Here in Oregon we are blessed to have some wonderful fishing opportunities. Along with having multiple runs of Steelhead and Salmon, we also have the White Sturgeon. These fish grow and mature at a slow rate. It takes approximately ten years for a Sturgeon to reach the minimum keeper length of 38 inches. I could take a Sturgeon up to 20 years to reach the maximum keeper length of 54 inches. Some of the species found in the Columbia and Willamette Rivers can reach up to 22 feet in length and weigh 1200 pounds. Some of these fish could have been born before the Civil War. It is an honor for one of these giants to suck down your bait and allow you to fight them.

The thrill of seeing one of these giants break the surface of the river will cause your heart to race, but hold on because if you have hooked a large oversized Sturgeon you could be fighting the fish for a while, up to two hours. It is wise to visit the gym to prepare for a trip and bring friends. Your arms and back may tire long before your Sturgeon is ready to give up. It’s an affordable thrill you will remember the rest of your life.

Many trips produce sub-legal or “shaker” fish. They are called Shakers because they love to shake their heads on the way to the boat. It is common for the boat of four fishermen to catch 20 or more fish per day, so there is a lot of action for everyone. So give a call to a local guide and book a trip to catch fish that have lived longer then you.

Ken Bear Cole

Fishing with Bear LLC