Sturgeon fishing on the Willamette

I put in a long day on the river yesterday. I started the day down at Hebb park with Willbd hoping to catch an AOTY sturgeon. Was on the river from about 9 to 2 with nothing to show for it.

I then headed over to GR park on the way home to try to remove the stench of the skunk. I was on the water by around 3 and Jammer and ndogg showed up a short while later. Did not do much at first-the current was ripping pretty good. When it eased up a bit the bite turned on. I ended up catching two shakers. Day ended poorly when I could not free my anchor and had to cut the line.

The anchor was a claw type and I had the break away tied to the top. This has saved me in the past but not yesterday. Does anyone use a break away at both ends? I thought about using 20 on top and maybe 50lb on the bottom next time. Curious if anyone else does this.

I put in a long day on the river yesterday. I started the day down at Hebb park with Willbd hoping to catch an AOTY sturgeon. Was on the river from about 9 to 2 with nothing to show for it.

Isn't Sturgeon closed for retention?  so no AOTY points,  but can get KW points

sounds like a sticky river for anchors maybe an 8 pound  mushroom would work netter?

I put in a long day on the river yesterday. I started the day down at Hebb park with Willbd hoping to catch an AOTY sturgeon. Was on the river from about 9 to 2 with nothing to show for it.

Isn't Sturgeon closed for retention?  so no AOTY points,  but can get KW points

sounds like a sticky river for anchors maybe an 8 pound  mushroom would work netter?

Above the falls it is open year round but there are not many fish. Jammer was using an 8lb mushroom. I am not sure if he has ever hung it. I will have to carefully think about my next anchor.

The bite got good right as the current slowed down and the sun began to set.  I finally got to break in my new sturgeon set up after 2 skunkings and ended up with a 38.5 and a 41 incher.  I even remembered to get pictures for KW.
 Jammer, picked up 2 nice shakers too. 

Above the falls it is open year round but there are not many fish. Jammer was using an 8lb mushroom. I am not sure if he has ever hung it. I will have to carefully think about my next anchor.

Ahhh, gotcha.

It can be a drag(pun intended) to haul that anchor up from the depths but much easier then wrenching on a stuck claw for half an hour....

Man, that place has been eating anchors! What side were you anchored up on?, Nice job getting out there!

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Nice work on getting out there and getting some fish guys!

BTW, using a heavier anchor means less chance of your kayak dragging your anchor into a snag.  That area is one where you do not want your anchor dragging.  Just something to think about.

Noah, I was on the GR side. Ndogg and Jammer were on the other side. Ndogg caught the biggest fish. They were biting well on both sides once they started.

Rawkfish, that is a good point. My anchor got stuck when I hooked my first fish. It dragged me downstream until I got stuck. From now on I am going to drop off for pretty much every fish.