Well now, let me tell ya ’bout this place called Walling Pond over in Salem, Oregon. Ain’t no big fancy thing, but it’s a nice spot to spend some time, especially if you like fishin’. The pond ain’t too far from the city, just right there at the corner of McGilchrist and 16th Streets. Now, if you’re lookin’ for a fancy resort or somethin’, you might be a little disappointed, but if you want a peaceful place to drop a line in the water, this here pond might just do the trick.
The Walling family owns it, so it’s not one of them public parks, but they been real good ‘bout lettin’ folks come in and fish. It ain’t too big, but it sure is nice, about eight acres of water. You can bring your own gear, or you can rent what ya need from them. The fishin’ is pretty decent too, with plenty of folks headin’ out there in the summer to try their luck.
Now, the pond didn’t just come outta nowhere. Nope, this here land used to be a sand and gravel plant, where they used to dig up all sorts of dirt and rocks for the area. The Walling family, they owned the place, and when they was done with the sand and gravel, they turned it into this little pond. Ain’t that somethin’? They just cleaned it up and let nature take over, and now it’s a nice little spot for folks to come relax and catch themselves some fish.
If you ain’t from around here, you might not know where to find it, but don’t worry, it’s real simple. Just head to McGilchrist Street, take a turn at 16th, and you’ll see the pond on the right. There’s no big signs or anything, but once you’re there, you’ll see where the water meets the land. It’s a nice, quiet place, far enough from the hustle and bustle of town to let you get some peace and quiet, but close enough so you ain’t gotta drive all day to get there.
Now, I reckon you might wonder what kind of fish ya can catch in that pond. From what I hear, there’s a fair bit of bass and trout swimmin’ around in there. Some folks even catch a few bluegill if they’re lucky. The fishin’ is open to anyone, just so long as you follow the rules. Don’t go out there actin’ all wild and breakin’ things, and make sure you got your fishin’ license if you plan on catchin’ anything. Ain’t nobody wantin’ to deal with trouble, ya know?
But, it ain’t just fishin’ folks goin’ there. Some people just like to take a nice walk ‘round the pond, enjoy the view, and maybe bring a little picnic. It’s a peaceful place, and sometimes that’s all a person needs. You can sit by the water, listen to the birds, and forget about all the worryin’ for a little while. Ain’t nothin’ fancy about it, but it’s got a charm of its own.
One thing I gotta mention, though—if you’re thinkin’ about goin’ fishin’, make sure you watch the weather. You don’t want to be out there when a storm comes blowin’ in. The water can get mighty wild and dangerous, especially if you’re not used to it. Best to check the weather before you head out. And, of course, if you’re not much of a fishin’ person, it’s still a good spot to just sit and enjoy nature for a bit.
And before I forget, let me tell ya, this pond’s been around for a good long while now. The Walling family, they keep it up and make sure it stays nice. Ain’t no big commercial places or nothin’ around, just a peaceful, simple place to spend a few hours. So if you’re ever in Salem, Oregon, and you’re lookin’ for a quiet spot, Walling Pond’s a good little place to check out.
So, if you get the chance, I say give it a go. Grab your fishin’ pole, pack a lunch, and head over to Walling Pond. Who knows, you might catch somethin’, or maybe you’ll just enjoy the peaceful time by the water. Either way, it’s worth a visit, don’t you think?
Tags: [Walling Pond, Salem, Oregon, fishing, pond, Walling family, McGilchrist Street, 16th Street, bass, trout, nature, outdoor activities, peaceful]
