Northwest Fishing Reports

Any shoreline fisherman run into any rattlers yet? I am anxious to go to this pond off of the Columbia that is real productive during the spawn, but have to get up the courage to walk for about a mile through rocks, sagebrush and tall weeds. Have run into a few rattlers in the past, and not looking forward to meeting up with any others. Fishing is so good there though, kida outweighs the fear!!

I haven't run into anything yet but if you are looking for someone to tag along just in case I am good to go. I am set to deploy out soon but shoot me a line and maybe we can get together

Walk loud and pay attention to where you step - you should be fine. If you hear a rattle, retreat in the exact steps you walked in. Carrying a walking stick can also be helpful.

I havnt seen any this year. The earliest that I have seen them is Memorial day, but they do come out earlier than that. I would think with this winter/spring we are having it should keep them hibernating for a little longer than usual. But you can never be too safe, carry a nice stick or a rock to tag them with, Or a .410 snake charmer like I do.

I carry a ski pole when treking through the sagebrush.I find that the perfect tool to have for rattlers.My 22 revolver helps also.But youd better be a darn good shot with it.I find the 22 is my favorite charmer.of course a 410 is a better charmer.Haha
GOOD LUCK FLYING -SOLDIER GOD SPEED TO YOU AND STAY HEALTHY.GOD BLESS YOU AND THANK YOU.

Well the ticks are out so the rattlers cant be long behind. I always let the wife an kids walk ahead of me "just in case".

Cheers

Rattlesnakes? In this weather? Another cold front is headed in this weekend, complete with blustery conditions, rain and snow. It's gonna hang around all week, with highs in the upper 40s. At this rate you'll probably be OK until July!

i don't think that you need to be worried about the ratt'lrs you need to watch out for the snow-snakes! was snowing here in yakima today. the cool weather we are having will probably put the spawning off at least a week. the crappie and bluegill have been starting the first week of may in the area ponds here and in the quincy lake region. <')//<

the snakes will keep close to the sunny side of the rocks if they are comming out at all.

When in snake country...wear snake boots.

racfish wrote:I carry a ski pole when treking through the sagebrush.I find that the perfect tool to have for rattlers.My 22 revolver helps also.But youd better be a darn good shot with it.I find the 22 is my favorite charmer.of course a 410 is a better charmer.Haha
GOOD LUCK FLYING -SOLDIER GOD SPEED TO YOU AND STAY HEALTHY.GOD BLESS YOU AND THANK YOU.

You can get snake shot for 22s and up not good far away but 10' it will totally kill a rattler!

It is a bit to cold for them yet, if you do see any they will be sunning them selves on the rocks (If the sun is out). I believe the temp needs to be 68*+ for them to be actively moving about.

The only time I will kill a rattler is if I am going to barbacue it. They are disapearing in some areas, 30yrs ago they used to be all over the Tum Tum area now I haven't seen one there for 20yrs, often wonder if I had anythig to do with that "hum" and "yum".

eustace wrote:It is a bit to cold for them yet, if you do see any they will be sunning them selves on the rocks (If the sun is out). I believe the temp needs to be 68*+ for them to be actively moving about.

The only time I will kill a rattler is if I am going to barbacue it. They are disapearing in some areas, 30yrs ago they used to be all over the Tum Tum area now I haven't seen one there for 20yrs, often wonder if I had anythig to do with that "hum" and "yum".

Back in I think it was 04 or maybe 05.I was fighting a wildland fire over in the Tum Tum area and me and my DNR crew ran into a few rattlers so they are still there.We let them go about there way we had other things to worry about than the snakes escaping the fires.But being born in Louisianna and living in Oklahoma and Texas until I was about 10 years old I have had my share of poisoness snakes so Im glad to be on the Kitsap Pennissula where we don't have those rattlers.Or any other poisoness snakes.I thinkthe only poisoness snakes around here are on my Tony Lama rattlesnake boots

shawn wrote:

eustace wrote:It is a bit to cold for them yet, if you do see any they will be sunning them selves on the rocks (If the sun is out). I believe the temp needs to be 68*+ for them to be actively moving about.

The only time I will kill a rattler is if I am going to barbacue it. They are disapearing in some areas, 30yrs ago they used to be all over the Tum Tum area now I haven't seen one there for 20yrs, often wonder if I had anythig to do with that "hum" and "yum".

Back in I think it was 04 or maybe 05.I was fighting a wildland fire over in the Tum Tum area and me and my DNR crew ran into a few rattlers so they are still there.We let them go about there way we had other things to worry about than the snakes escaping the fires.But being born in Louisianna and living in Oklahoma and Texas until I was about 10 years old I have had my share of poisoness snakes so Im glad to be on the Kitsap Pennissula where we don't have those rattlers.Or any other poisoness snakes.I thinkthe only poisoness snakes around here are on my Tony Lama rattlesnake boots

Shawn, were you fughting the fire at the big rocks that 291 cuts through just past Red (Turtle) Lake.

I was just joking about the Rattlers, I know there has to be some still around. Just not as thick as they were when I was a kid. For fun growing up out there we used to find them laying on the edges of the road so we would run them over with are bicycles and lift our legs. Sick fun uh.

eustace wrote:

shawn wrote:

eustace wrote:It is a bit to cold for them yet, if you do see any they will be sunning them selves on the rocks (If the sun is out). I believe the temp needs to be 68*+ for them to be actively moving about.

The only time I will kill a rattler is if I am going to barbacue it. They are disapearing in some areas, 30yrs ago they used to be all over the Tum Tum area now I haven't seen one there for 20yrs, often wonder if I had anythig to do with that "hum" and "yum".

Back in I think it was 04 or maybe 05.I was fighting a wildland fire over in the Tum Tum area and me and my DNR crew ran into a few rattlers so they are still there.We let them go about there way we had other things to worry about than the snakes escaping the fires.But being born in Louisianna and living in Oklahoma and Texas until I was about 10 years old I have had my share of poisoness snakes so Im glad to be on the Kitsap Pennissula where we don't have those rattlers.Or any other poisoness snakes.I thinkthe only poisoness snakes around here are on my Tony Lama rattlesnake boots

Shawn, were you fughting the fire at the big rocks that 291 cuts through just past Red (Turtle) Lake.

I was just joking about the Rattlers, I know there has to be some still around. Just not as thick as they were when I was a kid. For fun growing up out there we used to find them laying on the edges of the road so we would run them over with are bicycles and lift our legs. Sick fun uh.

I don't know after a few weeks going fire to fire they all get mixed together but I can dig thru my fire logs we I come across them and let you know.I keep a pretty good journal of the fires I have been on for future refrences so I will find the logs and let you know.

chironomid_guy wrote:Well the ticks are out so the rattlers cant be long behind. I always let the wife an kids walk ahead of me "just in case".

Cheers

Ticks? In the last 10 years, I have not seen one tick here in northwest Washington.

Being from southwest Missouri, I find the lack of ticks and chiggers here very refreshing. When I was young, I recall coming home from rabbit hunts with literally HUNDREDS of ticks crawling on me. They like to bite the "hot spots" -- crotch and armpits... :pale:

We had more than our share of snakes too. I remember floating down the rivers and having snakes fall out of trees into our canoe. So much for a relaxing day on the river!

bigbasstaz wrote:

racfish wrote:I carry a ski pole when treking through the sagebrush.I find that the perfect tool to have for rattlers.My 22 revolver helps also.But youd better be a darn good shot with it.I find the 22 is my favorite charmer.of course a 410 is a better charmer.Haha
GOOD LUCK FLYING -SOLDIER GOD SPEED TO YOU AND STAY HEALTHY.GOD BLESS YOU AND THANK YOU.

You can get snake shot for 22s and up not good far away but 10' it will totally kill a rattler!

If you load your own ammo you can buy cups & caps for snake loads. Just fill them with your favorite shot then superglue the caps on. (The cups are very brittle and shatter in the barrel.)
Here are a few I made for the 44 mag:



Be careful with pistol snake loads because the shot spreads quickly and it's easy to put a few holes in your foot...

When I'm hiking around the St Helens area it is not uncommon to have to burn a tick off my arm or neck.

HillbillyGeek wrote:

bigbasstaz wrote:

racfish wrote:I carry a ski pole when treking through the sagebrush.I find that the perfect tool to have for rattlers.My 22 revolver helps also.But youd better be a darn good shot with it.I find the 22 is my favorite charmer.of course a 410 is a better charmer.Haha
GOOD LUCK FLYING -SOLDIER GOD SPEED TO YOU AND STAY HEALTHY.GOD BLESS YOU AND THANK YOU.

You can get snake shot for 22s and up not good far away but 10' it will totally kill a rattler!

If you load your own ammo you can buy cups & caps for snake loads. Just fill them with your favorite shot then superglue the caps on. (The cups are very brittle and shatter in the barrel.)
Here are a few I made for the 44 mag:



Be careful with pistol snake loads because the shot spreads quickly and it's easy to put a few holes in your foot...

Those in the 44 look pretty nasty.OUCH.

HillbillyGeek wrote:

chironomid_guy wrote:Well the ticks are out so the rattlers cant be long behind. I always let the wife an kids walk ahead of me "just in case".

Cheers

Ticks? In the last 10 years, I have not seen one tick here in northwest Washington.

Being from southwest Missouri, I find the lack of ticks and chiggers here very refreshing. When I was young, I recall coming home from rabbit hunts with literally HUNDREDS of ticks crawling on me. They like to bite the "hot spots" -- crotch and armpits... :pale:

We had more than our share of snakes too. I remember floating down the rivers and having snakes fall out of trees into our canoe. So much for a relaxing day on the river!

I just ran into ticks for the 1st time. It was durring the April first opener at lower hampton lake (potholes). I didnt know what to do, they scared the hell out of me.