09-02-2009, 04:02 PM
Just an FYI to the Utah fisherman.....
If you have always wanted that Alaskan Salmon fishing trip but could never make it fit into your wallet or schedule well I'll throw this option out to you....
Columbia River Kings
Trip Details
Drive 10 hours to the mouth of the Deschutes river - you can leave Salt Lake at 7 pm and be fishing by 6 am in the morning. Totals round trip cost for gas is approx. $350 - $400 depending on your vehicle.
Fishing License for non-resident - $40 for a week
Great camp ground at the mouth of the Deschutes that cost $15 a day.
The Deschutes is a world class steelhead river that can only be fished from shore - several good holes with walking distance of the camp ground.
King fishing is in the Columbia river and done either trolling or jigging. Two fish per-day limit. Most of the time the local tackle shops in Biggs Junction has a pretty good array of the most popular lures and you can also purchase your license there.
Most popular trolling lures and Wiggle Warts - magumun and regular sizes, #5 Fox spinner with Silver blades, Flatfish, and a few others.
Jigging is usually a 4 oz. jig and there is some ethical issues with snagging using this method but it is legal and all fish hooked outside the mouth must be released.
As far as boats that can be used to fish - pretty much all crafts for the 12 foot aluminum to the 30 footer are on the water. But as you know the size of the boat does not make you a better fisherman. The only factor that will come into play with boat size is the WIND... It can really blow in the Gorge....
And of course there are more boats on the weekends than the week days...
Fish viewing is available at [url "http://www.nwp.usace.army.mil/op/b/fishcam.asp"]http://www.nwp.usace.army.mil/op/b/fishcam.asp[/url]
and fish counts at [url "http://www.nwp.usace.army.mil/op/fishdata/home.asp"]http://www.nwp.usace.army.mil/op/fishdata/home.asp[/url]
I have made the trip several times and I'm heading up next week for my "Southern" Alaskan King fishing experience. Most kings runs between 15 & 25 pounds but I have caught up to 48 pounds. Usually 25# test line will catch most fish but some fish with 30# test.
Side options - guided jet boat steelhead fishing up the Deschutes - you get to go up & down some class 4 rapids. Great adventure and a highly recommended guide is Jack LaFond of Young's Guide Service [url "http://www.fishyfs.com/"]http://www.fishyfs.com/[/url]
So if 3 guys all went in together on expenses you could probably get away for $300 - $500 per person depending on food, drinks, lodging, and cost of gas.
As with all new fishing waters - please read the regs and save some potential extras costs.
Expand your fishing memories - Good Fishing.
[signature]
If you have always wanted that Alaskan Salmon fishing trip but could never make it fit into your wallet or schedule well I'll throw this option out to you....
Columbia River Kings
Trip Details
Drive 10 hours to the mouth of the Deschutes river - you can leave Salt Lake at 7 pm and be fishing by 6 am in the morning. Totals round trip cost for gas is approx. $350 - $400 depending on your vehicle.
Fishing License for non-resident - $40 for a week
Great camp ground at the mouth of the Deschutes that cost $15 a day.
The Deschutes is a world class steelhead river that can only be fished from shore - several good holes with walking distance of the camp ground.
King fishing is in the Columbia river and done either trolling or jigging. Two fish per-day limit. Most of the time the local tackle shops in Biggs Junction has a pretty good array of the most popular lures and you can also purchase your license there.
Most popular trolling lures and Wiggle Warts - magumun and regular sizes, #5 Fox spinner with Silver blades, Flatfish, and a few others.
Jigging is usually a 4 oz. jig and there is some ethical issues with snagging using this method but it is legal and all fish hooked outside the mouth must be released.
As far as boats that can be used to fish - pretty much all crafts for the 12 foot aluminum to the 30 footer are on the water. But as you know the size of the boat does not make you a better fisherman. The only factor that will come into play with boat size is the WIND... It can really blow in the Gorge....
And of course there are more boats on the weekends than the week days...
Fish viewing is available at [url "http://www.nwp.usace.army.mil/op/b/fishcam.asp"]http://www.nwp.usace.army.mil/op/b/fishcam.asp[/url]
and fish counts at [url "http://www.nwp.usace.army.mil/op/fishdata/home.asp"]http://www.nwp.usace.army.mil/op/fishdata/home.asp[/url]
I have made the trip several times and I'm heading up next week for my "Southern" Alaskan King fishing experience. Most kings runs between 15 & 25 pounds but I have caught up to 48 pounds. Usually 25# test line will catch most fish but some fish with 30# test.
Side options - guided jet boat steelhead fishing up the Deschutes - you get to go up & down some class 4 rapids. Great adventure and a highly recommended guide is Jack LaFond of Young's Guide Service [url "http://www.fishyfs.com/"]http://www.fishyfs.com/[/url]
So if 3 guys all went in together on expenses you could probably get away for $300 - $500 per person depending on food, drinks, lodging, and cost of gas.
As with all new fishing waters - please read the regs and save some potential extras costs.
Expand your fishing memories - Good Fishing.
[signature]