Advice on Visiting Oregon

Hi All, Seems a buddy and myself will be finding ourselves out in the Forest Grove area of Oregon for a friend's wedding in early Oct. - going to parlay it into a short fishing trip. Being a Pennsylvania boy and having never been there before, I could use any advice all you folks from that state would be kind enough to give regarding the fishing possibilities. 

Any recommendations for fly-fishing walk/wade trips (not adverse to good day-trip type hikes to get into places) would be greatly appreciated. Unfortunately, i will not have my boat. Driving some distance from Forest Grove would be a possibility if there was a good place to check out. 

Thanks!

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Permalink Reply by Rick Newman on September 6, 2012 at 8:37am

John, I'm not an Oregon guy but found this link on the Don Hill website. Perhaps it will be helpful.

Rick Newman

http://http://zebu.uoregon.edu/~dmason/Mckenzie/weather.html

Permalink Reply by John Greenleaf on September 6, 2012 at 9:29am

Thanks Rick, anything is helpful - the fish commission for Or. was not all that great. J.G.

Permalink Reply by Roger Fletcher on September 6, 2012 at 4:33pm

John -

There are some coastal streams within easy reach of Forest Grove but they are difficult to fish w/o a drift boat. Water is currently low and difficult to drift. Most land is private and unless you know someone, it's a difficult reach. Here's an idea to consider -- The Deschutes. If you are willing to hike you can find good water on the lower river (from the Columbia south -- and includes a decent hiking trail). The summer steelhead are still a pretty hot item, and the native Rainbows are always a good bet. Late afternoon and early evening when the suns off the water will likely be your most productive times -- but simply to fish the Deschutes anytime is a treat. From Forest Grove to the lower Deschutes, you are looking at about 3 hours driving time, but basically freeway all the way.

The mid to upper Deschutes is great water too but is a further reach. but If you have a couple of days, I'd think about bivouacing in the Maupin area. There are several miles available fishing by road north and south, and there is a hikable old railroad bed/road above the locked gate (south of Maupin). The summers will be further up river in October and like I say, the native rainbow are ever present.

I have a daughter and son-in-law that live in Forest Grove. Neither of them fish, even though I raised her right! I can leave a copy of a great resource with them for you to pick up and use, if you like. It's Frank Amato's Oregon River Maps and Fishing Guide. You can select your river, pick your spot(s) and go for it.

Roger 

 

Permalink Reply by John Greenleaf on September 6, 2012 at 6:35pm

Roger, Thanks for the suggestions! The Deschutes R. sounds like a perfect match for us - Fly in and hit it right off the bat for 2 days before the wedding. We are not adverse to the drive or the hiking - sounds perfect. Mmmm summer steelies and native rainbows...Should be nice, as I usually i do my steelheading on the great lakes tribs in sub-freezing Jan. weather.

Following the wedding, we will probably be looking for a fishing spot closer to forest grove; probably something shady and quiet with cold water (into which we can put our pounding heads). For that, the fishing guide may be a great help - I'm going to do some more research, after which I may take you up on your kind offer should we need some better suggestions. Either way thanks- J.G.  

Permalink Reply by Rick Newman on September 7, 2012 at 6:46am

John, I was in my office looking for another book and found the "Flyfisher's Guide to Oregon", I forgot that I had it. Perhaps your local library can get you a copy on an inner-library loan. I haven't fished the Deschutes but did raft it in the late 70's. It's a beautiful area. I have dealt with Amy Hazel at the Deschutes Angler Fly Shop. They are good to work with and know the river well. There are other shops there but I have never dealt with them.

Rick Newman

Permalink Reply by John Greenleaf on September 7, 2012 at 7:38am

Rick - Thanks again- great info/ideas. I will try to see if I can get that through our library - we have a good inter-library service here at Lafayette College - I probably just need to pass it off as an engineering textbook ;). I will also drop a line to the shop - good fly shops are always an awesome resource... Best, J.G.

Permalink Reply by David Jensen on September 7, 2012 at 11:27am

The McKenzie is well within 3 hours, and also has rainbows and steelhead which hit flies.  Close to Forest Grove would be the Necanicum for bluebacks.  The Deschutes is a good choice, also.  Enjoy our state.  You'll love the beer!

Permalink Reply by John Greenleaf on September 10, 2012 at 8:46am

David - Can't wait to try the beer... I will look into the Necanicum - Thanks so much for the suggestion; something near forest grove would be great. To be honest, I had to Google bluebacks (seem to be various fish named that) but I assume these are of the whitefish variety. We dont really have them around here, but I have caught them out west before. Lots of fun. J.G.

Permalink Reply by David Jensen on September 10, 2012 at 4:02pm

John,  Bluebacks, also called Harvest Trout, are sea run cutthroat trout which return to coastal streams and rivers in late summer - early fall.  They are not nearly as large as a steelhead, but great to fish for because they can so aggressive towards flies.  Fishing is by far more productive when the light is off the water.  Mornings, evenings, rainy or cloudy days.  The Oregon coast does not lack for cloudy and/or rainy days.

Permalink Reply by John Greenleaf on September 10, 2012 at 4:26pm

Ha - Sea run cutthroat sounds even better! Thanks

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