Wooden Boat People

By McKenzieDriftBoat.com

Portland Area - Need Recommendations

I am going to be in the Portland area first week of August. I will be flying so I can't drag my boat along. I need some recommendations for what are "must do's" while there in regards to fishing opportunities. Recommended guides, floats, etc.... Anything you can share would be appreciated. I am an east coast guy and this is my first trip to the northwest. Thanks in advance for any direction.

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Permalink Reply by Mike on May 15, 2014 at 8:20am

So, a good place to start is with the Caddis Fly fly shop. They have a great website with fishing reports and a good blog, and are solid guides on the major rivers, especially the McKenzie. Fishing opportunities depend on how long you are staying. Good rivers close to Portland are the Trask, Wilson, Nestucket, Santiam, and the Willamette. For a little longer drive you can hit the Deschutes, which is world renowned. Off the Deschutes is the Metolis, which is a facinating stream that literally pops out of an old lava tube. The Rouge is also great, but requires a few days to fish. Something else to consider, which is gaining more and more traction, is flyfishing off a beach launched dory for tuna and rockfish. The Caddis fly blog has a good posting about an outing they recently did, and it sounds amazing. All that said...I would go drift the Makenzie for trout. The scenery is amazing, and the fishing is usually great.

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Permalink Reply by Ron Shealer on May 15, 2014 at 3:41pm

Thanks Mike! Sounds like I have lots of options. I will check it all out.

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Permalink Reply by Robb Grubb on May 15, 2014 at 5:13pm

Ron,

Many, many options here in the northwest. Flyfishing for rockfish and tuna sounds like a winner. The Metolius River near Sisters, Oregon is really unique, (Call or email Jeff at www.flyfishersplace.com). The McKenzie is great, clear and pristine, my Dad guides on the upper section, (Contact him via www.RiverTraining.net). Not sure how the fishing would be, but a short drive southeast of Portland, up the Clackamas river all the way to the Carter Bridge area would be worth the scenery and effort. What ever you choose, get out of Portland!