Hey Guys,

I went down to the columbia last weekend and looked at the state park at Beacon Rock, where I think we are staying. It has a great boat launch, but camping really stinks. The camping area by the boat launch is not going to work for people who have boats. There is no room to manuver to back in. There are about 5 spots to camp. The park is filled with 1960's single wide trailers that people live in year round. Not a very pretty site. My family and I were going to stay there, but it sucked really bad. (Mardon's on the Columbia) There is another camping area down the road which is also part of the state park. We drove about two miles up the mountain and never got to it. On the way back down I was burning the brakes on the truck. I think that we need to re-consider the pool we are fishing and find better camping area. Either that or find a camping area from the Oregen side. I fished the Federation last year at Boardman and we did not have to have an Oregen fishing license as long as you did not go into a tributary on the Oregen side.
I did not locate another camping area anywhere in the area within the Bonneville Pool on the Washington side.
Larry, we definitly need to look into this as soon as possible.

Daryl

Curiously, I was thinking that we would be fishing out of the Camas/Washougal area.  There is a very nice launch at the Port of Washougal.  I am up for anything anywhere in the gorge.  Lots of big smallies to be had for those who do their homework.  My research shows consistent 15lb sacks by recent tournament anglers from the Oregon side at Cascade Locks, Boardman, and the Camas/Washougal area.  It should be a blast where ever we end up.
KH

Are we still launching out of Camas, or a different launch?

Hey Larry,
Checking out my maps, there are 2 ramps near the 205-Columbia River intersection:

There's the Marine Parkway Ramp, on the Washington side, and the James Gleason Ramp on the Oregon Side.  Both are located between I-5 and 205, practically on opposite sides of the river bank from each other.  Both are within site of the airport.

They're closer to the camp grounds and from a safety standpoint, it's a better area to launch from than Camus (less sand and rock bars to navigate around).

Go virtual!

Here's the James Gleason ramp:
http://www.boatescape.com/singleMarina.asp?ID=102

I think it costs $3 per day to use.  The other ramp is also a fee ramp, but I'm not sure what the fee is.