Fly-caught fish for Boy Scouts

[sherry marie]

Can anyone help? I have been asked to help 2 Boy scouts with a "Fly fishing Merit Badge".
They are waiting on the last two requirements: Catch two different kinds of fish" and clean cook and eat one of them".
I could help them in may-november but where can we go now? We are in Wodburn. Any Ideas?

[lost_sailor]

I didn't know there was a FLY-fishing merit badge! Make sure it's not just "fishing."

I'd go to Crooked River.

Woodburn ... check the regs on the Molalla ?

St. Louis ponds?

[J.Slay]

Sherrie Marie -

The Mollala is a good option, for trout anyway. I have only fished it a few times, but the benefits for kids are: Fish will take just about any smaller fly, there are lots of fish, and if you go upriver it is very safe water.

I cannot help you with a second type of fish, but those local ponds probably are a good bet for warm water fish, but I have no recommendations on what type of flies to use to catch them.

Good luck.

[deefly]

Oh, Yes, the old FF merit badge! Since almost all the streams in your area are closed, Id suggest Willamina pond. or Vernonia lake. Both west and south of portland. Both lakes have large warm water populations and Willamina is stocked with steelhead and brookies! Nice Fish. Hope this helps.
Good Luck! Stocking starts in early March, then, you should have no trouble. Contact ODFW for their stocking schedule. :dance:

[MasterCaster]

For trout you can try Cascade Gateway park right here in Salem or Even go up to Detroit. For the other type of fish if they dont care what kind I would say the Wilamette or St. Louis ponds and try for chubs or whatever hits. Its kinda slim pickins right now specially with the water so high but if you wait until it drys out a little Im sure you will find fish.

Jon :smile: :grin: :smile:

[will_e_fish]

Willimina, Silver Creek Falls, St Louis ponds have quite a few different warm water speices.
That Scout should be given casting lessons first in a big open feild befor he is let go to take on open water. Think about taking the troop to the sportsman show.

[drbfish]

There are lots of lakes and ponds. The coast and the valley both have spots that would be good. I am 95% sure the valley is closed to trout fishing in streams. Plus, these fish are too important to eat (Eating fish is fine, just be selective). Lots of 'trout' that are caught in the valley are steelhead smolt so please be careful with them. I would check with ODFW about stocking schedules. There is a lake at the south end of Salem that has lots of fish, Willamina, and the coastal lakes would be good.

[will_e_fish]

ODWF site is down for now and will not be up for a week. Call your local hatchery for the lastest info.

[deefly]

I just checked the stocking schedule and nothing is doing until March 3. also consider getting a Fire Map put out by the Oregon Dept of Forestry. all the waters on this: get it? FIRE Map! Good luck with those kids! :wink:

[sherry marie]

Wow! THanks for the advice, I had no idea that anyone was watching out for the little-fisher people. The flyfishing merit badge is a new one. the requirements are on the BSA site. I don't think they have a pamphlet for it in print yet. We have been out on the football field casting... and have been through all the other requirements... When the water comes down alittle I think we will try a couple of your suggestions

Thanks much for the help

[will_e_fish]

Sherie Marie-Seriously try to get to the sportsman show as they have fly casting and flytying demos. I was trying to think of those other ponds names Walter Wirth and Walling in Salem are over by the airport.