LIP GRIPPER
DURING WINTER, FOOD IS SCARCE
AND STURGEON ARE HUNGRY. PHOTO: COURTESY MICHAEL RISCHER
Green Camo
Desert Tan Camo
Pacific Northwest guide shares secrets for catching giant sturgeon [TACTICS]
RIVER MONSTERS
Wedged between two massive rivers, Portland, Oregon, is a perfect home for water baby Mi- chael Rischer. Surfer, sailor and snowboarder, Rischer (
www.kayakfishingoregon.com) is a full- time kayak guide who fishes the Pacific Northwest year-round. His favorite target is white stur- geon that can grow over 200 pounds and measure more than seven feet long. RIC BURNLEY
AIR TIME White sturgeon are the biggest freshwater fish in North America and they put up a tough fight that can last an hour. The huge fish will often jump out of the water and use the strong river current to put the hurt on a kayak angler. Winter is the best time to target white sturgeon in the Columbia and Willamette rivers. Anglers anchor in river eddies and soak bait while waiting for a bite. Once the fish bites, the anglers detach from anchors and let the sleigh rides begin. On a good day, expect to tangle with three or four sturgeon. Anglers leave the river with sore muscles and great stories.
BATTLE ARMOR Winter water temperatures can dip into the 30s so Rischer outfits his crew in Stohlquist dry- suits. He demands each angler wear a PFD to stay above water if the fish pulls him in. A rod leash secures tackle to the kayak and a Hobie H-Crate keeps everything in place.
H2O KAYAK FISH
• Poly Pro/Glass Filled Blades • Fiberglass Shaft integrated tape measure
• Lightweight 34 oz • Lengths up to 250cm • MSRP $159
www.h2opaddles.com
BAIT ‘EM IN During winter, food is scarce and huge sturgeon are hungry. These detritus feeders can smell a chunk of fish from miles away. Rischer uses a whole squid on a 7/0 barbless hook. He ties the tip of the squid’s mantle above the hook with a half hitch so the hook hangs even with the tentacles. The hook is tied to a four-foot leader of 72-pound Dacron. Slide a six- to 12-ounce pyramid sinker over 80-pound Daiwa Samori braided mainline and attach the leader with a 150-pound swivel. A Lowerance fishfinder/GPS combo allows Rischer to find the deep holes where sturgeon live.
HEAVY HITTERS It takes a big stick to beat a river monster. Rischer uses an eight-foot, medium-heavy Daiwa Proteus rod that features tangle-free guides and a soft gimble that works with or without a fighting belt. The rod has X-Tube grip wrap to keep the fish from ripping the rod from his hands. He matches the rod to a SLW20H sealine reel to survive the brutal beating of a big sturgeon.
DIGITAL EXTRA: Click here to discover more sturgeon secrets from pro guide Michael Rischer. 28…KAYAK ANGLER
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