First time for everyting . . .

It's time for me to get off of my lazy butt and try some kayak fishing.  I've done a lot of kayaking and some fishing too but it's time to put them together.  Anyone have any suggestions of places to start?  I'm thinking a lake close to Portland but don't know of many and I have no idea if the ones I know about are any good.  Trillium lake is a little farther than I wanted to go.  I've heard Benson lake, out by Multnomah falls, can be good.  What about the lake between Rooster Rock state park and Crown Point, I've always wanted to paddle around in there.  Any other suggestions or recommendations would be greatly appreciated.  I'm probably going to be headed out on Saturday evening if anyone is interested in getting out too. 

Matt 

Welcome!  Haven't heard anything on the Lake by Rooster Rock, but I image there's something going on, most places seem to be hitting well. Poke around the Oregon & Washington regional forums, and you'll see some updates for Benson, Hagg, and other nearby areas. Saturday we'll probably be fishing Ash Lake or Rock Creek by Stevenson, you're welcome to join us for that.

Brian

Welcome Matt,

There are a lot of little lakes around Portland. Unfortunately, many are very shallow and are grown over with weeds by this time of year.  I haven't been out to Benson yet, but I understand it's still fishable in the summer.  Other lakes to consider are Smith and Bybee in North Portland (lot's of wildlife to view) and Henry Hagg Lake out near Forest Grove.  Henry Hagg Lake is our largest lake in the area and holds bass, trout, and panfish and has enough space that you can actually paddle around.  The Tualatin River can be a nice paddle and there are panfish and bass to catch.

Good luck.  If I wasn't playing single parent to a toddler this weekend I might join you.  
Brian

Where abouts are you located?

I'm located in SE PDX.  I'm leaning toward heading out to the Columbia gorge area and maybe hitting a couple of areas out there.  If not there maybe something up the clackamas drainage.

Brian

I would join you but I don't have washington tags.  That and I'm not quite sure exactly when I will be heading out.  Kind of depends on how the weekend shakes out.  On a side note, you wouldn't happen to be the same Brian on PDXKayaker?  If so I think we have paddled together a couple times a number  of years back.

Now I'm getting excited to get on the water.  Time to go outfit a boat.


Matt   

well, i'd be one of several Brians on PDXK, and it's entirely possible we paddled together a few times. If so, it'd be cool to paddle again.

you would need WA tags for the side lakes. On the Oregon side, we hit Laurance & Lost Lakes last weekend. Might hit one of those Sunday, but that's very up in the air right now. Have fun if you come out, both those lakes are beautiful. Benson might be a possibility for Sunday as well, depending on what final plans are.

I'm in SE PDX, and I'll probably be heading somewhere on Sunday.

Laurence is great.  I wouldn't mind hitting Timothy Lake sometime as well (never fished it).

I think the PDX crew ought to get together for an Ollalie Lakes or Timothy Lake weekend camp/fish trip at some point this summer.

I think the PDX crew ought to get together for an Ollalie Lakes or Timothy Lake weekend camp/fish trip at some point this summer.

Tell me more....

How much interest would folks have in Sat/Sun overnighter in the Mt. Hood area?  My August and Sept. have filled up fast, but I have one or two free weekends.

Ollalie Lakes Scenic Area is a whole network of small trout lakes on the Pacific Crest Trail, along the edge of the Warm Springs Reservation.  Beautiful area, various planter trout, lots of different lodging options (from boat-in camping to car camping to cabin rentals).  Downside is horrendous mosquitoes until late Aug/early Sept (but better fishing now, and fire season is a pain up there).  Great hiking options in the area.

Timothy has brookies, rainbows, cutthroat, and kokanee, as well as lots of crayfish.  Its more crowded and has some power boat  hassles.  Lots of camping all around the lake though, and it is a good bet all summer long.  It's also close enough to Olallie and a few other options to use it as a base if the bite is off.

On one of the fly fishing web sites I frequent, the Washington state guys get together for an annual event they call "Burning Pram" (they actually build a boat to burn for it).  Mainly a September fishing, imbibing, and camping trip, kind of a last hurrah for summer.  The kayak fishing lifestyle discussion has me thinking it strange that kayak anglers don't have this same kind of thing...

I'd second Ollalie lakes region.  Much less traffic and I think motor boats aren't allowed on most/many of those lakes.  Did a little fishing last year on Brietenbush and Horseshoe lakes, but picked the wrong weekend...got snowed on in early September, but it was a beautiful looking area, that begged for some quiet kayak fishing.

- Scott

Mainly a September fishing, imbibing, and camping trip, kind of a last hurrah for summer.  The kayak fishing lifestyle discussion has me thinking it strange that kayak anglers don't have this same kind of thing...

The NCKA guys do have a couple events like this.  The Elk and "Bendo at Mendo" tournaments.  While they are tournaments, with 50+ guys now showing up at each, they are much more about getting together, fishing, drinking, cooking, etc..  The Elk tourny is so good, I'll be driving down with Zealander at the end of the month. 

It sounds like the Moutcha tournament in BC is similar.

Anyway, I wouldn't mind a weekend in the cascades if my weekend is free.

Brian

Got out fishing in Saturday for the first time.  The lake just south of the freeway at rooster rock is nice but shallow and full of weeds.  Didn't see anything bigger than about 3 inches.  More sight seeing than fishing.  Maybe better luck next time.

Matt

Got out fishing in Saturday for the first time.  The lake just south of the freeway at rooster rock is nice but shallow and full of weeds.  Didn't see anything bigger than about 3 inches.  More sight seeing than fishing.  Maybe better luck next time.

Matt

Did you fish in the main Rooster Rock backwater any?  I once caught a bruiser small mouth that was pushing 3-4 pounds right against the rock face across from the boat ramp on a yellow spinner bait.  Ok, it was more like 2-3 pounds, but still...