Return to Fishing Reports Return to Home

Springers Finally Arrive in the Columbia (We Hope)!!

On Easter Sunday, I went with my daughter Lynn, son Michael, and Maria, to Buoy-72 on the Columbia. I put my rod in and was baiting up another when we had the first bite of the day. A solid take down on my favorite "Willamette River Special" tie-up, but no hook up. Shortly after we got all the rods in the water, Michael hooked into and landed a beautiful 16 or so pound wild fish which was quickly photographed in the water and released unharmed. During the next several hours of the incoming tide, we had two more solid bites but no hook ups. I was encouraged, however, by the fact that FINALLY we were seeing a few fish caught. The fish we were hitting were in deep water (25-35 feet) and lying on the bottom - perhaps because of the intense sun. Around 10:30 the tide started to run out pretty good and the hog lines, now common to the area, started to magically assemble and the trolling circle grew ever smaller. We decided to do a downstream troll to Kalama searching the 25-30 foot depths as we weaved in and out of the hog lines. About half way to Kalama Lynn's rod went down and she landed about a 13# "eater" (right), which Lynn described as "butter." All in all, a wonderful day - very warm, no wind, 5 bites, and fishing with people I love. More pics of the trip and beautiful day below.

Lynn with her first springer of the year - a nice 13 pounder .

Michael landing a beautiful 16-17 pound wild springer

Lynn taking her new puppy, "Dotie" for a little "break" after 5 hours on the boat. Dotie was very good in the boat and behaved like the lady she is.