This article was featured in the April 2019 issue of Alaska Sporting Journal. To view photos from the trip, the article is featured on the ASJ website here: http://aksportingjournal.com/steelhead-sweetness-on-first-alaska-trip/
Having never visited Alaska, Glacier Bear Lodge in the small town of Yakutat has left a lifelong impression on me. Traveling solo with my Australian cattledog "Wrangler," I booked the trip only a couple weeks in advance without a plan and flew by the seat of my pants. I've always thought of steelhead anglers to often be a bit of a grumpy bunch, but with the plentiful numbers of the Situk River, the atmosphere of the community and it's visitors is a completely different story. Drivers of every passing vehicle wave at each other in this relaxed rural environment, yet there's still several flights that come in and out of the small Alaskan Airlines airport daily.
After getting a ride from the lodge's shuttle, I had a couple drinks at the bar at Glacier Bear Lodge, where I ran into Jared Cady of Get Em Dry Jigs and Lael Johnson of Bait Ballz, who were preparing to fish the tidally influenced lower end of the river and invited me to tag along with them. Speckled belly geese flew overhead, as bald eagles towered over us in the trees, and greater yellowlegs roamed the gravel shorelines, a welcoming scene of abundant wildlife that set the tone for our evening quest for chrome.
Lael and Jared hooked a couple fish swinging flies, and I brought in my first Alaskan steelhead on a spinner. Having thought I was just going to have some beers at the lodge, I had only been in Alaska since lunch and at the river for an hour before smooching an oryncus mykiss hen and sending her on her way upstream to spawn. A brown bear ran across the road in front of us on the way out, as if it was chasing our report and heading to the river. A sign at the ramp warned visitors of an aggressive bear in the area recently, so seeing my first grizzly from the safety of the vehicle was satisfying. I was in awe of the beauty of this place and the diversity of wildlife species. Being my first day in Alaska, I felt as if mother nature rolled out the red carpet for me.The next day, I caught a ride with some friends to the boat launch and explored the river on foot. I hooked some of the biggest steelhead I've ever been witness to, and lost them to snags at my feet struggling to keep them under control. I redeemed myself by shaking hands with a few fresh fish later on, as well as my first dolly varden and a rare resident rainbow trout. I continued catching fish until the sun began to fall and it got too cold for comfort. I stood at a popular river crossing attempting to hitch a ride back to the lodge. The first two anglers were camping near the river, and although they weren't headed to the lodge, invited me back to their camp for a beer. However, I was eager to return to the lodge (where there's a roof, heat, and a bar), and the next angler politely obliged me and my canine companion with a ride.Back at the lodge, I met Tony "Famous" Davis and Kristen Dunn from Kodiak Custom Tackle. They were headed out for a float trip the next day, but were staying with a couple friends, Shannon and Kate, that wanted to stomp the banks and indicator fish with beads. They offered me a ride to the river the next morning, where Shannon started the day with a couple beautiful hens right out of the gate, including one that broke the handle on her net. We mozied upriver and settled in at the spot where I hooked most of my fish the day before and we landed several more. We were using just the basket of the net at that point, which was an awkward and exciting experience. The amount of wood snags is intimidating, but with every fish, I seemed to get better at keeping them pinned and getting them close enough for pictures.Tony and Kristen from Kodiak Custom Fishing tackle, and Ty Wyatt, Glacier Bear Lodge's halibut captain took me along with them for a fun trip walking along the banks of the Situk. While wandering upstream in belly-button deep water, I hooked a hen early in the morning that caught the attention of a large otter that swam across the river to steal it from me. I found a small perch tucked into some willows where I could get out of the water and try to quickly land the fish. As I was leaning down to grab it by the tail, the otter popped it's head up only a couple feet away to my left. I tried to boot it in the head to send a message that I wasn't giving up my fish that easy. It showed it's teeth like an angry dog and leaped back into the water, swimming upstream. I managed to land the fish downstream and safely release it away from the otter, but it was definitely humbling to know I was meddling with the local wildlife's territory.In the evening, we headed back to tidally influenced water, and on my first cast, I landed my first ever tidally influenced steelhead on a bead, a mission I wanted to complete purely out of curiosity how soon the feeding instincts of steelhead kick in as they enter the river and begin viewing eggs as a food source. Shortly after, Ty and Tony, who happen to be lifelong friends from Philomath, Oregon, doubled up on a pair of bucks fresh from the salt. Tony's fish was a redeeming note to end his visit, having been out-fished by his partner Kristen most of their time in Yakutat. As we continued to push the limits of the rising tide and a hot bite, we eventually turned around to notice the ground we were standing on was underwater, and so was our gear, so it was time to head back to the lodge.
Dinners at the lodge every evening were incredible, but being able to put in an order for a sack lunch to take to the river the next day was truly a convenience worthy of appreciation. Complimentary breakfasts in the morning were nothing short of any diner as well. A quick stop at the airport's fly shop on the way out to pick up some souvenirs, and I left Yakutat with my head in the clouds, obsessing over returning someday to do it again. The target-rich environment of the Situk is the steelhead stream dreams are made of, offering the experience for a novice to cut their teeth on steelheading, for the tinkering tackle-crafter to experiment with new methods, and for the advanced angler to challenge themselves, marking the last few checks off their list. A mix of younger trout bums packing into rooms and vehicles like sardines and wealthy, retired businessmen sipping scotch and smoking cigars in the lodge all convene on the river to live the same dream, and have the kind of experience that never leaves them.
Monday, January 6, 2020
Tuesday, December 3, 2019
Snipe Hunting (Yes, it's a thing)
When I was about 10 years old, my father, an avid waterfowler, took me out on my first snipe hunt. His preface on the drive out to the marsh was to be suspicious of anyone who offered to take me on a snipe hunt. He explained the folklore of a fool's errand, where a city slicker is taken out in the woods with a burlap sack and a flashlight, basically left to their own devices with an impossible mission. Snipe hunting however is a real thing that people do, and although it's not as difficult as catching a bird with a sack in the middle of the night, it's still a fun, challenging endeavour.
The appreciation of small game hunting in general is something that seems to have been lost among the modern hunters of today. It's lack of popularity and hunter participation has some fringe benefits. Private landowners are more likely to grant permission to hunt small game than deer. Small game hunting areas, specifically the habitat that is likely to hold snipe, are typically less pressured. Getting away from other hunters offers an experience of solitude, which is a nice change of pace from battling with weekend warrior waterfowlers.
It's a great alternative activity when your days off don't always align with the best days of duck hunting. Snipe are often a by-catch as far as harvesting target species, and their season runs parallel with waterfowl in Oregon and Washington. A fair weather day that doesn't get ducks moving can often become a great snipe hunt. Popular public game reserves for pheasant and waterfowling are good places to look when duck hunters are at home waiting for a rainy day. Drainage ditches and shallow flooded grasslands near wooded areas are another safe bet. A snowy small game hunt can often narrow down the space these birds will occupy. Their long beaks are made for capturing worms in bogs, shorelines, or the edges of marshland. Frozen ground will often push them back into thick cover. They need to be able to probe the ground to be out and actively feeding.
Snipe are the only shorebirds legal to hunt, and they inhabit the northwest year round. There are many shorebirds that are protected species, but once you stumble upon snipe, observing their flying habits make them unmistakable. Killdeer are often encountered in the same areas and are off limits. They make a loud, continuous, annoying call, and often fake being injured to lead threats away from their nests. There are several other shorebird species such as the dowitcher, that are also off-limits that you're likely to see out in the marsh. These you'll often see out in open flats in large flocks. You'll be able to spot snipe once they're airborne, it is extremely unlikely you'll ever see one on the ground. They make a distinctive peep as they leave the ground and take to the air.
One tip my father gave me on that hunt as a kid was, "Shoot 'em before they shit!" His suggestion was that snipe are like a racehorse with wings, meaning that once they lifted off and lightened their load, they would suddenly accelerate into oblivion. That advice helped me take my first snipe on that hunt, just as it left the ground. However, hunting them as an adult revealed the value of patience.
The flight pattern of a snipe for the most part is highly unpredictable, zigging and zagging erratically as they reach a certain altitude, wings beating frantically, often looking confused as to where it's going, much to the confusion of the hunter aiming at it. A "sniper" is a shooter skilled enough to take down this strange bird. Although the birds are excellent table fare, this is admittedly not the most economical method at gathering food, and they are mainly appetizer sized birds. The scientific name for Wilson's snipe is Gallinago delicata, gallina being latin for "hen," the suffix -ago meaning "resembling," and delicata meaning "dainty." They are small creatures that are tough to hit and it often takes many shells to bring home a few. Non-toxic shot is required by law, and you don't have to use the smallest shot possible with the most pellets you can sling in their general direction, but it helps.
There is a bizarre phenomenon to their flight pattern that sometimes pays off not to take the shot right away. Once they've frantically zigged, zagged, and gained altitude until nearly out of range, they often seem to forget why they flew off in the first place, double back, and attempt to land where they took off. This is often your best shot, and you may not get this opportunity if you spray and pray right away. Walking with the wind to your back also creates an advantage as they often take flight into the direction of the wind, giving you a better chance at an early shot.
Hunting snipe is the hybrid of flushing upland game birds and waterfowling among the marsh. It's a great youth hunting opportunity on days when it's difficult to keep kids engaged because ducks aren't flying. It doesn't require fancy camo or a well-trained dog, and it's a good hunting opportunity for a minimalist that enjoys walking. Being able to hunt shallow marsh in fair weather often means you can perform this activity in jeans and hip waders, rather than getting fully suited and booted.
The appreciation of small game hunting in general is something that seems to have been lost among the modern hunters of today. It's lack of popularity and hunter participation has some fringe benefits. Private landowners are more likely to grant permission to hunt small game than deer. Small game hunting areas, specifically the habitat that is likely to hold snipe, are typically less pressured. Getting away from other hunters offers an experience of solitude, which is a nice change of pace from battling with weekend warrior waterfowlers.
It's a great alternative activity when your days off don't always align with the best days of duck hunting. Snipe are often a by-catch as far as harvesting target species, and their season runs parallel with waterfowl in Oregon and Washington. A fair weather day that doesn't get ducks moving can often become a great snipe hunt. Popular public game reserves for pheasant and waterfowling are good places to look when duck hunters are at home waiting for a rainy day. Drainage ditches and shallow flooded grasslands near wooded areas are another safe bet. A snowy small game hunt can often narrow down the space these birds will occupy. Their long beaks are made for capturing worms in bogs, shorelines, or the edges of marshland. Frozen ground will often push them back into thick cover. They need to be able to probe the ground to be out and actively feeding.
Snipe are the only shorebirds legal to hunt, and they inhabit the northwest year round. There are many shorebirds that are protected species, but once you stumble upon snipe, observing their flying habits make them unmistakable. Killdeer are often encountered in the same areas and are off limits. They make a loud, continuous, annoying call, and often fake being injured to lead threats away from their nests. There are several other shorebird species such as the dowitcher, that are also off-limits that you're likely to see out in the marsh. These you'll often see out in open flats in large flocks. You'll be able to spot snipe once they're airborne, it is extremely unlikely you'll ever see one on the ground. They make a distinctive peep as they leave the ground and take to the air.
One tip my father gave me on that hunt as a kid was, "Shoot 'em before they shit!" His suggestion was that snipe are like a racehorse with wings, meaning that once they lifted off and lightened their load, they would suddenly accelerate into oblivion. That advice helped me take my first snipe on that hunt, just as it left the ground. However, hunting them as an adult revealed the value of patience.
The flight pattern of a snipe for the most part is highly unpredictable, zigging and zagging erratically as they reach a certain altitude, wings beating frantically, often looking confused as to where it's going, much to the confusion of the hunter aiming at it. A "sniper" is a shooter skilled enough to take down this strange bird. Although the birds are excellent table fare, this is admittedly not the most economical method at gathering food, and they are mainly appetizer sized birds. The scientific name for Wilson's snipe is Gallinago delicata, gallina being latin for "hen," the suffix -ago meaning "resembling," and delicata meaning "dainty." They are small creatures that are tough to hit and it often takes many shells to bring home a few. Non-toxic shot is required by law, and you don't have to use the smallest shot possible with the most pellets you can sling in their general direction, but it helps.
There is a bizarre phenomenon to their flight pattern that sometimes pays off not to take the shot right away. Once they've frantically zigged, zagged, and gained altitude until nearly out of range, they often seem to forget why they flew off in the first place, double back, and attempt to land where they took off. This is often your best shot, and you may not get this opportunity if you spray and pray right away. Walking with the wind to your back also creates an advantage as they often take flight into the direction of the wind, giving you a better chance at an early shot.
Hunting snipe is the hybrid of flushing upland game birds and waterfowling among the marsh. It's a great youth hunting opportunity on days when it's difficult to keep kids engaged because ducks aren't flying. It doesn't require fancy camo or a well-trained dog, and it's a good hunting opportunity for a minimalist that enjoys walking. Being able to hunt shallow marsh in fair weather often means you can perform this activity in jeans and hip waders, rather than getting fully suited and booted.
This article was published in the January 2019 issue of Northwest Sportsman Magazine
Monday, November 25, 2019
The Truth About Oregon's Rainy Season
As the last leaves begin to fall and mornings are coated with a layer of frost, winter is slowly creeping it's way through Oregon. Having not only the right gear, but the right attitude can better prepare you for the seasonal transition.
The late Greta Wrolstad's poem "Fontaine de Vaucluse" speaks of rivers being released into a parched valley. The dry weather has shriveled up lakes and river systems into a series of puddles making it difficult for anadromous fish to travel upstream to spawn. As the seasons change in the Pacific Northwest, the lack of vitamin D, also known as the "Sunshine Vitamin" changes our moods along with the weather. Rain, although a mild irritation, is a necessary element to our environment. Welcoming, rather than lamenting the transition of sunshine into precipitation is merely a matter of changing your perspective. Replacing your resentment with gratitude will change your attitude.
With the rain, the dust settles. The moisture of the soil invites mycelium to spread beneath the layer of debris on the forest floor and mushrooms to fruit at our feet. Rising rivers push smolts out to sea, and invite adult salmonids upstream to create the next generation. Birds begin their migration to the south. While the exposed limbs of deciduous trees and dilapidated annuals are a symbol of death and passing, wildlife begins to hustle, bustle, and make moves. The darkness and rain can make shorter days seem dreary, but water is life. As Wrolstad says, "The Season of Rain is Coming, Hold out Your Hand."
It's important for our mental health to be like water, and go with the flow during the transition to the rainy season. Pull your rain gear out of the closet and run it through the wash. Have a good pair of boots. Replace your windshield wipers and tires. Prepare yourself mentally for the challenges of maintaining an active lifestyle and have all the necessary items to prevent yourselves from being discouraged to go outdoors, rain or shine.
This article was published on the Visit Corvallis website on 11/25/19
https://www.visitcorvallis.com/articles/the-truth-about-oregons-rainy-season
This article was published on the Visit Corvallis website on 11/25/19
https://www.visitcorvallis.com/articles/the-truth-about-oregons-rainy-season
Tuesday, October 8, 2019
E.E. Wilson Wildlife Area
E.E. Wilson Wildlife area located is located just north of Adair Village, and offers a multitude of opportunities within a short drive of town. During the month of October, ODFW releases rooster pheasants for upland bird hunters that often use a hunting dog to flush the birds. Hunting takes place between a half hour after sunrise until 5pm in the wildlife area during the pheasant season, but opportunities for quail and duck continue from fall into winter, as well as year round opportunities for small game like rabbit and squirrel. E.E. Wilson is shotgun only, requires the use of steel shot, and the use of rifles is prohibited. One exception is big game. Buckshot and slugs are legal to hunt elk and blacktail deer. Archery hunts for big game are another exception.
The archery range offers a variety of targets at varying distances, as well as a 3D target of a bull elk. Across Camp Adair road to the south, there's a sporting clay shooting range as well. Both facilities offer the opportunity for hunters to hone their skills and perfect their aim for the big hunt.
A parking pass is required for parking at the gated entrances to the wildlife area, and funds the upkeep and maintenance of food plots planted for wildlife. The wildlife area exists on the site of the World War II Camp Adair military base, and is gridded with paved roads that now serve as walking paths, while the dilapidated remains of structures still exist from that era. The scenery provides some historical significance and perspective, as nature continues to persevere, overtaking the concrete pillars and platforms with moss and debris. It's got an eerie vibe about it that is unlike hunting anywhere else.
The archery range offers a variety of targets at varying distances, as well as a 3D target of a bull elk. Across Camp Adair road to the south, there's a sporting clay shooting range as well. Both facilities offer the opportunity for hunters to hone their skills and perfect their aim for the big hunt.
A parking pass is required for parking at the gated entrances to the wildlife area, and funds the upkeep and maintenance of food plots planted for wildlife. The wildlife area exists on the site of the World War II Camp Adair military base, and is gridded with paved roads that now serve as walking paths, while the dilapidated remains of structures still exist from that era. The scenery provides some historical significance and perspective, as nature continues to persevere, overtaking the concrete pillars and platforms with moss and debris. It's got an eerie vibe about it that is unlike hunting anywhere else.
Saturday, September 7, 2019
Outdoor School Curriculum (fishing)
1. LEAVE NO TRACE -
That means not only picking up after yourself, but take a moment to pick up a few pieces of trash that you find this week. Accidents happen, and anglers lose tackle, so it's important to offset our impact on the places we fish by leaving those places better than we found them.
2. NO SWIMMING
Wading up to the knees is okay. Ideally, we don't want to scare the fish, so it's better to be stealthy.
3. NO THROWING STICKS/ROCKS/ETC -
We don't want anyone to get hurt, break any rods, and again, we don't want to scare the fish.
4. BE AWARE OF YOUR SURROUNDINGS -
Don't disturb other anglers. Look before you cast so you don't hook a tree limb or each other. Take in natural observations, what forage the fish might feed on and where fish might hide. Weather patterns, position of the sun and shadows being cast into the water. Enjoying the outdoors and learning about the local flora and fauna we're going to be discovering. Don't harass wildlife. Be aware of plants like blackberries, poison oak, or nettles that could ruin our day, or end the week early.
5. KNOW YOUR FISH -
- Discuss different species in the area
- Catch and release laws vs. ethics
5. Overview of agenda for today:
- Nature walk
- Observe plants, birds, habitat, (hopefully) fish
- Turn over rocks/observe food sources for fish
- talk about what kind of bait you could find in nature
- how would you imitate that forage with artificial lures?
7. Tackle, Knots, & Rigging -
- Rods, Reels, and how they work, inside and out
- Overview of Line, Weights, Swivels, Hooks
- Fisherman's Knot
- Rigging demonstration(s)
8. Fish anatomy and processing
- Dispatch your catch (bleeding out to increase quality of meat and preservation)
- Outer anatomy (fins, scales, etc.)
- Inner anatomy (bone structure, organs, meat)
- Filleting
- Scaling
- Gutting
- Proper disposal
9. Casting
- Lecture and demonstration
That means not only picking up after yourself, but take a moment to pick up a few pieces of trash that you find this week. Accidents happen, and anglers lose tackle, so it's important to offset our impact on the places we fish by leaving those places better than we found them.
2. NO SWIMMING
Wading up to the knees is okay. Ideally, we don't want to scare the fish, so it's better to be stealthy.
3. NO THROWING STICKS/ROCKS/ETC -
We don't want anyone to get hurt, break any rods, and again, we don't want to scare the fish.
4. BE AWARE OF YOUR SURROUNDINGS -
Don't disturb other anglers. Look before you cast so you don't hook a tree limb or each other. Take in natural observations, what forage the fish might feed on and where fish might hide. Weather patterns, position of the sun and shadows being cast into the water. Enjoying the outdoors and learning about the local flora and fauna we're going to be discovering. Don't harass wildlife. Be aware of plants like blackberries, poison oak, or nettles that could ruin our day, or end the week early.
5. KNOW YOUR FISH -
- Discuss different species in the area
- Catch and release laws vs. ethics
5. Overview of agenda for today:
- Nature walk
- Observe plants, birds, habitat, (hopefully) fish
- Turn over rocks/observe food sources for fish
- talk about what kind of bait you could find in nature
- how would you imitate that forage with artificial lures?
7. Tackle, Knots, & Rigging -
- Rods, Reels, and how they work, inside and out
- Overview of Line, Weights, Swivels, Hooks
- Fisherman's Knot
- Rigging demonstration(s)
8. Fish anatomy and processing
- Dispatch your catch (bleeding out to increase quality of meat and preservation)
- Outer anatomy (fins, scales, etc.)
- Inner anatomy (bone structure, organs, meat)
- Filleting
- Scaling
- Gutting
- Proper disposal
9. Casting
- Lecture and demonstration
Tuesday, September 3, 2019
Willamette Valley Food Trail Application
A small group in our community is working on creating a new promotional brochure that will highlight culinary and agritourism businesses in and around Benton and Linn Counties. We are now taking applications to join the Mid-Willamette Valley Food Trail and would love for you to apply or send this along to others who might be interested in this opportunity.
The Food Trail is a self-guided journey to culinary and agricultural experiences in and around Benton and Linn Counties that include the following:
· Printed brochures with a detailed map that lists your business for visitors seeking unique culinary and agricultural experiences. This brochure will be coming out in March 2020.
· Self-guided itineraries that visitors can use for trip planning. Itineraries will be featured in the printed brochure and online.
· Marketing campaign focused on telling the Mid-Willamette Valley's culinary and agricultural story through videos showcasing local stories via social media.
After applying and receiving confirmation, participants of this program will receive:
· Printed maps for distribution
· Listing on the website and possibly the printed brochure
· Part of promotional campaigns
· Access to culinary/agritourism support and resources
We would love for you to participate! Here is a link to where you can learn more about the trail and complete the application https://www.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Christina Rehklau and Rebecca Bond
--
Christina Rehklau
Executive Director
Visit Corvallis
420 NW 2nd Street
Corvallis, OR 97330
Corvallis, OR 97330
Ph: 541-757-1544
Saturday, June 29, 2019
Surf Perch Fishing
 |
| Photo by Sara Ichtertz |
As these fisheries grow in popularity, internet groups and forums specifically categorized for westcoast surfcasting or Oregon surf perch fishing are more relaxed on offering reports and information to improve your success, so by all means, utilize them. These small communities are often very welcoming to new members, and great ambassadors to the sport of fishing in general. While the catch may be plentiful, much about the Central Oregon Coast population of surf perch is still a mystery, so ODFW encourages keeping a few for the dinner table and releasing the rest. Redtail surf perch take 3 to 4 years to reach sexual maturity and the quantity of young they bear is relative to their size. Starry flounder, petrale and sand soles are sometimes a by catch, and also offer a very generous harvest limit of 25 fish.
The two most common species of surf perch are redtail and striped perch. Smaller species like the Walleye and Shiner perch are also quite common, but snack sized at best. The best part is all species of surf perch live within fifty feet of the shoreline, so you don't need a boat to target them. Having a surf rod that can handle slinging heavy weight long distances is definitely an advantage, but something sensitive enough to detect strikes in the churning waves is also helpful. Sandshrimp, sidewinder crabs, clams or mussels are good bait options, but their diet mostly consists of Pacific mole crab or "sand flea" or "sand crab." If you can find a sandy area with these critters, they make great bait, and there's probably surf perch around.
If you're fishing bait, a crappie rig and snell rigged baitholder hooks work just fine but a sliding weight can give you an advantage at detecting strikes in heavy surf and allows your presentation to move around a little more freely without being washed away. As far as hook size is concerned, consider if you'd like to catch more or bigger fish, and choose an appropriate size. Clawfoot or medallion weights are vital at keeping your presentation from being tossed around in the surf. Harry's Bait & Tackle in Newport is my favorite pitstop for all of the above, and don't be afraid to ask for a few suggestions on where others are having success. Horsefall Beach and Sparrow Park Rd are good starting points on the south coast. Vehicle and recreational ATV access offers some opportunity to be a little more mobile up and down the coastline in those areas. Ona Beach and Fishing Rock are good places to look along the central coast, while Seaside and Gerhart. are starting points for the North Coast.
Try to avoid large concentrations of people, as many of the popular parks and recreational areas will be full of looky-loos asking what you're doing every five minutes. If you can find access to a beach near residential areas, you'll have a little more space to work with, and you won't have to keep such a close eye on whatever you have back on the shore. Always check the local regulations for where you're planning on fishing just to make sure you're not entering a marine reserve.
If you're targeting redtails over the sand, look for areas with a depression in the waves, or flat water just beyond the breakers. That sweet spot is where you find schooling redtails. They are more likely to move up and down the shoreline than in and out, so if you find a school and lose it, move to your left or right instead of just trying to cast out further. Wearing waders is a good way to get a little closer, but respect the element of danger to being out there and don't turn your back on the ocean. Having a stringer you can carry and keep with you will also help keep your catch from washing away, or becoming a seagull snack on shore while you're focused and casting into the waves. Once you learn to read the water, you'll be able to spot "holes" in the surf, which could be as simple as an area where waves seem to meet from two different angles and just sort of die on the water's surface. Anywhere a creek or estuary dumps into the ocean is another safe bet, as there's a steady flow of food sources pouring into the surf.
Timing is everything. If you're not fishing on the incoming tide, the odds are stacked against you. All the little critters along the shoreline that are washed into the surf when the tide comes back in create a feeding frenzy. It may take a while for that frenzy to start or find a feeding school, so if you're not getting bit in a few minutes, bounce around a little bit and try some different presentations. Using a dual presentation can give you an advantage of trying a couple different baits at once to find out what they want they're on a finicky bite. Swells are almost necessary to churn up food for redtails. Anything beyond 5-6 feet swells aren't worth it to risk it for the biscuit. Not just because it's dangerous, but big swells will also churn up lots of salty vegetables that make it frustrating to impossible to fish.
Don't rule out soft plastics or scent either. A small mister twister curly tail grub with a motor oil color is a classic sand crab imitation. Berkeley gulp sandshrimp or sandworms are an excellent bait for redtails. You really only need about a 2" sized bait, so you can split them up and be a little more conservative with them. UV can sometimes make a difference as well. Rob Brown also sells a soft plastic creature bait that resembles a hellgrammite on his Custom Tackle Works website or on the shelves at Oregon Rod Reel & Tackle. ORRT also carries a wide selection of thirsty beads, which rigged above your presentation can aid in holding scent.
While all of these work great on the sand for redtails, striped perch tend to favor live bait over soft plastics, and hold tighter to outcropping rocks or pilings. When the surf or the wind picks up, you can still find areas tucked away behind geographical wind and current breaks where you'll find striped perch. Read the water like you would for salmon or steelhead. If there's something there to break the currents of the incoming (or outgoing) tides, fish the breaks in those currents or just beyond them. Small fingers or pilings off the jetties in estuaries are prime territory. They are opportunistic feeders that will often hold in that soft water waiting for food to wash over the structure. While redtails tend to hover along the bottom, striped surf perch will often be suspended, so a crappie rig with the weight on the bottom is more ideal than a sliding weight setup. Cast, reel the line tight, and raise the rod tip up so the two baits are suspended off the bottom. If you're crawling out on the rocks, make sure you can get back when the tide begins to rise.
If you're interested in a little friendly competition, YouTube user Pk Yi (who has a following of 41k subscribers) puts on annual surf perch derbies. His event last year brought in 90 participants, and he's planning another for July 27th at Ona Beach State Park. If you're in Washington, check out SurfPerchDerby.com for an annual event on May 19th in Long Beach. If you've got a busy schedule and can't make it to those events, you can also enter the month long derby in May held by Tony's Crab Shack in Bandon. All species of surf perch are accepted from Humbug Mountain, Port Orford to Horsefall Beach in Coos Bay at this event. Good luck!
This article was published in the March 2019 issue of Northwest Sportsman Magazine
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)