It is a time of seasonal change when the weather can "turn on a dime" from fair skies to wet, windy and downright crummy.

But on those wonderful "blue hole" days when the sun plays a peak-a-boo game with coastal visitors, Grant McOmie takes advantage of every opportunity for a new adventure.

He recently enjoyed a big payoff for his efforts as he learned the tactics and techniques for catching the Oregon seafood delicacy called Dungeness Crab in this week's "Grant's Getaway."

WATCH THE VIDEO VERSION.

When you're lucky enough to go fishing with a good friend who knows the water well, you're sure to learn something new.

That's especially true when the Columbia River us under your keel and carries you toward new adventure.

Steve Fick first explored the Columbia River estuary as a kid, so he knows his way around the vast waterway where the river meets the sea.

He and his longtime friend, Jim Dickson, intended to teach this greenhorn how to catch his supper from the sea.

For Fick, the first lesson is simple enough: always wear a PFD (Personal Flotation Device.) He insisted it's a personal lesson in life and safety:

"You always wear it Grant, because if you fall overboard, particularly with heavy rain gear on, it's very difficult to survive. The water is always cold and can sap your strength in a matter of minutes."

We left the snug harbor at Hammond, Oregon and slowly motored the short distance downriver to an area just off Clatsop Beach.

Fick had prepared five large crab traps with varied baits - a strategy he often used so to "see what the crabs prefer."

Sometimes he'll use turkey legs, chicken wings, shad or salmon carcasses - even a can of tuna for crab bait. Anyone say, "lunchtime?"

"Oh yes, a can of tuna fish is perfect bait, exclaimed Fick. "All you do is perforate the can so that the scent comes out - you can also buy canned sardines or mackerel too - both work well. As long as they have a high oil content, it seems to fish well - the scent is what draws the crab into the pot."

Each Oregon crabber must carry an Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife Shellfish License. Each crabber is allowed to use up to three crab traps.

We timed our trip to fish our traps the last hour of the incoming tide and through the high slack period, (that's often the best crabbing time.)

Steve said it's the safest time to crab in the estuary:

"There is no reason to be out here on the ebb tide - that's the out-going tide.
It can be the most dangerous part of the tide cycle and this river can change so fast. You just don't take chances out here."

Fick said that each trap should "soak" for 15-20 minutes - that allows enough time for the crabs to locate the bait and enter the trap.

Each crabber is allowed a dozen male crabs apiece, and in Oregon they must be five and three-quarters (5¾) inches across the back.

Females are protected to preserve the breeding population of crabs. A crab gauge or other measuring device is essential gear since some crabs miss the mark by only a hair's length.

Jim and I pulled in the last of the five traps. "Oh, man look at that, I screamed. "It's mother load and I think they're all legal."

Steve showed me how to safely hold each crab so not to get pinched.

"Watch me Grant - see how I place my thumb on the underside and my other four fingers across the back. You can hold it safely and not get pinched. This is a dandy crab. That's great!"

Within a half hour, we had landed and checked each of our traps and we were fortunate to retain 18 legal Dungeness crabs; plenty to go around our small but hearty crew.

As much fun as it was to catch these crabs, the best part was yet to come when Steve motored back to the dock in Astoria and we carried our crustaceans up to his shop to learn the proper way to cook our crabs.

Fick dropped a pound of salt into ten gallons of boiling water and then placed each crab into the pot. The crabs must cook approximately twenty minutes.

While we waited, I chatted with Oregon Fish and Wildlife Shellfish Manager, Matt Hunter.

He explained that the crabbing in the Columbia River estuary had been exceptional this year.

"We're seeing darn near a limit per person and when we don't see a limit it's because of weather or that people just don't want their dozen crabs."

The reason for this year's remarkable catch rate?

"Well, the crabs molted in early summer so they're coming off the molt and they're hungry and looking for food. At this time of year there's plenty of food: baitfish die offs, natural salmon spawning events so there is plenty of available to them."

As we chilled our catch on ice, I asked Fick what he enjoyed most about the adventure that's just off his front door step:

"Oh, it's simple and everyone can be involved in it. It's easy to catch a dozen crabs per person with lots of action for kids. And - you never really know until you pull the pot up what you got...you know and that is fun!"

Outdoor Tip of the Week

It is a lot of fun to catch Dungeness Crabs and all of Oregon's estuaries offer wonderful opportunities for a day's adventure.

If you wish to visit Astoria and try your luck in the Columbia River estuary, consider the adventure just a part of a longer overnight coastal stay.

If you do, consider Ft Steven's State Park your base camp for the weekend adventure.

The trails and campgrounds at Ft Steven's are quiet at this time of year.

The summer crowds have disappeared and the beaches, Coffenbury Lake and the wetland areas are all yours to explore.

Ft Steven's Park Manager, Mike Stein, explained:

"People are looking to get away from the larger crowds and we specialize in that at this time of year. We've got over 4,000 acres to spread across, plus miles of beachfront and 9 miles of paved trail, plus another 7 miles of nature trail."

If you lack a trailer or an RV, no need to worry, Ft Steven's boasts 15 YURTS that make the camping easy.

"Yurts are wonderful camping opportunities, explained Stein. They offer a domed platform with canvas sides and top. They have furniture in them: a futon sofa and a bunk bed. They've proven to be very popular because they reach out to the visiting public that's unable or lacks the time to invest in a tent or RV."

It is time well spent at Ft Steven's State Park. Stein noted that during the Fall season, it's a parkland all yours to explore:

"That real sense of solitude is what draws people here and keeps them coming back regularly."

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THIS "GRANT'S GETAWAY."

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