Columbia River Fishing Updates+

CW · Posted: Wed Dec 12, 2007 10:47 pm Post subject: Columbia River Fishing Updates+

It's what I do, I fish the lower Columbia River, home of one of the largest salmon, steelhead, sturgeon & shad populations on the planet. I fish hard year round and have enjoyed some success both here (approx. 80 miles up from the mouth near Kalama), the Pacific Ocean & the Strait of Juan De Fuca (for halibut). I've fished some in British Columbia, Alaska, extensively in New Zealand (esp. South Island), Costa Rica and the Gulf of Mexico. I'm particularly fond of the large Chinook (30 - 70 lbs.) we have here and am willing to share some tips about what seems to work in these waters. I especially look forward to continuing my experiences in British Columbia (hopefully in a C-Dory soon; Knight's Inlet becons). I am currently serving my second 4 yr. term as a Columbia River Citizens Advisory Council member to the WDFW (WA Dept. of Fish and Wildlife) and regularly meet and provide input to the game depts. of Washington and Oregon with the people who make the big decisions for these states. I regularly receive updated data from these depts. about current fish run size, future projections, allocations and regulations for sport fishers, commercial fishers and Indian fisheries. If you are interested in these topics and would like to receive updates of what I'm doing, how the fishing is near Kalama, and what the ODFW and WDFW are doing (to include culling sea lions), and/or would like me to represent you within these arenas, let me know through private message or email (provide your email) and I'll put you on my "Fishing Friends" email list. C.W.

CW · Posted: Fri Dec 14, 2007 12:59 am Post subject:

Well, I just sent out a slew WDFW emails regarding run sizes from last season, predictions for the upcoming as well as commercial and tribal seasons just established. There is some oceanic salmon data as well. If you are someone who wanted to be signed up and did not get these emails, contact me again as I may have missed you in the shuffle. C.W.

CatyMae n Steve · Posted: Fri Dec 14, 2007 9:13 am Post subject:

I'm curious -- are your mailings any different than those available through W and O DFW agencies at their websites directly?

Byrdman · Posted: Fri Dec 14, 2007 9:42 am Post subject:

CW: I like this report the best so far and got it from your photo album. Fancy finding an apple in your part of the country. Mr. Green

I see no reason why you could not post the reports on this thread...or am I missing something other than being able to taste those fine looking steaks today?

Good Luck on your hunt for the C-Dory boat. I think we have chatted about a TC24 in the past??

Byrdman

CW · Posted: Fri Dec 14, 2007 10:35 am Post subject:

Well, first off, of the half dozen or so that asked to be added, the emails to rdimond, bkcasa and twelborn all bounced back as "undeliverable". So I'll have to recheck their addresses again as well as add Jazzmanic in the next couple of days.

CateyMae & Steve -- I just went to the WDFW site to see what is available there. Of the stuff I mail out, maybe 50% is also available there and might be duplicated if you are signed onto their mailing list(s). On those more polished, public postings the challenges associated with commercial fishing, Indian fishing, Bonneville Power and the U.S. govt. are generally avoided. I get to hear about more of that stuff.

Within the Columbia River Advisory Group is a wide range of expertise regarding fisheries (think of a room full of 20 Sea Wolfs & Byrdmans). There are people who belong to and meet with the Pacific Ocean Advisory Council in California (on their own nickel), there is the tackle manufacturers representative for WA, OR and ID, there is the President of the Washington Charter Boat Association, there are members who attend and vote in the "North of Falcon" salmon allocation process. Everyone but me is the president of some kind of fishing group, conservation group, professional fishing guide association or sporting goods retail association. Oftentimes I feel I am the one token "normal guy" (school teacher, fisherman) present. These folks meet with their constituents, meet with gillnetters , meet with the native tribes, meet with the Bonneville Power Administration re: hydropower and water flowrate issues, and all fish regularly. The WDFW and ODFW panels are the folks in charge of the fisheries, rivers, salmon, steelhead and sturgeon for this huge waterway in our states. Cindy LeFleur is one, Bill Tweit occasionally and their OR contemporaries. Additionally, there are usually 6 state biologists who present and last meeting, in the audience, was Vancouver's "the Columbian" reporter and at least six professional river guides. Things are circulated with each other, to include many highly technical reports that many citizens would find terribly boring but others find fascinating (similar to how many would feel about the step by step photos and description of how to repair a leaky hatch on a CD-22).

In addition, and on occasion, I add in my own successes and failures of fishing, boating challenges, photos and observations of wildlife and fishermen on the river. Byrdman, it might be this more personal, informal kind of information I could also post here on the C-Brats fishing thread. The other technical reports.... are just to much. Lots of charts and graphs.

Yeah, as pretty as the coconut, cranberry marinated salmon was, the apple pepper tuna tasted way better.

C.W.

CW · Posted: Fri Dec 14, 2007 10:39 am Post subject:

Hey, my "fishing friends" list is NOT a way of life. If it turns out to be something you'd rather not get anymore, it is easy for me to delete your address from that group. Also, no one on my list has ever tried marketing anything to anyone or forwarded it on to someone who does -- and we'd all like to keep it that way. Thanks, C.W.

RJD Wannabe · Posted: Fri Dec 14, 2007 1:46 pm Post subject:

as a die hard fisherman, I am very interested. That area is tops on my list of future adventures. It's sad to watch the Sacramento River Delta area tank, my stomping grounds for 20+ years (besides Mexico with it's own issues)

it's: rdimand@mac.com

Many thanks

bshillam · Posted: Fri Dec 14, 2007 10:06 pm Post subject: Add me please,

CW please go ahead and add me to your email list to send,

bshillam@hotmail.com

Any tips on the Columbia is greatly appreciated. The wife and I are back out again this weekend to catch Sturgeon. Hopefully a keeper this time...

Byrdman · Posted: Sat Dec 15, 2007 11:30 am Post subject:

CW: Thanks for your help with the organizations. It is great to have "normal people" in the mix of things... Some how, when they get titles as CEO, President and the such...things change for many. Please do keep us posted on your catches.... and when you are going to light the grill! Never know who may show up!

Do feel free to join us at our Friday night Hotel Party during the Seattle Boat Show gig week...and .... I feel sure that during the cover dish... those steaks would be welcome too! Mr. Green

OK... it is not fresh...but I did get some fish steaks at the store this morning... best I could do in a rush and having the desire after seeing your grill fired up. Going to get the Big Green Egg smok'n up the neighborhood in a bit.

Byrdman