A Gorge Fly Shop Lake Experience
Private-Lake Trout Fishing
North-Central Oregon
Gorge Fly Shop has partnered with Justesen Ranch to help anglers discover some of Oregon’s most memorable private-lake trout fishing. Our team has spent time on these lakes, and we’re excited to share what we learned, offer practical trip insight, and help you prepare with the right flies and gear.
Contact us to discuss reservations, fishing conditions, flies, tackle, and the gear you may need for your trip.
Book Your Experience: 541-386-6977
Travis with the largest fish of the day—a beautiful Justesen Ranch rainbow.
About Justesen Ranch
Located near Grass Valley in north-central Oregon, Justesen Ranch is approximately two and a half hours from Portland and about an hour from The Dalles. It can work as a day trip, or visitors can stay overnight using one of the ranch’s lodging options.
The family-owned working cattle, wheat, and recreational ranch covers approximately 10,000 acres of scenic Oregon countryside. In addition to fishing, the ranch offers opportunities for hunting, horseback riding, trail riding, bird watching, and exploring the surrounding landscape.
Justesen Ranch is home to 15 private lakes ranging from approximately 2 to 20 acres. The lakes hold healthy trout, with bass also available in select waters. Some lakes can be fished from shore or from a dock, while float tubes and other personal watercraft provide greater access. Some of the larger lakes may also accommodate a drift boat.
The lakes are managed as catch-and-release, fly-fishing-only waters. When you reserve a lake, it is set aside for your reservation, creating a quiet and personal fishing experience that is difficult to find on public water. Whether you fish alone, with a friend, or as part of a group, the ranch can accommodate a variety of trips.
This article shares the experience of Gorge Fly Shop employees fishing the Justesen Ranch lakes for the first time. It is not intended to be a complete guide to stillwater trout fishing, but it offers a look at the ranch, the fish, and the techniques that worked during our visit.
The Gorge Fly Shop Lake Experience
Gorge Fly Shop employees recently spent a couple of days exploring and fishing several of the ranch’s lakes. Our fishing days were chilly and windy, which created the kind of challenges familiar to anyone who has spent time fishing stillwater.
Callum and I met Travis and Lyndsey at their campsite at the leisurely hour of 9:00 a.m. After a relaxed morning conversation and a quick strategy session, we drove around to look at the two lakes available to us. Given the windy conditions, we eventually selected Upper Twin Lake.
Readying the rods and discussing strategies for Upper Twin Lake.
About the Fishing
Upper Twin was not necessarily protected from the wind, but it had a dock. I decided to make a few casts from it before we launched any watercraft. Why not? We were already there.
It didn’t take long to hook the first fish of the day. That fish also turned out to be the smallest—a very healthy rainbow measuring approximately 17 to 18 inches. After that quick success, we stayed on the dock a little longer to see what might happen.
We ended up fishing from that dock for the rest of the day.
I wouldn’t describe the fishing as nonstop, but the 12 to 15 trout we landed were strong, healthy, and impressive fish. After I landed the smallest trout of the day, Travis connected with a beautiful rainbow measuring approximately 24 to 25 inches. Most of the other fish ranged from around 17 inches up to that larger class.
Miss Lyndsey with a quality rainbow caught from the dock.
About the Scenery
Living in the Columbia River Gorge near Hood River, we are spoiled by an incredible landscape. Traveling east toward Grass Valley offers a very different kind of beauty.
The forests and steep Gorge walls give way to open farmland, rolling hills, and wide views across Oregon’s high-desert country. The transition is a reminder of how dramatically the landscape can change within a relatively short drive through Oregon and Washington.
Travis, Karrie, and Angie enjoying a day on the Big Lake.
Techniques That Worked
Although we fished in less-than-ideal conditions—with winds that occasionally felt close to gale force—we were able to catch trout using several different techniques.
Fish responded to dry flies, Chironomid nymphs, Balanced Leeches, and small streamers. One approach would produce for a while, then the bite would slow. Changing techniques often brought another round of action.
On the first day, Travis, Charlie, Karrie, and Angie saw only limited interest in dry flies. Later that afternoon, adult Chironomids appeared on the surface and trout began rising throughout the lake. Slow-trolled leech patterns produced fish, and Chironomids suspended beneath indicators also worked well.
“As a first-time fly fisher, this was a great experience. Having the lake to ourselves, without the distraction of other fishermen, was ideal for me so I could focus on what I was learning. The setting was amazing, and the lake was big and well stocked. I can’t wait to go back!”
— Angie Clark, Gorge Fly Shop Team
On the second day, Travis, Lyndsey, Callum, and I also caught fish using a variety of methods, although we did not see the same adult hatch or dry-fly activity.
Most of our success came from fishing Chironomids beneath indicators or stripping small streamer patterns. RIO’s Soccer Mom in Olive and Platinum was particularly productive, with the lighter Platinum version standing out as the top streamer of the day.
Travis connected with another strong rainbow from an Outcast Cruzer Max float tube.
Gear for the Lakes
Our group used several fishing platforms, including a drift boat, float tubes, docks, and shore access. We also used a range of Sage, G. Loomis, and Winston fly rods matched to the techniques we planned to fish.
Stillwater setups can vary depending on whether you are fishing dry flies, suspending Chironomids under an indicator, slowly retrieving leeches, or stripping streamers with an intermediate line.
If you would like help preparing for a trip to Justesen Ranch, call Gorge Fly Shop at 541-386-6977. We can help you select flies, leaders, lines, rods, and other equipment suited to the lakes and the techniques you plan to use.
Last Cast
Several times during the day, I found myself thinking about future family outings and camping trips to Justesen Ranch. It is the kind of place where you can step away from everyday pressure, slow down, and share the experience with family or friends.
Because a reserved lake is set aside for your group, there is no rush to be the first angler on the water. You can arrive, settle in, explore the lake, and fish at your own pace. There may still be a little friendly competition among family and friends, but that is part of the fun.
I enjoyed everything about the experience: the drive east, the changing landscape, scouting the lakes, randomly deciding to cast from a dock, and then choosing to stay there all day. The fish were impressive, the open country was beautiful, and the time spent talking, laughing, and relaxing with coworkers made the trip especially memorable.
It was also a reminder to slow down and notice the details along the way. Fishing has a way of giving us that opportunity—to step away, pay attention, and appreciate the people, places, and moments that might otherwise pass too quickly.
Most of us could probably use a little more of that.
Lakeside lunches are the best lunches, no matter how simple.
Ready to Plan Your Justesen Ranch Experience?
Book Now: 541-386-6977
Thanks for reading,
Written by: John Garrett
Gorge Fly Shop Team