A Little Help For My Son and I

[Boats]

So my 10-year-old son has taken an interest in fly fishing. I'm quite proud of him.

I've done a fair amount of fly fishing myself over the years so sharing yet another form of fishing with him is a real blessing.

I took him down to Joes this evening and bought another rod/reel etc. I plan to take him out tomorrow to get his feet wet. We live in Lake Oswego, so I thought he could practice casting while we try for some bass with a few poppers.

Anyway... I thought coho might be a good option when they start running up the Sandy... However, I haven't fished for them before (at least with a fly rod) :)

Can anyone give us some advice on what to use... when/where to go.
Not looking for any super secret spots.... Just the basics or whatever you'd be willing to share.

Thanks in advance,
Boats

[JD77]

Age 10 and interested in flyfishing... you are a lucky dad!! I'd tend to lean towards your first idea of casting locally on some waters with a good chance of hooking something, even if it is a sunfish. Little kids get bored fast and fishing locally for warmwater fish means you can 1: go home if conditions change or the fishing is bad 2: likely catch a bluegill or a crappie.

Don't know much about the coho fishery, tried it once with no bites. I'd probably try it out before I took your boy.

[greendrake1]

If you like to fish creeks and rivers you might try some of the streams around the Welches area. I cut my teeth there learning to fly fish as a 10 year old myself. Lots of little trout 6 to 13 inches, but they are aggressive. Keeps the kids interested. Stop in at the fly shop up there and they can tell you where to go. Also the Clackamas or Molalla rivers are loaded with trout.

[Mr. Sturgeon14]

for coho on the fly in the sandy try indicator fishing egg patterns near the mouth of cedar and the back side of the island. Or eagle creek at eagle fern or the canyon are probably your best bets for coho

[Wild Chrome]

Most people fish 8 wt's and up with heavy flies or sink tips for salmon. I'd think a 10 year old might have some strength problems with that? Never thought about it. Trout are so much easier to get started with, I'd go that route, personally. Lakes or rivers. This is a good time of the year for that too.

[steel_beaver]

I don't know if coho would be the way to teach someone to fly fish. They don't always bite and they tear you up if they do:throb:. But Trout fishing might be the way to go... the others had good suggestions, the only thing I can add is fishing for sea-runs at the coastal rivers. Way less people and they are pretty aggressive.

Good Luck and take lots of pictures:D

S_B

[Boats]

Thanks for all the suggestions... :)
We do a lot of fishing together... but fly fishing is new for him and he picked up the interested all on his own. I'm quite proud. :)

I plan to take him for trout before too long, but knew that the coho would start running the Sandy shortly. He's a pretty patient guy and understands that fishing doesn't mean you always bring something home.