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Big Y Fly Fishing Blog

  • Where to Fish in the Hood River area - John Day River
    On the Water

    Where to Fish in the Hood River area - John Day River

    The John Day River is one of the longest undammed rivers in the US.  It flows out of the Strawberry Mountains in Southeast Oregon to meet the Columbia River about 30 miles east of where the Deschutes meets the Columbia.  It is more than an hour and a half drive from Hood River, but the popularity and unique fishery of the river leads us to include this as a local favorite.  

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  • Where to Fish in the Hood River area - North Fork Lewis River
    On the Water

    Where to Fish in the Hood River area - North Fork Lewis River

    The North Fork of the Lewis River is becoming a very popular trout fishery.  This river starts on a plateau near Mt Adams, and flows south of Mt St Helens into Swift Reservoir near the town of Cougar, WA.  This is near Mt. St. Helens.  It is a big drive from Hood River, but it is popular enough that we need to include it in our series.

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  • Where to Fish in the Hood River area - Mt Hood Lakes
    On the Water

    Where to Fish in the Hood River area - Mt Hood Lakes

    Several lakes sit high up near Mount Hood, Oregon.  These lakes are gorgeous, picturesque locations to catch a trout or just stare at the mountain.  The biggest two are Clear and Timothy Lakes.  Both are reservoirs.  Other smaller, natural lakes also dot the landscape.  Trillium Lake is very popular.  Rock Creek Reservoir and Badger Lake are also quite popular, but a bit further from the mountain than Timothy or Clear.  
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  • Where to Fish in the Hood River area - Lower Deschutes River
    On the Water

    Where to Fish in the Hood River area - Lower Deschutes River

    There is not much I can say about the Deschutes that has not been said by much better writers than I. Dozens of books have been written about the Deschutes River.  It is famous, it is infamous, it is our home on the water.  This is the only world-class trout fishery that we have access to within a reasonable drive, and what a fishery it is! 

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  • Where to Fish in the Hood River area - Trout Lake Creek
    On the Water

    Where to Fish in the Hood River area - Trout Lake Creek

    Part of our series on fishing locally in the Hood River/Columbia Gorge area. Species:  Brown, rainbow and brook trout.  Season: Late May-October 31, however low water makes late summer fishing difficult.Location:  Trout Lake, WA.  30-45 minutes North of Hood River Links:  Trout Lake Creek Campground,  Sleeping Beauty  Trout Lake Creek is a little...

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  • Where to Fish in the Hood River area - Clackamas River
    On the Water

    Where to Fish in the Hood River area - Clackamas River

    The Clackamas is the most popular fishing river in the Portland Metro area.  Winter steelhead are the most targeted fish in the system, but summer steelhead runs have been good enough in years past to make it worth some effort.  Coho salmon are present and many locals will boast that the Clack is the best place to find them in the area. 
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  • Where to Fish in the Hood River area - High Mountain Lakes, Hood River County
    On the Water

    Where to Fish in the Hood River area - High Mountain Lakes, Hood River County

    There is a series of little lakes along the ridge that rises on the west side of the Hood River Valley and runs south to Mount Hood.  There are a dozen or so lakes that dot the landscape.  About half of them are accessible directly by car, the other half require a hike.  None of the hikes are terribly long or hard.  These lakes typically have very few anglers over a year, especially the smaller lakes that require hiking. 
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  • Where to Fish in the Hood River area - Laurance Lake
    On the Water

    Where to Fish in the Hood River area - Laurance Lake

    Laurance Lake is another locals' favorite.  It has great views of Mt. Hood and wonderful fishing.  While Lost Lake has all sorts of amenities, Laurance has a few designated camp sites and a couple of Forest Service outhouses. Because there are few camp sites and a small parking area, the lake can get crowded during the summer.  By August, the lake level usually drops low enough to accommodate more day-use parking than in the early season.
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  • Where to Fish in the Hood River area - Little White Salmon (above Drano Lake)
    On the Water

    Where to Fish in the Hood River area - Little White Salmon (above Drano Lake)

    The Little White Salmon is famous for a couple of things, trout fishing is not one of them.  First and foremost, the Little White is what feeds Drano Lake, the most famous salmon fishery on the Columbia River system.  It is also known for a gorgeous waterfall called Spirit Falls that is near the town of Willard.  After that it is know as one of the most epic kayaking runs in the world.  Fishing is way down the list.

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  • Where to Fish in the Hood River area - Sandy River
    On the Water

    Where to Fish in the Hood River area - Sandy River

    The Sandy River is close to Portland, but it is hard to tell when you are on the river.  This is the closest river to our home base that we can easily float in a raft and chase a winter steelhead.  It is certainly our favorite winter steelhead river to float in the area.  The scenery is outstanding and the chances of catching a chrome winter steelhead are good enough that I am willing to get into a raft in sub-freezing temperatures in the middle of the winter. 
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