Bowfishing???

[portugeejn]

OK, got my reel and arrows.  Mounted them on a 70's Bear Grizzly.  Now I need a place to fish.  

Any good carp fishing locations that you don't mind sharing?

RonP

[Oregon Okie]

I drove by Fern Ridge yesterday... looking pretty low. I know there is supposed to be somewhere out there. Hey are you and I just talking back and forth on here.

[portugeejn]

I kinda thought there would be more response to this, given the comments at the banquet.  Build it and they will come I suppose?

RonP

[snag]

There's a good spot on the Long Tom where it comes through Monroe. You can walk the bank on the east side of the river. When they are spawning it is pretty amazing how many fish are rolling on the surface.

[portugeejn]

When do they spawn down here?

[snag]

???? Seems like I've seen this during the Spring...April/May???

[portugeejn]

That is kind of what I have been thinking, but haven't talked to anyone who has actually been out.  One year TAB planned a June or July outing (I don't remember which, but it fell through).

RonP

[snag]

Just looked at a "carp" site. They say Spring is spawning season for these little targets. haha

[Brad Robins]

Good morning folks!  Finally got my login info again.

I've bowfished for close to 20 years.  It has been very fun with lots of shooting and some very big fish skewered.

You won't find much for numbers until the water gets warm, usually in May.  The spawn varies each year of course, dependent on that temperature.

We've had local tournaments, and tournaments on the Snake River.  The west side is usually a 10#-14# average affair, while the Snake produces 20#-20# average.  Some years over there if we hit the spawn right, that number could reach 28#-30#'s! Carp of 40# were taken during those fantastic years.

I like cruising the Willamette.  Any side water will work, however, one of my biggest, 21#, was shot while drifting through a gravel bar on the main channel.

Enjoy this fun off season activity!

Brad

[snag]

Brad, good to see you here. Have you found a certain broadhead works better for this fish than others? I would be afraid of getting a complete pass thru.

[Brad Robins]

Hey David!

That book is getting better.  Lots of local adventures!

I like the Shure Shot type of heads.  Big wire barbs, with a twist option to pull out.  Black, Econo-Points work too on smaller carp

Pass throughs are great for sure retrievals.  A pain to get back through though.

[portugeejn]

I don't have a boat, but do have a couple friends with boats, which is almost as good   !  I am looking forward to giving it a try.  

Any luck just fishing from the bank?

RonP

[Brad Robins]

If you find a pond/creek/river with good access, yes, banking it is great!

If one would walk the bank along the Columbia and Snake Rivers, you would do well.

[Scoots]

The lakes and ponds on Sauvie Island Wildlife Area are LOADED with carp.  The lakes on the Westside Units are a place I would recommend.  A flat bottom "car topper" boat would work well, as the boat ramps will be closed - low water = stuck boats, trucks & trailers.

On the Eastside units I would recommend the McNary Lake system for bowfishing out of a boat.

No boat?  Try bowfishing on Round, Grassy and Seal Lakes on the Westside Units.  

The weather is still cool, so late May or June will be the time to go.

Call Karen @ 503-621-3488 and ask her to mail you a map of the Westside & Eastside Units.  Also, ask her about the parking permit requirement.

[Oregon Okie]

Oooh, that sounds like a good day trip up to Sauvie Island.. now where did i put the bowfishing stuff I found a while back?

[portugeejn]

Good info!  Thanks.

[Scoots]

I spoke with one of the fellows from Sauvie Island Wildlife Area yesterday.   They are experiencing very high water levels. The Westside units are all underwater and boats can be launched from the parking lots.

With the water this high it is also going to be cold.  Better bowfishing should be in a few weeks when the water is lower and warmer.