Mobility-challenged man wants to go fishing

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Pacoverde
New member
I’m a caregiver — not a fisherman — and I’m working with a mobility-challenged man who would like me to take him fishing. (By “mobility-challenged” I mean he can get around by walking but tires easily, sometimes falls after losing his balance, and mostly uses a wheelchair or walker.)

He has a pole and a tackle box (which is more than I have.) I’d like to find a relatively inexpensive way to get him out for a few hours of fishing.

The questions I have are:

+ What are the licensing requirements for recreational fishing in the Eugene/Springfield area?

+ What are some good locations? I pass by the Junction City Pond and Archery Park on my way to and from Junction City every day, and I know Akron Baker Park stocks some of their ponds, but are there other locations within a short drive of Eugene/Springfield? (He lives in Eugene very close to Autzen Stadium and I live in Junction City.)

+ Any other suggestions/thoughts about pulling this off successfully?

Thanks,

Glenn Gillis
Personal Care Assistant
pacoverde@protonmail.com
Junction City, OR
 
June 7 and 8 are the next free fishing weekends. I am from Portland so I am not sure about how accessible the waters are around you.
 
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@Pacoverde not sure how many more stockings are scheduled for junction city. Alton baker would probably be your best bet. Stocking schedule is on oddw website. Easy parking in the main alton baker lot, fishing is easy to get to(id call it wheelchair accessible). Right off Day Island dr, just behind laquinta hotel.

A few egg sinkers, hooks and some powerbait. If he has rod/reel, probably $10.

I dont know about his license requirements, he may qualify for a reduces price level.
 
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bass said:
June 7 and 8 are the next free fishing weekends. I am from Portland so I am not sure about how accessible the waters are around you.
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Thanks, Bass! That’s exactly what I was wondering; I think I’ll have to go to the Fish & Wildlife website to find out how much a license is and whether there are any discounts for a disabled person.

Thanks, Chris! Alton Baker is good, especially on a free weekend. I’ll have to look into what an egg sinker and power bait are; it’s possible he already has done.

Thanks for the witch replies!
 
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Pacoverde said:
Thanks, Bass! That’s exactly what I was wondering; I think I’ll have to go to the Fish & Wildlife website to find out how much a license is and whether there are any discounts for a disabled person.

Thanks, Chris! Alton Baker is good, especially on a free weekend. I’ll have to look into what an egg sinker and power bait are; it’s possible he already has done.

Thanks for the witch replies!
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already had some, not already had done 😬
 
Pacoverde said:
P

already had some, not already had done 😬
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Quick replies, not witch replies 😕
 
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Pacoverde said:
I’m a caregiver — not a fisherman — and I’m working with a mobility-challenged man who would like me to take him fishing. (By “mobility-challenged” I mean he can get around by walking but tires easily, sometimes falls after losing his balance, and mostly uses a wheelchair or walker.)

He has a pole and a tackle box (which is more than I have.) I’d like to find a relatively inexpensive way to get him out for a few hours of fishing.

The questions I have are:

+ What are the licensing requirements for recreational fishing in the Eugene/Springfield area?

+ What are some good locations? I pass by the Junction City Pond and Archery Park on my way to and from Junction City every day, and I know Akron Baker Park stocks some of their ponds, but are there other locations within a short drive of Eugene/Springfield? (He lives in Eugene very close to Autzen Stadium and I live in Junction City.)

+ Any other suggestions/thoughts about pulling this off successfully?

Thanks,

Glenn Gillis
Personal Care Assistant
pacoverde@protonmail.com
Junction City, OR
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I suggest you give the McKenzie River a try. For bait fishing Leaburg Dam, about 23 miles upriver from downtown Springfield on Hwy 126 is excellent for catching trout. Oregon F & G regularly stocks the lake with trout. Otherwise, the rest of the river calls for someone to be in relatively good physical shape. Licensing varies with age and what your fishing for. Go here for regs concerning licences.
 
The causeway to Lowell on Dexter Reservoir also has good paved access and this time of year should give you a good opportunity for a trout. I think it was designed for easy access, with a nice paved fishing sidewalk, couple benches and both a ramp and stairs down from the parking lot. Also has a couple vault toilets.
 
Here are some places to consider:

https://myodfw.com/articles/easy-angling-willamette-zone

Here is the stocking schedule of what has already been stocked (beginning at the first of March); and what will be stocked through the end of May.

https://myodfw.com/fishing/species/...nned_stocking_date_end_value[date]=2025-05-31

You will both need resident angling licenses. Here is the disability fisherman/woman info:

Disabilities Hunting & Fishing Permit Info​


In order to be considered a person with a disability under the wildlife laws, a person shall provide either:


  1. Written certification from a licensed physician, physician assistant or certified nurse practitioner, that states that the applicant:
    1. Is permanently unable to walk without the use of, or assistance from, a brace, cane, crutch, prosthetic device, wheelchair, scooter, or walker;
    2. Is restricted by lung disease to the extent that the person’s forced respiratory volume for one second, when measured by a spirometer, is less than 35% predicted, or arterial oxygen tension is less than 55 mm/Hg on room air at rest;
    3. Has a cardiac condition to the extent that the person’s functional limitations are classified in severity as Class III or Class IV, according to standards established by the American Heart Association;
    4. Has a permanent, physical impairment that prevent the person from holding or shooting a firearm or bow or from holding a fishing rod in hand; or
    5. Has central visual acuity that permanently does not exceed 20/200 in the better eye with corrective lenses, or the widest diameter of the visual field is no greater than 20 degrees; or
2. Written proof that the last official certification of record by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs or any branch of the
Armed Forces of the United States shows the person to be at least 65% disabled (ORS 496. 018).

The Oregon Disabilities Hunting and Fishing Permit is not a license or tag. Anglers must still obtain an angling license and/or Combined Angling Tag (if angling for salmon, steelhead, sturgeon or Pacific halibut) and clam diggers must obtain a shellfish license. Hunters also must still obtain a hunting license and apply for and/or purchase appropriate tags prior to specified tag sale deadlines to hunt in controlled and general big game seasons. You must be in possession of your “Oregon Disabilities Hunting and Fishing Permit,” license, and tag while you are angling, taking shellfish or hunting (even holders of a Disabled Veteran/Pioneer license and tag). All license and tag fees are at regular rates.

Dexter, as Kemfish mentioned above, is a good choice. Also Leaburg (the McKenzie runs through it). And Cottage Grove Reservoir (and probably Dorena too).

Good luck, and tight lines. Let us know how you guys do.
 
Also...here is a thread that I started 15 years ago...about fishing with Berkley's Power Eggs (and now also "Mice Tails"), instead of Power Bait. Lots of great information to peruse, and get you up to speed relatively fast.

troutdude

Thread 'Berkley's Power Eggs...best thing since apple pie!!!'

Berkley's Power Eggs are AWESOME! They taste the same as Power Bait to the fish. They come in the same colors, and even additional colors. They float just like Power Bait. But, they are BETTER in FOUR remarkable ways.

One, you won't have messy / smelly hands like you do with rolling power bait up. Two, they stay on your hook longer; so you catch more fish. (Power Bait just gets nibbled off all of the time, without catching the fish that's doing it). Three, you won't have to spend time re-rigging because the fish stole your power bait (i.e. your line will be in the water...
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troutdude said:
Also...here is a thread that I started 15 years ago...about fishing with Berkley's Power Eggs (and now also "Mice Tails"), instead of Power Bait. Lots of great information to peruse, and get you up to speed relatively fast.

troutdude

Thread 'Berkley's Power Eggs...best thing since apple pie!!!'

Berkley's Power Eggs are AWESOME! They taste the same as Power Bait to the fish. They come in the same colors, and even additional colors. They float just like Power Bait. But, they are BETTER in FOUR remarkable ways.

One, you won't have messy / smelly hands like you do with rolling power bait up. Two, they stay on your hook longer; so you catch more fish. (Power Bait just gets nibbled off all of the time, without catching the fish that's doing it). Three, you won't have to spend time re-rigging because the fish stole your power bait (i.e. your line will be in the water...
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Hello Paciverde
I have always found a call to your local ODFW most efficacious!!
They will have great info for you!
Davpot
 
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I would take him to row river pond in cottage grove. Park by the truck weight scale- a short 1 minute walk to a nicely stocked pond. I would not reccomend any other place for him. definitely do not reccomend alton baker unless you want to get skunked
 
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creel said:
definitely do not reccomend alton baker unless you want to get skunked
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I've gotten fish whenever I've been there.
 
Did you read the post?
How far did you walk?

I've caught plenty of fish there too but im talking about a small pond 1 minute from the rigs

If he goes with my advice he will limit out guarenteed and 3 minutes total walking
 
creel said:
Did you read the post?
How far did you walk?

I've caught plenty of fish there too but im talking about a small pond 1 minute from the rigs

If he goes with my advice he will limit out guarenteed and 3 minutes total walking
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Wow dude. No need to be snarky.

Of course I read the OP. Why do you think I made my suggestions? Nothing says that he can only walk for one minute. There's more than one place that they can park, and not have to walk far, or use his wheelchair.

1744658078020.jpeg
 
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