New to the forum and returning to fishing

Joey Link · 02-21-2008, 02:17 PM

Hey everyone, I'm really happy I found this great resource! I'm just getting into fishing again after taking a 14 year break, and I can't wait to get out. From the time I was a toddler to age 11, my grandfather and I would go fishing at least three or four times a month. We fished just about everywhere from what I remember, generally for trout, salmon, sturgeon, and catfish. Back in 1994 we were jigging for crappie on the coast and one of the hooks went through his finger. Instead of going to the hospital to have the hook extracted, he had me cut it out of his finger with his pocket knife. That was the last time I went fishing, due to an extreme fear of fishing hooks and getting hooked.

Anyway, I'm ready to get out there again, and my girlfriend (who's never really been fishing) is just as excited as I am. We got out licenses a few days ago, and I dug two small trout rods out of storage (I inherited them when grandpa died), and now we're looking to take the next steps (get some basic gear and FISH!).

Please excuse any and all newbie questions I may ask in the coming months

Troutski · 02-21-2008, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joey Link

Hey everyone, I'm really happy I found this great resource! I'm just getting into fishing again after taking a 14 year break, and I can't wait to get out. From the time I was a toddler to age 11, my grandfather and I would go fishing at least three or four times a month. We fished just about everywhere from what I remember, generally for trout, salmon, sturgeon, and catfish. Back in 1994 we were jigging for crappie on the coast and one of the hooks went through his finger. Instead of going to the hospital to have the hook extracted, he had me cut it out of his finger with his pocket knife. That was the last time I went fishing, due to an extreme fear of fishing hooks and getting hooked.

Anyway, I'm ready to get out there again, and my girlfriend (who's never really been fishing) is just as excited as I am. We got out licenses a few days ago, and I dug two small trout rods out of storage (I inherited them when grandpa died), and now we're looking to take the next steps (get some basic gear and FISH!).

Please excuse any and all newbie questions I may ask in the coming months

Welcome to OFF, glad your back on the angling trail. You just ask away, don't let fear get in the way of learning and teaching your girlfriend.
Where are you located, maybe one of the members is near.

Chuck

Joey Link · 02-21-2008, 02:40 PM

Thanks for the reply

We just moved to West Linn from just off MLK in NE Portland. We're still getting used to the lack of sirens. I'm not too familiar with this area, but it looks like there are a couple potential spots around here until the lakes on hood open/thaw. I remember my Grandfather talk about North Fork Reservoir quite a bit, Swift Shore Park on the Tualatin River is minutes away, and Hagg Lake in Hillsboro, if I can manage to avoid the 'trouble'. I'd love to hear what others think about these spots and any others near me. By nearby, I'd like to keep my travel time within an hour and a half (still quite a distance away).

We'd really like to go this Saturday. Any recommendations? Is there any good fishing in the Tualatin?

18406ej · 02-21-2008, 04:50 PM

Welcome to OFF. You will learn a lot here, and there is no such thing as a stupid question. I know, because I have asked plenty.

Hanapaa · 02-21-2008, 06:17 PM

Welcome to the forum. It's always good to have new people. Being in West Linn, you are also close to the Willamette and the Clack. Lots of good fishing to be had there. Good luck to you, and like Troutski said, don't be afraid to ask questions. We are here to help and have a good time.

Joey Link · 02-21-2008, 07:04 PM

Thanks for the warm welcome guys.

You guys think you could give me an idea or two of a spot Jenny and I can go fishing this Saturday near West Linn? Anyone fished Swift Shore Park on the Tualatin River? If so, what for, and what would you recommend? I can use all the tips I can get!

I'd also like some advice on what I should purchase for a beginning fishing kit, including tackle and equipment. I don't have much cash right now, but I know after the poles and the licenses I can get away with going cheap until I get more cash for higher end gear.

Hanapaa · 02-21-2008, 07:43 PM

I'm sorry, but I am no help when it comes to the Tualatin. Just make sure to check the regulations either in the booklet or at the ODFW website. You could also go to nearby outdoor stores, like joe's, bi-mart, and fisherman's warehouse and ask the fishing people there for tips and such. Since you live in West Linn, you could try Great American Tackle Shop, it is off 82nd Ave across from Fred Meyer (the one south of Clackamas Town Center). Talk to Gary Waterhouse (owner and only employee). He was very helpful to me when I decided to get back into fishing. His terminal tackle and stuff are reasonably prices (rods and reels are high quality brand name stuff, which the prices reflect, but that's when you're really serious and have more to spend on fishing gear). I hope that helps you a little. Sorry that I couldn't be more of a help about the Tualatin.

Joey Link · 02-21-2008, 07:49 PM

Awesome, every little bit of info helps!

How about the Sandy or Clackamas? both of those are nearby as well.

Hanapaa · 02-21-2008, 08:20 PM

First off, it depends on what kind of fishing your looking for. The Sandy and Clackamas (and Eagle Creek) are great for Steelhead/Salmon. However, if you would like to ease your lady into fishing, you may want to look towards stocked trout areas like Mt. Hood pond. A great person to ask would be JTLunker, as I believe he's in your neck of the woods.

Troutski · 02-22-2008, 08:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joey Link

Thanks for the warm welcome guys.

I'd also like some advice on what I should purchase for a beginning fishing kit, including tackle and equipment. I don't have much cash right now, but I know after the poles and the licenses I can get away with going cheap until I get more cash for higher end gear.

When I first got into angling I started out by going to the second hand stores, Goodwill/St.Vincent dePaul...I wouldn't recommend pawn shops as they know what they have and expect to get top $..estate sales and garage sales can be a bonanza. Keep it cheap and look for tackle boxes most of them will be full of those crazy lures and the basics necessities of fishing. Pick up one of those Shakespeare 6' yellow Trout rods and put a light weight reel with new line....good to go. Don't get me wrong I have since graduated to more expensive tackle and now have a 15' Boat that my wife says is a large hole I shovel money into. Thats the great thing about a hobby you can start out small and then get crazy

Chuck

Chuck

02-21-2008, 02:17 PM	#1
Joey Link Neophyte Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 13	New to the forum and returning to fishing Hey everyone, I'm really happy I found this great resource! I'm just getting into fishing again after taking a 14 year break, and I can't wait to get out. From the time I was a toddler to age 11, my grandfather and I would go fishing at least three or four times a month. We fished just about everywhere from what I remember, generally for trout, salmon, sturgeon, and catfish. Back in 1994 we were jigging for crappie on the coast and one of the hooks went through his finger. Instead of going to the hospital to have the hook extracted, he had me cut it out of his finger with his pocket knife. That was the last time I went fishing, due to an extreme fear of fishing hooks and getting hooked. Anyway, I'm ready to get out there again, and my girlfriend (who's never really been fishing) is just as excited as I am. We got out licenses a few days ago, and I dug two small trout rods out of storage (I inherited them when grandpa died), and now we're looking to take the next steps (get some basic gear and FISH!). Please excuse any and all newbie questions I may ask in the coming months

02-21-2008, 04:50 PM	#4
18406ej Master Angler Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Keizer Posts: 450	Welcome to OFF. You will learn a lot here, and there is no such thing as a stupid question. I know, because I have asked plenty. __________________ E.J. "I am going where streams of whiskey are flowing"

02-21-2008, 06:17 PM	#5
Hanapaa Angler Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Eugene, OR Posts: 123	Welcome to the forum. It's always good to have new people. Being in West Linn, you are also close to the Willamette and the Clack. Lots of good fishing to be had there. Good luck to you, and like Troutski said, don't be afraid to ask questions. We are here to help and have a good time. __________________ ~Geoff~ The seemingly eternal student

02-21-2008, 07:43 PM	#7
Hanapaa Angler Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Eugene, OR Posts: 123	I'm sorry, but I am no help when it comes to the Tualatin. Just make sure to check the regulations either in the booklet or at the ODFW website. You could also go to nearby outdoor stores, like joe's, bi-mart, and fisherman's warehouse and ask the fishing people there for tips and such. Since you live in West Linn, you could try Great American Tackle Shop, it is off 82nd Ave across from Fred Meyer (the one south of Clackamas Town Center). Talk to Gary Waterhouse (owner and only employee). He was very helpful to me when I decided to get back into fishing. His terminal tackle and stuff are reasonably prices (rods and reels are high quality brand name stuff, which the prices reflect, but that's when you're really serious and have more to spend on fishing gear). I hope that helps you a little. Sorry that I couldn't be more of a help about the Tualatin. __________________ ~Geoff~ The seemingly eternal student

02-21-2008, 08:20 PM	#9
Hanapaa Angler Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Eugene, OR Posts: 123	First off, it depends on what kind of fishing your looking for. The Sandy and Clackamas (and Eagle Creek) are great for Steelhead/Salmon. However, if you would like to ease your lady into fishing, you may want to look towards stocked trout areas like Mt. Hood pond. A great person to ask would be JTLunker, as I believe he's in your neck of the woods. __________________ ~Geoff~ The seemingly eternal student

02-21-2008, 02:40 PM	#3
Joey Link Neophyte Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 13	Thanks for the reply We just moved to West Linn from just off MLK in NE Portland. We're still getting used to the lack of sirens. I'm not too familiar with this area, but it looks like there are a couple potential spots around here until the lakes on hood open/thaw. I remember my Grandfather talk about North Fork Reservoir quite a bit, Swift Shore Park on the Tualatin River is minutes away, and Hagg Lake in Hillsboro, if I can manage to avoid the 'trouble'. I'd love to hear what others think about these spots and any others near me. By nearby, I'd like to keep my travel time within an hour and a half (still quite a distance away). We'd really like to go this Saturday. Any recommendations? Is there any good fishing in the Tualatin?

02-21-2008, 07:04 PM	#6
Joey Link Neophyte Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 13	Thanks for the warm welcome guys. You guys think you could give me an idea or two of a spot Jenny and I can go fishing this Saturday near West Linn? Anyone fished Swift Shore Park on the Tualatin River? If so, what for, and what would you recommend? I can use all the tips I can get! I'd also like some advice on what I should purchase for a beginning fishing kit, including tackle and equipment. I don't have much cash right now, but I know after the poles and the licenses I can get away with going cheap until I get more cash for higher end gear.

02-21-2008, 07:49 PM	#8
Joey Link Neophyte Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 13	Awesome, every little bit of info helps! How about the Sandy or Clackamas? both of those are nearby as well.

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