Sturgeon

Mike,

That's a bum deal and especially after putting up with all that wind. Judy and I were up at the boat about 3:300 but just enjoyed the back deck for awhile then headed for home. If you think about it long enough you begin to realize that along with a good chunk of rope you also lost 20% of your allowable catch for this year, that's a sickening thought too but I'll bet that one certain Jamie might just let her Grampa help her with a fish or two during the season. I woudn't count on Tiffany the Sturgeon Queen though.

Can't make it up today but we hope to give tomorrow evening a try if the winds cooperate so maybe we'll see you on the dock.

Tim
 
After the fiasco the other day, I was feeling I had no business walking upright. But today was vindication of sorts. Beautiful flat water, and a lite breeze from the east the same direction as the river current. The breeze was nice, because Warrenton was the hottest spot in the state today at 96º. Not much action, but the first fish I hooked was too big at 65", so back in he went after a picture or two. The second, and only other fish was a couple inches short of the minimum 45", so back in he went, as well. The neat thing was, I got them both in without breaking anything, and back out on purpose this time.

Here's the big feller. Kinda dark and ugly, and he took 25 minutes to get in. The camera zoom was acting screwy, so these are the best I could do.

Pdr_0046.sized.jpg


Pdr_0048.sized.jpg
 
stevej":226rbqsb said:
Nice fish Mike, want to trade some halibut filets for some sturgeon :lol:

stevej
Click to expand...

First off - that's one ugly fish! It isn't just the camera that makes him look so dark.

Secondly - sure we would like some halibut, but we got nothing to trade. Maybe this weekend I can catch a keeper, and actually keep him this time. For sure fire sturgeon, without the Willamette marinade added, I suggest you haul your boat and your butt down to the June Sturgeon Fest.

Finally - Did you see the pics of our sister ship in the C-Farer album?? That's three of the six accounted for.

Hey - good to hear from you!
 
Good to hear from you also Mike

You are right about the need to drag Shearwater to one of the events. Been so wrapped up in ocean fishing lately that I spend all of my free time in the spring and summer in Newport.

It's a bit of a trek for me to drag the boat from Newport and back over a weekend (out of vacation time) but maybe I could ply someone with an open seat for a day to take me out in exchange for a halibut trip.

Did not know about c-farer thanks for the info will be checking it out.

later
stevej
 
Jim thank you so much for the offer. Thinking I will come down early Friday evening so Saturday or Sunday would be great. Will bring smelt and have my own fishing equipment.
Be good to do a bit of Sturgeon fishing again see some familiar faces and meet some new folks.

Thanks again
stevej
 
gljjr":1lf0khg1 said:
Mike,

Don't just tease us with pics! How about a little info too! :)
Click to expand...

Not much info to share. Two bites, two fish. That's how it's supposed to work.

Mine was 55" and Tiffany's was 46". She took her fish from hook set to the net by herself. Not bad for a scrawny 11 year old! Last year, I would get the hook set and the fish headed in before handing the pole to her, so this was her first hookup. Her eyes got real big when she jerked the rod and the end didn't come up. The only help she got was one of my hands under the pole, but that was more to keep her from getting pulled out of the boat than to help her rear back on the pole.

The whole famdamnly stayed on the boat last night planning to leave at daylight. But 8 year old Jamie got some kind of bug and was pretty sick during the night, so her and grandma went home this morning while me and the other kiddo went fishing.
 
Now see... That's much better than just a pic... You got to brag about how well Tiffany brought in the fish and we got to relive it in our minds eye!

Hope the youngin is feeling better soon!
 
Way cool Mike, nice fish. We fished for a bit Saturday afternoon and a bit this morning in Baker Bay....I guess there's a reason all the boats are up by the bridge as we had no luck down low...sure had a fun time though
 
Them guys must have cleaned out the estuary, just like B~C said they would. I went down to see Larry and Lyle this evening, but the Helen O was not there.

So, gentlemen, how did you do? Any keepers?

I am really sorry I was so inhospitable when you came over. I was sicker than all get out all day. Couldn't even go fishing, let alone work. Late this afternoon (at work) I finally started coming back to life.

I want the honest truth on the smoked sturgeon. Too salty? Too done? I haven't hardly tried it yet. But I did can a bunch of it up this evening. It will start the cool down in about ten minutes.

I don't think I told you, but on Monday we got a 59 incher on the boat.
 
Mike,
We did not get any keepers. :( The wind was blowing so hard we could not get a decent chance to fish. :cry: The boat kept swinging around too much to keep the bait down.The weather channel said it would be just as bad next few days so we cut it short and I left about 2:00pm. Larry said he was going to look at the water and either try to get home tonight or in the morning which ever looked like the smoothest ride up river.
You were very gracious host like always. The smoked sturgon was delicious. :thup If I had not been driving when I was nibbling I would have had a beer :beer with it and that would have been PERFECT snacking. It was just right , the larger pieces were done all the way thru.
 
Lyle -

Thanks for the report on the elusive fish and the smoked fish.

The water looked pretty calm at about 5:00 this afternoon down here at the end, and it was smooth upriver everywhere I could get a glimpse of the river on the way home. I saw Larry logged on here about the time I posted my message, so we know he made it home safely. The only spot that would give him any trouble is up around Tongue Point at the end of the ebb (remember that?), but it was a real small turnaround, so I am sure he had a pleasant voyage.

There's a kid at work who really wants to latch onto one of those fish, so if I get out on time and there are no whitecaps, we might give it a try tomorrow evening. Unless Kay is busy and needs me to run the oldest to 4H and back (remember that?).

See you weekend after next, or maybe sooner? I only get sick about once every four years, so I should be good to go.

I got the fish out of the canner. Plenty of oil/water came out in the bottoms of the jars, so it wasn't too dry. But I think I should have paid closer attention to the rules and not given it so much smoke. It looks pretty dark through the glass. Tomorrow evening, me and the girls will give it a try.

It was good seeing you guys, and again, sorry I was so grumpy.
 
Home safe & sound. Had a real fun time surfing upriver with a following sea that was rough enough to stand the boat up a few times. It was kind of like a roller coaster by Tongue Point.
No keeper fish this trip, but had a great time visiting with Lyle and seeing Mike & Family.
There's going to be a lot of sturgeon caught down there in the next month.
 
Does the truck drive OK with all that weight on one side? :lol: Nice fish - I really need to get back down there for some sturgeon fishing. BTW - have you tried/played with shad fishing? 167,000+ of them went past Bonneville yesterday and most look to be between 2 and 4 lbs. Might be fun on light gear and also might make decent sturgeon bait. With that many in the river, the sturgeon must eat one every now and then.
 
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