Want to catch some fish

Hello everyone, I'm new to kayak fishing and rather new to fishing in the Northwest.  I have a Wilderness Systems Tarpon 14 and am looking to learn from more experienced kayak anglers.  I look forward to seeing you on the water.

-JT

Welcome to the site! Hagg is close to you and offers lots of different species. Nice place to just paddle too.

Thanks.  I'll have to try Henry Hagg (there's a big fire there this weekend and they are advising folks to stay away).  So far I've tried kayak fishing on the Willamette River upstream of Willamette Falls.  I've hooked a couple of small smallmouth bass.  I'd like to take the kayak down to the Umpqua River, which sounds thick with smallmouth.  I'd also like to try for some salmon on the Columbia River but am not sure where to go or what to use. 

-JT

Cool. Yeah salmon is a blast but it helps if you have someone show you the ropes. Tillamook and Nehalem bay are also some good close options. The Columbia can be a bit tricky with winds and currents but certainly doable with the right conditions. Guys will post up invites every so often, so keep your eyes peeled and you should find an open invite soon.

Hi JT,
I want to go try for salmon too.  I'm also new to kayak fishing and have caught some small bass on the Willamette.  I know some basic tackle set ups for trolling spinners, etc.

I know folks are catching salmon on the Columbia near the mouth of the Willamette, but don't know an easy place to launch on the Oregon side, except perhaps a boat ramp on Sauvie Island.  I'd like to launch at Kelly Point Park, but don't have a cart and will get pooped out carrying my yak that far.

Let me know if you want to go.  At least we'd get some practice.

Larry

Hi Larry,

There's an easy launch on the Columbia Slough, sort of as you enter Kelly Point Park.  It's a short paddle down the slough to reach the Willamette River and then a short paddle to the the confluence with the Columbia River.  Even though it's easy, a cart is definitely helpful.  I'm happy to go anytime and I have a cart to share. 

-JT

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Kelley+Point+Park/@45.6402602,-122.7627147,67m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m2!3m1!1s0x0:0xdbe7cee97e9cf70b

If you guys want to hit the Tillamook bay shoot me a pm new to salmon but not fishing and not real new to kayak fishing, First year from plastic for me.

Sorry I'm slow to reply... I had computer trouble and couldn't get online.

I didn't know about that launch on Columbia Slough!  I'd love to go out and try for salmon this weekend.  I'm thinking the Columbia near Kelly Point area, or could be persuaded to try Nehalem or Tillamook Bays (away from where the tides run strong).

I got a folding anchor, and have line and a line bag /float. I need to mount a jamb cleat, and chocks at the bow and stern. I figure that will keep the yak in line with the current, keep unused line overboard, and give the option to quickly ditch the anchor in an emergency or to follow a fish.

Hi Larry,

I think that the Willamette River is presently closed between Ross Island and the Columbia River due to toxic algae concerns:  http://www.oregon.gov/oha/news/Pages/Willamette%20River%20health%20advisory%20expanded%20after%20toxic%20algae%20confirmed.aspx

I saw on another thread that some paddlers are heading to the Willapa River.  That's a 3-hour drive for me but I'm thinking about heading up there on Sunday.  I'd be up for Nehalem or Tillamook Bays too but I don't have an anchor and don't know where to go.

-JT