Northwest Reel Life April 2023 Volume 2 Issue 8 - Flipbook - Page 24
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Dropping gear down slowly
so not to have it tangle is the
key to catching salmon at the
famed Buoy 10. Sure, there
are a few other things, but if
you do not put the gear into
the water correctly all the rest
that follows does not matter.
It was a skill that I learned
years ago while fishing on an
August day just outside of
Astoria’s East Mooring Basin.
I use cannonball weights
from 8 to 16-onces on a short
dropper and slider, to an
in-line flasher trailing a plug
cut herring pierced with
super sharp hooks. From
the weight to the herring is
nearly 4-feet of what could
be a tangled mess, so it is
best to slowly drop the gear
into the water. Once you hit
bottom, do a half crank up on
the reel and then put it into
the rod holder, and put your
hands into your pockets.
A few years ago, we started
the day just like this and
24 | NWFISHING.net
before my son could warm
his fingers in his pockets,
the rod doubled over and
stayed down. This meant a
big fish was on, and just as
quickly as we had put out
our gear, Ryan was lifting the
rod and reeling. A battle that
ensued much longer than
we had already been fishing,
and twenty minutes later an
18-pound Upriver Bright, or
URB, came to the net. It was
a hot fish with sea lice, and
not even completely out of
the ocean, with the incoming
pushing tide bringing
brackish water as far upriver
as Portland, Oregon.
This is Buoy 10 and though
we are still several weeks
away from the river opening,
you need to get the gear,
boat, and plans ready now.
Start with motel or camping
accommodations. By now
about every motel, hotel,
and VRBO will be full with
no vacancy. The best you
can do is get on a standby
list. Camping is always an
option, but that does not
mean it will be close by. Most
campgrounds and state
parks will be full as well. Even
if you venture to the outlying
areas such as Ilwaco, Long
Beach, Seaside, and other
towns, the motels, hotels,
and campgrounds will be
full. Another option is to call
some fishing friends who
had the forethought to get
accommodations already
and see if you can join them,
or if they decide to cut their
trip short, then take the rest
of their reservation. If you are
willing to travel a bit further,
then look to Longview and
even Kelso. It will add a few
hours to your trip, but you
can find places to stay. Two
years ago, we spent the
first night in Longview and
made the trip to the boat
ramp that morning, but we
were jumping in with Jason
Hambley of Pro-Cure, so we
did not need to launch a boat
as he was at the dock and
waiting for us.
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