Late Summer Fishing Tips on Oregon’s Adventure Coast

08/03/2010

Photo From Fishing Oregon's Adventure Coast

Love to fish?  Sport fishing is a popular outdoor recreation activity and the Oregon Coast has a bounty of incredible fishing options. Fishermen can venture offshore for salmon, halibut, Albacore tuna and a variety of bottomfish – from lingcod, to rockfish, to flatfish.

Here are some tips and resources to help you plan your fishing trip along the Oregon Coast!

  • Visit www.fishingcoosbay.com to get current weather and water condition updates and stay up to date on the newest rules and regulations.
  • For more fishing season information rules & regulations and license requirements check with the  Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife.
  • Check with local tackle and bait shops for local information about specific seasons, catch limits and conditions.  Find these businesses at www.baitnet.com
  • Contact one of our local charter fishing operators and/or experienced fishing guides for more local information:

More Tips:

Albacore tuna tend to be offshore from mid summer through early fall and Bottomfish are available year around – weather permitting – and a charter trip usually ends with an ice chest full of fish.

Oregon’s bay area also offers several unique fisheries; surf fishing from local beaches for striped bass and surf perch and in-bay fishing for White sturgeon. The best information about these fishing opportunities is available from local tackle shops

7/22/2010 Fishing Report from www.fishingcoosbay.com

Bottom fishing can’t be beat. Charters from Charleston and Bandon have continued to send people home with their limits in fish. All trips have been selling out, so if you want to go, book well in advance.

That said, over the past week, big winds have forced charter boat operators to cancel a few trips. What’s up with the wind anyway? At times, it’s blown hard in the morning and quieted in the afternoon. Recreational fishermen who’ve had to stay in the bay, have been catching mostly black rockfish.

The weekend outlook for fishing in the bay is good. Herring moved in Wednesday. They’re good-sized, too, according to Matt at Fishermen’s Wharf. If there’s bait in the bay, there will be more fish. Salmon fishing is slow, despite decent conditions and tuna is far offshore (100-120 miles). Sport boats may get lucky and catch a few in closer to shore, but the commercial boats have followed the tuna wave north toward Newport.

Crabbing is improving from the docks, now that the minus tides are gone. Crabbing in the bay is improving, too. Commercial crabbing has been slow, and that prompted Fishermen’s Wharf to fly in some Maine lobster today to add to its stock. The Crab Shack has some crab, and it’s stocking spot shrimp now, too.

Visit the following sites for more information:

Charleston Marina and Launch Ramp

Oregon Outdoor Radio Show with Richard DeChambeau

Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife

The Fin – Oregon Fishing Reports

Amato Publications – Many books & videos on Coastal Recreational Hunting and Fishing

Scott Haugen – Outdoor Writer and Photographer



By AmyD | Posted in Charleston, Coos Bay, Environmental News, Local Features, Local Secrets, Oregon Coast Fishing | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments (0)

Oregon Coast Music Festival and North Bend July Jubilee are the Featured Oregon’s Adventure Coast Events This Month

07/06/2010

Now that that  the 2010 4th of July Weekend has come and gone (which by the way, this year was one of the best in recent memory!) visitors might be wondering what else is happening in our lively region.

During the summer, the cities of Coos Bay, North Bend, and Charleston host great events that attract visitors all over the Pacific Northwest.  When planning your vacation, be sure to utilize Oregon’s Adventure Coast as your guide to beaches, restaurants, shopping, local attractions – and events!

We continuously update and post events in our Events Section and on our Facebook Page- so be sure to check back frequently so you don’t miss out!

This month brings us the North Bend July Jubilee: July 16 &17, 2010. North Bend is throwing the biggest birthday party in town- and you are invited!   Various family friendly events are happening all over town July 16 & 17 including storytelling, guided historical walks, an African Drum and Dance Ensemble, Show-n-Shine, Car Cruise, Performances by The Little Theatre on the Bay, great food, music and more!  Contact the North Bend Visitor Center for more information at 541-756-4613 or 1-800-472-9176.

Also this month, the 32nd Annual Oregon Coast Music Festival! Everyone is buzzing about this event that officially kicks off  with a free Opening Day Event on July 17 at Mingus Park with the Bay Area Concert Band.

This annual summer festival occurs in various venues through July 31 and features performances in a multitude of musical styles that reflects the diverse musical tastes of our community: jazz, traditional, Native American, blues, Celtic, chamber, and features our 80-piece symphony orchestra made up of outstanding musicians from all across the country.

By AmyD | Posted in Events | Tagged , , , , | Comments (0)

Southern Oregon WATER Adventure

07/06/2010

Southern Oregon has a bounty of beaches, lakes and rivers to enjoy and July/August is the perfect time to take it all in. Travel Oregon has put together the utimate guide for water lovers visiting the Oregon Coast. Adventure seekers looking for something different come to the Oregon Coast for our fishing, beaches, views of the Pacific and more.

The Southern Oregon WATER Adventure features the best river and ocean adventure in the Pacific Northwest with recommendations for jet boating, hiking, fishing, horseback riding on the beach and more . Download your copy here; or visit our page for more itineraries that feature the best of the Oregon Coast. The resources listed in our site are ideal if you are traveling with a group and need an organized excursion; or if you just like to have someone map it out for you (after all, you’re on vacation). If you have ideas on other half and full day itineraries, please let us know!

Photo Credit: Scott Shelli Peters who submitted this beautiful photo on our Facebook page!

By AmyD | Posted in Featured Itineraries, Local Features, Local Secrets, Oregon Coast Fishing, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments (0)

Make Your Travel Plans Now to Attend the Oregon Coast Music Festival

06/14/2010

Music Festival Kicks Off July 17!

Poster Artist Jerry Baron

The 32nd Annual Oregon Coast Music Festival officially kicks off in Coos Bay, Oregon next month and the free Opening Day Event is scheduled to begin at 12pm on July 17 at Mingus Park with the Bay Area Concert Band.

Concert goers will enjoy wine, food, and wonderful music to start the celebration.  This annual summer festival features performances in a multitude of musical styles that reflects the diverse musical tastes of our community: jazz, traditional, Native American, blues, Celtic, chamber, and features our 80-piece symphony orchestra made up of outstanding musicians from all across the country.

The festival builds in popularity each year and is getting noticed by critics. Here are some of the reviews of the event from previous years:

“Coos Bay may be a long way from Portland or San Francisco, but the concerts of the Oregon Coast Music Festival rival the best heard in the bigger cities. Live orchestral classical music performed before a regional audience is a rare cultural jewel. It deserves our respect and support.” -Keith Henty, JEFFERSON PUBLIC RADIO

“The concert was wonderful — really quite an amazing performance. This was the third time I’ve been down to hear the OCMA orchestra, and the repertoire is always interesting, the performances spirited, and the auditorium an infinitely remarkable place to hear such music. Your festival and its orchestra are real gems.“-Peter Dammann, Producer PORTLAND WATERFRONT BLUES FESTIVAL

The festival runs through July 31 has multiple dates and venues that include Marshfield Auditorium, Mingus Park, Shore Acres State Park, The Mill Casino, OIMB Boathouse, Black Market Gourmet and Hales Center. To see the full event schedule and to get ticket information, visit www.oregoncoastmusic.com

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Did you know the Oregon Coast Music Festival…

  • Attracts over 5,000 total patrons annually to concerts in Coos Bay, North Bend, Bandon, Shore Acres and Charleston.
  • Is the only festival of its kind in southwestern Oregon and features top caliber performing artists from throughout the United States.
  • Draws part of its audience from out-of-town, and to help boost the economy and popularity of Oregon’s Bay Area during the ten-day festival.
  • Has initiated a scholarship/musical instrument support program for promising young south coast musicians.

For more information about OCMF please call 541-267-0938 or toll free 1-877-897-9350

By AmyD | Posted in Events, Local Features | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments (0)

My Oregon Coast Adventure: “Antiquing” in Coos Bay, Oregon

05/28/2010

Every once in a while a visitor will contact us with their personal Oregon Coast Adventure story.  We love to receive these testimonials and invite you to send us yours! 

Here is an excert from an email we recieved from Marie H. in Eugene, Oregon.  Marie and her husband enjoy searching for treasures in antique stores- and there was no shortage during her visit earlier this month!

It is a little known secret that Coos Bay and North Bend  have some of the lovliest Antique stores on the Oregon Coast.  Be sure to use our shopping guide to help you explore these unique gems when you visit!

My husband and I love to go into towns big and small and spend time going through the antique stores. Over the years we have seen so many of them go from being interesting places with good finds,  into stores that carry the same old things. We have been disappointed in towns touted as a great place for antiques.
 
We were in Coos Bay to go to our new favorite section of the Oregon Coast and ended up walking around looking at antique stores. I was not sure what to expect but  we were both delighted with the variety of stores in Coos Bay. We went into Mossy Rose and were just floored by the authentic antique clothing from a number of periods. You can touch them and see how they were made and I loved that. Well worth finding that store. And if you go in make sure that you visit the very back room there is a little surprise there. Someone has a sense of humour.
 
We wove in and out of shops within about a 5 block area. There was a great home décor shop Katrina Kathleen’s Home Decor‎ with lots of fun and contemporary things to look at, I almost bought a ceramic rabbit, I wish I had now. Then we went into the Sincerely Yours! Antique Mall on South Broadway.  It is a consortium of individual dealers. Lots to look at and some really unique things.  I ended up buying some dessert dishes that I have not seen anywhere. I love them.  The people working there were fun and seem to know a thing or two.
Then we moved on to the Antique & Auction Co. of Southern Oregon. It was unbelievable, real antiques, tons of furniture, two floors of stuff. Not everything was amazing but I could easily have spent a half a day in there, poking through.  I fell in love with an upholstered chair that had beautiful carved dogs heads for arms. I have not been able to forget it and will probably go back and buy it if someone has not beaten me to it. This is the real thing, the kind of antique store you hope you can find.  Honestly I think it is worth the ride down all by itself but when you combine it with everything else in the area. The Coos Bay area has become one of our favorite places to visit.

Got a Story Idea?  Send us Your Oregon Coast Adventure Story to Share!  Visit our Contact Page for information!

By OregonKat | Posted in Coos Bay, Local Secrets | Tagged , , , , , | Comments (0)

Featured Oregon Coast Adventure: Explore the Cape Arago Beach Loop

05/26/2010

View from Shore Acres State Park

With so much to explore along the Southern Oregon Coast, we felt the need to create a series of itineraries to help Oregon Coast visitors make the most of their time here.  

The Cape Arago Beach Loop is a wonderful way to experience a variety of natural Pacific Coast beauty in a number of settings.  This loop will take you to beaches and state parks where you can take in the breathtaking vantage points and see the famous seals and sea lions on the Oregon Coast.  Be sure to dress comfortably and  bring your Camera!  What you will see:

  • Bastendorff Beach:Never crowded and always beautiful, Bastendorff Beach is a must see for beach enthusiasts.  
  • Sunset Bay State Park: Sunset Bay Park features beautiful sandy beaches protected by towering sea cliffs.
  • Cape Arago Lighthouse Viewpoint: There is no public access but there are great views from the viewpoint located on the Oregon Coast Trail.
  • Shore Acres State Park & Botanical Gardens: Shore Acres is an unexpected combination of beautiful natural and man-made features.
  • Simpson Beach You’ll find crashing waves, migrating whales, and views of hundreds of seals and sea lions and other wildlife. VERY IMPORTANT!  Please do not bother the seal pups you may find on the beach. They are not lost, only waiting for mom to return.
  • Shell Island Interpretive Stop Part of the Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge, Shell Island and the surrounding reefs provide breeding and rest areas for sea birds and Marine mammals.
  • Cape Arago State Park

How to Explore The Cape Arago Beach Loop
From Hwy 101, head west on Newmark Avenue (just south of the Mill Casino). Follow the road until you reach the Stop sign at the End, follow the signs and turn left onto Cape Arago Hwy. Follow this road, once you cross the bridge into Charleston, the road will fork; veer to the right to head for the docks, or veer to the left to follow the Cape Arago Beach Loop. This road will eventually loop back around. Enjoy the views and pull over often!

For Complete Details, Download our PDF Guide for the Cape Arago Beach Loop

Bonus! While you are on your adventure, be sure to stop and visit some of the local stores and markets you will find along the way.  Here are some of our top picks:

Cranberry Sweets:Candy and Gifts.  All candies are made by hand, using only the finest natural ingredients. Free samples of products are always in good supply. 1005 Newmark Ave Coos Bay, OR 97420

Chuck’s Seafood Fresh seafood and more….91135 Boat Basin Drive Charleston, OR 97420 (541) 888-5525

Fishermen’s Wharf :Floating Seafood Market Known for their Dungeness crab.  Charleston Boat Basin, Dock D Charleston, OR 97420

If you explore the Cape Arago Beach Loop and send us your feedback and photos on our blog or inFacebook!  We would love to hear about your experience and suggestions and ideas for future itineraries!

By AmyD | Posted in Featured Itineraries, Local Features | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Comments (0)

Coos Bay, Oregon Shines in PDX TV Segment!

05/18/2010
Portland, Oregon Television Reporter Chloe Houser from PDX TV featured Coos Bay, Oregon during her recent segment “Chloe’s Oregon Road Trip: Southern Oregon Coast, Coos Bay” (Click Link to Watch) where she invites viewers to plan a road trip to the Oregon Coast during their summer travels.

Coos Bay is noted in her piece for its natural beauty, tranquil beaches, the casino, and Oregon Dunes National Recreation area.   During her visit, she also stopped by The Mill Casino where she spoke with their Chef Dan Catanio and Ray Doering (click link to view video).

To take full advantage of our beautiful coast, we invite visitors to check out our great Getaway Specials together with an Adventure Coast Getaway Coupon Book – full of ways to save money during your trip. You will find hotel, motel, bed & breakfast properties and rv parks throughout the area. With a variety of amenities, location, and cost the choice is up to you.
Here is more from Chloe’s Travel Log:
If you’re looking for amazing scenery, and a drive that is as enjoyable as the destination, then the South Coast is definitely the destination you’re looking for!  Our first stop on the trip is about four hours south of Portland.  It’s a little town just off the ocean, but still right on the water, Coos Bay Oregon.

The Mill Casino was the first destination on our South Coast Road Trip.  Sitting right on the water in Coos Bay Oregon (which is actually a bay), The Mill Casino is housed in a building that actually used to be…you guessed it…an old lumber mill!  Now owned by the Coquille Indian Tribe, the Casino is also home to several restaurants a gaming floor and some fantastic accommodations.  A feature you should be on the lookout for, that we didn’t get to talk about in our PDX TV Reports segments is how educational information and artwork from the Coquille Tribe’s culture is woven into the Casino.  Dioramas depict the Tribe’s storytelling culture, and artwork in the lobby and in the rooms of the hotel are by local artists.

One absolute must try when you visit: Chef Dan is the man at The Mill Casino (sorry couldn’t resist)!  ;)  He made us the most amazing Cioppino at Plank House Restaurant the bowl was overflowing with crab, clams, prawns and underneath that, a savory tomato broth that would be fantastic all by itself!  Make sure you order extra garlic bread so you can sop up every last bite!

Coos Bay is also famous for amazing golfing and the Oregon Dunes, which are a huge attraction (literally).  If you’ve never seen sand dunes taller than a house undulating outward as far as the eye can see, then it’s worth a drive to Coos Bay just to check these out (even better if you have some sort of ATV to take a ride out on the dunes, but they’re pretty amazing to walk on too)!  Another nice thing about The Mill Casino is that they offer adventure packages that will get you a room at the casino and discounts on dining and attractions in Coos Bay!

After a four hour drive, eating amazing food, and checking out the sights, we were very glad to be staying in Coos Bay for the night.  One more insider tip: the beds at The Mill Casino are some of the most comfortable beds I’ve ever slept in!
By AmyD | Posted in Coos Bay, South Oregon Coast Buzz | Tagged , , , , , , | Comment (1)

The Oregon Coast Shipwrecks Exposed: The Sujameco on Horsfall Beach

04/12/2010
the-oregon-coast-shipwrecks-exposed-the-sujameco-on-horsfall-beach

Visitors to Horsfall Beach were treated to an extraordinary view this week of the remains of the steamship Sujameco that ran aground in March of 1929 in heavy fog.  High seas and low tides each winter help to expose portions of the shipwreck; but conditions this year have exposed the shipwreck from bow to stern- allowing visitors to catch the best views in years.

If you are visiting the Southern Oregon Coast this week- be sure to go by and see this piece of history for yourself!  To get there from North Bend: proceed north 1.5 miles to Transpacific Lane. Turn left and proceed 1 mile, turning right across railroad tracks. Travel 100 feet, turning right on Horsfall Beach Road. Proceed 3 miles to the Horsfall Beach Campground & Day Use Area.  The site of the Shipwreck is right by the last parking lot.

The Sujameco ran aground in 1929....Photo from the Coos County Historical Museum

View of the Sujameco Shipwreck now....Image Credit: KVAL- CBS 13

Here is a bit of history about the wreck.  To learn more about this and our other famous shipwrecks visit the Coos County Historical Museum

From The Wreck of the Sujameco story by Ann Koppy

…Submarine Boat Corporation of Newark, New Jersey designed and constructed the Sujameco for their fleet in 1920, but she was under charter to Transmarine Line, New York when she stranded. The 324′ Sujameco had left Newark in January. She was bound from San Francisco to Coos Bay in ballast with a crew of 32 men and officers…..

Captain John F. Carlson reported his position as fifty miles north of Cape Arago. Nevertheless, the U.S. Compass Station, a direction finder facility, reckoned he was close to the shoreline and advised him to change course. By then, the vessel was already in shallow water and couldn’t turn. She ran headfirst into the breakers and stayed in that position for eighteen hours. Waves then turned her broadside; she came to rest on the sandy beach, her bow pointing south. Captain Carlson later claimed he had steamed past the bar in thick fog, turned around, and was maneuvering south at full speed when the ship went aground….

The saga dragged on for several weeks…Most of the crew remained aboard for the duration, homesick and weary…..Finally, Lloyds of London, the underwriter, took over. The insurer had spent about $150,000 before selling the wreckage to Pacific Salvage Company in May.

The firm removed the engine, boilers, and everything else of value and left the hull to time and tide.

Much of the remainder was cut up for scrap metal during World War II to aid the war effort. Today, the site is easily accessible from the parking lot at Horsfall Beach in the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area. A short walk over the dune leads directly to this lonely, mute reminder of the hazards of coastal shipping.

By AmyD | Posted in Coos Bay, Local Features, South Oregon Coast Buzz | Tagged , , , , , | Comments (3)

Time to Hit the Amazing Oregon Coast Sand Dunes…

03/24/2010
time-to-hit-the-amazing-oregon-coast-sand-dunes

The weather is getting warmer and this means it is time to hit the dunes!  The Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area extends for 40 miles along the Oregon Coast (including Coos Bay) and I can tell you from personal experience, these dunes are like no others in the world.

Just had to share these shots taken of our sand dunes, atv’ing, sandboarding to remind us how AWESOME this is.  Photos credit:  Bill Grami/Coos Bay – North Bend VCB

Catching some air at our Sandboarding Park at Box Car in North Bend.

Catching some air at our Sandboarding Park at Box Car in North Bend.

Catching some air like the pros!

By AmyD | Posted in Local Features | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments (0)

The Spectacular Hawaiian Chieftain Visits Coos Bay March 19-24

03/19/2010
Attention Coos Bay Visitors and Residents!  We are in for a big treat this week.   Beginning today, March 19, The Hawaiian Chieftain will be in Coos Bay for the next 5 days as part of its ‘Hands-on History for Youth” tour of the West Coast.

The Hawaiian Chieftain is a magnificant replica of a typical 19th century European merchant trader commonly used to carry coastal trade along the Atlantic coastal cities and towns.  The hull shape and rigging are similar to those of Spanish explorer’s ships used in the expeditions of the late 18th century along the Washington, Oregon, and California coasts.

Oregon coast visitors and residents can experience a hands on nautical history lesson aboard the ship while in Coos Bay.
The Hawaiian Chieftain offers Walk-on tours and three-hour Adventure Sails. For sail times and ticket information, visit www.historicalseaport.org.

By admin | Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | Comment (1)