Visiting would-be fisherwoman

Cool Texan · 07-31-2002, 07:38 AM

Here is the situation. My mom and a friend of hers are coming to visit from Florida/Georgia in mid to late October. The friend is a parapalegic (sp?). This is a woman who likes to do things that people in wheelchairs dont usually get to do, such as dirtbike riding.

Anyway, one of the things on her list is fly fishing. I have already posted a message on that board asking about handicap accessible spots so that she can learn, and maybe even catch a trout.

There is a chance that she might be interested in trying salmon/sturgeon fishing too, just to catch a BIG fish. What are the salmon/sturgeon reg's and population like mid-late October in the general Portland area? If fish will be around, and if she wants to do it, then I'll need to start working on the other logistics such as boat (probably just hire a guide), time duration between her required "necessary" pit stops, etc...

Any inputs on the fish populations/locations would be appreciated.

crabbait · 07-31-2002, 07:53 AM

I used to fish next to a guide on the Trask tidewater (Platz?) that time of year who had a dentist client who was parapalegic and wheelchair bound. There was plenty of room in the sled for the wheelchair and they caught a lot of nice bobber chinook.

I suspect if you contact some of the guides and make your special needs known they will make accomodations or know someone who can.

FM2 · 07-31-2002, 08:30 AM

Tex, I belong to the Oregon Fishing club which there are several lakes near Oregon city that your friend could fish at. I would have you all as guests. One lake in particular is fly fish only which is next to a lake that you can fish using any method. They are stocked with some very nice fish and have many platforms around the lakes which a person can fish from. I'm not totally sure if a wheel chair would work but my hunch is there is sufficient access.

Me and my family are taking a Japanese exchange student there this weekend to camp so I will look the area over closely to see if the platforms will work. This would be a great place to get away from crowds and catch fish. I'll let you know.

hawgcatcher · 07-31-2002, 08:48 AM

In October, we usually have a good salmon run in the North Fork Nehalem River. There is an excellent wheelchair dock on a good drift. Many handicapped folk have caught salmon there. A simple one day license would work. The best time is during the week, less people. They would stand a better then average chance to catch one. It is easy driving from Portland on Highway 26 to the Highway 53 exit. Then go south about 8 miles to the Hatchery. Drive in there and down to the river parking right by the ramp. All paved onto the dock, right in front of you.

papa bear · 07-31-2002, 01:28 PM

DFW maintains a list of chair-access sites:

http://www.dfw.state.or.us/springfie...pedAccess1.htm

Personally, I think if she wants to get her fly into fish, put her in a boat, the higher altitude the better, weather permitting. An example of good fishing, medium altitude, in my area, is Smith Reservoir, which you can easily get to from Salem via 20, take a left onto 126. There is a 17 site campground with boat-only access, no fee, and the altitude is only 2800 feet. Spectacular scenery there.

Jim · 07-31-2002, 02:43 PM

If you don't mind the drive to the Cowlitz...I would be happy to put her and your group in my sled and go chase some Silvers. I only fish weekdays and there would be no charge...if your interested you'd better book now fall dates are fading!

Jim

Mid October may find me on another river that is a little farther.....depends on where the fish are.

ampersat · 07-31-2002, 08:58 PM

a goal is a goal, and her goal is fly fishing. it's good of the kind folk here to offer their rigs for chinook and coho though. that's just the kind of folk we are.
shop around and talk to the fly shops. there has to be a guide out there who will take her out for the time of her life with a fly rod. shoot, you might even find someone who can put her into a coho on a fly. now that would be a hoot!!

Cool Texan · 08-01-2002, 07:30 AM

Yes, her #1 desire is to learn to fly fish. However, she has also made comments to my mother about some of the fish pics I have shown my mom (4 ft. sturgeons, nice salmon and steelies...things they dont have in GA and FL). So she might be interested in doing that too...we'll see.

To the offers...they are much appreciated. I hope to be emailing her in the next day or two and will then know more about when they will be here, and what she wants to do. More to follow!

AngleThis · 08-01-2002, 07:49 AM

Why not take her up to the Deschutes. There is plenty of open space for getting a wheel chair around, and she can go for steelies, which should be thick then, as well as those gorgeous native red side trout.

chummer · 08-01-2002, 01:59 PM

C.T. the deschutes at maupin has a large wheelchair access platform for casting. it's only a couple miles down river from maupin.