only be a weekend day for me, and I need to make sure I'll be in town that weekend.  Thinking about a weekend in February or March.

-Allen

I mispoke on the minimum being $400.  Wade got back to me and said it is 3 people and $450.

Yes, this in not on kayaks.  But the intent is to learn enough about this fishery so that we can go back on kayaks.

Time TBD.  And Z ... I got you covered on this, for the work you put in on the logo.  If someone wants to work on the swag (stickers, shirts, caps, etc.), coordinating orders and such, I'll pay your way on this trip as well.  This means you do everything from deciding the layout (with some feedback from the forum and final blessing from me), to working with the vendors.  The only thing I want to worry about is turning on Paypal and plugging in a web interface.

My winter is turning out to be much more busy than I thought and I could use the help.

I'll check on dates.  It can only be a weekend day for me, and I need to make sure I'll be in town that weekend.  Thinking about a weekend in February or March.

-Allen

Word!

Z

Polepole,

I gave it some time to see if anyone else jumps in line ahead of me... so far, not so many.

I don't want to coordinate any swag (I'm covered up busy too) but I could pay and be that third guy on this one if that helps.  Gimme a date and lets do this thing.


Fishin-T

T, there are 3 of us and with you it makes 4.  Zee is one, bsteves is the other.  Working on a date.  I thought I had one, but remembered a wedding I needed to go to (no, not mine).  So I'm trying to figure out a good date.  Bad part is that the gfriend tore an ACL over the holidays, so I'm dancing around doctors visits, etc.  Will know more after the MRI tomorrow.

-Allen