Glad you hear you were feeling well enough to get out. I got out for the first time yesterday. I launched out of Cedar Oak and fished for about an hour. I got 3 on a ned rig and a hula grub. All similar in size and condition to yours.
I have a 17' G3 aluminum bass boat. I prefer the Willamette from Willamette Park in John's Landing to Cedar Oak in West Linn to the bigger waters of the Columbia. @bass has posted a lot about fishing the Willamette above the Falls. He's also posted quite a few about his trips on the Columbia...
It is not possible to paddle up the creek to the lake. Oswego Lake is a private lake. No shuttle needed on this part of the Willamette. The current is quite slow this time of year.