Snake River Sturgeon Fishing.......
The Experience
by J.A. Long /Pat Long
The middle portion of the free flowing Snake River is
home water to the White Sturgeon. This area has a Trophy Snake River White
stable population of these large fish that are the
focus of freshwater trophy fishing. This is a catch and
release fishery which is good throughout much
of the spring, summer and into the late fall
months.
During this period of time large numbers of these
fish will be caught and released none the worse
for wear. Many will be small, young fish, but not all
fish hooked will fall into this category. There are
numerous fish in the large size, (5-7 feet) and good
numbers that will be true oversized fish
(larger than 7 feet). Some of these giants are ten
feet plus and weigh well over 500 pounds.
Believe me, there is nothing like hooking into one of these behemoths. The first thought that enters your mind when the hook is set and it comes up hard and solid is "Oh my God." You know the fish on the other end of your line is BIG, then you feel the slow throb of a great moving body ....it is the feel of pure power and strength.
There are many things that can go wrong when you are fishing for these giants of the river. The river bottom is filled with obstructions and hazards, sharp rocks, deep holes, gravel bars and heavy currents. It only takes the touch of a sharp rock to cut a line that is stretched tight. Fish shake the barbless hooks when they make a quick turn or as they come to the surface in the lunging jump that brings on a sense of awe and excitement to the most experienced sturgeon fisher.
If you are lucky and things go well, the fight begins in earnest. This battle becomes a game of give and take -You gain a bit of line and the fish takes more. It is now you realize that to win this fight, strong pressure must be applied to this magnificent animal to make him work. It is your responsibility to get the job done as fast as possible; as the shorter the fight the less stress on the fish. You are now committed to an almost super human effort.
Arm and back muscles ache but you are unaware of the physical discomfort, your mind is focused on the task of trying to control this situation. A situation that feels like trying to make a raging locomotive behave with a piece of fishing line. Just the thought of making a large animal that is using the flows of the river and its great size yield to you is almost beyond belief.
Minutes stretch and time almost stands still, the fish gets closer with each pump of the rod and turn of the reel handle. You start to think you have some control then that determined creature makes another line pealing run. This is repeated many times over as you continue to find the strength to fight this fish. After many times of repeating this process you realize you are gaining line, you are winning this battle.
All eyes watch the line, then the water and finally you see bubbles rise as the fish tires. There is the flash of white and a great shadow appears in the green depths of the water......you are so close. A few more pumps of the rod and perhaps a little help from those around you to get this fish to the point where someone moves into the water to gently subdue this wonder. The beautifully adapted creature is then carefully rolled over in the shallow water and the hook removed.
Sturgeon are quite placid at this point, almost posing for photos as they rest and make themselves ready to swim back into the safety of the river.
You watch this wonderful treasure knowing you will never forget the excitement of the moment.....it will become a treasured memory that will last a lifetime.
There is that one last touch as the great fish swims free into the beautiful, clear water of the Snake River. Think about this fish and realize that as you have laid your hand on this creature you have stepped through time - for as a species they have survived unchanged since the dinosaurs walked the earth.
Someday this same sturgeon will surely give another fisherman the thrill of a lifetime.
Not every fish hooked will fall into the oversize class, but every twitch of the rod tip could be that fish every angler dreams about. It is that possibility which makes fishing for these trophies addictive, even the softest most gentle tug can turn into a battle of wills between the rod handler and a mammoth brute that will challenge any fisherman.
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or email us at pat@snakeriverguides.com
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