June 2, 2009

June is prime time to catch trophy Sturgeon. The river level is great and so is water temp. I'm fishing below Bonneville Dam and catching 15-20 Shad, first thing in the morning. Next step is down river below marker 85 for awesome STURGEON ACTION. 3-5 fish in the 200lb plus range. A keeper or two with as many shakers as you want! That's AVERAGE! We do have days we call GOOD fishing. Put an "X" on the calendar and enjoy the scenic gorge for some world class fishing.

Estuary Sturgeon has been slow to date but should improve as June is peak time for keeper size Sturgeon in the lower river.

2009 fishing forecasts present us with very encouraging news. 300,000 Spring Salmon returning ABOVE Bonneville Dam. Sturgeon are biting as we speak on both the Willamette and Columbia. Retention days are Thursday-Friday and Saturday. Sunday-Wednesday are catch and release. STURGEON, SALMON, STEELHEAD and WALLEYE are all present great opportunity on the Columbia for 2009.

I have three motel options. The Red Lion on the Columbia River is located just above the I-5 bridge. I can literally pick you up on there dock in the morning. This is prime Location for Spring Salmon fishing. The Holiday Inn Express in Troutdale is 15 minutes from the Airport and 15 minutes to the FISHERY (private boat launch-campground just below Bonneville Dam). The Columbia Gorge Riverside Lodge is river front property in Stevenson WA just above Bonneville Dam. All three have starting rates around $80 per night when booked through Dan Ponciano Guide Service.

Longview to Portland-Vancouver area is holding plenty of Sturgeon. Smelt is the bait of choice. I have been using scent since all of my smelt has been frozen for about a year. Vacuum packed smelt with a touch of secret sauce is producing very good catch rates.

Winter weather is here so the top is up and the heater on. The higher-muddy water produces good sturgeon fishing opposed to lost Salmon-Steelhead days due to water conditions.

I will be working on Sturgeon most days until the water is clear enough to catch Steelhead in the Lewis.

June 20, 2008

Estuary Sturgeon has been spotty at best. The overall catch per rod is down from years past. Anchovies and Shrimp are the best bait at this time. Hammond to Rice Island has produced the best fishing. Don't set in the same place if you're not catching fish. Sturgeon move a bunch every day and every tide. Stay mobile and keep fresh baits on the hook. When you land on them there are awesome keepers out there. I fished two days in the Estuary. We landed 3 nice keepers on day one with 5 rods. Second day we had 53, 56, 57 inch keepers for 3 rods.

Trolling cut plug herring, Quick-Fish,Spinners, Spin-glow, wigglers, wobblers or eggs. Fish the way you feel best and put the hurt on these awesome eating Salmon.

Dan Ponciano Guide Service