Plan Your Trip Pacific Northwest Outdoors - Washington, Oregon and the Pacific Northwest - page 90

Oregon
There are other first-class wind-sport sites, especially on the Oregon Coast. These in-
clude the South Jetty at Fort Stevens State Park (in Astoria), Floras Lake (outside Port
Orford) and Pistol River State Park (between Gold Beach and Brookings); the last hosts
the Pistol River Wave Bash, a competition that takes place in June. Sauvie Island, near
Portland, is a great place to learn.
Washington
In Washington, Jetty Island in the Seattle area has world-class kiteboarding and is one of
the top places for beginners, as is Lake Washington. Other outstanding places are Lake
Wenatchee and Bellingham Bay.
British Columbia
The beaches of Kitsilano in Vancouver are popular launching points for urban wind-
surfers, while breezy Squamish Spit, 40 miles north, is BC's favorite spot to catch some
kiteboarding wind. Tofino, on Vancouver Island's west coast, is the province's surf cent-
ral, with dozens of operators (best for advanced kiteboarders).
Fishing
The waterways of the Olympic Peninsula, such as the Hoh, Queets and Elwha, are re-
garded as some of the best salmon rivers in the world. North of Seattle, the Sauk and Sk-
agit Rivers are famous for winter steelhead. Saltwater fishing in Westport, Ilwaco and
Puget Sound is revered by anglers.
The Deschutes River near Bend is famous for its trout and steelhead. Close to Rose-
burg, the North Umpqua - with 33 miles of river set aside for fishing - is touted for sum-
mer steelhead and small-mouth bass, along with its fall salmon runs. Other steelhead
rivers are the Rogue, Sandy and Clackamas, while the McKenzie is home to trout and
salmon. The John Day is great for small-mouth and large-mouth bass, and the mighty
Columbia is hard to beat for its salmon and sturgeon.
On the coast, Tillamook Bay is a prime spot for salmon because several large runs
converge here. Up and down the coast, however, are opportunities to hook some albacore
tuna, rockfish and halibut.
The Thompson and Skeena Rivers have made names for themselves with their plenti-
ful salmon and steelhead. Near Vancouver, the Pitt River is known for its trout varieties.
Over on the Sunshine Coast, the fruitful lakes and inlets are popular with anglers.