I am getting geared up to fish Drano Lake next week. Can anybody give any hints on tackle. I have a 21' sled, kicker and a great fishfinder. Help!..........thanks

Pull Mag Warts.

Griz is right! There will be 10,000 mostly orange mag warts trolling in one of the tightest trolling situations you'll ever see. @ Drano stay to the right! Wind follow the pattern. Its easy just gotta pay attention and use your head. The Game Dept hangs in the shore area writting down numbers of boats that troll over the line @ Wind. They award tickets at the end of the day...

Be there at the end of April.

Good fishen

The Wind should have a near-record return this year, I'd be there the last week of April and the first couple weeks of May for sure. Hot orange magnum Warts are the lure of choice and you'll be trolling in about 1--15 feet of water. I use fairly stout line to keep my fish under control and away from the 10,000 other boats - most of which are run by near sighted retired schoolteachers.
Good news is that the bubble area has been expanded downstream for several hundred yards and this should help ease the crowding. The launch area is crowded and the immediate area is shallow. Me careful not to troll close to the point or the bank maggots will pitch lead at you. Lots of traffic, but it's a kick...

ctflyfish, whats your problem, I don't personally fish there and don't plan to, I just wonder why you feel its necessary to refer to guys stuck on the bank as maggots, if this fishery is anything like Blue Creek, very limited bank access, I give those guys plenty of room and don't bad mouth them doing it, if you can't handle a crowd, get the hell out.

Akking, "bank maggot" is acceptable jargon. Although, I can think of a more derogatory term for those North Bonneville and Stevenson natives that plunk on the point every morning...

Hoh, Guess I hadn't heard it before, thought the dude was being a smart ass.

Hoh, I agree we all are "b.m's" sometimes. The "local boys" are something else too. I had one local in my boat swim over to the tressel from my boat and fight a guy who rocked my boat. Some very different people in the Gorge (like everywhere), but I'm lucky that I have some good friends from there, plus it's hard to outfish a local on his own water. Plan to be down there for the circus starting in a couple of weeks.

Hell
I have never been but want to go just to watch the idiot show. Use to go to our local boat launch just to watch guys drop their boat on the concrete. Ever seen a 26' bayliner get dropped on the turf? Or they will bury there truck up to the doors in saltwater trying to free a frozen roller. Feel bad for the guys, but it's funny as hell.

Skiffman,
There is an article and map in the latest edition of the F&H lie sheet this issue. Just got mine today. Sounds like the Pt. Defiance zoo. I going there in a few weeks so it sounds like it will be a ball.
Smilesforu,
I have always said the best comedy show in town is the loacal launch ramp on a weekend, just bring the lawn chair and a six pzck and your in buisness!!!!!!!

Best place for combat fishing is Drano! Live close and won't go there myself. I'll catch less fish and be a lot hapier elswhere. All us local gorge boys aren't nutso, Although I can't argue the point there are a bunch that went over the deep end. As far as "Bank Maggot" being acceptable jargon. Being called any kind of maggot will get anything but acceptance by me. I don't use the jargon and would discourage the same of anyone else. Lets not make a bad situation any worse then it allready is.

I went to the wind in 96 or 97 after reading about it in the P.I and fished off of the bank because the fish follow the shorline up to the river, I guess. Anyways It was elbow to elbow with everyone throwing mag warts in brite orang,pink or Red, it did not seem to matter on the color the day I was there, I hooked and landed one about 21 lbs and that was my day, but I sat around for about an hour to watch the show. I did not think you could get that many small and large boats in that small of an area, then throw in the bank fisherman with it and you have the makings of friday night fights crossed with america's funniest home video's. If you go, do take your video camera, and remember cool heads prevail. Peace Superfly

hello peeps, jus a few questions..where is windy river loacted? drano lake? and was wondering if they toss mag warts from the bank? that sounds crazy..is there alot of hang ups? and whens the best time to go, i love watching the crowds too, and how far is the windy river from tacoma? any answers will be helpful..and is windy river open for kings or jus the lake? well g'day peeps

Schitzo, head down I-5 to i-205 East HWY 14 about 50 miles. Drano will be on the north side of the highway just past Carson turn off. Can't miss it, just look for the big cluster of boats in the lake and boat trailers parked all along the highway. Mag warts seem to be the norm. They may be drivting eggs and such up the Wind from Drano. Spring chinook is about all there is but there should be a lot of them. I may dare to try the Wind this year myself.
Good luck and keep smiling!

[This message has been edited by LEADHEAD (edited 04-01-2000).]

bank maggot is kind of a strong term for us boatless souls. i have fished both drano and the wind the last 2 years. very few bankies throwin warts(unless your are very strong-constant 20mph wind). generally you plunk with sand shrimp or eating shrimp that have the shell on. fresher the better. if you go take a cooler with lots of sand shrimp from here as it is next to impossible to get it there(don't forget to changes the sawdust on your shrimp daily). the only problems occur when the assholes with boats that can go anywhere they want troll 30' off the bank and take out 15-20 plunkers who are casting 100'to where the fish are. take a rod that will handle 4-5 ounce leads and has a fairly sensitive tip to detect the bite. again the wind there is brutal. and don't fish to light a line as these fish are tougher than hell and you don't want to screw everyone else up. there is a decent county campgrond just east of the wind and it cost $12/day for out of county residents.

Hello: wind river is about 4 miles east of Stevenson, Wa. on highway 14,Drano is about
15 miles or more east of stevenson wa.If your heading east on highway 14 the first bridge you cross after going thru stevenson is the wind river the boat launch is on your left after crossing the bridge.You can't miss drano further up you'll cross a bridge and on your left will be a bazillion boats going in a circle,and no place to park.there will be that many boats on the wind too this is almost like combat stay out of the way of the bank fisherman they only have so much room to fish in and if you get to close they will rock you !!!!.I always try to go in the middle of the week early before everyone gets off work and its still really crowded
it can be a real nightmare, just stay cool
remember fishing is supposed to be fun and relaxing not stress and fighting.If nothing else its fun to go watch.
Bob

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Bob Dawson

hey again..ok so the wind river is a kazillion miles from tacoma..i go to stevenson one time a year to tomfest. ever heard of it..? well back to fishing.. so if i was gonna go there..what would be a perfect time..say the middle of the month? or a lil sooner or later... cuz if i go that far..im gonna stay a couple of days, camp and stuff.. do many people camp out there..? or is it off limits? well. i was wondering is there 30 and up # fish on the wind? what line size should i use..i usually go with 17# trilene..it seems to work for me..well any info will be appreciated..thanks..g'day

After the middle of april like the last two weeks and into the first couple weeks of may
should be the very best time to go.For sure the last two weeks of april.I have a friend
lives in carson and he's already caught six!!!.I hate him :-).Good luck

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Bob Dawson

hey there..thanks for all the info bob..ya im gonna take a day or 2 off of work at the endish of april and go down there for a few days..how big do the fish get up to that go up the iwnd..any over 40#'s? and what type and size of line do you use? welps..g'day

I don't know about 40# fish they ave. around 15 to 20 there may be bigger but I've never
caught one.theres alot of boats up there I would use at least 20# line and really trry to control the fish more then useual.there are really a lot of boats fishing there be careful and go with the flow !!! Ppaf very close attn. when leaveing the launch there are alot of logs and sandbars to watch out for you can see them if you watch and go slow leaveing.

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Bob Dawson

I don't know about 40# fish they ave. around 15 to 20 there may be bigger but I've never
caught one.theres alot of boats up there I would use at least 20# line and really try to control the fish more then useual.there are really a lot of boats fishing there be careful and go with the flow !!! Pay very close attn. when leaveing the launch there are alot of logs and sandbars to watch out for you can see them if you watch and go slow leaveing.

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Bob Dawson

Wow! This sounds like a really fun fishery. Reiter, Blue Creek, and opening day of trout season on Greenlake all wrapped up in one.

I guess everybody has a different definition of what "fishing" is, that's what makes it great.

Does anybody charge admission?

TK

Okay, here's some of the poop on the Wind springer fishing: Boat fishing is obvious, from outside the trestle to about a half mile down the Columbia. Just follow the flotilla. Troll warts or plug cut herring. Bank fishing: on the point toss mag warts or clown spin-n-glows behind an ounce weight. Under the bridges soak shrimp and eggs. Up the river bump eggs. Be mellow -- there are enough idiots out there for things to get out of hand quickly. Most of the problems (despite earlier posts) are caused by non-locals either trolling through the bankfishers water or anchoring and plunking in the trolling lanes. Don't be rude.

Hey, I am new to the wind also and was woundering if the launch is good and steep, I launch with a moterhome and prefer not to get it stuck. Trolling with magnum wiggleworts seems to be the main method of trolling is there other ideas on what to troll with. -------fish on!

jmolanoj, the launch should not be any problem. It's made of concrete. As far as trolling something besides wiggle warts, you can use spinners or flatfish. I'll let you figure out how deep. Hope you get your rod bent.

This is obious but always the case... Have your boat ready to launch. Get it in the water with all equipment already aboard. Dont leave your vehicle on the launch and load up! Have everyone ready and remove the tow vehicle immiadatly after the boat is off the trailer. If you stay with the boat fine! But have somone else move the truck. Dont let it sit while you tie the boat up. For one there will be no were to tie it to for any length of time. So if your the guy who drives the boat dont plan on parking the truck. Dont plan on a dock spot to load from either. There are many places a sled can pull up to and load and unload out of. Also when removing the boat...Dont plan on the same guy getting the truck if there the only one who can operate the boat. If your the only one then pull it to shore and let somone from your boat hold it while you get the truck backed in...If you dont have to then dont winch the boat up. Drive it up the trailer.
BOTTOM LINE:If you arnt 100% comfortable launching in a crowd who is ready to shout there remarks about your boat launching skills @ any given moment, then be forwarned...If you take too long you will hear about it. Go practice...This place is no place to learn unless you want the most ruthless crash coarse you could imagine.

See ya down there at the end of the month!

Bob D

Also if your motor home is large you could have problems if the lot fills which it will for sure. 20 to 28 footers are probably no problem but there isnt alot of room once the lot is full...which is usually 5:00A.M.

Good luck.

ThankX, I should be fine on launching if it is a concrete launch. All the other lauching info was a bit over board. I am able to handle the boat and the launch rig just fine. -------fish on !

It wasnt meant solely for you J..... but you've obviously never been there. This will help any new guy for any Packed trolling situation. Tillamook, Wind or the like! Tempers are short and time is limited in the mornings for these types of fisheries!!! It will help somebody and all the others behind them.

Remember...We Will be the judge of your motorhome handling skills!!! And you'll surly hear about it if there not up to standards.

Ill have my scorecard ready. Good luck!

P.S. Ill let everyone here know how ya did. You cant hide a motor home at a packed launch! If your so good shouldent be a concern and you wont reply with another dumb post, but if your no good and feeling it you'll surly post again to defend your honor.

Were Waiting...

i know you guys posted directions to the wind/drano, but what town/burg or community are they close too?
i my want to go down and just watch the fun stream by on sunday.
of course i will have my 5 rods in my truck and all the tackle i own, but i promised i was not going fishing for a couple of weeks to my honey.

elmtree

Wind River is just a few miles east of stevenson Wa. on highweay 14 they started banging the fish there monday and tuesday really good it should just get better.You better believe what people are telling you about fishing there the bank fisherman have only so much room to fish in and they have as much right to be there as we do and they will do what they have to ,too protect there spot.So give them the room they need and bring lots of patience(don't know if I spelled that right or not) you'll need it they did extend the boundry and that does help some.Good luck !!!!Oh yea about parking :-( get it.......Wind River is not more then 4 or 5 miles from stevenson,wa. Drano is another 15 or 20 miles east on highway 14.

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Bob Dawson


[This message has been edited by dawhunt (edited 04-13-2000).]

Elmtree, Bingen and White Salmon are probably the closest places, About 5 miles to the east. You can cross over the bridge into Hood River just before you get to Bingen. .75 toll bridge but Hood River has more facilities.
I fished from the bank at Drano yesterday, 7 fish caught from the bank from 6:30 until about 1:00, I caught a nice 15 lb'er. Saw at least that many caught from boats in that area.

:>
thanks dawhunt and leadhead, makes more sense to know where to go. i have lived here all my life, but in the lower puget sound area. never tried to fish too far out, most of my friends a kind of go only local waters.
may see some of you guys and gals down south.

elmtree