I have never tried to fish for bass in February before. Last year was the first time I fished for and caught bass in January and I had wanted to fish in February but between bad weather and other commitments I did not make it out. So I was really excited to make my first February bass trip ever!

I hit the Columbia out of Stevenson on Sunday. The day before had been warm, sunny and beautiful but the wind forecast in the gorge was a no-go. So I found myself launching in a steady rain but at least the temp was not too bad (~45F). I was dressed for the weather so I was not too concerned. I was really excited to be fishing in February!

The water temp was 41F so I figured the bass would be pretty sluggish so I prepared myself for a day of painfully slow fishing. The good news was that it was calm, the current was not too bad and that the water clarity was awesome - at least 3' of visibility!

I started fishing on a big flat that is around 35' deep. It is pretty nothing looking thing but for some reason the bass seem to like to hang out on it in the winter. I guess the bottom has enough roughness to break up the current and so it is a good wintering spot. (I have done well on this spot on multiple January trips this year and last).

I started dragging a Ned rig on a 1/4oz head around. I would cast upstream a short way and then position my kayak to make my line be as vertical as possible when the Ned hit the bottom. I would then carefully control my drift to maintain that vertical presentation. This greatly reduces the number of hangups.

I spent about an hour and half probing this huge flat when I felt a "tick". I set the hook on nothing. "Just wishful thinking I said to myself". I pedaled back upstream and repeated that exact drift (by using my maps and track to start me on the exact same spot). I drifted downstream past where I had my previous phantom bite when I felt another "tick". This time when I set the hook I knew I had something solid!

In that cold water the fight was rather sluggish and it did not take too long to get the fish near the surface. When I saw it in the clear water I gasped because it was much bigger than I had expected. The sluggish fight had belied the size of that fish. When I slipped my net under that fish I whooped out loud!!

My first February bass. Also that gave 12 straight months with a Columbia river bass!! I was so stoked. That beauty weighed in at 3lb 12oz and was 19.25" long. That's a good one indeed!!

I wish I could regale with tales of other fish but that beauty was my only one for the day.  Well, I said to myself "If you're going to just catch one at least it was a good one!". The rest of the day did have some high points though. At one point a couple of otters swam by the kayak. So I followed them for a short while just to enjoy and perhaps get a tip on a hot spot. The otters however were zipper-lipped and provided no help

Later in the day a group (convocation) of 4 eagles starting cavorting and screaming over the middle of the river. I can only assume it was some king of mating dance or something. They were only there for a few minutes before zooming off but it was quite the spectacle to see. I usually only ever see them soaring while hunting and their aerial acrobatics were really amazing to witness.

In terms of fishing though, I spent the rest of the day trying hard but I just could not get another bite. I tried depths from 3' to 60' but I just could never find another bass. Then just after I had finished packing up to leave I think the fishing gods wanted to taunt me with this:

I know in my heart that there was a pot of smallmouth at the end of that rainbow

Anyway, here is a very short video from the day:

@pdxfisher Congratulations on a wonderful day on the water!

On 2/2/2026 at 11:26 PM, pdxfisher said:

Also that gave 12 straight months with a Columbia river bass!!

Quite an accomplishment. Proud of you, Partner.

On 2/2/2026 at 11:26 PM, pdxfisher said:

That beauty weighed in at 3lb 12oz and was 19.25" long.

That's the cut-off for me. 19-inchers, both brown and green, are big bass.

On 2/2/2026 at 11:26 PM, pdxfisher said:

The otters however were zipper-lipped and provided no help

This is why the CIA uses them as spies. You can strap them to a table and tickle their tummies, but they never talk.

On 2/2/2026 at 11:26 PM, pdxfisher said:

Later in the day a group (convocation) of 4 eagles starting cavorting and screaming over the middle of the river.

Four eagles at once is quite a sight.

A dark sky with that bright light and a rainbow too: Perfect.

Awesome photos, never really thought of fishing Bass in all my time spent out there, was always in pursuit of steelhead for the most part.

Trying to remember which river it is out there that has the island full of Blue Herons, it's well known, dozens and dozens of Herons nest there, unlike anything you have ever seen. Jurassic Park meets reality sorta thing lol We have Blue Herons here, but you never see them nesting it seems, not like that anyway.

I think it was near where the Clack dumps into the Willamette, if I remember correctly, the island is downstream of the confluence a ways on the Willamette, if you have never seen it, it's a must see.

Really love and miss the PNW, taking my Wife to my old stomping grounds in a few weeks in the Coastal Redwoods, she has never been... She has no idea what kind of cool stuff she is about to see lol

@Peninsular , we have heron rookeries on almost every island, they sound like Jurassic park in March. They are already in the tree tops carrying large branches right now, usually start in January. Pretty cool because when I was a kid it was rare to see a single blue heron, now there are thousands upon thousands and they steal koi fish out of people’s backyards 😂

2 hours ago, TnRiver46 said:

@Peninsular , we have heron rookeries on almost every island, they sound like Jurassic park in March. They are already in the tree tops carrying large branches right now, usually start in January. Pretty cool because when I was a kid it was rare to see a single blue heron, now there are thousands upon thousands and they steal koi fish out of people’s backyards 😂

That's awesome! I just don't like the Cormorant rookeries. Not only do they smell terrible, but you have to be really careful when passing under the trees! 🤮

Couple miles below Nickajack dam, there is a huge rookery at the head of Burns Island. It gathers hundreds every year. The fishing is great but the stench will drive you away no matter how good they are biting. There are always a few Blue Herons that nest among them. Have to troll well away from the bank or else!

The cormorants got me once bob, covered my shirt and shorts. I just jumped into the water in shame to wash off, my buddy could not stop laughing

18 hours ago, TnRiver46 said:

The cormorants got me once bob, covered my shirt and shorts. I just jumped into the water in shame to wash off, my buddy could not stop laughing

I think I'm going to barf at that visual. Some readers might not know the severity of what you are describing, but I do! Sorry to hear about that but I think I would join your Buddy in a great big belly laugh!