View Full Version : First Vacation in years
John Wade
08-12-2002, 06:22 PM
Need fishing pointers for the area around Lake Billy Chinook. I will be marooned on a rented house boat with a bunch of waterskiers, but I must get away!! Avid fly fisherman from the New Hampshire coast and Tennessee, I have never in my life wet a line west of the Mississippi. My hosts are very gracious, but when I asked them about fishing opportunities, they smiled and told me all about Zebcos and corn. Please help!!!
JW graemlins/1zhelp.gif
There are posters with more information on centeral Oregon but to get things rolling the Metolius River is one of the best places in the country to fly fish.
Hogmaster
08-12-2002, 06:36 PM
Dude!
You are in luck.
The Metolius River, which dumps into the lake, has some great fly fishing.
Some other readers can help here, I can only tell you to look up information about the Camp Sherman area.
That isn't on the lake, so you would need wheeled transportation to get there, but it is a trouters paradise.
As far as the houseboat and the lake, take a Zebco and a few smallish jigs like Nordics or Buzz Bombs in the 1/2 ounce range. Get the boat out on the lake somewhere while all the skiers are off in skiland and drop the line down about 40 to 60' and just start bouncing it.
Everyone will be so impressed when they return and you will have caught dinner.
We will turn you into a meat fisherman yet!
Have a great vacation!!!
[ 08-13-2002, 07:15 AM: Message edited by: Hogmaster ]
Nanook
08-12-2002, 06:42 PM
[ 11-25-2002, 03:53 PM: Message edited by: ****** ]
Miss B Haven
08-12-2002, 08:25 PM
Other end of the lake can be good for some big bow's and browns too. Go way up into the Deschutes arm until you run out of water and can see flowing river. I've caught some nice ones right below that (head of the lake). Thers's some overhanging brush trees and a small cliif on one side (South) and just rocks/sage that taper up for ever on the other. Anchor in the middle and fish towards the trees/cliff. We saw a brown swim darn near to the boat that musta been 5lbs. We caught em 2 or 3 and bows 15 or so inches.
Nice quite relaxing place to get away from the water sliers/wakes and waves during the day. We used crawdad tails (you can catch them there too, take a trap- yummm) - but not in the Metolious arm. The tribe has a commercial op there. Float a small piece of tail with a marshmellow or power bait.
You do need a tribal pemit to fish the Metolious arm.
Anchoring is a B---ch in most of the coves around the lake, it's all huge rocks and you'll buy an anchor . Tie off instead. Crummy place to Ski unless you get up at daylight. Busy and small - it's like a fishbowl. You should try the lower Snake if the Houseboat place in Pasco is in business. Fishing can be great for bass and catfish there too.
crabbait
08-13-2002, 01:40 AM
Before these guys get too carried away, welcome aboard, John! How in the world did you hear about our little forum all the way back in New Hampshire?
If you don't have wheels, I suggest you rent some. Billy Chinook is a great spot but does not do justice to Oregon. You need to see the headwaters of the Metolius up by Black Butte. Stop at the Camp Sherman store and ask about the fly flickin'.
If you can get to town with a day to spare I bet we could get you on over to Astoria for a chance at a chinook or two.
Remember when you get home, "it rained everyday". "There are no fish". "Its just like California so you may as well go there".
Good Luck! :grin: :wink:
[ 08-13-2002, 01:41 AM: Message edited by: crabbait ]
ampersat
08-13-2002, 07:05 AM
have a look at the "ifish flies and lies" board and post over there. it's strictly fly fishing. if you ask real nicely, you might find someone there who is already heading to the metolius who could pick you up at the lake and take you along. you might also see about renting a kayak to take along on the houseboat. they can be a great way to fly fish the edges of the lake without risking the houseboat, and you're fairly quick getting around from place to place. kokanee can be really good eating and if you catch dinner once or twice, you might end up being the hero of the trip (or you may end up the "designated dinner catcher").