On the way to the Portland, Oregon area, we stopped at the Fly Fishing Shop in Welches. This is one of the best stocked flyshops you'd ever see, and I was able to make purchases of tying materials I cannot get in Bend. To my delight, they had about eight colors of Saap Body Fur, and I bought a brilliant chartreuse, a light olive and a dirty olive. Played around with a selection of rotary vises, and discovered I liked the Dyna King Barracuda, Jr. the best.
Linda and I joined our friends Bill and Ann Nora in Happy Valley, Oregon for a couple of days. Bill is a past fishing buddy, and he is the fellow who was to take me to his favorite haunts for winter steelhead fishing. We knew several days in advance that the rivers were blown out, so fishing was not on the agenda. However, we did something I think was even better. We spent hours on two separate days walking two rivers as he pointed out drift launch points, winter and summer steelhead holding lies, and discussed the nuances of fishing each water. I felt like I had died and gone to heaven.
Bill also gave Linda and I our first Spey casting lesson right on the river. The sight of the 5'4" Linda waving around a 14 ft. Spey rod has to be seen to be believed.
He also opened his winter steelhead flybox and showed his very simple assortment of weighted steelhead bunny leeches, all single color in hook sizes 4 to 2/0, some weighted with 3/16" nickel weights, others with barbell eyes. I exchanged the favor, showing Bill how to tie with Saap Body Fur, and demo'd Don Ordes' rope dubbing technique. Bill pointed out some synthetic dubbing he hated to tie with, and we had him tying beautifully dubbed bodies with it in no time. He was very impressed.
Even our drive into downtown Portland was enjoyably fishy. We stopped at Powell's Book Store and split up, and I made a beeline through the three-floor, city block big, new and used book heaven to the fly fishing and tying section. I didn't make a purchase, but was able to look at quite a number of books that have been mentioned on this list.
Our final night, we stayed with Max and Nila Peel, the longtime camphosts of Oregon's Hosmer Lake. Max is a fine flyfisherman, and he has been making heirloom quality landing nets during the last two offseasons. Finally, his morning, we drove the 3-1/2 hours back to Bend, and after taking care of business, I spent the evening tying flies for an upcoming fishing trip.
About a perfect as a long weekend can be without dipping a line in the water. Thought I would just try to share the 'glow'.
Wes Wada Bend, Oregon
