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Bass, trout fishing offer best catches
Compiled by The News-Review Smallmouth bass fishing in the South Umpqua River and trout fishing in some high lakes and streams offer the best catches for anglers.
FISHING REPORT
Night fishing for bass has been steady at Lake Moomaw, reports Larry Andrews at the Bait Place. Trollers are pulling good numbers of trout from depths of 35 feet and more, but few of the trout are large enough to keep.
Recreation opportunities abound at Mount Hood
She's a lurker. Mount Hood, the craggiest and mightiest of the Oregon Cascades, is a rock-and-ice presence that, on many days, you feel...
FISHING FORECAST | TOM HIGGINS
Offshore trolling offers the best opportunity for action in the Carolinas. Parties fishing out of one marina, Hatteras Harbor, boated and released 26 billfish.
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That scene alone was worth the trip.
South Twin is one in a string of lakes that lie east of the crest of the Oregon Cascades. Because the lakes are at snowprone elevations of 4,300 to 6,300 feet, most visitors come to swim and play between Memorial Day and Labor Day. But from early September to mid-October, the lakes are gloriously uncrowded, the trout are hungry, and the days are typically warm and sunny.
You can explore the area on a 90-mile loop drive on Cascade Lakes Highway starting at Bend. About 23 miles from Bend, just past the turnoff to Mt. Bachelor Ski Area, look for a sign for Todd Lake on the right; you can walk the level trail around the lake, or launch a canoe or raft and try fishing. Continuing on Cascade Lakes Highway, you'll next come to shallow Sparks Lake, which offers spectacular mountain views, easy canoeing, fly-fishing, and short hiking trails on its east side. Just to the northwest, deep-turquoise Devils Lake invites wading along its sandy shores and is a good spot for picnicking.
Elk Lake is popular for sailing and windsurfing as well as fishing. The lodge at Elk Lake Resort houses a restaurant and a store that rents motorboats, canoes, rowboats, and paddleboats. The lodge is also close to nearby Hosmer Lake.
Lava Lake and Little Lava Lake are best known for their fishing. Lava Lake Lodge has a small RV park, and its store rents canoes, paddleboats, and motorboats. There's more action at Cultus Lake, the only lake on the loop that allows waterskiing and one of the few with sandy beaches. Cultus Lake Resort has a restaurant, store, and cabin-style duplexes with fireplaces; some units have kitchens. For a more secluded setting, head to neighboring Little Cultus Lake.
Continuing south on Cascade Lakes Highway, watch for signs for the Osprey Observation Point, where a 1/4-mile trail leads to a good bird-watching spot near Crane Prairie Reservoir. About 3 miles farther south, turn east onto Forest Road 42 to continue the loop. Signs guide you north to Crane Prairie Resort, which offers RV camping as well as a store that caters mainly to anglers.
South of ER. 42 lie quiet North and South Twin Lakes. Overlooking the south sibling, Twin Lakes Resort has charming log cabins, RV camping, a cafe and store, and rental boats. No motorboats are allowed on these lakes, but you can rent one or use your own on nearby Wickiup Reservoir. To complete the loop, continue east on . 42 for about 20 miles to Sunriver and . Highway 97.
Where to stay
Elk Lake Resort, $69-$129; (541) 317-2994.
Cultus Lake Resort, $52-$89; 389-5125 (at the tone, dial 037-244).
Crane Prairie Resort, $20 for RVs; 383-3939.
Twin Lakes Resort, $40-$108; 593-6526.
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