Rocky Ridge Ranch, Oregon, Private Lakes
Rocky Ridge Ranch, Oregon, Private Lakes, Huge Trout, awesome fly fishing!
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Price for 2010: $135 per day per angler. No price change on Pine Cabin.
Book Early To Secure Your Space!
Your next fishing adventure is only a phone call away: 1-800-266-3971
We keep up-to-date on the hatches happening on all the local waters, just give us a call!
Lake Fishing In Early Spring
Rocky Ridge Lakes (we recommend that you bring a big net)
Rocky Ridge Lakes in Spring (Flash-A-Bugger Article)
Rocky Ridge Lakes in Summer
Rocky Ridge Lakes in The Fall
Joe Palanuk with a late evening trout at Wild Rose Lake
We keep a constant vigil on rocky ridge Ranch lakes. Give use a call for the latest conditions.
October 12-13, 2010: Gentle breeze, water surface temperature 56-degrees, midge dry fly action, the fishing was good enough to be interesting, the fish are in excellent condition, Pine Cabin was great for spending the night. Pine Cabin FREE for a party of four, July through October. Book now!
Sunday, May 24, 2009
We just wanted to let you guys know that our trip to Rocky Ridge was fantastic.  Van was a great host, the property is fantastic, and the fishing was great.  I know you guys had nothing to do with the weather, but is was an unbelievably gorgeous day.
Please pass on our "thumbs up" to Van, and we will be booking again.
I've enclosed a picture of one of the pigs that eat bugs in the lakes.
Royce Stearns

Rocky Ridge Ranch is a "play ground" in progress. We first started fishing Van Conklin's Rocky Ridge Ranch more than ten years ago. They were good then, and they are even better now. These lakes offers some of the best fly fishing in the Mt. Hood area. There are a total of seven lakes. Some are used as reservoirs to feed the fishing lakes. Others are used for livestock. Rocky Ridge is a working ranch.  There are  three large lakes reserved for fly fishing, each of which offers a unique character of its own. All can be accessible to you during the same day, which allows a variety of fly fishing experiences  The lakes are named for desert wildflowers that grow wild on the ranch. These lakes are rich with aquatic insect life and trout grow quickly. Hatches can be prolific and include callibaetis mayflies, hexaginia mayflies, midges, damsels and dragons. Terrestrial insects such as ants, beetles and bees can also bring trout to the surface.
Several of these lakes are deep and trout can reach reach old age and grow to 30+" and some are over 12-pounds. These bruisers will test your skill and your tackle. Average size fish are 14" to 18".
The Rocky Ridge Ranch is managed for quality experience. The ranch is neat and clean. Catch and release only, with barbless hook flies are allowed. Only a limited number of anglers are allowed on the ranch on any given day, so it is quite possible for a group of friends to have all three lakes on the ranch to themselves.
Rocky Ridge Ranch offers a private cabin that sits right on the edge of Wild Rose Lake. The cabin sleeps 6 comfortably and has full bath, kitchen, woodstove, and front porch with BBQ. Mt. Hood offers a dramatic backdrop to this rustic setting. Solitude and high quality fly fishing is the emphasis. Rocky Ridge Ranch is booked only through quality fly fishing shops at $135 per day per angler. Cancellations in advance of 30 days will be refunded in full. Cancellations of less than 30 days will be allowed to change dates (no guarantee of and opening) in same calendar year.
We offer guided trips with top quality pontoon boats for groups as large as three anglers. Call for the latest information.
The Lakes

Mule's Ear Lake

Wild Rose Lake

Mullein Lake
Mullein Lake offers protection from wind.
Patty Barnes at Mullein Lake 04/08/09.
The fish at Rocky Ridge Ranch aren't all this big, but at least one is. Patty caught this 30-incher 04/08/09 on a peacock body wooly bugger. This fish was released strong, healthy and wiser.
Kathy Bushnell with a big rainbow...
Kathy Bushnell, April 29, 2009		 Golden Trout offer a touch of the exotic to Rocky Ridge Ranch.
Golden Trout
Royce Stearn party, May 24, 2009...
Royce Stearns, May 24,2009.		 This trout was caught with a five weight rod, which is barely adiquate.
Nine pounder.
Ranch Map
Rocky Ridge Ranch map of lakes, roads & buildings

Pine Cabin
Pine Cabin provides the perfect base camp for a party of 2-6 anglers
Pine Cabin provides the perfect base camp for a party of 2-6 anglers.
It rents for $125 per night March through June.
Is offered free for a party of four July through October.
Sink, stove, counter top, refrigerator, electric lights...
Full kitchen, refrigerator, electric lights, etc...		 Camp in style
Imagine dining here...
Cabin Information
The cabin is available for check-in at 2 PM in the afternoon.
Check-out the next day is at 11 AM. 
A small country store is located in the town of Wamic, seven miles from the ranch, if you need any groceries.  However, we recommend you purchase the majority of your supplies prior to arriving, as the store operates limited hours and doesn’t offer many fresh vegetables and fruits.  There are also two restaurants in the area: The Sportsman’s Pub and Grub on the outskirts of Wamic and Lexie’s on the Pine Hollow Reservoir. 

Below is a list of the cabin amenities:

  • Bedding and towels are not provided.  You will need to bring a sleeping bag or bedding
  • Plates, glasses, silverware, cooking pans and utensils are provided.
  • There is an electric stove top, refrigerator and BBQ.
  • Wood for the wood stove, which is the only source of heat for the main cabin, is outside next to the cabin.  Please use only the wood provided in the stove. 
  • The bathroom/shower uses electric heat and is located next to the main cabin room, under the covered porch.  Please be aware that the cabin restroom is also used by anglers fishing for just the day.
  • Please lock the main cabin door when you leave.  We are not responsible for lost or stolen goods.
  • No cleats inside the cabin!!!!
  • Please don’t smoke inside the cabin.
  • Food and drinks are not provided.
  • There is no phone or television.
  • A garbage can is provided for disposing of trash. Please pick-up after yourself.
  • Keep all doors closed---bugs.
  • If you need ice then bring it.
 
How To Get To Rocky Ridge Ranch
Four different easy ways to get to Rocky Ridge Ranch

Directions to Rocky Ridge Ranch
There are four possible routes to the ranch from Portland, Oregon.  A map is also attached for reference. 

The address is: Rocky Ridge Ranch, 54829 Smock Road, Wamic, Oregon 97063. 

Route #1: Over Mt. Hood and Down a Forest Service Road

This route is the fastest, but it is only open from approximately June through October.

  1. Take I-84 East out of Portland.
  2. Take the 238th Drive Exit #16.
  3. Turn Right on 238th Drive.
  4. Continue on 238th Drive through Wood Village and into SE Gresham.  238th Drive turns into 242nd Drive/Hogan Drive.  Follow signs to US-26.
  5. Turn Left on Burnside Street.
  6. Continue on SE Burnside Street.  SE Burnside turns into US-26 East.
  7. Continue on US-26 East past Government Camp.
  8. Turn Right on OR-35 North 2.0 miles after Government Camp, following signs towards Hood River and Mt. Hood Meadows.
  9. Turn Right on the Forest Service Road 4.7 miles after the OR-35 N turnoff.  Follow signs to the White River East Snow Park, Rock Creek Reservoir and Wamic.  The road, which does not appear to be a road, is located at the White River East Snow Park, after crossing the White River.  Drive through the snow park to find the road.  If you reach the turnoff for Mt. Hood Meadows, you have passed the White River Snow Park and the Forest Service Road.
  10. Continue on the Forest Service Road for 28.3 miles.
  11. Turn Right on Smock Road before Wamic.
  12. Continue on Smock Road until the pavement ends.
  13. Rocky Ridge Ranch will be directly in front of you at the “T” in the road.

 

Route #2: Along the Columbia River Gorge

  1. Take I-84 East out of Portland.
  2. Continue on I-84 East to The Dalles.
  3. Take the US-197 Exit #87 towards Bend and Dufur.
  4. Continue on US-197 for 27.7 miles.
  5. Turn Right at the blinking yellow light and into Tygh Valley.
  6. Turn Right on Wamic Market Road, following signs towards Wamic.
  7. Continue on Wamic Market Road for 5.8 miles. 
  8. Bear Left on Wamic Market Road into the town of Wamic.
  9. Turn Left on Smock Road at the edge of town.
  10. Continue on Smock Road until the pavement ends.
Rocky Ridge Ranch will be directly in front of you at the “T” in the road.

Route #3: Over Mt. Hood and through the White River Canyon

Those interested in a little adventure are most likely to enjoy this route.  The White River Road that goes through the canyon is gravel, steep, and very narrow. It may not be safe for travel during harsh weather.

  1. Take I-84 East out of Portland.
  2. Take the 238th Drive Exit #16.
  3. Turn Right on 238th Drive.
  4. Continue on 238th Drive through Wood Village and into SE Gresham. 238th Drive turns into 242nd Drive/Hogan Drive.  Follow signs to US-26.
  5. Turn Left on Burnside Street.
  6. Continue on SE Burnside Street.  SE Burnside turns into US-26 East.
  7. Continue on US-26 East past Government Camp, following signs towards Madras and Bend.
  8. Turn Left on OR-216 18 miles after Government Camp.
  9. Continue on OR-216 for 15 miles. Drive through the town of Pine Grove.
  10. Turn Left on Victor Road.  Continue for 2.3 miles.
  11. Turn Left on the White River Road.
  12. Rocky Ridge Ranch will be on your left 4.1 miles down the road after you come out of the canyon.

 

Route #4: Over Mt. Hood and through Tygh Valley

  1. Take I-84 East out of Portland.
  2. Take the 238th Drive Exit #16.
  3. Turn Right on 238th Drive.
  4. Continue on 238th Drive through Wood Village and into SE Gresham. 238th Drive turns into 242nd Drive/Hogan Drive.  Follow signs to US-26.
  5. Turn Left on Burnside Street.
  6. Continue on SE Burnside Street.  SE Burnside turns into US-26 East.
  7. Continue on US-26 East past Government Camp, following signs towards Bend.
  8. Turn Left on OR-216 18 miles after Government Camp.
  9. Continue on OR-216 for 15 miles.
  10. Turn Left on US-197 towards The Dalles.
  11. Turn Left at the blinking yellow light and drive into Tygh Valley.
  12. Turn Right on Wamic Market Road, following signs towards Wamic.
  13. Continue on Wamic Market Road for 5.8 miles. 
  14. Bear Left on Wamic Market Road into the town of Wamic.
  15. Turn Left on Smock Road at the edge of town.
  16. Continue on Smock Road until the pavement ends.
  17. Rocky Ridge Ranch will be directly in front of you at the “T” in the road.

Rules

This is private property and you are a guest.  These rules are to protect the grounds and facilities, so people will be able to enjoy Rocky Ridge Ranch for years to come.  Any guest that is found violating the rules will not be allowed on the premises again.

  1. The lakes are for catch and release fly fishing only.  No other activities, including other types of fishing, are allowed on the lakes.
  2. No live bait, such as eggs or worms, is allowed.  Single hook, synthetic, barb-less flies are the only permissible bait.
  3. Soft nylon nets with a catch and release frame only.
  4. Only one fly rod can be used at a time by each angler.
  5. Minimum age of 12 unless by prior authorization.
  6. Non-fishing guests are permitted for a small fee.
  7. No animals or pets are permitted on the property.
  8. No smoking anywhere except in designated areas because of extreme fire danger.
  9. No powerboats, ATVs, and other power equipment or vehicles may be used on the premises.
  10. No firearms of any kind are allowed on the property.
  11. Garbage in, garbage out.  It is the responsibility of the angler to haul their trash (e.g. discarded food or packaging material) off the property.
  12. Protect the natural vegetation of the lakes.
  13. Anglers must use adequate safety equipment (i.e. personal flotation devices and safety glasses).  It is the responsibility of the angler to be prepared in the event they lose their footing and fall into the water.
  14. No dogs, cats, or other animals!
Do not touch snakes – many are poisonous.  If you see a snake, stand still until the snake moves away.

The Fly Fishing Shop HOME. The Fly Fishing Shop, Welches, OR

1(800) 266-3971

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