Tag Archives: bay

Fall Fishing and Crabbing

09 Tuesday Oct 2012

Posted by in crab, fishing

≈ Leave a Comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , ,

Fishing and crabbing along the Oregon Coast during the fall season has been a favorite activity for generations. The large runs of Chinook Salmon begin to get moving into the coastal estuaries in August and are in the prime during the months of October and November. Whether you are out fishing in the ocean, inside the bays or up a coastal river the fishing can be fantastic this time of year. One of the other special treats is the Dungenness crab that are available in the Ocean and the bays in really good numbers and quality from September to December. This combination of big salmon and crabs makes the fall season a favorite of most Oregonians that like to engage fishing these sustainable fisheries. Most of the streams and rivers along the coasts have relatively healthy numbers of wild Chinook and coho as well as hatchery supported fish to increase the numbers of available fish for people to catch and keep for dinner. The crab fishery is also very healthy with a large population and it is possible for each person to keep up to 12 of the Male Dungeness Crab per day over the size of 5 and 3/4 inches.

A Great Fishing Day at the Oregon Coast

Whether you own your own boat or just fish from shore there are places up and down the Oregon coast to get on the action. If you do not have a boat there are several public access areas on the major rivers that have healthy populations of fish that are catch able as well as some public piers that are easy to crab from.

The primary methods of catching fall Chinook include trolling a mooching rig with a cut plug herring, trolling a big spinner or from the bank in the river system using a bobber and egg. All three of these methods will catch salmon. For crabbing it is good to have a few crab traps or crab rings and bait them with either fish carcasses or chicken from the discount section at the local market. Let the traps soak for an hour or longer and pull up a bounty of crabs for a seafood feast.

Get out and enjoy the beautiful weather and scenery this fall and catch a salmon or a few crab before the storms and rain of winter are upon us.

The City of Tillamook – Home of the Cheese Factory

23 Monday Jul 2012

Posted by in Tillamook

≈ Leave a Comment

Tags

, , , , ,

Like various other cities along the Oregon Coast, Tillamook (a Native American word meaning “land of many waters”) has a long and colorful history. Captain Robert Gray “discovered” Tillamook in 1788. Gradually settlers moved into the area and started farms. Historically the people who came here worked in timber, dairy, or the fishing industries. Today tourism is helping rejuvenate the city. With its beautiful beaches, parks, and other tourist attractions, Tillamook is well worth exploring.

The Three Capes Scenic Loop takes you to three different parks, each with its own special features. Cape Meares is home to Big Spruce, Oregon’s largest Sitka Spruce tree. It has a circumference of 58 feet, 11 inches, diameter of 18 feet, 9 inches and 191 feet in height. Cape Meares lighthouse was commissioned on January 1, 1890, and remained in use until 1963. The lighthouse is now open daily for touring and the site is wheel chair accessible. Also living in the park is the Octopus Tree, a Sitka Spruce that was carefully trained by Native Americans to form a multi-armed bowl. Over 250 years old the tree, called the Council Tree by Native Americans, was a sacred site where elders once made decisions and where shamans performed ceremonies.

The smallest of the three parks is Cape Kiwanda. It is the home of the Pacific Dory Fleet. The beach is a favorite for picnicking, kite flying, and watching the unbelievable action on the waves that crash against the rocks.

Cape Lookout is well-liked for its camping and hiking trails. From the lookout you have a wonderful view of the beach below. The walk to the beach is very easy. The rumor is this is one of the best beaches along the Oregon Coast for finding a glass float. The park also contains more than eight miles of hiking trails.

In addition to the natural beauty that surrounds Tillamook, there are many fun things to see and do inside the city. Tillamook County Pioneer Museum tells the story of Tillamook from prehistoric times to modern day. The museum has over 35,000 items plus roughly 10,000 photographs. The collection includes items such as Native American baskets, census records beginning in 1854, early cars, and numerous other interesting items.

Tillamook Air Museum, located inside a restored World War II Blimp Hangar, claims to be the largest wooden structure in the world! The museum houses more than 30 magnificent airplanes including a P-38 Lightning, F4U-Corsair, P51-Mustang, PBY Catalina and SBD Dauntless dive bomber. The museum gives rides in the planes on an ever changing schedule. If you are interested in a particular plane, you should call the museum before you come. The planes fly to airshows and are not always in residence. On Saturday, August 4, 2012, the museum will host Northwest Classics. There will be antique cars, motorcycles, and, of course, airplanes on display. The event will kick off with a pancake breakfast at 7 am. There show will also include live music and a beer and wine garden.

For natural beauty, history, and fun, there is no better place to visit than Tillamook! You’ll need lots of time if you want to become acquainted with Tillamook.

Article written by Mary Boyer


View Larger Map

Additional information about the city of Tillamook.
http://www.beachconnection.net/news/tillaug072312_1210.php
http://www.tillamookair.com/index.html
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g52097-Activities-Tillamook_Oregon.html

Depoe Bay, Oregon The World’s Smallest Harbor

20 Friday Jul 2012

Posted by in Depoe Bay

≈ Leave a Comment

Tags

, , , , , ,

The picturesque village of Depoe Bay on the Oregon Coast is great place to visit. The coastline here is rocky with little to no beach. An enormous sea wall runs the length of the downtown. Depoe Bay has several distinctions. It has the world’s smallest natural harbor. Plus Depoe Bay claims to be the whale watching capital of the Oregon Coast – and with good reason. The natural features here, for instance Arch Rock, the spouting horns, and sea cliffs, and whales dominate life this community.

If you enter Depoe Bay from the north the first stop of interest is Arch Rock. This amazing arch in the ocean a short distance from shore is a natural wonder. Next are the spouting horns. Waves enter the lava beds and create pressure. The water squirts through small holes and shoots high into the air. During stormy weather water can shoot up to 60 feet into the air.

Children will enjoy visiting the Whale Watching Center is located in the central part of Depoe Bay. It has exhibits that explain whale behaviors and depict the history of whales. During winter and spring school breaks, the Whale Watching Spoken Here program places volunteers and good whale watching spots along the coast and Oregon Parks and Recreation Department park rangers are available at the Center to answer questions about whales. The Whale Watching Center also has a free theater showing whale movies.

Just past the Whale Watching Center you will find the harbor where you can join one of the whale watching tours. Depoe Bay is fortunate to have a pod of grey whales that lives in the bay for 10 months each year. In addition to grey whales, you might also see Orcas, Minke, Humpback, Blue, and Sperm whales. These tours normally take about one and a half hours. As you head out to the open ocean to view the whales, you will also have the opportunity to see harbor porpoises, sea lions, bald eagles, seals and sea otters. Most of these tours are appropriate for children. At the harbor you can also make arrangements to go deep sea fishing. You can fish for Ling Cod and 20 varieties of tasty rockfish all year around. However, Chinook and Coho Salmon, Halibut, Albacore Tuna and Dungeness crabbing all have specific seasons.

At the south end of Depoe Bay you’ll find Rocky Creek State Wayside. The rocky shoreline provides explosive wave action during storms. When the weather is calm, you can set on a bench at the ocean’s edge and look for whales that often play in Whale Cove. This park has breath taking views, but be sure to stay behind the vegetation line. Powerful waves can sweep you off the cliffs and onto the rocks below. Be especially watchful of children.

Bring your whole family to visit Depoe Bay. The ocean, the whales, and the shops are waiting for you to come and explore.
Article written by Mary Boyer

For more information please check out these additional articles about Depoe Bay.
http://www.beachconnection.net/news/rockycreek071912_721.php
http://www.cityofdepoebay.org/
http://www.oregonstateparks.org/images/pdf/whale_watch_center.pdf
http://visittheoregoncoast.com/cities/depoe-bay/

Garibaldi on the Oregon Coast

13 Friday Jul 2012

Posted by in garibaldi

≈ Leave a Comment

Tags

, , , , , , ,

Have you ever been to Garibaldi on the Oregon Coast? Lucy Chien, who grew up in Oregon, but now lives in San Francisco, recently won Smithsonian magazine’s annual photo contest in the “Natural World” category. She and her husband were clamming on the beach at Garibaldi on the Oregon Coast when she was inspired to place one of the clams on a rock in hopes of getting a good picture. The clam opened its shell and began to push itself off the rock. That’s when Lucy got the prize winning shot.

Garibaldi is tiny port on the shore or Tillamook Bay. Five types of clams can be found here: butter, cockle, gaper, softshell, and razor. People over 14 years of age need to buy a license, which currently costs only $7.00. That’s for an entire year of clamming and crabbing! Clamming is not the only activity on its quiet beaches. You can also fish from the shore, go crabbing, or charter a fishing boat and go deep sea fishing for halibut, tuna, or salmon. There is also terrific salmon and steelhead fishing in the streams that empty into the Bay. Almost anything you want for clamming, crabbing, or fishing can be rented in Garibaldi.

Clams dug from the flats on a low tide adjacent to the Garibaldi Pier and historic Coast Guard station.

There are four motels in Garibaldi. Garibaldi House, a 50 room motel, has been the recipient of Tripadvisor® Certificate of Excellence Award in both 2010 and 2011! It has the friendly feeling of a good bed and breakfast. This is a great place to make the center of your vacation.

The ocean activities are not the only recreation available in Garibaldi. There are some wonderful spots for bird watching. Migratory birds stop on their way going north and south. However there are many species of birds that make their home year-a-round in this area. Some of these are bald eagles, gulls, falcons, and blue and green heron.

One of the surprising things that you will find in Garibaldi is the Garibaldi Museum. The Garibaldi Museum attempts to conserve the maritime heritage of the Pacific Northwest. It especially focuses on Captain Robert Gray and his historical vessels, the Lady Washington and the Columbia Rediviva. The museum contains models of the two ships, as well as, reproductions clothing and musical instruments used by seamen.

Only ten miles to the south of Garibaldi you will find Tillamook with the famous Tillamook Cheese Factory and the Tillamook Air Museum. A short distance to the north you will find the charming town of Cannon Beach, with Haystack Rock that dominating its beach.

There are so many activities located in and near Garibaldi that you cannot take them all in during a single trip.
Article written by Mary Boyer

For more great information about Garibaldi, Oregon check out these additional articles.
http://www.tillamookheadlightherald.com/news/article_eec5b8a8-cc35-11e1-a6ba-001a4bcf887a.html

http://www.oregonlive.com/foodday/index.ssf/2011/05/to_the_coast_in_search_of_clam.html

http://visittheoregoncoast.com/cities/garibaldi/

Memaloose Point Boat Launch – Tillamook County Parks Launch Ramp

14 Saturday Jan 2012

Posted by in Boat Launch, fishing, Outdoor Location

≈ Leave a Comment

Tags

, , , , , , , ,

The Memaloose Point Boat Launch is a great location to launch a boat into the Tillamook bay to go fishing in the bay or adjacent rivers. When the salmon and steelhead fishing is going strong in the Tillamook Bay then this launch ramp will be full of trailers and boats like the picture in the Google street view or completly empty like the pictures in our album from the day we stopped by this boat launch. There is a pay station so make sure and pay for your boat and trailer to launch at this location. It is not manned so just put your money in the envelope and drop it in. This ramp being just outside of Tillamook is perfect for anyone that is traveling from Portland using Hwy 26. As you leave Portland take the slight left that leads to Hwy 6 which is the Wilson River road. Once inside Tillamook take a left on Main Ave which is Hwy 101 S. Take a right onto 3rd street towards Netarts. This will wind around out of town and you will want to take a right onto Bay Ocean and continue down Bay Ocean with the water on your right and the ramp will be on your right in about 1.5 miles.

The ramp has two lanes and lots of parking for trucks and trailers. Check out this location if you are looking for a great place to launch and go fishing. If you like to kayak and do sight seeing then this is a good choice during non peak fishing season as the ramp will not be congested and you can enjoy a nice peaceful day on the Tillamook bay pending the weather behaves.

For directions to get here click on the Google Street view map below. Obviously the fishing was pretty good the time the Google Street view car and camera went by the boat ramp.


View Larger Map