Angling 101

Want to try your hand at fishing? As summer approaches and school draws to a close, now is the best time to start planning your fishing trip. Here is a crash course in fishing basics.

First, the true fisherman requires equipment, such as a rod and reel, lures, etc. Depending on the type of fishing you are planning on doing, the equipment can vary, especially the type of lures or bait. It is best to discuss appropriate equipment with a knowledgeable fishing store retailer.

For general fishing requirements, check out Lure Me at 2926 S.E. 136th Ave. The store offers a wide selection of fishing tackle, rods, reels and more. For more information, call 503-762-1273.

If fly fishing is what you are interested in, the first place to go is Countrysport Limited, located at 126 S.W. First Ave. in downtown Portland.

This store carries everything the avid fly fisherman needs, including fly fishing tackle and clothing. The company even offers fly fishing classes. Countrysport also offers local guided fly fishing trips. For more information call 503-221-5231.

After you’ve acquired the gear, there is the matter of obtaining the right fishing licenses. Most local fishing retailers and stores provide licensing.

The best place to find out what licenses are required is the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife’s (ODFW) Web site, www.dfw.state.or.us. The site provides printouts with regulation information concerning different fishing zones around the state. The site also has the latest news reports about fishing in Oregon as well as species information on various indigenous fish.

If buying gear and tracking down the correct licenses sounds like a pain and you would just rather skip all that and get straight to the fishing, there are several local companies who offer fishing excursions.

Bud’s Fishing Adventures, owned and operated by Bud Wallender, a professional licensed guide, provides fishing trips for anglers of all skill levels. According to Wallender, the point of the trips is to have fun, whether you catch that big one or not.

“My main objective is for people to have a good time,” Wallender said. “If they have a good time and catch a fish, they’ll be back.”

From sturgeon to salmon to steelhead, Bud’s offers several alternatives for a wide array of anglers. According to Wallender, salmon season is winding to a close, but sturgeon fishing is just beginning to pick up speed.

According to Wallender, sturgeon season is the best time for first-timers to get their feet wet. This is due mainly to the large amount of fish in the water.

Full-day trips with Bud range from $130 to $150 per person, but half trips are also offered. To ensure a trip with Wallender, it is best to schedule at least one month in advance except for the August and September seasons, which should be booked six months in advance as they tend to fill up quickly, according to Wallender.

For more information about Bud’s Fishing Adventures, log onto www.budsfishing.com or call Wallender at 503-648-6952.

Finally, don’t forget about ocean fishing. Garibaldi Charters, based in Garibaldi, Ore., (west of Portland on the Oregon coast) offers several different fishing experiences.

The business is family owned and operated and the skippers are Coast Guard certified. Garibaldi Charters takes its customers fishing for everything from halibut to salmon. Trip rates range from $70 for a five to six-hour lite-tackle bottom-fishing trip, to $175 for a full day tuna fishing trip. Fishing licenses are not included in the price of the trip, but may be purchased at the Garibaldi Charters office before the adventure.

Hot coffee is provided, but anglers are asked to bring lunches for full day trips. Also be sure to dress warm (this is the Oregon coast). And finally, make your reservations well ahead of time to get your preferred day. You don’t even need to worry about cleaning and filleting your fish; Garibaldi Charters will do it all. For more information log onto www.norwestercharters.com or call 503-322-0007.

Enjoy your trip.