Hi all, I will be making my first trip to the Columbia next week was hoping for some helpful tips. We will be launching at the mouth of the Cowlitz. Not looking for anyone's secrets, just a few tips to make it a safe trip and hopefully catch a few kings. Thanks all.

Doubletake

I would get a chart of the river so you know where all the sand bars are. Make sure you have all your safety gear with ya cause you will probaly get checked. Watch out for junk floating down the river. If you have a fishfinder look for areas where the water is around 20' and look for fish. If not look for boats and anchor (or tie off to a piling) with them.
Oh yeah the ships ALWAYS have the right away. They can't stop.
Good luck to ya.

I've been up for a long time. I do know how to spell probably. Long day. We got nada down on the Columbia today. Lots of junk floating around and the water is really dirty. Pretty nasty at times today.
Oh well Good Night!

DT, being it was my first year down there last year, my first trip I did nothing but trolling, landing an 18lb Native Springer (released), with cut plug hearing. Before I left I boated from the Kalama to the Cowlitz to scout. If you do not have the anchor system take GB's recomendation and tie up to a piling. Not really much secrets to fishing down there. When tied / anchored, use k-14's or k-15's Kwik fish. If youre running a prop watch the shorlines, it shallows quick. And yes look out for dead heads (logs).

Good luck

Erndog

I work on the columbia with those a hole ships and tugs and yes stay out of there way even if they know there is a popular hogline they can avoid from miles away they will still want you to move (ego)
but don't tie off to a piling (or dolphin) you will possibly get fined.
I have had fairly good luck inside the mouth of the cow. or right on the inside channel lip pullin plugs good luck and let us know how you do !

Thanks for the tips gentlemen. I will report in when we get back (Wed. or Fri.) Take care all

Doubletake

DT,

I am assuming that you are launching at Gaerhart, unless the Cow has change since the last time I was there, hug the shore on your port side heading down river. I have seen a number of boats sitting on the sand bars from the center of the river over to the shore.

RL, thanks for the tip, I had heard rumors of the sand bars but until now no confirmation. I don't often have time to go to the Columbia and I hope that this first trip won't be the last, at least not because of a bad trip. Have heard a lot of nasty stories about the Columbia, would like to have a good story to tell when I get back. Thanks again.

Doubletake

Hey there,

For that launch, head across the columbia, and go upstream. You'll see the boats in the good spot. I'll be there, PM or e-mail me and I can hone you in a bit.

You will need a good anchor, buoy, and at least 150 ft of rope. Also 2 sea anchors. The anchor you use up here will NOT do for that boat of yours. You absolutely need a rocking chair style anchor. GI Joes has them, the middle size (28 lb?)will be fine. You'll need a piece of chain 2 to 4 feet long to finish it out. E-mail me if you want a picture or help.

I'll be there friday, saturday, and sunday. Be happy to show you a spot or two if you want. I put in at Kalama, will be there, probably ~ 9 or 10 on friday morning, o dark thirty on the weekend days. I'll be camping at Kalama River Campground, there off the freeway. Look me up, and let's catch a fish.

One more thing, The port of Kalama launch is a little less nerve wracking to use. The Gearhart ramp is fine, but the only sand bar in your entire trip you wil need to worry about is the one at the mouth of the Cow. You can avoid it by driving five minutes further to Kalama, and then you have a nice, free launch, with docks to tie off to. Mo' bettah.

If you do use Gearhart, follow someone else down the first time. I know, you need only 4 inches, but there's a reason I'm telling you this. A personal reason. An embarrassing reason. If you get my point.

Hey Silver Hilton - is Gearhart the launch site in Longview upriver of the brdge exit from I-5? It's been a couple of years since I've launched there. It was "Tide Influenced" and a real nice sand bar right in front of the launch.

I think so, but am not sure. I don't use it much. With the Cowlitz as high as it is, I doubt sand bars are too much of a problem, but it's hard to know, given how muddy the river has been.

Swattin salmon.Thats the one.Its a pretty safe trip right now.When you really want to be careful is when the fall chinook are in.
I've seen some of the stuff Silver Hilton was talking about,happen there.
Couple years ago a tug came over from Rainer and pulled a sled about 100' off a sandbar and thouroughly ticked offf the people that had to move out of the hole they were fishing to accomadate them.
Always wondered how much that cost.Besides a big dent in the pride,I'm sure it was a pretty penny.
Kalama is a pretyy safe bet.Not an issue now,but really enjoyed the site last year when people were trying to launch there and the whole ramp was a sheet of ice.Very entertaining.

Sheet of ice? You talking about monday morning?

I came to the Kalama launch at 5:00am monday. I was the fourth boat to launch. Two boats had gone in, one in each lane, and one more was in front of me. Each trailer had left a trail of water on the ramp lane that they had used, and it was ice.

The guy in front of me put in, and came back to the ramp. He noted that the water from his trailer had already frozen on the ramp.

But, I had to fish. So, I lined the trailer up as straight as I could at the top of the ramp and I started down.

Several times during the next 30 seconds, I realized what an idiot, fish obsessed fool I was. But it was too late by then . I slid down the ramp, way too fast, momentarily releasing the brakes just so I could steer. An eternity and 20 seconds later, the boat hit the water, the rig came to a stop, and I stepped out of the car, only to slip on the ice and fall flat on my ass.

Picking myself up, I unloaded the baot, and started the heater to melt the half inch of frost of the boat. I then proceeded on to my skunking for the day.

But really, it was a good day. Better than working. Honest.

Andrew, thanks for the input, will be launching at Kalama , I'd rather not end up finding out there is only 3" of water over the sand bar LOL. That's a great story about the launch, LOL, I will be there Thurs. AM, leaving here at 3:00am.
I picked up 300' of rope and a buoy, was going to try my extra 35# can style anchor but I will go to Joes tomorrow and pick up the anchor you have suggested. You never know, this may be the first of many trips so I may as well have the gear I need. Thanks again for all the help . Take care. Sad to say I only have one free day out of a week off to fish Good fishing to all

Doubletake

Craig, check your PMs

Andrew, thanks for the info. I will give you a call Thurs afternoon/evening.
Thanks for all the input everyone, I feel a bit better about going but still will be cautious.

Doubletake