Portland casting spot?

[steelheadr]

Hello All,
This past weekend I was at Joe's to rent a yak and they had a sale on a baitcaster and rod for $55. Having no experience with these reels, but thinking they would be a good salmon option in the near future, I bought the setup and spent Sunday paddling the lower Nestucca. I quickly learned about working out nasty birdnests. Luckily I also brought a small spinning setup and caught lots of bait...

I have since learned that I'll need to practice casting a bit. Is there a decent place along the east side of Portland (bank access) that I can make a few casts after work?

Thanks,
Jay

[Fishesfromtupperware]

Hey Jay,

The Willamette has a bunch of very accessible spots in the middle of the city.
Below the east side of the Burnside bridge is a fishing pier that makes a great casting platform.
Moving south a bit there is a public dock below the fire station next to the Hawthorne Bridge and the bank access under the bridge itself is very good. If you have a little jig with a grub on the end, your casting practice could be interrupted by smallmouths. 
Sellwood Park, under the Sellwood bridge has a fishing dock and just off the SE McLoughlin is Westmoreland park. There's an actual casting pond (model boat pond?) in the park but sometimes its empty.

[steelheadr]

Wali,
Thanks for the spots. I'll look at a street map and choose the easiest place to park and walk to.

I brought a 1/2 oz Kastmaster and a few lures to practice with, as well as 3 different sinker weights to learn to adjust the reel settings. I'm almost hoping to not get any bites since I really won't be set up to meet any fish up close and personal after work...

Jay

Hey Jay,

The Willamette has a bunch of very accessible spots in the middle of the city.
Below the east side of the Burnside bridge is a fishing pier that makes a great casting platform.
Moving south a bit there is a public dock below the fire station next to the Hawthorne Bridge and the bank access under the bridge itself is very good. If you have a little jig with a grub on the end, your casting practice could be interrupted by smallmouths. 
Sellwood Park, under the Sellwood bridge has a fishing dock and just off the SE McLoughlin is Westmoreland park. There's an actual casting pond (model boat pond?) in the park but sometimes its empty.