Columbia Riv
he sticky treble hook on my Pointer 78 jerkbait latched onto the submerged weedbed. With a sharp jerk it popped free, only to be smashed by four pounds of bronze muscle that rocketed to the surface in typi- cal trophy smallmouth fashion. Using the current to its advantage, the angry smallmouth turned down stream, bending my 3-power lamiglas crankbait rod into a deep bend. despite its best head shakes, the bass stayed hooked and soon found itself inside an already full livewell. For the past half hour, the action was so fast my tournament partner couldn’t make a cast of his own. i would make a cast, and stick a bass. My partner would race for the net, land the bass, and cull the smallest from the live well. Then it was time to net the next angry smallmouth.
i felt guilty hogging all of the action, but wouldn’t trade places with anyone at the moment. This is bass fishing on the Columbia river!
The Columbia is the 4 th largest river in the United States. originating in the Canadian rockies this scenic fish-filled river flows 1,214 miles before emptying to the Pacific ocean between Washington and oregon. Those who live outside the Pacific Northwest learn about the Columbia river when studying american History and the lewis & Clark expedition. Back then, Native americans depended upon the river for its runs of Chinook, Coho, and Sockeye Salmon, along with trout, steelhead, and sturgeon to supplement excellent hunting opportunities. over time the river developed new
– Lake Wallula, tri- T
introduction
32
®