Fishing in Oregon

Friday and Saturday David took us fishing. On Friday we went to Hagg Lake, a small, clear lake in Washington County Oregon. We got a quick tour of the lake (10 minutes, max) then set out to catch fish.  David said we'd have sore arms by day's end, boating so many smallmouth bass.  Jacob hooked the first, about a 15" largemouth. It got tangled in the boat propeller but I could clearly see it.  It broke free and Jacob was more than a little disappointed. Next, Yvonne scored a small yellow perch; back into the lake with it.  David got a small smallmouth, then Yvonne got another perch; all were set free.

You'll notice I don't mention me. My arms and back were sore, from casting.  I got nothing, despite valiant efforts. David said sometimes the fish gods just don't smile on you and that was pretty much the case with us on Friday.

Saturday, Karen joined us and David took us down to the Columbia River to fish.  I can tell you that no matter how many pictures you take, it's a futile effort. The scenery is just breathtaking and around every bend is something even more beautiful.  The Columbia flows toward the west, but the winds blow from the east.  Even on relatively calm days, like the day we were out, whitecaps are very strong. David says once they were breaking over his windshield and into his boat, soaking him.  I think they were only about 15 mph on Saturday but they were still plenty strong.  It was extremely difficult to try and fish while the wind is blowing the boat in one direction while the current is taking you in exactly the opposite.  This is a picture of the "Bridge of the Gods" where we launched.

Bridge of the Gods over the Columbia River

This trip it was David and Yvonne who caught and the rest of us were skunked.  So I'm officially "0 for Oregon" when it comes to fishing.

Sunday was our last full day in Portland. David and Karen wanted to show us downtown from the Wilamette River, which runs through downtown.  We launched at about 5 PM and went down river, looking at the construction, various bridges and vessels. We saw the submarine on display at OMSI (Oregon Museum of Science and Industry) and an old vessel that is now someone's home on the water. I forgot my camera and used David's so you'll have to wait for some of those pictures.

New bridge construction

A rare moment, Yvonne with an adult beverage (Mike's Lemonade)

 

OMSI (Oregon Museum of Science and Industry)

We stopped in at a restaurant, tied up the boat and had dinner, riverside. It was an excellent meal, great service and then we were back on the water. Now it was dark so we slowly made our way back up river to the launch ramp.  What a way to finish off the trip; how wonderful!

Back to David's condo about 11 PM and we continued to pack for the journey back home. Thoughts of the trip kept me awake for a long time.  I finally awoke when the alarm went off at 6:30.  I started up the coffee pot, took some bags down to the Sienna and started filling the coolers with ice and food.  Yvonne looks up from the air mattress and says "What are you doing?  It's 3:30 AM!"  I had set the alarm for the right time but failed to change to Pacific time; D'oh!!! I went back to bed but awoke at 5:30 again, so only 5 hours of sleep before our very long first leg of the trip; 760 miles to Ogden, UT.