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Fishing in Oregon - A Tribute to a Fly Fisherman Extraordinaire

© Sue Barton

This is written as an Opening Day tribute to my beloved father-in-law, Dick Barton.


My Story

I have to admit that I fell asleep twice trying to watch "A River Runs Through It" and the first time my dad took us up to the Cascade lakes (Devils Lake, Elk Lake, etc.) on Century Drive in Central Oregon, he spent more time cutting my line out of trees than holding a net under fish. I'm just not a model fisherwoman. I did, however, take fly-fishing as my Physical Ed elective in high school and passed with "flying colors."

I probably wouldn't be married to my husband if it weren't for Oregon's fly fishing.

My Father-in-Law, Dick loves to fish! He retired early from Los Angeles County in order to move his family to Bend (where I then met my husband) where he can fish in the Deschutes River from his front yard. He's predominantly a fly-fisherman, but he's been known to drop a worm or two looking for that elusive dinner.

Dick began tying flies when he was knee high to a grasshopper and can whip out a fly faster than it takes me to tell this story. They are so beautiful that I asked him to tie some for me to wear as jewelry. I think I offended his sensibilities, but he made the pins for me anyway. Thanks Dick!

He'd say his favorite fishing spots are East Lake and Paulina. (You better watch out though. He may just be throwing you off the trail to his secret spot.) At 6' 3" with legs that start just shy of his armpits, he has waders that are almost as tall as me. The Deschutes River runs ice cold on the hottest of summer days and Dick has cast for hours in those waders.

Opening Day in Oregon

If you like to fish you can head out to the coast for salmon fishing or to the lakes and rivers for steelhead or trout. Oregon is a great state to come and fish. The Oregon Fish and Wildlife site has all the information you need on sport fishing in Oregon. If you catch a big one, email a photo and I'll post it here for all the world to see!

There are many companies specializing in taking groups fishing on Oregon's wilder rivers. If you don't know the area, it would be wise to either hire one of the guides or at least go with a knowledgeable friend.