John Day/Celilo Two Day Tournament
Aug 7th & 8th

The Abbotts, Randy (left) and Don (right) took first at Celilo in very windy conditions.

Originally on the CRB 2010 Schedule for Arlington Or, after touring the ramp and nearby amenities for camping and launching the club voted to move the event to the La Page Park at the mouth of the John Day River. High winds are typical for summer days in the eastern Columbia River Gorge, and the John Day River canyon was an intentional back up destination in case high winds developed. At the gate at La Page Park Mark Forbes was told about a no charge riverside camping area in nearby Rufus. By Friday evening all teams arrived and agreed the Rufus campground would be tournament headquarters for the event.

Saturday dawned with conditions as predicted- winds increasing to strong during the day in advance of a clipping weather front passing by. Team Decker and the team of Mark Forbes and Jody Cagle blasted off and ran out on the Columbia. Winds were moderate early, and there was a brief window to fish on the main body for approximately one hour. Tristan Decker connected on top water on the first cast of the morning. Zip and Tristan had a limit that would prove to be enough for the first day lead. Soon it was time to retreat to the protection of the John Day. All the teams were inside working through multitudes of small fish to connect with just a few keepers. Several times team Decker was seen to go to an area where they caught a 5lb in practice earlier in the week.
Saturday evening the teams parked their boats and trailers and attended a steak barbecue in the campgound. The Abbotts parked their motorhome sideways to the wind, and Zip Decker and Don Abbott set up the grills. Sherry Abbott prepared a salad and beans, and fresh corn on the cob. Members had as much to eat as they wanted. Completely satisfied with the food, everyone had a yarn to spin (some had several) and the stories continued well after dark. During the meal Sunday's forecast for somewhat diminished winds was discussed and the competitors voted to fish day two twenty miles down river at Celilo Park. Thanks again to the Abbott's for providing the motor home and the food, and thanks to Zip for the evening's services at the grill.

Sunday did dawn with diminished winds and there was a two hour window before they returned. Top water was on most angler's minds, and Team Abbott took full advantage. Before the sun got on the water top water and spinnerbaits produced a limit that erased their 5lb first day deficit. Infact, they reported two limits of similar sized hungary smallmouth- a bag of 14lbs and the big fish 3.4lbs. They reported multiple strikes by the same fish, multiple fish on the same cast, and a frenzy of action that gave the weight they needed. It was their 2nd victory on the Celilo pool this season. Not coasting for the time remaining for the 1pm weigh-in, they reported breaking off a 4lb largemouth too! Team Decker also found a few top water fish early, but not nearly the same size. Mark Forbes and Jodi Cagle put together a limit to just slip past the Deckers for 2nd place. They used a variety of hard baits and plastics. They rallied late as a group of smallmouth came up with a fish Jody hooked. Mark netted the fish then instantly flipped a bait to the group and blam! A double that culled two fish. Great event- granted with too much wind, but a memorable time for everyone.



The Story Telling Saturday Evening

2nd Place Mark Forbes and Jody Cagle

Randy Abbott resting up for his big day Sunday

Jim Miller Veteran Basser


Tristan Decker caught a fish first cast of the day

Crowd Pleasing Fish at La Page Park

CRB Club President Zip Decker. Medium or Well Done?