Hi
I'm planning my buddies belated bachelor's party for this spring down on the Columbia. The plan is to come down for 3 or 4 days to fish the CR and tribs for springers, and maybe steelhead in the afternoon if we have time. We'd like to be able to do the troll/anchor fishery around Longview/Portland but are flexible to follow the fish. I'd rather not do the circus at Drano if possible. The problem is that I've got 4 guys schedules I need to coordinate for timeoff and such, and with the nature of the springer seasons not even being set yet, and with it being a quota fishery, I'd like to know if anyone has input on the peak time to be down there historically for that fishery. Obviously I'd like to get us all into some fish, so I'd like to wait for the run to build. However I also don't want WDFW to shut it down the day we head down there. Any advice on a safe bet for a 3 or 4 day window where we will find fish without risking that it will be closed? Any help would be appreciated.

I don't even fish the Columbia but if I did........for sure the following site would be a definite help.......


http://www.fpc.org/CurrentDaily/7day-ytd_adults.htm

Lot's of information, can be gotten from here....

I was going to suggest that you go the last 4 days of the season. Peak abundance doesn't occur until after the closure date. And we don't know what day it will close. I guess it depends how risk averse you are. The last few years it has closed after April 15, so you might plan to fish April 11-15. You won't be fishing the peak, but you'll be fishing as close as you can without risking it being closed when you're scheduled to be there. Springer fishing is a lot like winter steelhead fishing - the more flexible your schedule, the higher the probability you can fish when the fishing is best.

Sg

Just set the date and go have fun, if the fish are there then it's a bonus (a good backup plan like the Cow doesn't hurt in case the CR closes early).

I'd throw in with this.
I would also be prepared to use the Willamette as a backup plan. The other lower tribs don't look to good for 2011 Springers.
A good Willy run is forecast and when I look back and think of those big, 70 - 90 fish days out of Fred's it was April 15th - 30th with a strong emphasis on a day with 20-something in its date.

Fred's Marina is at the "Head of the Slough" (Multnomah Channel) which is close to the mouth of the mainstem Willamette.
Fred's sampling is guesstimated at about 30+% of the fish caught in the area.

With a semi smaller return predicted this year I would not make any plans beyond the first week of april. Fishin is plenty good by mid march anyhow. We did the same thing last year. Stayed in portland for my bachelor party and fished springers by day and fished around for a good time at night, both fisheries were good.

Heard a reliable rumor of the 1st springer caught today. Let the games begin.

Even rumors get the blood boiling!

End of March, first weeks of April just in case of shutdown as stated above. Fishing will start in earnest 2nd week of February even though some are trickling in as we type

I'd suggest the first few days of April. I wouldn't be suprised if it's closed a few days a week though to extend the season...

But by all means as mentioned above, I'd head for the Willamette a few of those day. Perhaps all of them if water conditions are permitting...

Keith