My Weblog

Monday, September 26, 2005

September 24: What a GREAT day it was 32 in Fossil (another cold morning) 40 at the river, and 51 degree water, 85 CFS. Did you notice the water temp, 51. Boy were the fish off the bite or what. I took old friend and writer Dusty Routh from Issaquah, WA., his son Nick , and Dusty friend from Luhr Jensen, Dave Tonn from Hood River. We had a great day of fishing and telling stories waiting for the water and the fish to warm up. Whenit did, di we get into them. The fish were picky so we settled on Split SHot set up with #1 lite wire hooks, and Clearwater Custom Tournament Tackle's hand pour 3 1/2" finesse worm. We caught over 60 fish in one hole, just as fast as we could. This was quite a contrast with the 15 fish in the morning. GREAT Day!!

September 13: Ed Iman's/Cabela Fishing Camp (Wild West Writer Roundezvous III) sent up three GREAT guys Paul Kuper of Garlic Gourmet Fame from Ariel, WA., Tony Tantalo (541-997-7338) owner at Outlaw Baits from Florence, OR., and writer John Kruse (509-664-6633) from Malaga, WA. I've know Paul and Tony for many years and hope to know John for many more. This was a fun group out to have a fun time and catch fish. Tony boated a very fat 18 1/2" beauty on an experimental 4" tube, and John stole the day with a fat 19" toad, caught on the Smile Blade set up with the Slider hook and Outlaw Baits 5" Ripple Worm. They caught lots of fish, and told lots of stories.

September 12: This was the first day fo fishing with the Fish Camp, and I had John Posey of Lamiglass, writer Dave Vedder from Woodinville, WA, and photographer Julie McCellan-Johnson. We just went through a front and still had some of it with us today. We had to shorten the trip so they top water plug fished all day and caught some nice fish, and about 65 between Dave and John. Lamiglass rods are on all our boats, and give our clients quite anadvantage over the average fishermen because of their sensitivity. We've been favoring the Competitor rod in 6'6" with the fast tip. Great day to be on the water, and lots and lots of stories from Master Storyteller, Dave Vedder.

September 11: No fishing today, but Linda and I cooked deep fried turkeys and all the trimings for the opening of Ed Iman's Fish Camp at Peach Beach on the Columbia River. This industry has lots of great product and super people to go with it, and they were all there. Thanks to Ed and Cabela's for letting us be a part of this great Fish Camp.

September 10: Fished with long time friend and GREAT fishermen Jay McKendry of Morgan Hills, CA. It was 45 in Fossil, river running 72 CFS. It was a tough bite right off the bat, and there was only one color they would hit. Jay desribed it as a "there" bite. You almost had to sense when they were on the bait. So we split shot to put no weight at the bait, and paid strict attention to our line. Jay has made the 100+ Club many times, but today he only boated 48. That's why they call it "fishing".

September 3: took the Mother/Son team of Stephanie and Sam Engle. Stephanie's Dad had been the County Extension Agent back in the early 50's, and had told her what a great place the Fossil area was. So The Engle Family Tom & Stephanie, and Sam and Laura came up to investigate. Tom and Laura went to all the old Museums in the area (Fossil and Spray), dug fossil at the fossil beds in Fossil, visited the Headquarters for the John Day Fossil Beds and the new Thomas Condon Interpretive Site north of Dayville. So while they were traveling around Stephanie and Sam boated 95 fish, Sam just beat out his Mom with 48. It was 41 in Fossil and the river was flowing 67 CFS.

September 2: I took Dale (360-882-4808) and Joel Vanvalkenburg (503-998-5571) from Vancouver and
Portland respectively. It was 46 in Fossil 60 at the river with the river water up to 67, 57 CFS, and a nice day. We had a great time and they boated 110 by lunch and ended up the day with Dale boating 119, and Joel 113 so both joined the 100+ Club.

August 30: I took another GREAT FAther/Son Team, Mike and Sean Sipe (541-318-4260). These guys were avid flyfishermen, and boated more than 200 fish. They caught all their fish on top water poppers with Mike getting 106 and Sean 105,putting our 3rd and 4th fly fishermen to make the 100+ Club. It was 50 in Fossil and the river was running an even 50 CFS.

August 21: The Annual Wright Chevrolet had 9 fishermen, with four adults and 5 children: Billy, Cole, Courtney, and Cade MacInnes; Jerry and Deloris Luther; Russell Thompson, John and harold Stevens. They boated 508 fish with Billy MacInnes and Jerry Luther tying at 116 each, Jerry also got the longest at 16", and the Championship (five longest). It was a great day with lots of great food and a awards Banquet at our house afterwards. We passed our $200 worth of local Gift Certificates, and another $200 in door prizes.

August 20: I took Tom Troxell (541-449-3392) and his Dad, Don today. Toms a great guy, and his Dad is even nicer. We had a fun day and Tom made the 100+ Club with 118 smallies to his Dad's 86.

August 19: I always look forward to this trip. Robb and his son Nick Norby ( 541-382-0241) of Bend, and Nick's cousin Derrick Walters. Robb is a GREAT Dad and has been fishing with us for years, and when he and Nick show up the fish tremble. It was 47 in Fossil, and 52 CFS for flow. They ended up with 392 fish: Robb - 134, Derrick - 131, and Nick only had 127. WOW what a day.

August 17: George hadley took Husband/Wife team of Don and Kelli Randolph. It was 69 in Fossil, and the river was running 62 CFS. It was a little cloudy, little rainy, little windy, and ended up sunny with wind at the end. They boated 139 smallies and put a couple of nice ones in the boat. Guess what? They've already booked for next season.

August 16: George and I took Ron & Edna Nakamoto (707-875-9603) from Bodega Bay, CA., and their son Jordan, along with friends: Vincent Palazzo and son Gregory from Bilmont, MA. It was 49 in Fossil and the river was flowing 62 CFS. George and I were both in Mah-Hah's Clackacraft drift boats (we've used them all season). They boated 569 smallmouth: Ron 190, Edna 118, Jordan 110, Gregory 76, and Vincent 75. They fished almost all day with Outlaw Baits 5" ripple worm covered with Smelly Jelly and Ultrabite. Guess what? Ron's alreaday booked for next season.

August 15: George Hadley took Andy and Jonny Huff (541-923-0519) from Redmond, OR. It was 47 in Fossil, 60 at the river and the water was running 66 degrees, 60 CFS. They boated 203 smallies, with Jonny joining the 100+ Club with 114.

I took Father/Daughter Dan and Samatha Ross. We had a great day and caught lots of fish.

August 14: George Hadley took Eric Knies (732-495-4478) of Keansburg, NJ. It was 46 in Fossil and the river was flowing 61. Eric joined the 100+ Club with 159 smallies. They had a great day with 50 at lunch and then 109 in the afternoon.

August 9: I took Doug Watson (541-382-4056) and John Saunders of Bend, OR. It was 51 in Fossil, 66 at the river and the water was running 71 degrees, 79 CFS. Doug boated 101 and John 90 smallies.