I hit the Columbia on Sunday the 11th. The wind forecast was supposed to be dicey so the plan was to spend most of the day in the slough downstream from the ramp a little ways. The wind lived up to its forecast and I was happy to fish (hide) from the wind pretty effectively for most of the day. It was really pleasant not fishing in a maelstrom all day long - although I did venture and fish in the main river for an hour at the end of the day because I am a glutton for punishment

 

Overall it was a decent day. I caught 23 bass in all with 10 of the bass being between 2lb 4oz and 2lb 11oz. I was really amazed I did not catch anything over 3lbs. The best lures on the day were a 3" white swimbait and Ned rig. I also caught a handful on a Jack Hammer Stealthblade.  The water temp in the slough was 62F and in the main river it was 57F.

 

I started out fishing in the main river (before the wind kicked up) and caught my two first fish in 20' of water after blanking in the shallows. After that I made my way into the slough. I had passed through it once but I had never fished it before and I only knew about the parts that are about a foot deep. I was pleased to see that there was plenty of 8-12' of water in places although there were vast expanses that were only a couple of feet deep. 

 

The first spot I pedaled up to was a small island (of which there 5). On my second cast I picked up my first bass (just a little guy) out of the slough on the JH. I kept that lure in my hand for a while and picked up a couple more fish in short order. However, after a while I felt like I was just not getting bit as often as I though I should so I put down the JH and picked up the little swimbait. Within a few casts I had a nice 2+lb bass which was pretty encouraging. The bite was never on fire in any one spot but as I pedaled around I would pick up a bass often enough to keep my throwing that swimbait.

 

Eventually I reached a shoreline that was a bit deeper than most of the spots I had been fishing. It was 8' a short distance from shore instead of 4-5' that same distance from shore. It looked great but after fishing it with the swimbait for a while without a bite I decided to try the Ned since I though perhaps the fish wanted something on the bottom. That ended up being a good call because for the next couple of hours I had steady action with a lot of 2lbers in the mix including one that tied my day's best (2lb 11oz). 

 

Eventually I had more or less covered most of the water in the slough and I decided to brave things and go out into the main river. The wind was whipping pretty good and there was an armada of sailboats across the river having some sort of regatta or race. I figured that since I had been doing well in shallow water in the slough that I could tuck myself into some spots and stay out of the worst of the wind.

 

Once again the bite was not on fire in the main river but the action was steady. I pretty much only threw the swimbait since I really wanted to try and cover a fair bit of water. I picked up a few fish out in the main river including another 2lb 11oz bass. It was a little challenging with the kayak control in the wind (wind an current in opposite directions) but it was not too bad. Eventually I was feeling tired and decided to head back to the ramp.

 

I had bought a new rod the day before (St. Croix Premiere) to fish wobbleheads with. The rod I had been using had cracked the tip top and when I replaced that guide I must have overheated the blank (I could not get that tip top off!) and the tip of the rod was just mush (I could bend it 90 degrees with zero effort). So anyway I had this new rod. So on the way back I decided I would try to catch a fish on it out of the 20' spot where I had caught two bass on a drop shot at the beginning of the day. Well, I had a good bite and set the hook into a fish but it immediately popped off so the new rod is still waiting to get slimed. I do like the way it casts and it feels nice and sensitive. I will be excited when I can properly break it in.

 

The only real bummer is that now my right shoulder is seriously messed up.The labrum was already torn but I think I developed an impingement or tore the rotator cuff from all the casting and reeling (much harder on the shoulder than fishing a drop shot). At the moment I can't lift that arm over my head. I will have to see if I can continue to fish with it like that or if I will have to sideline myself for a while. I will definitely be extra careful on every cast next trip out.

 

Anyway, enough of my whining. Here are some pics from the day and video.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nice ones! Sorry to hear about the shoulder though. I will pray for you.

 

I had some shoulder pain the other day, up on my back, and I was pretty sore after going to the river a few hours... but another couple trips (and some hot showers) has really helped me.

Sounds like the tendinitis I get in the shoulders at least yearly. For me it’s a month or so in PT and not lifting the shoulder more than a little or very slowly. Hopefully it’s a one off for you. At least you got injured for a good cause, me not so much, shoveling snow, running the weed whacker, fun stuff like that.

 

 

ahhh.. memories of the one-handed hair wash.  

 

you described it perfectly.  i did it shooting a hunting bow.  but my PT person showed me a move that i still use to this day.  bend at the hip.  helps to put your good hand on something.  like a bench.  now hold a very light weight with the sore side.  let the arm dangle straight down and relax.  you'll feel it stretch.  i use a 2lb dumbbell.  but i have used a 28oz can of hominy. hahah..  now let the hand pendulum clockwise..then counter clockwise.  it feels so good!!  just gentle movements as the joint just dangles from gravity.  

 

when i get that nagging soreness, i go and find a can of hominy.  

Thanks for the kind thoughts everyone. I have already had surgery on both shoulders in the past (3 anchors in my left shoulder and 5 in my right). I have a connective tissue disorder and have lived with joint issues and pain since I was a kid so this is far from my first dance with this demon.

 

I will try one more trip being super careful (and try not to set a distance record on every cast). Either that will work or I will be off the water for a month or two. 

Your reports are always interesting, thanks.  Shoulder problems aren't pleasant.  I had a replacement that failed. I try to cast with the other arm.

@Alex from GA I did try casting with my left hand a bit last trip. I will have to give that more of a go next trip. 

8 hours ago, Alex from GA said:

Your reports are always interesting, thanks.

 

Agree. You caught some beauties, PDX. Sorry about your achy shoulder.

On 5/14/2025 at 9:30 AM, Darth-Baiter said:

ahhh.. memories of the one-handed hair wash.  

 

you described it perfectly.  i did it shooting a hunting bow.  but my PT person showed me a move that i still use to this day.  bend at the hip.  helps to put your good hand on something.  like a bench.  now hold a very light weight with the sore side.  let the arm dangle straight down and relax.  you'll feel it stretch.  i use a 2lb dumbbell.  but i have used a 28oz can of hominy. hahah..  now let the hand pendulum clockwise..then counter clockwise.  it feels so good!!  just gentle movements as the joint just dangles from gravity.  

 

when i get that nagging soreness, i go and find a can of hominy.  

 

I had forgotten about this stretch. This definitely helps a good bit. Thank you for reminding me of this!