From Garth Griffin who couldn't go springer fishing on Sat. Lets talk clams baby - Lots of em! The kids and I enjoyed a relaxing Saturday evening with the Strach/Miller clan. Rachael’s sister Marie, niece Elizabeth, and nephew Eric were visiting from Michigan. Russ, Rachael, and Parker showed them a wonderful time on the Oregon coast highlighted by this morning clamfest at Gearhart Beach. Eight of us hit the sands at 7:00 a.m. and promptly filled a three gallon bucket with 120 delicious razors. Abalone are hard to come by in Oregon but razors are plentiful and nearly as tasty. The attached photo documents our success. Tillia, Taylor, and Eric stand guard over the catch.
Glad I didn't have to clean all of these
John and Mike Delarm fished the Columbia on Czech-Mate Saturday. We fished B-72, Warrior Rock, and Bachelor Shoal. Saw only 3 or 4 fish caught out of 2 bazillion boats and heard of only a few more. For this time of year it could be termed, "dismal." Even the sea lions weren't getting them. Mike and I spent a lot of time on the popular "Where are they?" discussion. If the counts at Bonneville don't pick up almost immediately, we are expecting an emergency closure of the Columbia. About 4:00 I had a bite that appeared to have not hooked up. Fed her a bit and she came back - this time for keeps. Great fight from this 14-pound hen.
They don't come any brighter
Steve Stone said, "Dogwoods don't lie!"
CzechMate - I fished my "secret spot" at Sellwood Thur w/ Garth, Fri w/ Gary, and today w/ my Dad. These are trips 7, 8, & 9 for me this year; I can now fish this spot in my sleep (which my 5:30 am runs have seriously tapped into!). Finally scored on Friday 4/8 with a 16.8 lb hen springer (which originally weighed in at 24 lbs. until I sprayed the scale with WD-40...). She took a plug cut herring and Gary Rule deftly dipped this beauty aboard at 7:35 am - the first of only two fish we saw caught that morning. Today (Sat) the Sellwood Fleet was out in force however we only saw about ten fish caught between 5:30a - 11:00a for about 50 boats, and most of these were after 9am. No single hot spot - boats were spread all over Sell's half acre. Tomorrow's another day but I'm thinking about salmon omelettes and salsa instead of herring at this point! Steve
The "Well dressed Fishermen"
This just in from my buddy, Eurgel Berry, in Minneapolis who I go Ice fishing with at Red Lake in northern Minnesota. Okay, they're not spring chinook, but these guys are some of the greatest light tackle fish to be had - and wonderful eating. These crappie (Pomoxix nigromaculatus) are up to 16" long! Eurgel reports the bite has been on and hot (you betcha). I've fished there twice with Eurgel and what a blast - Northern lights, great crappie fishing, good friends, an occasional nip o' the barley, snowmobiles, and frigid weather. Eurgel fishes for salmon in Lake Superior and comes out in September and fishes offshore at Tillamook with me. He and his son, "Lil Urge" are damned fine salmon fishermen. See ya in September Eurg!
"Larry the Legend" Lives! Larry Larson and John fished Bachelor shoal on a beautiful, windless spring day of about 60 degrees. Not too many boats (25 or so) and good fishing, at least for us. The water is still a bit murky but very fishable. Should get nothing but better over the next few weeks. We saw my buddy Dave who said he and his wife had a fantastic day yesterday. They caught 8 to keep a limit of 4. While most boats are anchoring on the outgoing, the few who troll (and know how to do it) seem to be doing better.
Larry released a 20# upriver wild fish and caught a 17.5 pounder (see pic) and a 12 pounder. The first fish was deftly netted in mid-air as a sea lion was homing in on him. All I had for the day was the thrill of a hard pull down and nobody home when I picked up the rod. But what a great day and what great company! Larry was kind enough to share the bounty and sent me home with the 12-pounder which Maria and I promptly put on the BBQ. Delicious! A good time was had by all.
