COURTESY OF @LCTROUTCLUB
The Lewis & Clark Trout Club, whose mission is to provide LC students with resources for learning to fish and help with watershed cleanup, was founded this year by LC baseball teammates Ryan Sanderson ’26 and Joaquin Sandoval ’26.
Sanderson noted that LC’s location is excellent for fishing, especially compared to his hometown of Tucson, Arizona.
“(There’s) not a lot of water out there, so I try to make the most of it up here,” Sanderson said.
Sandoval is from Santa Barbara, California and grew up fishing off the docks and locals’ boats, which he described as “a dream of a summer childhood.” However, he pointed out the distinction between saltwater and freshwater fishing, noting that Portland’s freshwater fishing opportunities were a factor in his decision to commit to LC.
“I had a lot of other things that drew me here, but that was definitely a benefit,” Sandoval said.
Trout Club, while still in the process of securing funding, has already held several events, the first of which was a table at SEE Fair.
“We got a lot of interest there, which was really good to see,” Sanderson said.
From there, Trout Club held a mixed intro meeting and clinic about the basics of fishing that also featured a knot-tying competition. On Oct. 26, they went down to George Rogers Park in Lake Oswego to fish in the Willamette River.
Sandoval stated that this is just the start for Trout Club. Upcoming events are likely to include line casting competitions and shoreline cleanups, as well as further fishing-centric workshops. Sandoval hopes that Trout Club can partner with College Outdoors in the future for fishing trips farther from campus.
“We can collaborate to offer fishing gear and experience, and they can give the outdoorsy travel help with transportation as well,” he said.
This is one of many Trout Club plans that are in limbo until funding is secured. Another major future goal is the creation of a communal, club-owned library of fishing equipment. Currently, the club’s founders are lending out their own gear.
For new fishers looking to acquire gear, both Sanderson and Sandoval recommend Bass Pro Shops, which is where they plan to buy the communal gear for Trout Club. Sanderson explained that they have a large fishing section and that while Facebook Marketplace can be cheaper, it is generally less reliable.
Fishing in the Portland area is hardly limited to George Rogers Park. Other nearby spots include the Clackamas and the Klamath Rivers, as well as the Deschutes River a 2.5-hour drive away, which both Sanderson and Sandoval spoke very highly about.
“The fish (in the Deschutes) are spectacular and the view is spectacular, so we’re hoping to get down there,” Sanderson said.
It would be forgivable to assume, from the name of the club, that its members only fish for trout, but Trout Club fishes for all manner of species, including smallmouth bass, pike minnows and coho salmon. Why, then, is it called Trout Club?
“(The name) gets across that we are emphasizing the fish, the animal, and that’s a big part of what we’re doing” Sandoval said, “We’re taking care of that community of species because they’re also a stakeholder in the fishing world”.
Trout in particular are an indicator species, and their sensitivity to environmental shifts is essential for scientists researching local watersheds. The species is also incredibly widespread and are some of the most genetically and environmentally varied vertebrates in the world, as well as being some of the most popular to fish.
Sanderson noted that Trout Club is “all catch and release,” and that while all fishing requires a permit, fishing for food is subject to strict federal regulations on fish size and quantity. He added that “the Willamette isn’t the best river” for safely consumable fish due to its urban location.
Sandoval, an environmental studies major, expressed hopes for Trout Club to forge partnerships with watershed conservation organizations in Portland for service opportunities and guest speaker events in the future. He wants to promote club members’ sense of environmental connection and responsibility.
However, for now and the foreseeable future, Trout Club’s primary objective is to spread their love of fishing.
“We are new and we’re totally welcome to anybody,” Sandoval said “(Fishing is) a fun thing that you can learn in a day and then have that skill for a lifetime.”
For any students interested in joining, Trout Club is on Instagram at @lctroutclub.
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