Wandering Sagebrush
Free Range Human
- Joined
- Jan 21, 2005
- Messages
- 2,790
- Reaction score
- 2
- Location
- North East Oregon
- C Dory Year
- 2005
- C Dory Model
- 22 Cruiser
- Vessel Name
- Constant Craving
Yesterday while chasing kokanee at Lake Merwin, I experienced some of the strongest winds I've ever encountered on the water. At about 6:00 PM, we received a cell call warning us of an approaching storm, one that was "tornado" like in Vancouver.
When I looked up over the south edge of the Lewis River valley, there was a tremendous buildup of very dark clouds starting over the crest. We hauled gear and started for the ramp, some 5ish miles away. About half way there, the winds hit. They would come down on the surface of the lake, lift water up and throw it sideways. We were running at about 25 mph, and the winds easily overtook us. By the time we got to the ramp, the wind waves were about 2 feet high, with a very short period. I have no idea of how strong the gusts were, but I heard that on the Santiam River, near Detriot, the winds were hitting 80 mph.
We were in an open Alumaweld boat, and I am thankful that it was not our CD22. I think the house would have made a sail that would have been nearly impossible to handle. About 20 minutes after it hit, the winds started to calm down. On the way out of Speelyai Bay and back into Woodland, there were several trees that had gone across the road and had to be removed with a saw. I sure hope that no one was hurt!
The good news is that we finally found the fish, and put a nice limit in the boat. They are heading for the smoker in an hour or two.
Regards to All,
Steve
When I looked up over the south edge of the Lewis River valley, there was a tremendous buildup of very dark clouds starting over the crest. We hauled gear and started for the ramp, some 5ish miles away. About half way there, the winds hit. They would come down on the surface of the lake, lift water up and throw it sideways. We were running at about 25 mph, and the winds easily overtook us. By the time we got to the ramp, the wind waves were about 2 feet high, with a very short period. I have no idea of how strong the gusts were, but I heard that on the Santiam River, near Detriot, the winds were hitting 80 mph.
We were in an open Alumaweld boat, and I am thankful that it was not our CD22. I think the house would have made a sail that would have been nearly impossible to handle. About 20 minutes after it hit, the winds started to calm down. On the way out of Speelyai Bay and back into Woodland, there were several trees that had gone across the road and had to be removed with a saw. I sure hope that no one was hurt!
The good news is that we finally found the fish, and put a nice limit in the boat. They are heading for the smoker in an hour or two.
Regards to All,
Steve