Rod
Choose the weight of your rod based on the type of fishing you expect to try. If you plan on going where the water moves slowly and the fish are going to be around 10 lbs. give or take a few pounds, a five weight rod will do the trick. If you plan on hitting some heavier waters, a seven weight rod is preferred. For salmon fishing in a quarry, pack a nine weight rod. Use a rod between 8.5 and 9.5 feet with a 5- to 6-weight for the waters in Central Oregon. Also pack a selection of floating, full-sinking and sink-tip lines.
Fly Lines
Choose a fly line tapered at both ends when you are in smaller streams where long distance casting isn't important. Weight forward line is better for those who have a need to cast for long distances such as for salmon or steelhead. Just remember that the weight forward line trades in distance for the ability to finesse the line.
Leaders
The most important thing to remember about leaders when you are fly fishing in Oregon is to match the leader to the fly and to the fish. For most waters in Oregon, a tapered lead is fine with a heavy butt section. You will probably need to learn just the right coordination of leader and fly when casting before you can begin bringing in fish at will.
Special Considerations
Pack some lighter gear if you are planning on fly fishing in the higher altitude creeks and streams. Lighter rods are an excellent choice for some trout that fits perfectly into your frying pan. Choose heavier equipment if you are heading for Oregon's bigger rivers filled with fast water. The lower areas of the Deschute River are great places for trout, but you will definitely want a heavier rod and line than if you were fishing in a high altitude stream.
Lake Trout
Even if you are used to fly fishing in streams and rivers, don't count out the lakes in Oregon. This state's lakes are filled with some very impressive trout. Oregon's lake trout are able to reach a bigger size than their river cousins because they don't have to fight against the rugged Oregon river streams. Use nymphs and wet flies when fishing for trout lake. Some good trout fishing can be done at Cape Meares Lake, Coffenbury Lake and Devil's Lake.
Article Written By Timothy Sexton
Timothy Sexton is an award-winning author who started writing in 1994. He has written on topics ranging from politics and golf to nutrition and travel, and his work appears online for Zappos.com, Disaboom and MOJO, among others. He has also done work for "Sherlock Holmes and Philosophy." He holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of West Florida.
