Sturgeon Questions

I know this is a Salmon, and Steelhead site. But, I'm sure no one will mind if I seek some info on Sturgeon fishing the Columbia this week end. A co-worker has offered to show me a thing or two about Sturgeon fishing. He usually fishes around Astoria. But, wants to try a new location further up river. Has anyone got any reccomendations where we should try? And if you can share some techniques that would be great too. We appreciate the info.

I've been hitting the area around longview and Kalama,the last few weeks.Its been pretty slow for me and everybody else I've talked to.I the fish are there.Its just that there is so much bait in the water right now they dont have to look far for a meal.One shaker I got the other day was so full of smelt its stomach was all distorted and looked like it was ready to pop.If you get lucky or hit the right spot at the right time you might get into some good fishing.It might be worth waiting a couple weeks for the smelt to thin out some though.If you do go.Let me know how you did.

The Kelley Point area (mouth of the Willamette) has been doing very well. A high percentage of keepers right now. If you aren't hitting fish regularly, move until you get into them. Find 70 feet of water and throw fresh smelt at them.

Coffin Rock by the Trojan Nuke Plant. Large sand shrimp wrapped with elastic sewing thread to hold them on the hook is a change up from smelt that sometimes works. Douse liberally with liquid shrimp smelly jelly.

If you want 15-20 fish in a couple of hours (happens all the time), you'll have to wait for the smelt run to be over. They are full of smelt and there is plenty to choose from. After the run, they'll be hungry again. Otherwise, you have to move, move, move. Present your fresh bait properly and be patient. The volume of water does spread the fish out some, but they are not trying to swim the current, they are just trying to eat and relax (my vision anyway). When the river is blowing, look for softer water or fish the slack.

Someone once told me that when sturgeon are not sleeping, they are eating. And sturgeon never sleep.