Travel To Portland

Fishing for Sturgeon in the Columbia River

admin — Thu, 26 May 2011 00:00:00 +0000

The Columbia River offers excellent sturgeon fishing with several varieties of sturgeon. Whether you are lookinf for white sturgeon, green sturgeon, trophy sturgeon, or keeper sturgeon you can find them all at the Columbia River in Oregon. The sturgeon run from February to July, with the later months being the best for a good size fish. From May through July you can find sturgeon in waters as shallow as 7 feet, and this makes for a spectacular sight. Especially since there is no way for the fish to go but up, and it is not uncommon to see “tail-walking” sturgeon on top of the River. They try very hard to shake the hooks. Usually it is best if you use a 5/0 or a 6/0.

The sturgeon is similar in taste and texture to a halibut, and as you can imagine, with fish of this size you get quite a few meals from just one fish. To keep a sturgeon, it has to be between 38 – 54 inches in length. It is not hard to catch your limit, and even those you have to throw back are worth the action. If you like fishing, the sturgeon on the Columbia River are one opportunity you do not want to miss!

Fishing For King Salmon in the Columbia River

admin — Thu, 12 May 2011 00:00:00 +0000

When searching for things to do in the Pacific Northwest, you can’t pass up the opportunity to fish for King salmon in the Columbia River. The Columbia River runs the border of Oregon and Washington and boasts some of the best sport fishing in the world. One of the most popular fish in this region is the King salmon. The King salmon can be a large fish. They can be found up to 60 pounds in the Columbia River.

It is important to be informed before planning a salmon fishing expedition due to many complex regulations and a variety of different seasons. The best conditions for King salmon fishing are fast currents and overcast, rainy weather. It might be wise to go with one of the many professional fishing service guides in the area. Whether you are a complete novice or a seasoned veteran fisherman, a guide service offers a variety of trips that will cater to your needs and wants. Everything you need from the boat to the poles and bait are provided. The professional guides know exactly where to go, when to go and what techniques are best to make your fishing trip a safe and memorable experience.

Best Time of Day to Fish in The Columbia River

admin — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 00:00:00 +0000

When you are ready to drop a line in the Columbia River, first take into account things such as tempurate, tide, storm patterns and fish habits. Looking at and understanding these variables are key to a successful fishing venture. The Columbia is great for steelhead, sturgeon, chinook, kokanee, and shad. Whatever your fishing pleasure, you are sure to find it here.

The best time of day to fish is in the early to mid-morning hours or in late afternoon to early evening. The sun has not generated a large amount of heat at these times, and the waters are cooler so fish come up to feed. When the water gets to warm, the fish will recede from the shallows to deeper water making it more difficult to catch them. If at all possible, go fishing on a cloudy day. The sunlight is less intense and fish remain in the shallows for longer periods of time.

Fishing activity has been very high on the Columbia River the past few days. Fish schools seem to be coming up around 1 – 3 am, and then again from 7 – 8 am in the morning. The best times in the afternoon appear to be between 2 – 4 pm, and again from 9 – 10 pm at night.

An opportunity not to be missed.

admin — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Located just south of the state of Washington is Portland, Oregon. Although this is a heavily populated metropolitan area, Oregon has more than its share of parks and gardens for you to enjoy. There are lots of activities to entertain you with in Oregon, whether its the spending time in the Japanese garden when the weather is good, or strolling through a local museum, you will be pleasantly surprised.After engaging your adt security system, you can head to the Portland Farmers Market, where the produce is always fresh and the conversation very lively. With a carnival like atmosphere, the Portland Saturday market offers you anything from arts and craft,s to games for adults and kids alike. Check out the popular Oregon zoo,where the animals can range from the Black Bear to the Bald Eagle to the Green Anaconda. Prices are very reasonable and it is recommended for all ages.The Pittock Mansion is another favorite among visitors to Oregon and with so much history about the pioneers of this state, this is an opportunity that should not be missed. Make sure you stop by the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry, where science comes alive in about five different halls. Children under seventeen are admitted free.

Voodoo Doughnut works its magic on Portland

www.travel2portland.com — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 20:16:41 +0000

It’s doubtful that any independent donut shop could compete with Portland’s Voodoo Doughnut shops in terms of popularity. Furthermore, even most chains haven’t achieved the same sort of pop-culture recognition that Voodoo Doughnut has. Featured in shows like Anthony Bourdain’s No Reservations, Man v. Food, and Attack of the Show, Voodoo Doughnut was also featured as a destination in The Amazing Race and even made an appearance on The Simpsons 20^th Anniversary Special In 3-D! On Ice! But just what is it that makes the Voodoo Doughnut shop so special? Before even getting to the menu, one answer might be the pride that Portlanders take in it. Mayor Tom Potter made the Portland Cream (a Bavarian-cream-filled donut with chocolate frosting and two eyes) the “Official City Doughnut” in 2008, and thanked the owners for providing jobs and pride to Portlanders. Another unique feature is the alternative service Voodoo Doughnut offers: legal weddings. If you’ve ever wanted to tie the knot with a donut party for reception, this is probably your best bet.Of course, the most attractive part of the Voodoo Doughnut shop is its nihilistic menu, which seems to have no limits. Well, that’s not quite trueboth the NyQuil Glazed doughnut and the Vanilla Pepto Crushed Tums doughnut were discontinued due to intervention by local health officials. The remaining menu is by turns vulgar and charming, including monstrosities like the Bacon-Maple bar and Mango Tango (filled with mango jelly and topped with vanilla frosting and Tang). The signature Voodoo Doll doughnut is the de facto mascot for the shopa cartoonish chocolate covered doll filled with raspberry jelly and impaled by a pretzel stick.Whether you’re an adventurous eater or just an appreciator of oddities, Voodoo Doughnut is a must-see for any Portland traveler, as well as one that will stay in your mind (and on your tongue) for long after your visit.

Portland Art Museum is a masterpiece

www.travel2portland.com — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 20:06:42 +0000

Aesthetic tastes have changed over the decades, but for more than 100 years, one thing has remained constant in Portland’s art world: the Portland Art Museum. Founded in 1982, it is the oldest museum on the West Coast and the 7^th oldest across America. Not content with just one record, the Museum also stands at 240,000 square feet as one of the 25 largest art museums in America.Beginning with an exhibition of casts of Greek and Roman sculptures, the museum added a painting by Childe Hassam in 1908 and hosted an exhibition of modern art by painters like Cezanne, Van Gogh, Gauguin, and others in 1913. This helped set a standard for the museum’s exhibitions: introducing modern artists in the prime of their work. One of the museum’s current exhibitions, “The Bible Illuminated: R. Crumb’s Book of Genesis” is centered around alternative comic artist R. Crumb’s re-imagining of the first book of the Bible. Another exhibition is showcasing Mark Grotjahn’s abstract nine-part piece Untitled (Dancing Black Butterflies). Some exhibitions also pay tribute to the history of art in the Pacific Northwest, such as retrospectives on artist Lee Kelly as well as railroad magnate Edwin Bryant Crocker’s personal collection of European drawings.Admission to the museum is 12 for adults and free for children 17 and under, with discounts for seniors and college students. You can also become a museum member and get free admission. The museum is also deeply committed to art education in the surrounding community, with a series of podcasts, videos, and always-changing community programs and tours. Check the calendar often to see what’s coming up next, and plan your Portland visit accordingly. Trust usthis museum is one piece of art you won’t want to miss.

Moving to Portland? Know your neighborhoods

www.travel2portland.com — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 20:06:23 +0000

Spread out across its 145.4 square miles, Portland has a little something for everyone. Environmental activists, punk rockers, and families all coexist within the city, often combining into smaller communities. Overall, there are 95 official neighborhoods in the city, which are organized by the Office of Neighborhood Involvement. Depending on what you’re looking for, you’ll find your match within one of these communities.The neighborhoods are divided up into larger groups, which differ depending on whether you go by the ONI’s official divisions or a more casual system. For simplicity’s sake, you can look at Portland as divided into five sections: Southwest, Northwest, North, Northeast, and Southeast.The Southwest section contains downtown Portland, and thus is the cultural center of the city. You’ll find Portland City Hall, Portland State University, and the Wells Fargo Center (the tallest building in Oregon) here. Neighborhoods include Arnold Creek, Hillsdale, and Marshall Park.In the Northwest section, you’ll find the Pearl District (the old industrial neighborhoods of Portland) along with Old Town Chinatown. Buildings are packed very close together here, and you’ll find a variety of pubs and restaurants to whet your appetite here. Residential areas in this section include Forest Park, Hillside, and Willamette Heights.For variety, you can’t beat North Portland. Here, you’ll find pleasant housing, interesting shopping and businesses, and industrial organizations. The St. Johns Bridge connects North Poland with Northwest Poland. Arbor Lodge, Cathedral Park, and University Park (located nearby the University of Portland) are all found in this section.The Northeast corner of Portland has been historically divided between working-class and upper-class neighborhoods, but gentrification has complicated the traditional statistics. The Rose Quarter of the Northeast section is a big sports area, with both the Rose Garden (home of the Trail Blazers) and the Memorial Coliseum (home of the Winter Hawks) in its confines. You’ll find the Alameda, Grant Park, King, and Sullivan’s Gulch neighborhoods in the Northeast, among others.Finally, the Southeast is home to historical sites, subcultural communities, and even a volcano. Mt. Tabor is an extinct cinder cone that’s become a popular city park. The neighborhood also features Reed College, a liberal arts school that’s the only private undergraduate college with a nuclear reactor. Mill Park, Pleasant Valley, and Powellhurst-Gilbert are all in Southeast Portland. For a complete list of Portland neighborhoods, click here: http://www.portlandneighborhood.com/portland-neighborhoods.html.

Have your wedding in Portland with Charlotte’s

www.travel2portland.com — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 19:06:27 +0000

There are plenty of reasons to get married in Portland, even if you’re not a local. As the “greenest city in America,” there’ll be plenty of fresh air for your guests. With a thriving music and culture scene, your guests will have a fine time enjoying themselves after the festivities are over. Perhaps the best recommendation for a wedding in Portland, however, is that Charlotte’s Weddings and More will be there to help you out.Charlotte’s was started almost 20 years ago, back when it was run out of Charlotte Shumaker’s home with one designer. Their dedication to the bride and groom was always there, though, and ever since the shop became a full-service boutique in 1995, they have been earning accolades from both the press and satisfied customers. Bridal consultant Krysta McLaughlin took over the reins in 2007 when Shumaker retired, and has been staying true to the store’s tradition that nothing stays the same. New designers and rooms are being added all the time.Charlotte’s features almost 530 gowns for brides, bridesmaids, and other members of the wedding party to choose from. They can also select various accessories from designers including Erica Koesler, En Vogue, A.A. Bridal, and Bel Aire Bridal. Ordering invitations is also as simple as could be.The assistance provided by Charlotte’s Weddings doesn’t end simply at the design stage. Their blog offers advice on all aspects of the wedding process, from fitness tips to current trends to how to make that new piece of jewelry pop. With a wide selection of bridal consultants to choose from, you’re sure to find someone to connect with during your wedding planning experience. The result: a Portland wedding like you’ve never imagined, and one that will leave you free to explore the rest of the city long after your shopping is done.

Ainsworth Linear Arboretum shows off another green side of Portland

www.travel2portland.com — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 18:05:22 +0000

Portland has always been known for its close communities, gathered around the things they love. The two mile stretch of NE Ainsworth Street between NE Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Fernhill Park is no exception. On this street, you’ll find the NE Ainsworth Linear Arboretum, a one-of-a-kind “natural museum” made up of residents’ yards as well as city streets. The arboretum contains 60 different species of trees, and a lot of personal passion.In honor of Portland’s environmental consciousness, we recommend you take a stroll down the blocks rather than drive. That’s the only way to get the full experience that the Arboretum volunteersmostly members of Portland’s Friends of Trees initiativefirst envisioned five years ago. Nature and the city are not separated within the arboretum. Instead, numerous street trees provide shelter and beauty to the joggers, families, public transportation, and whatever else happens to be traveling down Ainsworth at the time.The Friends of Trees, who have been working around the Portland-Vancouver area since 1989, also planned the project as a means to rejuvenate the tree canopy of the city, which was being removed as old and diseased trees were cut down. The previous tree selection had also suffered by being too reliant on a single specieswhen Dutch elm disease struck a few years back, it destroyed many blocks of trees. With 75 new trees planted this yearspread out over 60 speciesthe Arboretum offers a way for visitors to see trees in their natural habitat that might otherwise have gone unnoticed. Among the species found on the Ainsworth stretch are the Paperbark Maple, the Japanese Hornbeam, the Chinese Dogwood, and the Natchez Crapemyrtle. Whether you’re a local or a visitor, the Ainsworth Linear Arboretum offers a unique and symbolic look at the streets of Portland.