Prepare to get ready

   I have lived in Oregon for 11 years, and I fish every chance I get. My line has been wet at countless locations across the state, yet I cant remember the last time that I fished somewhere for the first time. It has been years now I think, and I have fallen into a routine of familiar water and calculated rates of success.So to say that I am excited about the Esmond Lake trip, would be an understatement.

   I decided to limit the distance I travel from Eugene to fish by using natural borders. The Santiam and Yaquina Rivers in the North to the North Umpqua in the South and from the Pacific Crest Trail in the Cascades to the Pacific Coast of Oregon. This creates a tidy 100 square mile box with Eugene right in the middle.

   Rusty and I have planned on spending March 7,8 & 9 in the Smith River area. From Eugene this is our backyard to the West, and its big. Although I have traveled many miles of road along the Smith, I am embarrassed to admit I have never fished in the area at all. My previous adventures have been in pursuit of fall game birds and wild mushrooms. Since I can find only one lake between Eugene and the coast, Rusty and I are going to take this opportunity to check it off the map.

   The 3 day weekend will allow plenty of time to explore future fishing possibilities as well. Esmond is the only lake I can find out there, but the area is covered with creeks and tributaries of the Smith. There are quite a few ODFW special regulations concerning the Smith River system, and appears that much of it is closed until May 24th. I will be doing much more research into fishing this River.

   So far Esmond Lake fits all my criteria for an Oregon Fishing Weekend. It is open for fishing with artificial flys and lures per ODFW, I have never fished there before, and it is well within my geographical boundaries. That really just leaves the matter of the budget.

 Rusty and I have been fishing together for many years, both of us are easily entertained, and have mountains of gear. This is good because after purchasing 2014 ODFW license, tags and permits I am all but out of cash. So the budget for this trip will be the least amount of money possible, split two ways. I will keep an accounting and document it in my trip summary.

  I'm off now to gather up gear, pour through tackle, and round up supplies. More soon to come....