IsaiahW11 said:
Hello, my name is Isaiah and I just recently moved to Beaverton. I am looking to enter the trout fly fishing scene here and I am not super sure where I should even start. I generally prefer river fishing but from my understanding trout fishing is closed in most of the rivers right now. Are there any lakes in the Beaverton/Portland area that are decently accessible?
I have a float tube to get into places so anything with decent shore or an ability to get a tube in is ideal.
Thank you so much for your time, I greatly appreciate it.
A few thoughts:
First, a don't do: if you're a beginning fly fisher, don't try the Metolius. It is a notoriously difficult and technical river to fish, often called "the most beautiful river to get skunked on". Save that river for a reward when you get toward proficiency. The fish are wild and beautiful, but you gotta know what you're doing to have a chance.
Second, since you have a float tube, and since lots of lakes are stocked and the stocking reports are easy to find, you might want to consider that as easier fishing opportunities while you're on your learning curve. Hagg is good, but there are other stocked lakes in the Coast Range, and of course, in the Cascades, that provide for a faster learning curve for the newbie.
Third, find an experienced fly fisher to go with; it'll reduce your learning curve significantly.
Fourth, pick up a copy of the Curtis Creek Manifesto, which is a comic strip style primer for new fly fishers. It's a game changer.
Fifth, there are several Oregon-based fishing books, which all attempt to give folks info on fishing opportunities around the state. A couple are fly fishing specific. Find one and use it.
Good luck and have fun!