Hats off to Spooled for setting F-3 up. Was great to connect the faces to the names. We didnt seem to crowd the water too bad at all. Lunch was good. Think I met everyone but Dr. Strangelove and Bait o'Eggs, catch you guys next time. Phil Leshowitz and Mike Gilchrist showed up for lunch only. They are with the Recreational Fishing Alliance, thanks to the organization the reel raffle. Bait of Eggs won it. Had a great time fishing with Bait-boy and Cap'n Dan these guys are dialed on the freedrifting tech. They will get me trained eventually. Good job Kalamabama and Rivertramp for finding the fish downriver and connecting in a major way.
See you guys on the river, Jay

[ 12-16-2001: Message edited by: Fish Hunter ]

Could someone please explain to me why anyone would use a pink worm in high water/questionable water conditions? I thought that you guys were trying to catch fish?

Just wondering?

i also would like to thank spooled for getting me down there and getting the chance to meet a few from the boards.i had a good crew(gizmo,baito eggs and eric) the fish were cooperating we just couldn't get them in the boat(had some great excuses though).that hatchery drift is a tough stretch to freedrift.the weather also was something to be desired.but with the good co.i hardly noticed it was raining a inch an hour. my hats off to kalamabama and crew for finding fish in the lower river with that much water,you must know the river pretty well.good job. scott

[ 12-16-2001: Message edited by: scotty98541 ]

Congrats to the Dawg Boys and another victory.

These Washington Fish must know an Oregon worm when they see it

Next ones on the South side of the Big River,I hope We make a better showing than last time down there

Wished I could have made it,but thats alright,If I had to miss one....like RT says big water scares us

my arms recovering from my "day off"
Hows you'res Danny ....Os

Regarding fishing with worms and catching fish, it must be the angler. Our own Bait of Worms (The angler formerly know as Bait of Eggs) caught one adult and 2 jacks on WORMS of the 11 (7 adults and 4 jacks) we hooked. Yes, the old garden hackle stand by.

I would like to add my thanks to Spooled for coordinating the event and seeing that it took place despite concerns voiced about the conditions.

I would also like to congradulate the winners Dan and Tony, (although we had our chances to win if the fish would have stayed on the hooks better...won't mention the brand)

And finally, a special thanks to Scott for sharing his boat and knowledge. Any of you guys needing a guide out there on the cowlitz and Satsop should look him up. He is very pleasant to fish with and has a great boat to fish from.

Giz....

[ 12-16-2001: Message edited by: Gizmo Man ]

Was there any large fish boated? Or were they the typical 6-10 lber's? We haven't seen many fish over 12 lbs yet this year up there.
Keith

Hey Keith, I woke up this morning and thought the whole thing was a nightmare ... until I burped up a bunch of black feathers.

Next one is Oregon's turn. I'm hoping someone like Spooled, who nicely organized this F3 makeup day, or Willierower who organized F2 on the S. Santiam, will come up with something appealing to most fishers - maybe on springers somewhere. The Willamette is expecting it's biggest run in years and will be open 7 days a week for them (driftboats work as well as the sleds in the best 2 stackup holes up there). It's an earlier run than the upriver Columbia run, so we could have one up at Oregon City in March or April. Or have it out of a Columbia port such as a St. Helens/lower Lewis ramp combo. This would be an excellant centralized location and wouldn't be the zoo of overcrowded boats and long lines that occur up below the Bonneville Dam deadline. And there will be just as many Col. springers this year but with a higher percentage of finclipped fish to keep. Anyone with other good ideas or dates post them soon enough (before January is over?) to make some plans.

Stainless, I now agree with you that it's 'doughballing' to keep trying to prove the pink worm will work on the NF Lewis, especially in high water; so I give up on it on that river. But I have no excuses why I couldn't get a bite on good eggs combined with either a flame Glo Go or with double corkies. So for that I am going to take my son to school in the morning and write "I am a Flotilla cracker", 100 times on a spare blackboard somewhere and sign it. ...


RT

[ 12-18-2001: Message edited by: RT ]

I went back for more this AM Os, and yes, the arms can feel yesterday.

Batchelor Island might make a great place to hold the next flotilla. It is great for springers and is close to St. Helens and to Pekin Ferry and Beebe's moorages on the Lewis, as well as to the Richfield ramp. That area will hold a bunch of boats too. If the weather is nice (right!) we could have a weenie roast on the beach on the island right close to all the fishing.

Great idea Thumper. And the chances would be very high for plenty of fresh caught springers on hand for a large BBQ. Cool! Gizmo said that area was a real good producer for spingers this year too.

Since an Oregon guy (Spooled) organized the successful F III up in Washington, I nominate Thumper and Giz to organize the spring Flotilla IV. That scenario has the potential for more participants and a fun beach BBQ than the previous flotilla's combined. Fun! (By the way, I found out it's not spelled Floatilla ).

So what kind of boat could I use for this particular flot.

would... say a 14' with a 9.9 or so do the trick or am I asking for trouble.

A big thank you to Spooled for getting everything set up for the Flotilla 3. It was nice to meet everyone. Yes I did fish the lower river Woodland down. Well you just have to go where the fish are Keith the hachery down is tough in a drift boat when the river is this high maybe I can get a ride in your new sled someday. I did go out today also did well there are lots of fish in there.

I'm glad to hear that most people did well.

RT, you crack me between your trash talk and no fish. Hey, why did you neglect to tell the others you ate a banana that morning? lol.

Matt

Glad you all had a good time for F3. Vision Hooks & Tackle apologizes for not showing up. Team Vision was going to hook up (pun intended) with Team Ultimate Egg Cure and put on a clinic for you all , but..... without a boat or skipper, it was called off.

Oh well, there's always F4.

Again, glad you all had a good time! Wish I could have been there.

[ 12-16-2001: Message edited by: parker ]

Boys, Boys, Boys,...now that's not the conduct I would expect from a team who fished together several times.... Turning on each other.... Maybe if the smack talk was backed up with results this apparant friction would not rear up in public

Anyway, I would help organize a spring thing on the Columbia and would suggest that we can have a picnic and weigh-in at Sand Island which has a developed dock and picnic area. It is across from ST. Helens so folks lauching from the Lewis River, Ridgefield, St. Helens or the Scappose launches can reach it.

If there is any interest in this, post and let me know. If someone wants to help, let me know.


Giz...

Gooose might be in for this if there's a Wa side launch. BTW RT whats your shoe size and width for your waders? Just curious?

Gooose

I thought I heard RT issue a F4 call, for the Willamette. I know I'm a newcomer here, but I'm also a long time Willamette salmon guy, and if there's a flotilla for the Willamette, I'll offer my services for a Noprthern Washington offensive into the rodents' home turf.

One North River sled, with room for four rods, ready to do battle against the evil beavers.

Thanks Giz for offering to help organize a spring flotilla on Columbia spingers. I hope Jack teams up with you on it, because you two know the fishery and landscape in that area well. You don't suppose it could get rained out twice do ya?

And Gooose, give me a little more credit than that weak setup attempt. I'll just say it for you - my flotilla mouth is much bigger than my boots and they will fit in there just fine. After I burp out the rest of the crow feathers.

I'd be happy to help Giz with F4.

Count me in, I'll help organize this fine event... Although, it may consist of a herring show... Guess we'll have to doctor up some herring and drop the kicker and do some trolling.. Nothing like a 20+ springer chomping at the bit. Sort of gets me excited and it's only december. Hell by then it will be short-sleeve shirts, a cold beer and shades with a fresh green label slamming on some over aggressive springers.. :p I can't wait!

I'm in on organizing this one...!
Keith

You ready for another whoopin Oregon, this time james and I will be there come hell or highwater..

[ 12-17-2001: Message edited by: stlhdr1 ]