|
|
|
Keeper sturgeon follow smelt on Columbia
Washington fishing map feature
By Terry Otto
Fishing and Hunting News
You'll have to hurry, though. Under regulations recently announced by Washington and Oregon fisheries managers, the Columbia will close to the retention of sturgeon above the Wauna power lines near Cathlamet, Wash., on March 24. Retention of sturgeon will still be allowed in the estuary fishery below Wauna until July 10, as will catch-and-release fishing above Wauna until it re-opens for retention on July 1. This time of year, smelt also are in the Columbia, and the keeper-size sturgeon will be following the migrating smelt upriver. What continues to decline, however, is the number of keeper-sized fish. It seems to be a foregone conclusion there will be tighter regulations on keeper sturgeon in the Columbia, but it is anyone's guess as to what those restrictions will be or what form they will take. Bite in the wind There will be plenty of fish for anglers, pressure is the main reason for the drop in keepers. Sturgeon angling continues to grow in popularity, as anyone who saw the fleet fishing the Wall on the opening day of retention can attest. As more anglers discover how much fun sturgeon fishing is, the pressure on this fishery will continue to grow. Compass bearings Concentrate your efforts below the I-205 bridge during outgoing tides. Further upriver, popular holes include the View Point, Horsetail, the Wall and the Fishery. These fish often move onto shallow flats to feed, from depths as shallow as 6 feet. Good places to launch include the Fishery and Rooster Rock State Park on the Oregon side, and Beacon Rock State Park on the Washington side. Tactics Boat anglers take most of the sturgeon in the Columbia River, although fishermen on the bank take their share of fish as well. Favorite holes for bank fishermen include the View Point and Bonneville Dam. Long heavy rods are necessary when fishing from the bank for these big fish, while boat anglers can get away with lighter gear. Expect one hell of a tussle from these fish either way. They are strong and powerful, and will even jump. Even the small fish will surprise you. Harnesses the bait to the hook with half hitches. He prefers 5/0 to 7/0 hooks when angling for keepers, and size 9/0 when fishing for oversized sturgeon. Fish on the bottom with a slip-line dropper for the weight. Leader and drop-line lengths are adjusted for the conditions, and depending on the flow, lead weights of 12 to 32 ounces will usually do the trick. Set lines at varying distances from the boat to cover as much area as possible, and works to make sure all the lines are well spread from side to side as well. It is important to make sure all your baits don't roll together into the same slot. This is especially true in high-wind situations, and as many of you know, it can really howl in the Columbia River Gorge. Sometimes a little attractant scent is added to the bait as well.
How to stick 'em Barbless hooks are required for sturgeon fishing, and that means a change in mindset when it comes to setting the hook. Hold the rod level with the butt anchored in one hand, and the other hand gripping the reel with your thumb on the spool. Watch the rod tip, and when you feel the time is right, snap the rod straight up to your shoulder, or about 90 degrees. You are trying to drive that hook into the mouth of the sturgeon, which is mostly cartilage and very tough. As soon as you strike, start reeling hard to remove any slack. It can also be a good idea to set the hook two or three times. For the novice, or a slow learner (like myself), it may be tough at first to get used to the different technique required. Remember that when fishing barbless hooks, any slack at all and that fish is gone. Regs Oregon and Washington anglers can fish throughout the Columbia River during daylight hours. There is a one-fish-a-day, 10-a-year limit. Fish between 42 and 60 inches may be kept, but all fish outside the slot limit must be released unharmed. Oversized fish must not be removed from the water. Single-point barbless hooks are required. At the time of this printing, it is legal to keep sturgeon within the slot limit. However, both states are expected to make changes to the sturgeon regulations soon in response to the continuing decline of keeper-sized fish. Before you go It's always a good idea to check on weather, wind and river conditions before you fish. If you're not familiar with this stretch of the Columbia River, you would do well to go with an experienced skipper the first time out. It's a good way to learn safety and angler etiquette.
|
|
|
Copyright © 2007 Last Modified 8-21-07
|
