Greetings from McMinnville

Greetings all.
I am new to the area.  Just moved here from New Orleans a week ago.  Looking forward to hitting the water to do some fishing and paddling.
Currently I have a Tarpon 140.  I haven't been in the water yet up here and am looking forward to it.  If anyone has any suggestions as to where I can put in near McMinnville for some flat water fishing and paddling I would appreciate it.

I am always up for tagging along with people when they go out so If I see some posts about people going out I may reply.  I also post when I go so if anyone is available...the more the merrier.

I am looking forward for the change of species of fishing that is offered up here.

Hope to meet some of you soon.

Thanks
Mark

Hey Mark welcome to Oregon.  Won't find any Specs or Reds up here, but we do have bass, perch, crappie, Rainbow Trout, Sturgeon, Salmon, Steelhead, some smaller cats, and such in the fresh water.  Rockfish, Cabezon, Lingcod, Halibut, Flounder, Surf Perch, and off shore Albacore. 

No gators!  Very very few dangerous snakes on this side of the Rockies.

From McMinnville just cruise up north of ya to Gaston and look for Henry Hagg Lake.  Rainbows, Bass, Crappie, Perch and some cats are the norm there.  Easy lake to get around via kayak. 

There are several of us "West Side" NWKA folks that can meet up with you at Hagg this summer. 

There are also some rivers like the Willy, and big Columbia to play in. 

Again, welcome to Oregon!  Prepare for weird (people).

I'm outside of Carlton. The North Yamhill lacks decent access, but can be bassy. I'm still scouting it out. Hagg's ggod, as is Roger's Park in Newberg. Ash Island is a fun circumnavigation with decent fish, too. Welcome!

      Hello Mark,

 If you'd like to get a concentrated dose of a bunch of us..... come on down to Depoe Bay this weekend. You don't have to compete in ORC . But it is about the best "gathering of the clan" all year long. Lots of activities... spaghetti feed to support HOW, good stories, good people , and good times.  Come on down to Chinook Bend and meet up with a whole lot of folks.
 Welcome to the great North West.

                                               Mark

      Hello Mark,

 If you'd like to get a concentrated dose of a bunch of us..... come on down to Depoe Bay this weekend. You don't have to compete in ORC . But it is about the best "gathering of the clan" all year long. Lots of activities... spaghetti feed to support HOW, good stories, good people , and good times.  Come on down to Chinook Bend and meet up with a whole lot of folks.
 Welcome to the great North West.

                                               Mark

Good point! 

With most of the NWKA regulars being down at the coast, it might be a bit lonely here inland. 

Come on down!

Welcome to Walnut City and the PNW.  Hagg is our local pond, and closest water would be the Yamhill with the Dayton boat ramp the nearest put-in.  The Yamhill has little current so it's quiet water for bass and leisurely paddling on sunny days.  What's your schedule like for time to fish?  Weekends at Hagg can get hectic with the jet skies and skiers so weekdays are much preferred. 

Dan

Thanks for the info guys

Dan...I am pretty open as to when I can hit the water as I am still looking for a jobby job.
I dont have an Oregon License yet so fishing may not be an option as of now.  Unless Oregon is weird where you dont need a small loan to fish with an out of state Drivers License. 
I may hit some of the calmer waters since I may be going solo.

Is there anything that I need to be aware of or be prepared for?

Thanks

Yes, you'll need an "Invasive Species permit" for your kayak before hitting the water.  It's available at any Fishing/Hunting license seller, $7 annually for any kayak over 10'.  It's not because you're an invading species but to fund eradication/prevention of non-native aquatic invaders.

Our water is likely colder than your old paddling waters, dressing for the water temp. not the air temp. is recommended so consider some warmer immersion clothes: wet suit or drysuit, especially come fall and winter. 

Good luck with the job search, what type of employment are you looking for?

Dan

Can I get this from Wal Mart?  Do I just tell them that I need an Invasive Species license and they give it to me or do they have to inspect my Kayak?

As far as jobs...I am pretty open to anything.  Most recently I managed a gym in New Orleans.  Prior to that I worked in and managed kitchens and I have retail management experience.  So in a nut shell some sort of management position.

Walmart will have the permits, no they don't inspect the kayak.  Inspections occur at roadside stops set-up by enforcement agents. DON'T drive past the inspection site with a boat, big fines will be incurred.

So basically you get the permit.  Keep it with you.  When you see an inspection site and you have your kayak with you, Stop. 

Is that it in a nut shell?

Are these inspection spots random like DWI Checkpoints?  Or are there actual spots that you have to go for the inspection?

Sorry for all of the questions.  I dont want to get a fine for not knowing something like this.

You have it correct. 
The sites are random - with a sign on the road that tells boat owners to pull over and stop.  I keep my permits in the kayaks - 1 for each travelling boat.

The inspections are temporary road traffic stops usually near major waterways with lots of boat traffic. They are looking for the Quagga and Zebra Mussels and other possible invaders.  If you encounter the Marine patrol on the water they will also ask to see your permit just like they would for a fishing license if you are fishing. 
Remember to have a flotation device and signalling device on board also.  It's good to ask and be clear on this stuff to avoid ruining a trip with a citation. 

I ALWAYS wear a PFD.  As far as signaling device.  Will a whistle be enough or do I need some sort of visual device.

What is your normal list of SAFETY items that you carry.  Not fishing stuff, This will vary person to person im sure. 
MY list is a PFD with a whistle attached.  A dry bag with my cell phone, wallet and keys in it.

Give me the info as if Ive never been on the water before.  What do I need to meet Oregon rules.  In Louisiana with a paddlecraft you just need a PFD within reach, not stored.  Yes you read that correctly...you didnt even have to have it on.  With the crazy boaters and jet skis I always wore it.  IT became a place for me to put my paddle under when I was fishing.  I could just wedge it between the bottom and my legs.

A whistle is sufficient to meet the law and having flotation on board also, I always wear a PFD too.  Other items are some type of knife attached to my PFD, leash for my paddle and that's about it for safety items.  My iPhone is leashed to my PFD,  mostly for pictures of fish etc.

On any water that has jet skis, or PBs I fly a safety flag to give them a better target to be more visible.