Private Lake Trip to Oregon

IFSteve · May-11-2008, 06:14 AM

A group of four of us went to Oregon last weekend to fish a small private, pay-to-fish lake. Two of us had been there last year and caught a lot of fish and some dang good fish up to 10 1/2 pounds.

We went three weeks earlier this year, which with the late spring ended up being not the best decision. I ended up being top rod with 20 fish landed for three long days of fishing. However, the good news is that the fish were BIG and since we had to work hard to find them perhaps the rewards were even greater.

That's a nice 10 pound rainbow caugth by Eric.

My 12# little piggy.

montanaman · May-11-2008, 11:22 AM

Those are some bruisers, Steve!

TheShark · May-11-2008, 05:29 PM

Eric always catches big fish!

Nice job you guys!

bettor13 · May-11-2008, 05:52 PM

A pay to fish lake in Oregon? I used to go to Oregon every summer when I was a kid. I then used to go as a teenager. However, I cannot understand the need for a pay to fish lake there. Why bother...the Deschutes, the Crooked River, a place we used to call Spring Creek. There are too many true fishing opportunities there. I usually keep my mouth shut...but I am not impressed. That is not "trout fishing" what you are doing.

TheShark · May-11-2008, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bettor13

A pay to fish lake in Oregon? I used to go to Oregon every summer when I was a kid. I then used to go as a teenager. However, I cannot understand the need for a pay to fish lake there. Why bother...the Deschutes, the Crooked River, a place we used to call Spring Creek. There are too many true fishing opportunities there. I usually keep my mouth shut...but I am not impressed. That is not "trout fishing" what you are doing.

What the hell?
That is not trout fishing? Not trout fishing? Classic
if you want to see some top notch trout fishing head on up and we will show you trout fishing.

And yes I know Oregon, I grew up there and also fished Oregon waters.

I can tell you right now that these 2 guys only fish the best waters and some of the toughest waters.

You ride party boats right, that is basically a very big pay lake.

IFSteve · May-12-2008, 03:37 PM

I had a long thoughful response typed out and then decided to not bother.

Shelly - - thanks!

flygoddess · May-12-2008, 07:03 PM

Right on Shelly. I guided at a lodge that had eight lakes on the property. Big Fish! You bet! they got fed good, and treated with TLC.
People use to tell me all the time, that is just fishing in a bucket.......WRONG!
These fish are smart! They are not EASY to catch by any stretch of the imagination. Maybe that is what made it so frustrating. They were in there and you knew it and at times you could even see them, but that don't mean you are going to catch them!
To me, it is no different than choosing to fish a Blue Ribbon Fisherie. You do it cause you know there are quality fish.

Good for you Steve and the guys...got to love it! You live in Idaho and you know how quickly the weather can change, so this little RAIN ON YOUR PARADE won't last and you know it

**fishnfool** · May-12-2008, 07:14 PM

Beautiful fish. Great job landing those suckers. I have been shooting for a 10# plus for a while now and it still eludes me. I live in California and pay to fish just about everywhere I go in the surrounding counties, AND the fish are all planted so I guess none of mine count. I do seem to have a hell of a lot of fun though. Sure would like to get a shot at one of those beauties. Gonna take up fly fishing this year...can't wait to get one on the 3 weight using a wooly bugger or a midge. Those are flies right?

flygoddess · May-13-2008, 05:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fishnfool

Beautiful fish. Great job landing those suckers. I have been shooting for a 10# plus for a while now and it still eludes me. I live in California and pay to fish just about everywhere I go in the surrounding counties, AND the fish are all planted so I guess none of mine count. I do seem to have a hell of a lot of fun though. Sure would like to get a shot at one of those beauties. Gonna take up fly fishing this year...can't wait to get one on the 3 weight using a wooly bugger or a midge. Those are flies right?

Those are flies

however that wooly bugger on a three weight could be interesting. Not saying it can't be done, but it will be interesting.

TheShark · May-13-2008, 06:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flygoddess

Those are flies

however that wooly bugger on a three weight could be interesting. Not saying it can't be done, but it will be interesting.

That sounds like fullspeed crazy fun!

Thanks foe dinner last night Joni

You & Your hubby are cool people

**fishnfool** · May-13-2008, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flygoddess

Those are flies

however that wooly bugger on a three weight could be interesting. Not saying it can't be done, but it will be interesting.

I learned something already...mental note...hard to cast wooly booger on a 3 weight. Thanks Joni.

frijolitos · May-13-2008, 11:23 AM

we all pay to fish, I am impressed by your experience. My father regularly fishes a pay to fish ranch in central oregon and I just drool over the pics he sends me. I'd much rather pay to fish a well managed body of water as it will probably be just me and the fishes, and a good buddy or two.......priceless if you ask me. Your guarantee is that quality fish are there, you cannot control the weather, water temp, and a myriad other factors that dictate if the fish will be on the WFO bite. cool pics and congrats on a great trip.

flygoddess · May-13-2008, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheShark

That sounds like fullspeed crazy fun!

Thanks foe dinner last night Joni

You & Your hubby are cool people

No, No, THANK YOU foe dinner last night. We just ate it! Next one is definitely on us!.

I specially liked the IDAHO BIG HAIR. Seriously! You wear it well, Check it out:

Shelly:

I liked it so much, I bleached mine out and tried it. What do you think?

FG:

IFSteve · May-13-2008, 03:22 PM

There is really a wide variety of "pay to fish" waters. Some are just fish in a barrel and they have they're place. Great for a begineer or kids. Others like this place in Oregon are managed for trophy fish but it isn't easy.

Last year the last day we fished Eric landed 17 and I landed 10 (yes he outfished me so what else is new

).

But there were also four other guys on the lake that day. They caught a whopping three fish between them. They were just not clued in to what the fish were doing and subsequently pretty much went fishless.

And speaking of dinner, Shelly when are you and Bruce going to be available to go out. Want you to meet Sue and talk fishing!

TheShark · May-14-2008, 12:24 PM

Now that is some big hair Joni!

I still got mine, but it is not as fluffy.

Oh boy

Steve, we are thinking of a BBQ sunday. I need to get my hours for my sunday schedule at F&G- then I can tell you what time. I am seeing my boss in an hour and half. I will pin him down then

Give us a call

locobro · May-14-2008, 12:31 PM

Great looking fish Steve, beautiful country.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheShark

What the hell?

You ride party boats right, that is basically a very big pay lake.

Right about that one Shelly!

IFSteve · May-14-2008, 03:46 PM

Shelly

Sue and I are headed to Boise in the morning to bring our son home from Bosie State for the summer. We'll be home Friday afternoon. I'll give you a call when I get home.

Steve

**wildcat** · May-14-2008, 03:56 PM

I remember going to armstrong (depuys) spring creek in MT and paying $50 to fish there about 10 years ago...I guess that sulphur hatch where all the fish went bizzerk at the end of the day didn't count either..I have no problem throwing down duckets to fish a well managed place with far less people than the Madison or the yellowstone...Loved your response shelly, you still got the original BD smack in ya!!!! Great fish in those pics, true beauties and still swimmin...

TheShark · May-16-2008, 04:55 PM

Steve
Bruce missed your call-

BBQ will have to be up in Island Park. At my work cabin, I am scheduled to work Sat and sunday so we can do it there are try it again another time.
You know what might be fun?>?>

I need to find out from my boss - IF the ice comes off and IF we are gill netting, IF my wonderful boss ok's it, I will try and get you on as a helper if you are interested

flygoddess · May-16-2008, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheShark

Steve

I need to find out from my boss - IF the ice comes off and IF we are gill netting, IF my wonderful boss ok's it, I will try and get you on as a helper if you are interested

WHAT ABOUT ME! OH wait.....I live in Utah, too far, never mind he, he, he.