Several folks have expressed concern about the stormy weather predicted for F4 on Saturday. I want to do what I can to reassure the troops that the Columbia River near St. Helens is a relatively calm place in typical Pacific frontal and prefrontal conditions. The wind in such a storm is usually from the SW or W, and the Columbia runs N or NW at this location. As a result the prefrontal storm winds are typically headed due downstream. Since F4 participants will be fishing mostly with their boat bows headed upstream (either on anchor or trolling) the wind and the current will be in the same direction. Today for example we fished the morning tide with a brisk W to SW breeze to perhaps 25 mph, and the Columbia was flat as a pancake.

I do not believe that weather will be a problem on Saturday, even if we get some significant frontal activity. Please don't let the weather forecast scare you away.

Usual disclaimers ..... not a weatherman ..... come at your own risk ..... etc., etc.