Portland casting spot?

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

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.

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.