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September 10th 2008 - - - There hasn't been anything to report in the last few weeks. But just a few days ago we heard that there was a bite going on above Tongue Point. So, Monday September 8th we decided to give it a try. This is the first time I've been able to fish this year. We grabbed the dog and Gene and I headed to Tongue Point. It was a gorgeous day. Sun was out and very calm. I also had this bran new rod and reel that's been hanging in the shop for at least a year and a half. I could hardly wait to try it out !! Within a few minutes my rod goes down. FISH ON !!!!!! Wahoo!!!! I brought in a nice 16lb Coho. Gene, myself and Saede had a great time. We got our limit of fish and then headed down river to check our crab pots. This just completed our day by getting our limits of crab too! After a full day of fishing I was pooped! I slept real well that night. I can't wait until I can go fishing again! What a great day!
August 29th 2008 - - - I just can't believe it ! Their going to close the buoy 10 season mid night Saturday ! Which leaves nothing to fish for Sunday! Unless you count crabbing as fishing. And I guess there is Tuna. Which is very weather dependant. In the 23 years that I have been here. They have NEVER closed the river for the Coho fishery. I'm in total shock ! Starting Monday, you can fish above Tongue Point for either Chinook or Coho. This change in the fishery has put me out of business. I feel sorry for the people who have already paid for their stay at our local camp grounds and motels. They have already made their plans. And most of them planed on fishing. If we don't make changes in our fisheries very soon. It will be all but a experience in the past. We need to fight for our fisheries!
I feel like............
August 20th - - - The Tuna are about 43 miles out. And the sea conditions were good on 18th. Better than the catching. The opportunity was there but couldn't capitalize on the catching. Can you pick out the ones who didn't get their fish to the boat? Just kidding. Dylan, the deckhand on the Lady Dee said that they lost about 20 fish or better. And that would defiantly improve the fish count. He said that they had about a two hour bait stop with live bait.
River Salmon - - - Is still going strong. All except for this little weather front that came in. It's suppose to improve by Friday. Just in time for the week end. The Chinook are bigger than ever. It's the best I've seen in years. And the Coho are too! The Chinook are running from 20 to 40 pounds or better. And the Coho are running about 10 to 18 pounds. That's just amazing! Just nice quality stuff. They seem to be doing better on the turn of the tide on either end. And on the flood right at buoy 10. There have been fish caught by the sawdust pile to Hammond. Most are using fresh herring. And others are using some spinners. And a new lure called "Limit Out" But from what I've been hearing is that the fresh herring is working best. Check out this picture of a Coho that they said weighed 23.5 pounds! Wow!
THU
August 18th 2008 Just had to share this picture !!! It's all in the smile. It's a Beauty !!!!
August 18th 2008 - - - Ocean Salmon is now closed. It closed Sunday August 17th at 2:00 pm. That's pretty funny! It's usually mid-night. But, the river salmon fishing is going strong now. Mostly Chinook with a few Coho. Fresh Herring is the bait of choice. Some are using spinners, flashers, and a new lure called Limit Out. They are catching fish on the turn of the tide. And catching fish from straight out from us to Hammond. And on the flood at buoy 10. With any luck they will let us fish for the remainder of the month.
August 14th 2008 - - - Here's the last several Tuna trips. And it's definitely nothing to brag about here. This was last August 8th and 9th. It's been a hit and miss fishery this year. Nobody has any bragging rights these last couple of weeks. We had a couple of tuna trips scheduled for this weekend and had to cancel them due to big seas. And maybe just as well until the tuna come in a little closer. The fish have been from 30 miles out and better. Some days 40 to 50 miles. Maybe after this storm front moves though things will settle down and maybe we can get on the tuna again.
Salmon Fishing - - - The Salmon fishery has been very good. The fish in the picture below were caught in the ocean August 6th. There were eleven Chinook and 4 nice Coho. The river just started producing fish just in the last several days. With of course a day here and there that they didn't do very well. There isn't much for Coho, but the Chinook are BIG and are in pretty good numbers now. And that's great news since there is rumors of the Ocean Salmon fishery to close soon. They are having a meeting August 15th at 10:00. So, if they close the Ocean to Salmon fishing. This will leave us with a good fishery in the river!
August 3rd 2008 - - - The Tuna are here! There approximately 40 miles out. The picture on the right was July 31st and the picture on the left was yesterday. August 2nd.
August 2nd 2008 - - -Let's see here. What's happened since my last report. Well, by now everybody knows that Sturgeon fishery is going to be hook and release for the remainder of the year. It was just getting good.! Just when everybody was starting to bring home those nice legal size fish. But, we can only look at them now. (soon it will be illegal to even look at them) Guess, I'm just sulking.
Unfortunately, our ocean Salmon fishery hasn't been real good. There is some real nice quality fish out there. And you can find them just past the CR buoy. Which is the Columbia River Entrance buoy. But they seem to be scattered. Some days you go out there and will do very well. And other days, you spend all day trying to get your fish. The limit is two person. In ANY combination. All Coho must be fin clipped. On the Chinook, it doesn't matter. And the fishery is Sunday through Thursday only. Sooner or later they will open the ocean seven days a week. Or at least that's what has been done in past years. Who knows what they may do next.
Yesterday was the opening of our buoy ten season. This is the worst that I have ever seen. In the 23 plus years that we have been here this has been the biggest disappointment yet. No people! With everything running late this year, it only makes since that everybody is going to wait a week or so. By then the fish should be in the river. Right now, the limit is two fish. Only one can be a Chinook. And you can use barb hooks in the river. And it is a seven days a week. With all the cell phones now days, it's hard to tell what's going on out there. Nobody uses the VHF radio any more. And the fact that there is only a hand full of people out there trying to catch fish. I hope it's not to long from now that I can have a more encouraging word about our fisheries.
July 24th 2008 - - - Shoot! The first word we got on our Sturgeon fishery is that they were going to let us have the two remaining days. (Saturday and Sunday) But then we got THE call. And they are only going to give us the one day. Saturday, July 26th. Doesn't make much sense because this is the end of the three year contract. If we went over our quota by giving us the two days. This could be made up in the next three year. But, guess that's not in the plans.
Also, we are working on having LIVE BAIT this Saturday. This is for the Tuna Classic held every year. But it all depends on the local seiner. If he catches bait, then we'll have it available. Our 36 foot boat called the Elijah will be moored in Hammond. All bait has to be pre-ordered and paid in cash only at the Tackle Time office the day before. Then you can take your cash register receipt and hand it to the person on the Elijah. No bait will be sold at the boat. And you will have to hang on to their receipt in order to get live bait. This is all new this year. And I'm sure there might be some problems at first. But we will do everything we can to make things work.
July 23rd 2008 - - - The meeting yesterday was on the commercial fishery. Nothing to do with sport fishing. They will hold a meeting July 24th at 9:00 via teleconference to review recreational Sturgeon fisheries. I know it's very disappointing not knowing if we can fish July 26th and 27th. These meeting should be held much sooner. Within reasonable time frame. Instead, we hang in limbo. I'll get the results posted the minute I receive word.
July 19th 2008 - - - I've been kind of slacking on reports for you. And I apologize for that. I've been sick with the flu and then a cold. I could go on and on. But I won't bore you with that. So, now about fishing. Sturgeon these last three days have been very good. I'm sure that everybody didn't do well. But for the most part, allot of fish were taken. I actually saw some nice FAT Sturgeon come in today. All in the upper fifty's. It was an early bite. Most were caught on fresh Anchovies. And there were allot of fish taken just out front here. Around Stink house flats and along the Desdemona sands. If, were lucky we'll be able to fish for Sturgeon next Saturday and Sunday. We've heard some nasty rumors that after today it would be the end of our Sturgeon fishery. They will have a meeting next Tuesday and decide if we have caught our quota. I'm thinking that they will still let us have next Saturday and Sunday. But, We'll know for sure on WEDNESDAY. I don't much pay any attention to these kind of rumors. But after hearing it so many times, you start to believe it. Until I hear different, (from the big mucky mucks) I'm going to count on next Saturday and Sunday being open for Sturgeon.
Ocean Salmon fishing has been fairly good. We've had some very big seas and people weren't able to get out and fish. The fish are scattered some days. And you have to work to get your limit. But, there has also been a few days out there that limits came very easy. There will be a few going to fish the ocean tomorrow. And we'll have a better idea on the fishery.
No good word on Tuna yet. Heard they are approximately 70 miles off Newport. We had a trip scheduled for today. But, after reading reports and studying the sea surface temperatures. We decided to cancel the trip until the fish are within reach. Could be any day. It all depends on the sea surface temperatures. So, guess all we can do is wait.
June 30th 2008 - - - Ocean Salmon ! Only had a few people anxious to try their luck at some Salmon. They started out heading South of the CR buoy. The fish were scattered compared to the day before. But, they were persistent and ended up with their limits. As you can see by the picture below, they had a couple of Chinook in with the mix.
June 29th 2008 - - - Today is Opening Morning For Ocean Salmon. The Regulations are NOT the same as last year. Two fish, In any combination. Yeah, I know. Can't anything be consistent? All Coho have to be fin clipped and on the Chinook it doesn't matter. The bar had no restrictions this morning. There's a few boats that are out there with lots of room to fish. I've already had several calls from the fishermen out there now. There telling me that the fishing is awesome. Most everybody is catching allot off Chinook so far. But are having a little trouble catching any Coho. The size limit is 24" on Chinook and 16" on the Coho. They are fishing just South of the CR buoy. So, it sounds like we don't have to go so far South like we did last year. And with the fuel costs this year, this is a very good thing.!
It's very important that we give accurate information at Tackle Time.
We were given bad information about the Sturgeon numbers and whether you
can keep two Chinook in the ocean this year. I get real discussed with
organizations that put out this information. Without so much as making
sure it is accurate. And to make sure, license agents as myself get this
information right away. Because it's very important to our business to
give out accurate information about the seasons for what, when and how
many we can fish for. Well, there ! I feel much better.
Also, I'd like to make a small change from the report on June 27th. We were told the number of Sturgeon left on the quota was 3,900. And then after about three hours later. We find out that the information was incorrect. The real number of fish is 4,200. I would have changed it yesterday. But, I couldn't get any internet service.
June 27th 2008 - - - Sturgeon will re-open. We just got the official word at 2:45 pm. We have three thousand nine hundred fish left. We can fish for Sturgeon Thursday July 10th, 11th, and the 12th. And again on Thursday July 17th, 18th, and 19th. For some unknown reason you will be able to fish on Saturday and Sunday July 26th and 27th !!! Make sense? Didn't think so. Everybody was hoping for some sort of fishery over the fourth. But guess that's not happening. I'm discussed with this whole regulation thing. Guess, I should be glad we get to fish at all. But somehow I feel cheated. And I'm sure the fishermen do too. So until there is some sort of fishery going on, I'm not so sure about the fresh bait. I will try as hard as I can to get fresh bait for those who would like some. There is a Ocean Salmon fishery going on right now. But nobody seems to know it's open !! Then our regular Ocean Salmon fishery will begin July 29th. Sunday through Thursday. Two fish limit.
June 23rd 2008 - - -The Sturgeon fishery will end Tuesday midnight. So, tomorrow will be the last day for awhile. They are going to have a meeting on June 27th. It's certain that we have not reached our quota yet. And they will decide on what the remainder of the quota is and how many days they will let us fish. So, the next several days will be........nothing-ness! It's going to be pretty lonely around here at the shop. As soon as we hear the results of the meeting. I will get it posted right away.
June 20th 2008 - - - Wow! The last two days have been very good for the fishermen ! We saw limits in by eight and nine this morning! Sure is nice to see some happy fishermen. The water temperature is about two to three degrees higher. Which makes a difference. It also looks like the weather is going to be real nice for the next several days. The fish were caught just about everywhere today.
The Sturgeon season will end June 24th midnight. The unofficial word is that they will give us Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sundays to fish for the reminder of the Sturgeon quota. We're not to sure when it will begin. But this is great news! And as soon as we hear the official word, I will get it posted. This will give everybody a chance to fish for Sturgeon and the ocean which starts June 29th. Sunday through Thursday. If you can't get to the ocean because of rough conditions, it will give the fisherman a chance to fish for Sturgeon on the four days a week that is open. Sounds pretty good to me!
June 18th 2008 - - - This has got to be the worst year of Sturgeon fishing we've seen in a long time. It's been a fish here and a fish there with some people sitting out there all day without even a bite. But just this morning we've already seen some fish come in. Maybe there's a glimmer of hope yet. Although we only have six days of Sturgeon left. The bite today was at stink house flats. And a few fish caught just off of Desdemona flats below Hammond. It is scheduled to close June 24th. But there is rumor of it re-opening for the remainder of the quota. Our guess is that they will let us fish for Sturgeon on Fridays and Saturdays until the quota is filled. These are the days the ocean is closed to Salmon. And that will start on June 29th. So, either they will let us fish for Sturgeon on Fridays and Saturdays or just open the season until the quota is caught. We should hear something soon.
June 12th 2008 - - -Sturgeon fishing has been a spotty at best. Just today, the rumors are flying that they are finally catching some fish. It's real hard to get a good report these days. With all the cell phones out there now days, we don't hear all the chatter any more. We have to rely on the people that come in the shop after a day of fishing. And most the time they are tired and just want to go home. Anchovies and sand shrimp are the bait of choice. From the sounds of it today, they were fishing up river. From the bridge to Tongue Point.
June 1st 2008 - - - Today is the opening of our (First) Ocean Salmon season. Reports are few. Why? Well, guess people don't know about the season. This is the first time in about six or seven years that we have been allowed to fish for them. In years past, the fish were real nice. In the 18 to 20 pound range. There are only a few that are going to try. I heard that a few boats were going to fish for Halibut and then try for Salmon on there way back. I just got done talking with a couple of guys that fished the ocean today. They got one Chinook each and a few rock fish. They were down South to fish for bottom fish and were fishing in 240 feet of water when they caught there Chinook. They got back about around 1:30 or so and said it was pretty sloppy out there. One Chinook was 15 pounds and the other one 22 pounds.
Sturgeon Report - - - The last two days of Sturgeon fishing has been extremely tough ! Just a day or so before that, there were limits in by nine and ten in the morning. So, we thought the fish have finally showed up. We had reports from Tongue Point to the lower part of the Columbia. And it was the same story all over. They just weren't biting. They could see fish, but they were suspended or not feeding. Again, the water temperatures are still very cold. We can only hope that the river warms up. And then the fish will be more aggressive. Although everyday is a new day out there.
Today is the last day of the first Halibut season. There is defiantly fish to catch out there, but can't seem to find any with any size to them. Reports from the North was suppose to had some bigger fish. But it wasn't the case for big fish on the Lady Dee when they had a trip on Friday May 30th. But still a nice catch. The second season on Halibut is in August. It will be only on Friday, Saturday's and Sunday's until the quota is caught. And the quota is about 6000. Which could last through August. The Picture below was off the Lady Dee May 31st.
May 20th 2008 - - - Memorial weekend is coming up and hopefully the Sturgeon fishery will pick up as well. There has been a few fish caught here and there, but nothing in any big amounts. Most all the fish that were caught have been above the Tongue Point area and above. From what we can tell, little or nobody has given the old sink house flats a try. The water is just too cold yet. We'll have FRESH BAIT available for this Saturday and Sunday and hopefully that will help. Along with the JUMBO Sand shrimp.
About Gene (Skipper Of The Lady Dee)- - - Thank you, to all that have been concerned about Gene's health. We found out that he had a tumor on his neck. He ended up at Emanuel Hospital May 16th for surgery. They cut in front of his ear, around the ear lobe around to the other side, out about 2 inches, and down the neck. It took two and a half hours to complete the surgery. He had a liquid biopsy done here in Astoria before we had to go to Portland. And he would have another biopsy of the tissue after surgery. All you can do is hope for the best. I was on pins and needles waiting for answers. This is just amazing, he goes in for surgery on Friday. Spends the night and by 10:30 am or so, he is released from the Hospital. He did not take any pain pills or anything. Very little paralyses which is very good. So, yesterday he was back to see the Doctor. The first thing he said is: Good news! The results are already in and it is benign.!!! Think that's the correct spelling. But, that's the news I was waiting for. This is most likely not to come back. So, thank you to all for your support.
Halibut - - - When the weather is fishable, Halibut can be good. Nothing real big this year. (yet)
May 11th
2008 - - -Hello everybody!
And Happy Mothers Day!
Salmon - - Also, for those that haven't heard We are going to have a Salmon season this year. Despite what the rumors are. Ocean Chinook Salmon will start June 1st though June 28th. Unless we meet the quota of 5,300 Chinook. If we catch that amount before June 28th, they will close for retention for Chinook. Bag limit is One Chinook 24 inches in length. And will be open seven days a week.
On June 29th the second season will open. The bag limit is two fish, but no more than one Chinook. All Coho must have a healed adipose fin clip. Chinook does not have to have a healed adipose fin clip. Just on ALL Coho. We have a quota of 5,300 Chinook and 10,180 on Coho. This fishery is open Sunday through Thursday only. Closed on Fridays and Saturdays. The length limits are: Chinook 24", Coho 16" , and steelhead 20"
Halibut - - Just a little bit on the
Halibut fishery which opened up May 1st. Our boat has started the season
off with a bad reduction gear!!!! So, unfortunately we had
to cancel all trips. Also, there is some medical issues to deal with.
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Yesterday,
was the opening for our Sturgeon fishery. As predicted, the season
started off pretty slow. I heard of about six legal fish caught
yesterday. And all the fish that were caught, were caught way up river.
Above Tongue Point and in those little slots. Nothing down below. I did
hear that the water temperatures have go up a bit. Last week it was
about 46 degrees and now, above Tongue Point I've had reports of 56 in
some spots. The season on Sturgeon is May 10th through June 24th with a
45-inch minimum and 60-inches in length. The retention of all green
Sturgeon is prohibited at all times. FRESH bait will be available soon.
It's like any other fishery. Some days you catch them and other days you
don't. The bait distributors are fishing everyday and will have bait
just about any day. Where all waiting for that! Right now we have the
frozen anchovies which they delivered yesterday and we have the
JUMBO
SAND SHRIMP.
But as soon as
we get this all cleared up. We'll be ready to go......if there is any
Halibut quota left. The boats that have made it out, have had good
reports on Halibut. This time of year we get allot of undesirable
weather. Just yesterday, I heard that the boats that did make it out
there didn't do all that well. But those who fished North did very well.
Over all the Halibut retention has been very good. Nothing real big, but
very nice average fish. We can't wait to get out there!