The ever increasing Portland Crew

Hi all,

I've been a little reluctant to make my first post until I was more certain, but looks like I'll be moving up to Portland this fall.  I don't exactly have a place to live in Portland yet, but I'm currently well into the process of looking for a house and my family and I should be up there by November.

Anyway, I'm an ecologist working on non-native aquatic species with the Smithsonian Institution and will be working at Portland State University. I've been kayak fishing for about 12 years.  I started from sit-inside kayaks in Long Island, NY during graduate school fishing for striped bass and bluefish.  Then I spent a few years in Annapolis, MD kayak fishing the Chesapeake for striped bass, speckled trout, and drum.  I never met another kayak fisherman the whole time I was on the East Coast.

Oddly, I then spent three years in San Diego where I didn't kayak fish once (I sold my kayak before the move across country).  I got into rock climbing and surfing and didn't realize kayak fishing was a growing sport and that San Diego was a bit of a mecca.  Oh well, I didn't have room for a kayak in my apartment anyway.

Moved to Bodega Bay (~1 hr North of San Francisco) about three years ago and managed to get back into kayak fishing and have been fairly active on the NCKA board where I moderate a sub-board on fish identification and other ichthyology questions called "Fish Talk".

I'm pretty comfortable in the ocean and on inland lakes, but I imagine I have much to learn about kayak river fishing.  I'm really looking forward to new kayak fishing experiences and I'm excited to be joining another small group of pioneers of kayak fishing in the area (kind of reminds me of NCKA about three years ago).

I hope to see some of you on the water later this fall.

Brian

Brian is being modest.  He's a pretty good kayak fisherman.  How many tournaments have you won?

Oh, and Brian, NWKA reminds me of NCKA even just 2 years ago.  The 151st member at NCKA joined 7/18/05.  And BTW, it was "skyboy", who is moving to ID at the end of the month, so we might see him here shortly.  If we have a similar growth rate, we'll be over 1000 people in 2 years.  Can you imagine?

-Allen

Sweet, glad to have you up in the NW, Brian. I found out about kayakfishing thru NCKA, about 2 months after you joined. (Though I'm still in the rowboat that I built for similar purposes. Had never heard of the idea until I happened to Google the word combination. Who'd of thunk it?

Code: [Select]

I never met another kayak fisherman the whole time I was on the East Coast.
For years I was whinning about being the Loneliest Yakfisherman in the Great Pacific Northwest
Tons of kayakers, zillions of fisherman, one kayak fisherman.

Not anymore! Welcome!!!

I work down the street from Portland State in the Portland Building on 5th.  Perhaps we can get a coffee sometime.

welcome, I am just down the street on 1st moved up from So Cal 7 years ago. this is a great place I have 3 sot for fishing and 3 whitewater kayaks. there is some great rock climbs here also.

Welcome to NWKA braddah! Never thought I'd be able to say something like that to such a yak fishing OG! We'll have to do plenty of fishing all over the NW. You got a hombase in Seattle so come on by.

Z

Alright guys, I am getting pretty frustrated not fishing. If any of you come inland to fish some of the rivers let me know. Not really able to fish much local and not much fun always doing it alone. It may be time for a road trip.

skyboy

How far east?  In addition to my kayak, I've got a 13' self bailing raft.  I've always wanted to try winter steelheading on the John Day with a fly rod...

Hey Joe,

I'm almost in Portland (moving at the end of the month) and I'll let you know as I start to explore new fishing opportunities esp if I head out towards the eastern Oregon.  I know there was an attempt to coordinate a trip down the John Day this past summer, but it doesn't sound like a lot of fishing was attempted when it happened.  Maybe we can rectify that next year.

Brian

threeweight, I will travel wherever the fishing is. Not really picky, I have not fished the John Day, but if any of you make it ot Idaho, I have some great spots on the Salmon, Snake and clearwater, just not sure how we would Kayak fish them. I am considering a new yak that is more suitable to the rivers as I am converting my Tarpon to a Duck boat of sorts. I had a camo sleeve made for it for the local areas to duck hunt out of, but still only have that one boat unlike mr. Brian's fleet .
Brian, When is the move date? How is the family taking the move idea? and Have you found a place yet? I am not looking to move again, but will have to when we decide where in the Boise area we are going to buy. Keep in touch guys and let me know if you are planning a trip anywhere and I will try to make it. That goes for you too Allen.

skyboy
Joe

We will do the John Day again next year, but that's not exactly close to you.  Joe, find someplace over there, I'm always willing to explore something new.

-Allen

you got it Allen. My wife and I are heading to Riggins in a couple of weeks to go with a guide friend of mine on the Salmon, He seems to think I can do the strech he guides on a Yak, Im going to give it a shot and will let you know.

skyboy

Sounds great skyboy. Please keep us updated. There's a lot of places out your way I'd love to see and fish.

Z

The Salmon! I drool! Too bad it's 8 hours away, for me.

There are some closer rivers, in OR, for you to check out, like the Owhyee and Imnaha. The O. is good for big browns, the Imnaha for steelhead.

Try checking out the Northwest Fly Fishing magazine for more ideas, especially for lakes with chunky trout.

Don't forget the Grand Ronde for steelhead, either.