Life is good here on the Oregon Coast. One day might involve a leisurely outing from 10 to 1 at Lake Hebo, fishing for trophy size hatchery trout. The next could involve fishing the estuary on an easy outgoing tide for early sea-run cutthroat trout. The next could involve a grueling 6-8 hours grinding it out on the estuary in hopes of hooking a spring chinook; some days with a grab and many days without the hint of a living fish at the end of your line. Then there are the days in the ocean when the Black Rockfish are almost always in the mood to eat a fly, plus the possibility of a lingcod. Some days there is open season for Coho salmon, and hooking these fish on buck tail flies, either trolled or cast is a blast and a half. Recently, we found the Black Rockfish on the surface, where they remained feeding for close to 4 hours. We fished floating lines and un-weighted tube flies inches under the surface, watching Blacks take our flies like sea-runs or tarpon within twenty feet of the boat. There are so many opportunities and options, and so little time to explore. Please enjoy the following images of a few moments in the daily routine at PC.
Jay Nicholas – july 2014
PS: if you fish coho during a selective season, make sure your barbs are pinched. Thanks.
Jay, your narrative and photos always make my heart race. This entry sure does.
Keep living the dream
Say Hi to Clay and Ty for me
Marty in Kalamazoo
Marty, thanks for the kind words and good karma. One thing I’ve learned is that if one loves to fish, there are opportunities near most of the places where we all live. Some seem more glamorous, but I bet that if I lived in certain parts of this county, I would be making my adventures beneath some highway overpass, and lately, carp and shiners look pretty interesting as targets on the fly. I bet those fish might teach me a healthy dose of humility if I tried to coax them. Meanwhile, I’m pretty lucky to be where I am, with so many diverse fly fishing opportunities close to home. Have a great season, and yes, Clay and Ty say Hello right back! JN
As usual, great write-up!
I love that last pic. I love my Medalists.
Thanks, Jay,
You are always generous, so I ask more favors.
Albacore?
The contact info for your PC fly fishing buddies doing the trips.
David, get on line to http://www.pacificcityflyfishing.com and call Jack Harrell at 541 921 1276 to see what you can work out on the Dory fishing. Best wishes as always. JN