President's Day weekend

Since the kids had so many snow days with the storms up here a couple weeks ago the schools are planning to make up some of those days.  One of those make up days is what was going to be a Friday off just before President's Day.  Since the kids will have school that day afterall, the trip SWMBO was planning on to Eugene to see my folks will involve a departure late enough that I can go with them without burning any vacation.

Assuming schedules mesh up, fishnut and I will be hitting one of the local lakes up here north of Seattle for my maiden voyage the weekend of Feb 11th. 

But I was thinking about taking the yak with me to Eugene.  My folks have a small pond on their property that I though I could paddle around in with the kids assuming the mud around it isn't too bad.

Anyway, long story slightly longer, since I'll have the yak there in Eugene, if there's anyone in the Eugene area that would like meet up and paddle around a bit I'd enjoy meeting some of you.  Lakes, river, whatever is OK.  Just bear in mind I'm a total newbie and do not have an anchor set up.  Not sure if I'll be wanting to fish as I'd have to buy a one day non-res license to do so, and it might be better to spend the time familiarizing myself some more with the yak.

I'll be in Eugene late that Friday night through probably that Monday afternoon. of President's Day weekend.  So either that Saturday or Sunday, or possibly Monday morning would present some possbilities, depending on the weather.

Take your yak out to Fern Ridge Reservoir (not far outside of Eugene).  Plenty of space to get your paddle on.  Don't forget your invasive species tag if you decide to kayak in Oregon.

Close in to Eugene is Alton Baker Park, lots of paddling and even fishing:

http://www.eugeneoutdoors.com/alton-baker-park/

sumpnz,

I grew up in Eugene and might be down there that weekend to fish with my dad.  Ill keep you posted.

Otherwise, if you want to fish there are some great little lakes not far from town. Also, the McKenzie river is one of the most beautiful rivers around. You can't yak it in a flat water yak but shore fishing and wading work well.

Check out Triangle lake just west of town by 20 miles. That might be a good way to go.

Have fun and I will let you know if Im down that way.

Derek
 

D rock,
I have drove past Triangle Lake but never Fished it. It that a stocked trout lake?

willbd

Take your yak out to Fern Ridge Reservoir (not far outside of Eugene).  Plenty of space to get your paddle on.  Don't forget your invasive species tag if you decide to kayak in Oregon.

Never fished Fern Ridge when I lived in Eugene mostly because at the time I was more into stream fishing.  I know where that is, and it's a beautiful area. 

I'm open to other suggestions too, but if anyone would like to meet there over President's Day weekend let me know.

sumpnz,

I grew up in Eugene and might be down there that weekend to fish with my dad.  Ill keep you posted.
...
Have fun and I will let you know if Im down that way.

Derek
 

Derek - PM on the way with contact info.

Not sure if I'll be wanting to fish as I'd have to buy a one day non-res license to do so, and it might be better to spend the time familiarizing myself some more with the yak.

I think that is a great idea. Today my brother-in-law and I took my kayak out on the Willamette at Newberg. We weren't fishing, just wanted to check out how we and the yak handled these kind of river flows. I have quite of bit of experience with water and small craft, and have learned to respect the water, but I know that you have to go out and try new situations to get better at handling them. I have only a few dozen hours in this yak, and am still learning about it. Spending time just getting familiar with your yak is time well spent. Besides - a day on the water is (usually) better than a day off of it.

Have a great time.

Sorry for a late reply.  I live in Eugene if possible it would be great to hook up and paddle around somewhere.   Allot of our lakes around here are used for flood control so not all off them are full at this time.  When I drove by fern ditch (ridge) lake on Friday it was half full.  My buddy is picking up a new kayak from NA tommorrow and would like like to join in.  I would suggest alton baker park the launch is near the dog park.  It has canals which have slow moving current that we could explore (there supposed to plant trout this week).  If you wanted to do a lake triangle or dexter lakes could be options depends what your looking for.  I'll pm you guys my contact info.  Oh ya I'm probally only available Sunday and Monday I'm hoping to go fish for sturgeon on the Willy Friday and Saturday maybe just Friday if I get lucky.

Dana

Awesome!  Let's pencil in Sunday if that's OK with you (gives me a lot more flexibility than Monday).  I'll call when it gets closer to the time to confirm.

Thanks Dana!

Had a great time today with Yaksurf and his friend Jeff.  Such a good time that when we got back I realized we'd been out for about 2 hours longer than I'd thought we'd been out.   

Good times.  Hope to get a chance to meet up with them again sometime.

I had a good time Sunday exploring some of the canals near alton backer park.  We tested our dry suits and practised a reentry to are yaks.  I found out you need to pull that relief zipper tight.  It was a beautiful day to be on the water.  Here are a couple of pics of the day.  Sumpnz let me know when your headed down here again and we can try to slay some fish.

Doh!  Looked like you had great weather.  Sorry I missed you guys this time but I will let you know when I come back down that way. Also, give me a holler if you find yourself in the Gorge.
 
Derek
www.kayakshed.com