Join Us for the Day or Camp for the Weekend

Day Trip: Thursday, September 10 | Laurance Lake Parking area (Meet @ 8:00am)

Camping:  Kinnikinnick Campground

Join Fishmaster Dan Gauge for a beautiful day on one of Oregon's most beautiful and productive mountain lakes. You can extend your stay into the weekend tent-camping at Kinnikinnick Campground.

Either way, come ready to fish, learn, explore, and enjoy time together on the water.

Two Ways to Join the Outing

Option 1: Thursday Day Trip

Come for the day on Thursday, September 10. We’ll meet in the morning at the parking area. Set up rods, go over safety and fishing plans, then head out for a day on the lake. Bring $10 to park in the day use area. Note: The Northwest Forest Pass or Interagency Pass is not accepted here. 

Option 2: Extend your trip with Lake side Camping

Turn the outing into a full weekend adventure by reserving a tent campsite at Kinnikinnick Campground.

Kinnikinnick Campground sites are reservable online through Recreation.gov. Roughly half of the sites are first-come, first-served.

Reserve your Kinnikinnick Campground tent/RV site here:
Kinnikinnick (Laurance Lake) Campground, Mt. Hood National Forest - Recreation.gov

Dan Gauger, your Fishmaster, will meet everyone in the parking area for orientation, and group check-ins.

Saturday Tentative Itinerary

Main gathering location: Parking area at the lake.

Google Map location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/GLJmf6oytpHj963z7

Meeting locations and times are subject to change. Please RSVP so dan can contact you if plans are updated.

Fishing Plan

September is a prime time for trout at Laurance Lake, located near Parkdale, OR. As the waters cool, fish become highly active. The lake is restricted to artificial flies and lures only and has a strict catch-and-release mandate for wild trout.

Target the mouths of tributary streams and drop-offs with a 3 to 5-weight rod using Callibaetis nymphs, chironomids, or wooly buggers on a floating or intermediate sink-tip line.

The Columbia Gorge can produce fierce, localized winds here, which can make float-tubing difficult. Bring an intermediate line to get your fly below the surface chop on breezy days.

Recommended setup:

• Rods: 4-weight to 6-weight, 9 to 10-foot fly rod.
  

• Lines: A floating line for dry flies/indicators and an intermediate or slow-sinking line to strip streamers off the drop-offs.
  

• Tippet/Leader: 3x or 4x fluorocarbon leaders, roughly 9 to 12 feet long
  

• Flies: 
• Streamers: Slow-stripped Woolly Buggers (olive or black), Hale Bopp Leeches, or Balanced Leeches are excellent for both active trout and the resident Bull trout.
• Nymphs & Chironomids: Callibaetis nymphs and chironomids fished under a strike indicator just off the lake bottom.
  
• Dries: Be ready for Blue-Winged Olives (BWOs) on overcast days, or throw terrestrials like hoppers along the grassy banks before the water gets too windy
  

• Hot Spots: Target the drop-offs and transitions from shallows to deep water. The creek mouths (like Clear Branch Creek) are highly productive, though you must respect the restricted areas clearly marked by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife.

RSVP Required

If you plan to attend, please fill out registration button above (top of this page), or email dgauger@gmail.com with the following information:

1. Your name

2. Names of anyone coming with you

3. Your cell phone number

4. Emergency contact name

5. Emergency contact phone number

6. Are you joining the Thursday day trip or camping for the weekend?

7. If camping, what campsite did you reserve?

RSVPs help us plan, communicate any changes, and keep everyone accounted for during the outing.

Safety

For emergencies, aside from calling 911 when in cell coverage, please take note of the following information:

Nearest Regional Hospitals:

•  Providence Hood River Memorial Hospital, 810 12th St, Hood River, OR 97031. (541) 386-3911

Email dgauger@gmail.com if you have any questions.

See you on the water!

Cheers,
Dan Gauger
Fishmaster, Laurance Lake Outing