Celilo Pool, Columbia River – March 29, 2025 – The Celilo Pool on the Columbia River hosted an electrifying Columbia River Bassmasters club tournament on March 29. With pre-spawn conditions in full swing, 12 teams took on this iconic bass fishery, where shifting water levels challenged their adaptability and skill. The event showcased the river’s robust smallmouth bass population and crowned a standout father-daughter duo as champions.
Top 5 Teams Rise Above
The competition was intense, with the top five teams delivering exceptional performances. Here’s how they stacked up:
- Dave Osborn and Berkley Osborn dominated with a five-fish limit weighing 18.18 pounds, securing first place with a lead of over two pounds. Their victory highlighted their pre-spawn expertise.
- Ed Chin and Roger Emmert claimed second with 15.67 pounds, posting a solid effort in the dynamic conditions.
- Jon Bial and Steve B. took third with 15.41 pounds, earning big fish honors with a 4.24-pound smallmouth—a pre-spawn standout that showcased the fishery’s quality.
- Ed Hodges and Ian Susens finished fourth with 15.07 pounds, holding strong in a competitive field.
- Frank Ingraham and Leroy Fields rounded out the top five with 14.79 pounds, demonstrating their reliability on this challenging stretch of river.
Celilo Pool: A Smallmouth Sanctuary
Stretching roughly 24 miles between The Dalles Dam and the John Day Dam, the Celilo Pool is a Columbia River gem renowned for its smallmouth bass. Its diverse landscape—featuring deep channels, rocky shorelines, and current breaks—makes it a pre-spawn hotspot. In spring, smallmouth congregate along rocky points and drop-offs, where slow presentations like jigs often excel. Yet, dam-driven water level changes can disrupt patterns, requiring anglers to stay nimble—a test these competitors aced.
Berkley Osborn’s Winning Formula
Berkley Osborn, fishing with her father Dave, revealed the strategy behind their triumph. “Dad and I had a great prefish the weekend before—just a few hours on the water and we had about 16 pounds without hitting our spots hard. We were fired up for this tournament since pre-spawn is where we thrive,” she said. “Our plan was to fish slow, and it worked early with some big fish on a jig. We kept that pace all day, but dropping water levels threw a curveball. Some spots were unfishable with how much water they’ve been releasing. Late in the morning, we took a chance on a spot we’d prefished but hadn’t done well on before—and that’s what clinched first place.”
Berkley and Dave’s mix of preparation, patience, and bold adjustments turned a gamble into gold.
A Stellar Day on the Columbia
The tournament celebrated Dave and Berkley Osborn’s stellar day, with their 18.18-pound haul setting the pace. Jon Bial’s 4.24-pound big fish added a thrill, proving the Celilo Pool’s trophy potential. With 12 teams weighing in, the event highlighted the fishery’s strength and the anglers’ finesse. As water levels fluctuate, adaptability will remain crucial, but the Celilo Pool solidifies its status as a Columbia River bass fishing haven, promising more epic battles as the season progresses.