Sunday, February 22, 2009

TRIP REPORT: Kayak Fishing the Confluence of the Willamette & Columbia Rivers, and Sauvie Island

CONFLUENCE OF WILLAMETTE & COLUMBIA. 2/16/2009

I launched at Kelly Point Park at the confluence of the Willamette & Columbia Rivers late afternoon last Monday. The sky was partly cloudy, and temps were in the low to mid forties. The water was glassy, with currents around one nautical mile per hour.

I back trolled a pink Brad's Wobbler upstream of the confluence briefly, before crossing the mouth to Sauvie Island just down stream. Back trolling at this spot was a little intense with constant recreational & commercial boats coming in and out of the Willamette.



I back trolled a plug in fifteen to thirty feet of water, downstream of the confluence for another hour or so before calling it a day.




I saw another fisherman in a power boat, anchored up and trolling in the middle of the Columbia, directly outside of the mouth of the Willamette. He was probably in the best spot to intercept any salmon entering the Willamette, but I could not put myself in an area of such high boat traffic with out an anchor to hold my position.

I may fish the confluence again, but with the industrial setting and high boat traffic, it is not ideal. It is however, convenient. I'll save that spot for when the jones is high.

COLUMBIA RIVER AT SAUVIE ISLAND. 2/20/2009

On my way out to Sauvie Island to kayak fish for spring salmon, I noticed thirty or so power boats anchored up just down stream of the St. John's bridge on the Willamette, and several more upstream around the port of Portland, maybe one or two miles up river from the confluence I was fishing the week prior. What a huge change from the one or two eager fisherman I had seen as of late.

We hit the island around 11:30 AM. There is no such thing as "on the water by dawn" when the girlfriend comes along. I was OK with the late start. My main goal was to enjoy the blue skies, sunshine and 60 degree temperatures. A gentle breeze blew over the glassy Columbia, and the current was moderate, around 1.5/2 knots.

We hauled our kayaks over the levy, and launched from a sand beach at the midpoint of the island, on to the Columbia. I ran a green tipped rainbow brass spinner on a leader of 4 feet behind a one ounce banana weight in 15 to 30 feet of water. I paddled gently backwards against the current; Just enough to keep the spinner fluttering downstream in the current, and changed to forward paddling in the eddies where the current direction changed.

We drifted by Mount Saint Helens:






I backtrolled the spinner for an hour or so and had one nice pull, but no real hookups to speak of. We approached the point downstream two miles where the shipping lane crosses from the Washington side, to within 50 feet of Sauvie Island. Paddling backwards in this environment is proving to be a little dangerous with all the boat traffic. I've been thinking of getting a rear view mirror that attaches to your sunglasses. I know they make them for cyclists, and it would make spotting approaching vessels a bit easier.

As I was very close to the shipping lane, I thought it would be best to turn and face this big boy as he got close.









Every now and then these big ships make a decent three foot wake that you can get a nice surf out of. The river was so flat today that this ship's wake was not big enough to ride.

One thing that always surprises me are sea planes. Growing up in Texas, I never saw a sea plane in real life. Out here in the Pacific Northwest they are common place. Even so, I still forget about three dimensional traffic hazards when I'm on the water. I get focused on boat traffic, and then an airplane comes out of the sky, or leaves the water surface, and really ads another layer to caution.





I saw a few bank fisherman plunking in the channel as I floated further downstream towards Warrior Point lighthouse. It was encouraging finally seeing other fisherman, but it's still a little early in the spring salmon season for much action. The increased amount of fishing traffic does tell me that any day now the spring salmon run will be in full swing, but aside from the one tug of the rod I missed, I was skunked.

I have been thinking about switching from hardware to herring. This seems to be the preferred method around town. With visibility less than two feet, I will surely need to entice the salmon with a scent trail rather than rely on the flash of the spinner alone. I've been trying to avoid using bait because of the increased hassle, but when it comes down to napping or catching salmon, I would rather catch salmon.



With only a half day to work with, we had to turn and head back upstream around 4:00 PM in order to reach the launch before sun down. We paddled hard back upstream, hopping in and out of eddies created by wing dams in order to avoid paddling against the main current, and made it back just in time.



I'm hoping to get down to the Nehalem next weekend to kayak fish for big native steelhead, before heading to New Orleans for my brothers bachelor party. I will resume chasing spring king salmon on the Columbia shortly there after. By the time I return to the Columbia, the spring salmon migration should be in full swing. Hopefully I will get into the fish then!

Until next week,

Jason

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

UPDATE: Kayak Fishing for Spring Salmon

I decided to take a quick mental breather from midterms to get out on the water and chase spring salmon yesterday. I knew I was a few weeks early for any real action, but I thought I would give it a go and test out a few new things. Maybe, I would catch an eager king making it's way through Portland, ahead of the bulk of the run.

I back drifted plugs and trolled spinners in the Multnomah Channel, but did not see fish, sea lions, other fisherman....You get the idea. There was nothing happening. Maybe a few fish are moving through this massive river right now, but it will be another couple of weeks before the mass migration begins.

All said and done it was a good day. My concern of being swept downstream into pilings while fighting fish were pretty much put to rest, and back trolling plugs without anchoring worked great.

I did however, pay a high price for taking 4 hours away from midterms. I ended up staying up all night finishing my paper. I submitted it at 7:56am.

It was due at 8.

Midterms are behind me now, and I will have a little more time to get out. I plan on hitting the Columbia down by Warrior Rock on Sauvie Island at least one day this weekend.

With any luck, I'll have some nice pics and a trip report for you next week.

-Jason

Sunday, February 8, 2009

KAYAK FISHING: Spring Salmon on the Columbia River

I have heard reports from several sources of sea lion sightings in the Columbia & Willamette rivers. This is a sure fire indicator that the spring salmon return is starting!

I have never fished the Columbia for salmon from a kayak, but the rivers close proximity to my work and home makes it enticing. I've spent the winter letting my hand get back to normal, studying charts & local salmon fishing techniques, and scouting launches and habitat from Warrior Rock on Sauvie Island,

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to Rooster Rock in the Columbia Gorge

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and everything in between.

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This gives me 50 river miles, with my workplace located on Hayden Island, at the middle point between Warrior Rock and Rooster Rock. With a nice stretch like that to work, I should be able to move up river with the fish throughout the season with easy access & previous experience with specific areas along the way.

Here are a few pics I took over the last few weeks. These first few pics are from the Columbia, on my approach upriver towards Govt. Island and the I-205 bridge. I found some nice salmon holding areas on the South side of Lemon Island, and what I believe to be the salmon's traveling lane on the North side of Lemon & Govt. Islands.






Although these fishing grounds are not the most scenic, they are convenient. Lately I have been so busy with school and work that I will take whatever I can get. I would much prefer to be fishing at the coast, but the reality is I do not have the time to get there right now. I have to admit, that just feeling sun on my face and being on the water was really quite enjoyable, regardless of the 747's taking off 400 yards away.

These pics were taken a few weeks ago out by Rooster Rock. It is usually windy in the Gorge, but this day was exceptional. My intention was to kayak that day, but 50+ mph winds are just no fun. I ended up hiking up into the gorge instead.




I have to say after my 3 month hiatus from kayak fishing, I am stoked just to get out and wet a line. I finish my last midterm tomorrow, and will finally have a little time to actually buy my 2009 fishing license, and get on the water chasing springers next Sunday and Monday.

It is still a bit early, but there are fish moving through. My plan is to get on the water early when the stakes are low and work out the kinks. By the time the bulk of the salmon are moving through, I will have my game perfected and finally get some action!

My plan is to back troll plugs and spinners, and spin & glows. My only concern is the wing dams all along the river. If I am not anchored and hook up with a spunky king upriver from a wing dam or other boats, it could be dangerous, as I will basically be at the mercy of the current and fish. It will definitely be interesting. If this proves to be too dangerous, I will anchor up and run plugs/spinners/spin & glows, but this can be a little boring just sitting and waiting.

I will post a complete trip report with pics next week!

Until then,

Jason