Kayaking The Siletz River

September 14, 2007

By Noreen Wineland

Standing on the dock of D Lake in Lincoln City, wishing we hadn’t left our jackets in the car, my niece and I couldn’t help but feel discouraged. Our plan was clearly falling apart. Being novice kayakers, we knew that we wouldn’t be able to paddle our way across the wind-whipped water, at least not while having fun. As a back-up plan, we decided to try the Siletz River. With some good advice from a nice gentleman at the Siletz Moorage just off Highway 101, we went up river about 14 miles. We found a great place to launch at Strome Park. Even this far up river, the tides influence the trip. We had noted the tide was out when we left 101 so we headed west toward the ocean to go against the incoming tide while we were still fresh.

Strome Park, in Lincoln County, provided a great place to park, use the facilities and launch the kayaks. The day was overcast but very warm (perfect weather as far as we were concerned). The boat launch provided easy access for the kayaks.

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Five Favorite Sailing Spots in Oregon

June 11, 2007


Jill Andrick lives on a 25’ sailboat in North Portland, and is always ready to go boating on Oregon’s world-class waterways - whether by sail or canoe.

The Columbia around Portland
Portland has the largest population of sailboats in Oregon, and many Portland sailors like to cruise back and forth from the Interstate Bridge to the east end of Government Island. The summer prevailing winds, out of the northwest, are ideal for sailing upstream; you can tack all the way home. There are awesome views of Mt. Hood on a clear day, and Government Island has several good anchorages for overnight stays and lunch stops.

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Five Favorite Fishing Spots in Oregon

June 6, 2007


Henry Miller is the outdoor editor for the Salem Statesman Journal. He has been fishing the rivers, lakes and coastline of Oregon for 20 years; his biggest fish to date is a 44 pound ling cod caught on a charter out of Newport.


Wallowa Lake
Flanked by the Eagle Cap Wilderness and the Wallowa Mountains, there arguably is no more scenic fishing lake in Oregon than Wallowa Lake near Joseph. Its crystalline waters are stocked with rainbow trout during the tourist season, but also has a good self-sustaining population of kokanee—a landlocked variety of sockeye salmon. If you’re at Wallowa around Labor Day, you can watch the kokes in full scarlet and green spawning colors swim out of the lake and up the Wallowa River.

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Five Favorite Paddle Trips in Oregon

May 17, 2007


Travis Williams is Executive Director of Willamette Riverkeeper. He knows the Willamette almost by heart, and has paddled many of Oregon’s other rivers, lakes, and estuaries.

John Day River
The allure of the John Day—one of America’s longest undimmed rivers—can be found in its solitude. With the sound of rushing water in the background, one might awake in their tent in early May to the sound of a colorful Bullock’s Oriole working the tops of the pine trees for food as the morning sun shines off of the basalt canyons. The John Day is prized by those seeking a multi-day river journey on one of Oregon’s Wild and Scenic Rivers.

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Five Favorite Waterski /Wakeboard Spots in Oregon

May 11, 2007

Oregon has a multitude of first-rate waterways well-suited for every water sport imaginable. We have teamed up with the Oregon State Marine Board to explore and share our favorite waterways. Be sure to tune in for future stories about boating in Oregon!

Shawn Karambelas grew up on upper Willamette River; waterskiing every morning and night for more than 15 summers. He’s made a career from his love of water sports, owning and operating SK Northwest.

Upper Willamette River near Champoeg State Park
Some of the best smooth water in the state is on the Upper Willamette River from Newberg down to the Boones Ferry Landing. This area north and south of the I-5 Bridge is often referred to as “wakeboard alley”. (Wakeboarders take note: please avoid operation near developed shorelines. You are responsible for damage caused by your wake.) The earlier you are on the water, the more glass-like water there is to carve. This stretch of river doesn’t have much beach front, but Champoeg State Park has a nice dock to tie up against for lunch or to use the restroom facilities up top.

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