4 hours in Eugene, where to fish?!!

[mahmichael]

Hi friends, I'll be taking my friend and his wife tomorrow early morning to Eugene for an Exam his wife has to take. The exam takes about 4 hours and I don't want to kill that time! I want to go fishing somewhere and I'm really exited because I've never fished around Eugene! I've done the same in Portland on Friday and caught nothing!
So can you tell me where to go? I'll fish for everything as long as the regulations say it's OK! I'll be using lures and flies.

Would you please help me find a close place to U of O area? and what to use? ray:

Thanks

 

[jamisonace]

I suggest going down to Skinner Butte park and walking downstream on the willamette from the park. There are a few riffles that hold trout and steelhead. I'd walk downstream as far as you want and then fish your way back up. You could go as far as the Valley River Center foot bridge and find bank fishable water.

There won't be anyone fishing it this time of year. Throw small spinners or swing size 14 soft hackles. I don't think there will be a hatch but you never know.

Good luck

 

[rippin fish lips]

I suggest going down to Skinner Butte park and walking downstream on the willamette from the park. There are a few riffles that hold trout and steelhead. I'd walk downstream as far as you want and then fish your way back up. You could go as far as the Valley River Center foot bridge and find bank fishable water.

There won't be anyone fishing it this time of year. Throw small spinners or swing size 14 soft hackles. I don't think there will be a hatch but you never know.

Good luck

Just got back from the mac, caught 2 real nice cutties on a 1/4 little cleo. the water is real cold and the fishing looks like its coming to a crawl. A slow retreive is the key!! Went to AB ponds this morning and caught 2 Stockers... Aka, plastic fish, haha! Saw a few brooders and steelies in there as well.

 

[troutdude]

Alton Baker Park and canal, are right behind Autzen stadium. It was stocked about a month ago. If you have a valid 2 rod license, you can fish with 2 rods in the canal and/or ponds.

 

[mahmichael]

Thank you guys for the comments. I just checked the map. Alton Baker park looks large and there are several ponds and streams (canals) in it. Would you tell me more specific about it? Does each of them have names?

How about Greenwood park? Does it worth to go that far (considering that I only have less than 4 hours)?!
Thanks a lot.

 

[jamisonace]

Can't help you. I live a few minutes from it and have fished it twice in 7 years and never caught anything. I'd recommend sticking to the rivers if you're from out of town. I'd hate for your first fishing impression down here to be of Alton Baker.

You might have a shot at some trout at Greenwood but it's tough because the best trout fishing is on the other side of the river... but as long as you are already up there you might as well go to the hatchery and fish there. You'd have a great shot at steelhead. I've gotten a number of people into their first steelhead in that area. Bring your waders if you plan on fishing there tho.

Its great fishing around here but as RFL already stated, it's slowed down with cooler temps.

Where are the tests being done? If you'll be at Sacred Heart, go to the top floor and look down to the river. You'll see some great spots back there. You wouldn't need waders but I'd take them if it was me.

Another spot would be Armitage, drive past the ramp and as far upstream as you can go. You'll need something that will fish deep there tho.

Anyway...there are lots of great river spots. Hope you find something worthwhile.

Thank you guys for the comments. I just checked the map. Alton Baker park looks large and there are several ponds and streams (canals) in it. Would you tell me more specific about it? Does each of them have names?

How about Greenwood park? Does it worth to go that far (considering that I only have less than 4 hours)?!
Thanks a lot.

 

[Thuggin4Life]

Yeah dont hit up AB. not our best location to fish. I would fish anywhere you can hit the river and work your way around on foot and do some exploring. downstream from the D street boat ramp there are some good spots. and even upstream but below day island park. clearwater park is a good spot. or the mac there is armatidge park. harvest lane and hayden bridge all in town. good luck and enjoy. jamisonace also mentioned some good water.

 

[rippin fish lips]

You might have a shot at some trout at Greenwood but it's tough because the best trout fishing is on the other side of the river... but as long as you are already up there you might as well go to the hatchery and fish there. You'd have a great shot at steelhead. I've gotten a number of people into their first steelhead in that area. Bring your waders if you plan on fishing there tho.

Where are the tests being done? If you'll be at Sacred Heart, go to the top floor and look down to the river. You'll see some great spots back there. You wouldn't need waders but I'd take them if it was me.

Another spot would be Armitage, drive past the ramp and as far upstream as you can go. You'll need something that will fish deep there tho.

Anyway...there are lots of great river spots. Hope you find something worthwhile.

mahmichael... That is some good info right above me!! I would consider going to the leaberg fish hatchery, There is still quite a few steelhead up there, with a few on there way still, not to mention i caught 6 bows there the other day, Most were native. At armitage, (boat ramp side) If you can get to the rapids (above) The bridge where the river takes a left turn if u were floating down it. There is some Real good eddies/seems right there. It is awseome trout water if u can get it the right day! (waders needed)

Green would might be tuff!!

 

[jamisonace]

Clearwater is a great spot and the water level would be perfect. Great suggestion Thug.

You'll see good water both upstream and downstream from the ramp.

Yeah dont hit up AB. not our best location to fish. I would fish anywhere you can hit the river and work your way around on foot and do some exploring. downstream from the D street boat ramp there are some good spots. and even upstream but below day island park. clearwater park is a good spot. or the mac there is armatidge park. harvest lane and hayden bridge all in town. good luck and enjoy. jamisonace also mentioned some good water.

 

[mahmichael]

Thank you very much for the responses. I love this forum because of its people.
So I left at 6 am, I didn't check OFF after that so I didn't read some of the replies. I dropped my friend's wife off to the exam, and my friend and I went to check some of the places recommended here. At first we went to Skinner Butte park and tried, nothing. The water was shallow and doesn't look fishy! After half an hour I lost a blue fox and I said that's it!
Then we left to Armitage park where we spend around three hours there. The river was very clear and pretty. We found a nice bend with fishing water. My friend and I tried several spinners and spoons. Not bad! We caught two trouts 10-12 inch and lost one (probably a trout) all on a number 3 purple BlueFox.
Sorry no pic

It was a fun day. Thank you guys.

 

[troutdude]

You sure picked a nice day to get out. Glad you had some fun, and didn't get skunked!

P.S. Great suggestions and ideas everyone. I only suggested ABC, cuz it's close. But, you're all right about it. Not the best place in the world. ;-)

 

[DYJ]

I need to find the picture my buddy sent mefrom ABC. He was taking his boy and his friend to Alton Baker to catch som fish and they hook into not one, but TWO steelhead. This was less that a couple months ago..... I didn't believe him either, nor have I rushed down there with my pole :lol:

 

[jamisonace]

Glad you found some fish. I'm surprised the riffles didn't look good at Skinner Butte but the water is at it's lowest all year right now so I guess I shouldn't be surprised.

The cool thing is you fished both the Mac and Willy in 4 hours. That's why we feel this is a special place. I've floated the Mac for springers then floated the Willy for Steelhead in the same day and was still home by 1 or 2 in the afternoon.