01-23-2015, 07:40 PM
Ok. Lots has been said and I agree with most of it, but I have some input that will hopefully not get you killed,or if it does, you will die with a 
on your face.
You mention your family but not specifically for C.J. risky conditions. I will suggest that there are two different questions, that of risking yourself vs. others -- especially those that you care about. I try to be at least a factor of 10 more careful when I put my loved ones at risk.
I have numerous photos of C.J. Strike when it is dead calm and the water is flat. It does happen. I have access to aviation websites and know how to use them. Coupled with NOAA, I have a slight edge in forecasting the wind. That said, it is still rare when I hit it in light wind or dead calm.
Once you know where you can catch fish and where the close access is, I believe you can access very good fishing at Strike (on the right day) from the raft of which you discuss. The caveat is that you need to be able to use technology to forecast weather (i.e. wind) and be smart about micrometeorology or it will still not be an acceptable level of risk. Not the great fishing that a bigger, safer, more powerful boat has access to, but by far the best fishing that the raft has access to.
Let me give you a couple of examples. On a day in which a NW wind is forecast, you can fish the east end of the narrows without much risk provided you launch at the little known launch at the east end of the narrows (well west of Cottonwood). If the wind comes up, it will blow you home. Do the opposite for a day with an east wind forecast. Launch near the west end and fish under the power lines and the wind should blow you home. There are numerous access points on C.J. and many are very close to great fishing -- especially if you are targeting perch.....
Storm wind can be opposite of forecast winds and upper air directions so it would be best to not be out there when storms are around.
If you ever get in a position in which you are fighting the wind and losing, stop fighting and go downwind. Not many safe harbors on Strike but just making land on the downwind side will keep you alive. Hopefully you can save the boat too. Of course, if you get in trouble, try to flag somebody in an expensive boat.
I have a spot that is float tubes only and I play this game of letting the wind blow me when I fish there. I have to go several miles to make it work and have not been stuck yet....
PS I would rather die in the wind on C.J. than die a slow death on the couch watching TV....
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on your face.You mention your family but not specifically for C.J. risky conditions. I will suggest that there are two different questions, that of risking yourself vs. others -- especially those that you care about. I try to be at least a factor of 10 more careful when I put my loved ones at risk.
I have numerous photos of C.J. Strike when it is dead calm and the water is flat. It does happen. I have access to aviation websites and know how to use them. Coupled with NOAA, I have a slight edge in forecasting the wind. That said, it is still rare when I hit it in light wind or dead calm.
Once you know where you can catch fish and where the close access is, I believe you can access very good fishing at Strike (on the right day) from the raft of which you discuss. The caveat is that you need to be able to use technology to forecast weather (i.e. wind) and be smart about micrometeorology or it will still not be an acceptable level of risk. Not the great fishing that a bigger, safer, more powerful boat has access to, but by far the best fishing that the raft has access to.
Let me give you a couple of examples. On a day in which a NW wind is forecast, you can fish the east end of the narrows without much risk provided you launch at the little known launch at the east end of the narrows (well west of Cottonwood). If the wind comes up, it will blow you home. Do the opposite for a day with an east wind forecast. Launch near the west end and fish under the power lines and the wind should blow you home. There are numerous access points on C.J. and many are very close to great fishing -- especially if you are targeting perch.....
Storm wind can be opposite of forecast winds and upper air directions so it would be best to not be out there when storms are around.
If you ever get in a position in which you are fighting the wind and losing, stop fighting and go downwind. Not many safe harbors on Strike but just making land on the downwind side will keep you alive. Hopefully you can save the boat too. Of course, if you get in trouble, try to flag somebody in an expensive boat.
I have a spot that is float tubes only and I play this game of letting the wind blow me when I fish there. I have to go several miles to make it work and have not been stuck yet....
PS I would rather die in the wind on C.J. than die a slow death on the couch watching TV....
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