04/01 - 04/03 Cathlamet, WA
- Thread starter Helen O
- Start date
Knot Yacht
New member
Pat, good to hear ya. Glad you're still talking to me. Are you and Patty coming to Cathlamet? Selling the boat huh. Are you going for a 25'?
Pat Anderson
New member
Don't know about Patty, I will be at Catheterdalametdam with or without a boat, HOPE I can find a place to sleep and hitch a ride for the fishin'...
Knot Yacht":1e1t8t77 said:
Ok, I had this silly wild eyed idea that I could take my 8 weight fly rod and tie up some large super delicious looking flies and catch me a 15 pound springer. Then I did my research. Forget it. I would need a 10 weight minimum, better yet a 12 weight. Seems these fish are not your late fall milling about the creek mouth kings. These fish are super turbo charged monsters. And springers are not too interested in flys. I hear that they like those anchove wrapped Kwikfish. So, I am gearless in Tacoma, and I better re-think this adventure. Robbi
RobbiTrue Story
New member
I'm going to sign up for this ship. Pretty sure springer season closed below I-5 the last day of April last year but it's up to the fish dudes, run sizes, escapement goals, sea lions and similar stuff out of our control. Beginning of April should be a safe date
We will have a spot aboard our boat for the boatless. Plan on being Larry's shadow when he's trolling around. I've had better luck catching fish on the hook so I'm looking forward to learning some trolling secrets.
Is it possible Larry to rent moorage space for two months during March and April in Cathalamet? I know it's a busy season but its such a long haul for us it would be nice to keep the boat in the water. Perhaps you could let me know if this is a possibility and forward contact information. Sure would appreciate it. Tim
We will have a spot aboard our boat for the boatless. Plan on being Larry's shadow when he's trolling around. I've had better luck catching fish on the hook so I'm looking forward to learning some trolling secrets.
Is it possible Larry to rent moorage space for two months during March and April in Cathalamet? I know it's a busy season but its such a long haul for us it would be nice to keep the boat in the water. Perhaps you could let me know if this is a possibility and forward contact information. Sure would appreciate it. Tim
Robbi - I have a nimble 11' G. Loomis rod with a Shimano TR reel clamped on that you can use. It is almost like a fly rod - long and lean and limber. I think it is rated for 40# line, but when you get a big fish you may as well be using two 5 1/2' poles, because it bends just about double. It is great fun for salmon, but it didn't take long to quit using it for the sturgeon. It does catch fish, though! I refer to it as my Doom & GLoomis. No matter what - rethinking the adventure is not an option.
Raven Dave, whom I hope you met at the SBS, fishes his fly rods in the river all the time, using bait and his downrigger for salmon trolling, and casting bait for sturgeon. He has a blast, and the others on board are used to waiting for him when he hooks up. Shoot, he has one reel that's worth more than the last two dogs we had, and they weren't cheap.
Tim - I would guess you could find a spot there at Cathlamet. And after that, you could just motor on down to Warrenton for a couple months of sturgeon. Life on the river is good.
Larry - Man, you are one good Camp Director!
This is going to be cool!
Raven Dave, whom I hope you met at the SBS, fishes his fly rods in the river all the time, using bait and his downrigger for salmon trolling, and casting bait for sturgeon. He has a blast, and the others on board are used to waiting for him when he hooks up. Shoot, he has one reel that's worth more than the last two dogs we had, and they weren't cheap.
Tim - I would guess you could find a spot there at Cathlamet. And after that, you could just motor on down to Warrenton for a couple months of sturgeon. Life on the river is good.
Larry - Man, you are one good Camp Director!
This is going to be cool!
True Story
New member
Thanks Larry for the information. I'll give her a call.
True Story
New member
Yessirree Mike. I'm a wishin I lived next to that river for sure.
RobbiLarry,
I have signed up for the Cathlamet gathering. This will be my first CB cruise. I guess I need to call the harbormaster and get dock space? Also will most people be staying on their boats? I noted the potluck for Sat night and will bring something. Any other tips for a first timer? Thanks.
I have signed up for the Cathlamet gathering. This will be my first CB cruise. I guess I need to call the harbormaster and get dock space? Also will most people be staying on their boats? I noted the potluck for Sat night and will bring something. Any other tips for a first timer? Thanks.
Robbi":3g6ebku3 said:
Durned if I know - I always just use B~C's stuff. Or maybe Larry's - it always catches fish! I do know this - them big old chrome plated chinook that are all fattened up for the trip past the dams to Idaho are strong and have sharp teeth. I think most people run leader of at least 30#. The old pros will say to use 15# mainline if fishing the current at anchor because it catches less water. Probably doesn't matter so much for trolling. I use 25# for slamon down lower in the river, and would probably troll that up there, too. As far as terminal tackle, Larry and the other upriver semi-pros can give us all a lesson in that. I know the different ways of rigging the KwikFish for anchor fishing, but that isn't the preferred method anymore. Sheesh - whatever happened to worms?
CAVU":3g6ebku3 said:
Fantastic!! It will be great having you around, and you will very much enjoy your first CB cruise! Yep - most everyone will be staying on their boats. The dock has shore power down below and great facilities up above, so it is pretty comfortable. I don't know if a call to the Harbormaster is necessary. Didn't used to be. Larry? The potluck will take shape as the time gets closer, I suspect. If you are coming all the way from the other side of the mountains just to see us, I am quite sure nobody will mind, or even notice, if you don't fix up a full buffet for the group. I usually just bum food off of B~C. He makes some great hamburgers, but I am not real sure it is cow he's cooking. The only other tip I can think of is prepare to be amazed. You'll be hooked even if you don't hook anything.
Y'all might want to keep an eye on the discussion board of www.ifish.net for springer fishing info and pointers. Those guys go crazy this time of year, and they must be talking about it by now. Most folks who know say that the Columbia River spring chinook of the upriver bright variety is the best eating salmon in the world. I wouldn't know, but it does sell for $16.99 a pound locally when you can get it.
Ken
I'm glad to see we're going to be making some new friends at this gathering, welcome aboard.
No need to call the harbormaster, they won't take reservations anyhow. They're expecting 10-15 boats, and as time grows closer and it looks like there will be more, I'll let them know.
I'm thinking that a bunch of us will probably walk or ride 2 blocks up to the resturant for dinner on Friday evening, like we did last year. Saturday night is potluck. The rest of the time we'll be rustlin food for ourselves. It'll be casual, just good folks having good fun.
My preferred fishing setup is to troll a herring (6 ft of leader with a chain swivel in the middle) with 3 oz. of cannonball lead on a 2 ft drop line. Just let your line out until the cannonball is dragging on the bottom. Be patient and troll accross the channel. Sooner or later, your reel will start screamin at ya.
I'm glad to see we're going to be making some new friends at this gathering, welcome aboard.
No need to call the harbormaster, they won't take reservations anyhow. They're expecting 10-15 boats, and as time grows closer and it looks like there will be more, I'll let them know.
I'm thinking that a bunch of us will probably walk or ride 2 blocks up to the resturant for dinner on Friday evening, like we did last year. Saturday night is potluck. The rest of the time we'll be rustlin food for ourselves. It'll be casual, just good folks having good fun.
My preferred fishing setup is to troll a herring (6 ft of leader with a chain swivel in the middle) with 3 oz. of cannonball lead on a 2 ft drop line. Just let your line out until the cannonball is dragging on the bottom. Be patient and troll accross the channel. Sooner or later, your reel will start screamin at ya.
Pat Anderson
New member
Yeah, instead of the river we DO live next to...no salmon or sturgeon above Snoqualmie Falls, and the floods can get wearing...
True Story":3co4w465 said:
Lynn Marie
New member
Oh Boy,
Cathlamet again and a bunch of new folks. If the weather is half as good as last year the week-end will be terrific. and I can't wait. Even if the weather isn't perfect it will still be great because we have so many new faces from up north planning on making the trip.
We will most likely tow up on Friday afternoon and be ready to try our hand at fishing Saturday along with everyone else. We also are planning on the pot luck for Saturday and will start looking for some prawns to go into a big bunch of Carribean Rice from the Zaterans folks so plan on a repeat of last year from our pot.
Not sure about rides and fishing but should have room on the boat for at least one extra pole. We're not experts up there but maybe some of Helen O Larry's luck will get left laying around the dock and we'll smuggle it aboard. If not we may be close enough to his boat to catch a couple of good pictures that nerd Bill can computer alter with their fish on our poles behind our boat.
This is the first big boating event for some of us lower river folks so it will be an event we look forward to.
See you all on the river.
Tim
Cathlamet again and a bunch of new folks. If the weather is half as good as last year the week-end will be terrific. and I can't wait. Even if the weather isn't perfect it will still be great because we have so many new faces from up north planning on making the trip.
We will most likely tow up on Friday afternoon and be ready to try our hand at fishing Saturday along with everyone else. We also are planning on the pot luck for Saturday and will start looking for some prawns to go into a big bunch of Carribean Rice from the Zaterans folks so plan on a repeat of last year from our pot.
Not sure about rides and fishing but should have room on the boat for at least one extra pole. We're not experts up there but maybe some of Helen O Larry's luck will get left laying around the dock and we'll smuggle it aboard. If not we may be close enough to his boat to catch a couple of good pictures that nerd Bill can computer alter with their fish on our poles behind our boat.
This is the first big boating event for some of us lower river folks so it will be an event we look forward to.
See you all on the river.
Tim
Work Release
New member
Do you think there would be room for one more boat at this gathering?
I sure would like to try this fishery and meet some of the C-Brat fisherman. I have never tried this fishery but have heard good things about it. Hopefully, I could get some instructions from the pros on fishing the river.
Jim, Work Release
I sure would like to try this fishery and meet some of the C-Brat fisherman. I have never tried this fishery but have heard good things about it. Hopefully, I could get some instructions from the pros on fishing the river.
Jim, Work Release