Big Y Fly Fishing Blog
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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
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 - Mountain Lakes of Mt Adams/St Helens
In the area west of Mt Adams, there are hundreds of lakes. Most are pretty small, some are barely ponds, others are deep and hold fish over winters. Most of them are hike-in, but several offer good car access.
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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
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. -
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. -
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. -
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 - Goose Lake
Goose Lake is one of the locals' favorites. It is also a favorite of anglers that live far away. This little lake buried up in the forest between Mt Adams and Mt St Helens really has it all. -
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. -
Where to Fish in the Hood River area - Klickitat River
The Klickitat is lovingly referred to as the "Klick" by locals. This wonderful stream meets the Columbia River about 11 miles upstream of Hood River on the Washington side, near the town of Lyle.
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Where to Fish in the Hood River area - White Salmon River
The White Salmon is a very unique river in the area. Extremely cold, clear water are not actually as commonplace here as we wish. The Hood and the Klickitat can become too muddy to fish during the summer, and the Deschutes can reach dangerously warm temperatures. Having a little cold, clear stream is nice during the hot summer.