04/10 - 04/11 - Cathlamet Cruise

The highlight of this cruise is...
Click to expand...
A secondary point of interest would be the opportunity to catch what is widely held to be the best eating salmon in the world and the undisputed King of Kings.



Chinook run should be huge in 2004

December 29, 2003

VANCOUVER (AP) - The second-largest upper Columbia River spring chinook salmon run since counting began in the 1930s at Bonneville Dam is forecast for 2004. A whopping 360,700 adult spring chinook are predicted to enter the river in February, March, April and May destined for tributaries of the mid- and upper Columbia and Snake rivers.

The record count was in 2001 when a forecast of 364,000 turned into an actual run of 416,500. By contrast, the spring run was a mere 10,200 in 1995. This year, the run was 209,200.

Spring chinook are the best of all Columbia River salmon, prized by both sport and commercial fishermen.

The commercials get $5 to $6 a pound for spring chinook, compared to 20 cents to 50 cents a pound for fall salmon. The money comes at a time when lower Columbia communities like Astoria and Cathlamet can use an economic boost.
 
Concerning the rock throwing event, you should warm up by thowing them at Mike's boat (much bigger target) then graduate to a smaller target :)
Speaking of fishing, I wonder if the Yellowstone crew will make it, John was the key fisherman last year.
 
I'd just like to say this about that, COOL. That sign up thing was kind of neat. Which of you nerd brothers gets the credit for that operation.

On another note I like the timing for the cruise since I may have some of my projects done and will be more than ready to hit the water. As I recall Cathlamet was the first cruise for the Lynn Marie last year after a winter of boat projects. Looking forward to it already.
 
Sign me up! I would not miss it.
Even if I have to give up a Tuna day to have a day off to share with my fellow C-Brats, this is one I look forward to.
I am hoping for another beautiful day with my rod workingthe current while I cook breakfast and watch the eagles fly overhead.... Priceless.
 
Pat, come as early as you want and stay as late as you can. I showed up 2 days early for the Sequim gathering this fall and was glad I did, loved the ambiance. This year I'm going to sandwich most of the Puget Sound gatherings with extra days.
 
I was wondering if Yellowstone John's fishing prowess was gonna be brought up :smiled .We are looiing to be there though!!
"Not allowed to bring un-PFD'd keys to Cathlamet Jimmy"
 
J & L, Glad you folks will be making the trip..........how could the incident not be mentioned, ya got to admit it made for an interesting morning that day
 
Larry -

When do you plan to plant the Helen O in the Elochman Slough? Didn't you say you got an annual slip at the marina?

I have scheduled my last week of vacation (until June 1 when I get a fresh batch) for the third week in February. I reckon it will take all of that week, plus a couple weekends after, to get the TyBoo ready to float for the season. I usually save my last week until April for fishing and boaterhoming, but this year has been so messed up that I didn't get anything done ahead of time. (Now you know why I have been so reluctant to respond to Mr. F. That, plus the fact that he could do many times the quality of woodwork.)

I can foresee the need for a shakedown cruise up the creek prior to the big CBGT at Cathlamet. It would be cool to happen upon your fine vessel up that way sometime in March.
 
Mike

I have an annual launch permit for Elochoman Slough Marina, but don't have a slip yet. I'm on the waiting list for one though. Was told there is about a years wait or more for the slip.
Let me know when you're ready for a shakedown. I'll be back on the river as soon as this flood water goes down a bit. I haven't been downriver from here yet and am itching to go. It's 23 miles to W. Basin at Astoria by water.
 
Larry -

You need to cut the corners a little sharper! It seems to me that it was 24 statute miles on the water from the Warrenton entrance to Cathlamet, and it is a couple three miles from Warrenton to the W. Basin. Or maybe that was flying crow miles. Oh, what the... I'll meet you half way.

Here's a good plan. I'll shoot up the ship channel, dork around in the river next to the mill and make faces at them, then stay the night at Cathlamet. The next morning, we can both motor down the inside channels back to Tongue Point. We'll try to hit Astoria mid-afternoon at the end of the ebb. That way, when we come out from behind T. Point and into the main channel, the wind will be howling and the waves breaking. Then we decide if we really want to go on a tuna run.

I will for sure let you know when the boat is floating.
 
:shock: Wind howling? :shock: Waves breaking? No way am I headed out tuna fishing if the weather and forecast isn't near perfect.

Hey, they've already caught a few springers. Maybe we can drag a few herring around while we're making faces at the mill. :mrgreen:
Check this out, http://meph.eu.org/ It might help pass the time till then.
 
Springers? What's that? You better catch them now, because when I get there, they will be scarce. And when both me an B~C are there, they will be already scaling the dam or heading back out to sea.

I ain't going over no breaking waves. Only did that once, and it was right off of Tongue Point. Two breakers close together. They weren't very tall to the surface, but man, was it deep between them. The dog got sick on that one. Never again. You'll see me pulling out of Cathlamet headed for home by 9:00 am.

Weather and forecast? Did I ever tell you what old Smoky Holmes used to say?
 
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