Under fair skies [for an Oregon January evening] approximately 32 folks came out to the Lucky Lab for the January General TVTU meeting! What a pleasure to introduce several new members, a guest and a visitor for our kick-off 2015 meeting!
Member Robert Williams – another of our intrepid C4C repeat volunteers – reported several Clackamas River steelhead to hand! Way to go
Robert. No pictures so we have to rely on his word! Not a far stretch for Robert though knowing he brought a 28” Davis Lake ‘bow to hand on the weekend of the 2014 Chewaucan Trip. Next time you see Robert – ask him about his expertise!
Andy Andrews reminded the crowd that April 18th is the first trip of the 2015 OUTINGS SCHEDULE. A day trip to Lost Lake [the one that was lost in Clatsop County…]. It’s only a day trip and hopefully you’ll have some time to come warm up your arm and test that float tube for leaks…….
The Sportsman’s Show is coming! In February [the 4th – 8th to be exact] the Pacific Northwest Sportsman’s Show will be at the Expo Center out near Hayden Island. Dick H/OCTU & Clackamas River TU is looking for a few good men [and women!] to man the TU booth. For a few hours of handshaking and TU talk to the passing public you will get free entry to the show! Contact Dick if you have some time to give: DICK HOLLENBECK. Also, I happened into Don Nelson’s River City Fly Shop this past weekend in Beaverton – he has a few coupons for saving entry fees at both the PNW Sportsmans Show and Fly Fishing/Tying Expo in Albany – stop by and see him!
Michael Ellis talked a bit about the upcoming [now past] Christmas for Coho project – we got some GREAT VOLUNTEER response [THANKS!] but
it’s a project of dwindling organizational interest; if you have some time and inclination to join a few other interested folks to help organize this effort for 2016 – LET US KNOW! Otherwise, there will be two weekends of tree loading at McKenzie Farms [dates TBD]. The folks at McKenzie Farms near Estacada have been graciously allowing us to pick through their ‘leftover’ commercially harvested and unsold trees for C4C – come for a few hours to help load trees and then head to the Clackamas for the rest of the day! Win Win!
Jerry Lorang – our man of all things Project Healing Waters – reminded us of the important role of this Project for recovering and inactive
duty veterans in our region. Teaching fly fishing and fly tying while providing an friendly amicable venue to heal those who have provided service to our Country. He is equally pleased to announce the Cabela’s @ Nyberg Rivers [Oregon’s new Tualatin store] has partnered with PHW for a meeting venue – a nice step to getting out! Meetings are the 2nd Thursday of every month.
Bernie Taylor then joined us – and much to the attendee’s enjoyment and cajoling went old school slide [yes SLIDE] projector to provide that
literal tie to the old world methods he was speaking on! Only kidding Bernie – there was a technological connection issue of some sort between major electronics manufacturers…..’they’ will never play nice.
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| RTFF First Weekend C4C Crew - including Bernie photo: Michael Ellis |
Bernie talked about timing your best efforts for salmon and steelhead by using the sun and stars as the native Americans, among many others,
have done for thousands of years.
Through use of migration data produced by scientific study and biological data when compared to astrological timing Bernie noted there are
definable periods when fish and their desire to fulfill their duties become more active. Many have heard of the timing of the dogwood blooms –and the appearance of other indicator species – well, they are all interrelated – and based on amount of sun and moon. That is the basis for driving biological responses. This can be used by fisherman and hunters just as people have used it for ever. A very compelling argument, it disproves that water flows and temperature changes drive the timing of runs – though the runs can be affected by these elements, it is minimal overall. These cues affect salmon and steelhead in their migration, spawning, feeding, movement and even rest. He also noted that the artificial effects of hatchery rearing have adverse effects on this innate sense and this begins to explain the lower survivability of hatchery fish. Having this knowledge makes your time infinitely more productive.
Overall, the key is knowing what activity is occurring at a given point between fish and their food sources which all react light amounts
and durations. Keying on this of course, would have us limiting our days on the water to only the most productive – and where is the fun and relaxation in that?
If you would like to read more – check out his book available in real book form and online at Biological Time.
Thanks for the presentation Bernie!
NEXT MONTH: FEBRUARY 11 - Dave Hughes and "Trout from Small Streams" with EARLY BONUS…
Dave will discuss tackle selection, effective fly selection,tactics and techniques to master the small stream PLUS ADDED BONUS - a casting
demonstration and gear review prior to the meeting - join him at the Multnomah Arts Center Auditorium [across the street from the Lucky Lab] at 4:00 p.m. Bring your small stream set-up for some input and casting techniques!
