Oregon fishing and BS

I have caught red sides on the fall but none of them were big

 

Mckenzie river red sides aren’t very big but they fight like a steelhead. Hit the upper in the fall and hang on for dear life!

 

Taking a last minute trip to central oregon area to get my bug wand waving fix. Was thinking the Fall for the scenery. i know its gonna be harder. We’ll see where i end up and what happens. I aint got no agenda!

 

Keep the 7wt for big streamers/sink tips like for Bullies on the Metolious. It’s also a good bass rod and if you ever get to do any bonefish if it’ll be fun too. But like the others said, the 5wt of your choosing is the best all around rod. I’m happy to shoot the shit with you whenever.

 

I also have 2 of everything from 3wt-6wt if you want to try some casts out some day to see what you like.

 

Simms Freestone Ambidextrous Fishing Sling Pack, Water Resistant Backpack, Tan

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B082YJLNFJ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8
Bought one of these today. Hopefully will be replacing my 30 year old vest.

 

I have went fishing exactly one time in my life. I know exactly nothing about fishing. I am looking to change that. Looking for the most inexpensive fishing pole you can buy that is somewhat decent. Anyone have any recommendations?

 

Echo/TFO/Reddington/Allen are all good lower to mid price rods that you get a lot of value out of. Just like any other hobby, if you do it enough you’ll end up wanting to spend more, but those are all solid companies without breaking the bank.

 

Are you talking about fly fishing or just fishing in general??

 

Fishing in general.

 

@Toywoodsguy82 pretty much what everyone else said. 7wt is too much for trout IMO and makes the fight less fun. I’d say a 9ft 5wt is the most versatile do-it-all rod and highly recommend the Fenwick Aetos for the money (I have a 5wt and 8wt aetos) - fast action rod at a great price. I also have a 10-11ft 3wt euro nymphing rod, but that’s another story.

And for reels, just get something cheap. For trout it just holds the line and you can palm it if you hook into a bigger fish and need the drag. I’m still using an old Ross click pawl. I like to strip all mine in regardless of size though, so I’ve never cared much about reels.

 

You could just get a cheap indestructible Ugly Stik trout rod and reel combo and you’ll be set for a while. But I see you drive an M/T, which makes me think you should just get it over with and get into fly fishing from the start. It’s like driving stick, but you know, for fish.

 

I have a little ugly stick just for shits and giggles that I use from time to time… put a quality reel on it though

 

My buddies and I live by the rule of: 3-6wt it’s the rod that does most the work and a cheaper reel works just fine. 7-12wt when we are fishing g bonefish/roosters/permit/tarpon/etc... then the reel is you’re main focus because of blistering runs by saltwater fish (or steelhead on 7-8wts) but getting into that is a whole new obsession and money put. But damn is it fun!

I think the most logical thing to do is a Taco fishing/camping/beers trip at some point.

I’m in no way an expert, but I’ve guided for a few years and put some years in working in fly shops and I’m happy to help out and lend any advice and tips that are wanted.

And like I said, I have a few backup rods that I’m happy to let you guys try out.

 

Totally agree, once you’re in +7wt territory reels become much more important. Also very jealous you’ve gotten to fish for tarpon, bonefish, permit.

I’m 100% down for a taco fish camp with a side of wheeling - can we make this happen?

 

This made me laugh out loud.

I am honestly not sure what 3-6wt means. Is that how much the fish weigh?

I'm down for a camping, fishing, wheeling trip. Clearly I have much to learn.

 

I’m down for a trip but I dont have a lot of time until we get an in home care giver for my mom. Otherwise I’m not leaving Sandy till 2 or 3 on a Saturday and have to be back by 4 on Sunday.

I do have a week off the week after Father’s Day though…

 

Basically a 3wt is a super light line/rod that is great for smaller trout. The line weight progresses up for line size/size of fish/fly size. So think of it in the trout realm as 3wt-really light and fun for small guys, 4wt-still on the lighter side and fun, but with a little more “umph” so a little easier to throw slightly bigger stuff, 5wt is the “Goldilocks” because it’s not that overpowered, but you can also throw heavier flies and handle slightly bigger fish, and the a 6wt is the big boy in trout rods for throwing bigger lines for bigger flies and larger rivers. Also good if you need to fish a sinking tip or a heavily weighted fly or two.

I’m sure @FashTaco can attest to the fact that teaching folks about fly fishing is much easier in person on a river than trying to explain by typing it out.

We are doing a trip to the Metolious on June 5th if anyone wants to fish for a couple hours and learn a few things. Then off to Utah for a two week trip of fishing and exploring a couple weeks later.

 

I’d love to join ya on that trip if the timing works out, my gf will want to fish the Blue Hole on the upper section since it’s opening soon - she actually wants to get there at sunrise on opening day too to be the first lol.

And yes, I’m far from an expert but teaching in person is much easier. My old Cabelas fly rod has introduced 5 friends to the sport now - I love getting new people into it and invested in the health of our rivers and fish.

 

Thank you for explaining that! I will see about the 5th, that sounds fun.

I am fairly positive I do not want to fly fish. What little I have heard and seen it's way more involved than I want to get. Some simple fishing without much gear or time required to invest sounds about perfect.