Bowfishing is a relatively rare sport in Oregon that combines fishing and bow hunting. Oregon features several legal bowfishing waterways, including the Columbia River. Although bowfishing is still unusual in the west, Oregon not only hosts the Columbia River Bowfishing Tournament, but is also home to a bowfishing guide company.
Regulations
Oregon does not allow game fish or several other fish species to be caught with a bow, which strictly limits bowfishing opportunities. Generally, bowfishing is only legal when catching carp in Oregon. Carp, however, are plentiful in the Columbia River and several Oregon sloughs, and average five to 20 pounds. A fishing license is required for bowfishing, which can be purchased through the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife or at sporting goods stores and other retail outlets.
Equipment
Early bowfishing enthusiasts rigged their own equipment -- for example, attaching braided Dacron line to weighted arrows and a crab-pot buoy -- but equipment made especially for bowfishing is now available at stores like DewClaw Archery Supplies in Medford. Retrofit kits are a popular choice, which include special arrows, attached to monofilament line and weighted to better penetrate water, as well as hardware for attaching a fishing reel to a bow.
Tournaments
The inaugural Columbia River Bowfishing Tournament took place at Boardman Park Marina in Boardman in August 2010. Tournament rules state that each team, made up of one or two people, must supply a boat and fishing license and must use standard bowfishing equipment. The river is closed to fishing for five days prior to the tournament, but scouting is allowed. Cash prizes are awarded to the top 30 percent of teams catching the most carp by weight. Additional prizes go to the team with the largest carp each day as well as farthest distance traveled.
Guides
As of 2010, Oregon is home to one bowfishing guide outfit: Two Blind Guides of Medford. Bowfishing excursions run $100 for one person and $150 for two, including fish cleaning. Two Blind Guides uses jet sled boats and fish in the Rogue River sloughs. Food, equipment, fuel, weather gear and licenses are not provided. The guides bring 60 combined years of experience, as well as advice on how to correctly prepare the reputedly muddy-tasting carp.
Tips
According to Two Blind Guides, carp are skittish and bowfishing for them challenges even the most practiced angler. Within range for bowfishing is 10 feet or closer and under no more than three feet of water. Because stealth is necessary, quiet trolling motors are key. It's not uncommon for beginners to take 30 shots or more before hitting a fish. It is important to remember when aiming that objects underwater are typically closer than they appear.
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