Well, a flotilla has always sounded like lots of fun. Since the fall run is coming to an end would anyone be interested in a flotilla for winter runs? As for river ideas, we can take all suggestions... I'd consider,
1. cowlitz
2. lewis
3. smaller driftboat river?? (Kalama, EF of the lewis)
Perhaps there would be better rivers up closer to seattle that some people would consider?

As for times that would be open also, how about some time in the middle of december? Second or third weekend of december?
Keith

Hi Keith. Steve (RT-i) and I were talking about this Saturday. We want to have a steelhead Flotilla III on the Lewis. We were going to contact you about when the steelhead fishing gets good. The Lewis seems to stay in shape after rain and although sleds would have an advantage, I have a drift boat and wouldn't feel that dis-advantaged. After all, it is just a fun day for most people. I am all for the Lewis in December if the fish are there. Let us know.

Troy

How does a flotilla work? boating get together?

I picked up a chrome 8lb. hatchery hen today below daybrek on the East Fork. So, the fish are in the system!! I also ended up catching and releasing a 20 lb Chinook that was pretty bright. Heard of several caught on the North Fork by the Golf Course.

The fish are starting to show now, but and the peak is like most streams around christmas. I've seen some great days on the NF for winter runs and depending on what the hatchery released 2 years ago is certainly going to have an impact on the fish that will be returning. But with the great success over the state for summerruns, silver, and chinook I can only imagine we'll have a great winter run.

So best time would be as close to christmas as possible, and yes the neat thing is the rain doesn't really affect this dam fed river's color, only the height.
Keith

10 Horse Kicker, yes, a Flotilla is a fishing get together. There have been 2 previous Flotillas, one in Washington and one in Oregon.

Flotilla III was planned for the Satsop River earlier this year. The first date set up, the river was too low and the second date it was blown out, although Team Vision fished it the second date and did well. It also seemed in the opinions of some of the people knowledgable about this river, it was too small for the 25 or so boats that were going to participate in Flotilla III along with the regular river traffic.

The Lewis is large enough for the boats that show up , it handles rain well and has fish. Sure, sleds may have an advantage, but any river that can handle everyone, is going to be large and sleds will have the advantage. The last two Flotillas were drift boat only rivers so the Lewis will allow others that only have sleds to participate. We may have to make Keith and James use a drift boat, so there are some fish left for others to catch.

How about Saturday December 8th on the Lewis River? Keith, what do you think?

I'd be in, but the second saturday of the month may be better because there will be more fish around, allthough there are still some bright silvers and chinook that show in early december. Could be a flotilla steelhead/salmon and the later it get's it will just be a steelhead flotilla.
What do you guys think, as I mentioned earlier the closer you get to christmas the more steelhead there will be around.
We could always do the cowlitz, that's a river that James and I don't fish much and it gets 3 or 4 times the fish planted and will certainly have more fish for everyone to catch. Just a thought.
Keith

the cowlitz sounds fun to me.it should have enough fish in it after thanksgiving to make for a good day and with the 35 to 40 extra boats it wouldn't look any different than any other weekend i would like to fish the nf.lewis for salmon,steelhead opps.also.scott

The only reason I think December 8th might be better, is a lot of companies have Christmas parties on the last 2 Saturdays before Christmas. It makes no difference to me, but I just think more people could participate that weekend.

As for the Cowlitz, I have never been there, but either river works for me. If the Cowlitz is the chosen river, how is it to row for those who have never been on it? I know the Lewis is an easy row for anyone who has not floated it.

Hey Troy, our F III team is still intact. We can use my sled. I'm open for either the Cow or NF Lewis. I'm thinking on a Saturday the Lewis gets less pressure than the Cowlitz? And it's more centrally located for guys coming from further down in Oregon. I'm open for all 3 Dec. Saturdays, 8th, 15th, or 22nd.

Come up with some more name ideas guys. 'Slaughter on the Water' is still fine. Some other ideas:

Flotilla III,
- 'Clue Us on the Lewis' (lessons by Keith and James)
- 'Show ya How on the Cow' (Oreos take over -
plus Os's after fishing exhibition show)
- 'Cow Pluggers vs Side Drifters'
- 'Floatin Some Cork on the North Fork'
- Need more ideas - and an after fish pizza/brew place

RT

[ 11-18-2001: Message edited by: RT i ]

If anything is going to happen on the Lewis, please make it Dec. 15. I would like to participate in this event, and this is the only weekend that there isn't a wrestling tournament. I would love to be schooled, maybe I could learn something. Any open seats?

Matt

If anyone has an extra spot on their boat, please give me the details, I'd be very interested in participating.

Cow...Lewis...it don't matter to me. Just say when and where, I'll show with a sled full o' folks!!!
Good luck and tight lines, Jeff

If you do the Lewis it is fun to take a mid-day break and have lunch at the golf course. They can accomodate lots of people and the boat launch there is only 100 yards from the restaurant. Fish a half day, lunch at the golf course, and then fish the rest of the day ... or, if you are up to it, golf 18 holes after lunch. Relax 'til you drop!

I like that idea Jack. If the fishing is slow then golf after a lunch get together. If the catching if alright then get back after them.

RT,
is that a grammatical error or spelling?

JMS

It's grammatical. 'If the fishing, if alright, then get back after them.' I left the two commas out, and it is still poor grammer. But no misspelled word. Yet. I don't think I can make it thru 51 hours now. Gonna try (gonna = slang).

Geez, this is tough. I didn't realize how many mistakes I make until I proofread more carefully; as I'm trying to do with this spelling contest. BTW, people often forget the 2 m's in grammatical. Good job.

Grammar, not grammer. I win!!!!!!!!!

hehe...wtg Andy

GEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEZ!!!!!!!! I made it a whole 3 stinkin hours. Arrrrrrrggg.

WTG Dogfish (Andy). Click on my e-mail icon (envelope at the top of my post) and send me your street addy. I will get the 6 spinners out to you ASAP.

I dare anyone else to try this out - even for a 24 hour period; as long as you are an active poster.

RT

RT: Check under your contest. I caught you with a mistake at 6:31.

I am up for the Lewis or Cow. Like the Lewis idea and it will be less crowded.

giz