Interesting Pinnipeds information.....

“Sea lions-eye view” of the Columbia River at the Lewis and Clark Bridge between Rainier Oregon and Longview Washington. Photo: ODFW via National Geographic Critter Cams.

ODFW presentation on the California Sea Lion, Stellar Sea Lion and Harbor seals occupying areas of the lower Columbia River and major tributaries. It provides factual overview data on many of their studies including historical presence, populations, habits and diet including salmonids and sturgeon from the rivers. Provided with supporting information from:

• NOAA Fisheries
• National Marine Mammal Laboratory
• Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
• Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission
• U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
• Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission
• Northwest Power and Conservation Council
• Bonneville Power Administration 

Read more and find link.........

First Milestone....of Many Hopefully!

50 'likes'!

<  CLICKABLE >

Courts Rule on McKenzie Chinook

Spring chinook salmon at Trail Creek Dam on the McKenzie River. (Chris Pietsch/The Register-Guard)

Judge declines to limit chinook salmon release into McKenzie River
State must set a deadline for when it will reduce the releases

Original article:
By Christian Hill
The Register-Guard
March 18, 2015

U.S. Magistrate Judge Tom Coffin ruled that the wildlife agency is complying with adopted plans intended to reduce harm to wild salmon and therefore can’t be held liable for an illegal “take” under the Endangered Species Act.

With all the drought/climate discussions......

Bull trout (Photo by Bart Gamett, Salmon-Challis National Forest)

Study Develops Forecasts On Which Columbia Basin Streams Will Serve As ‘Climate Refugia’
Posted on Friday, March 13, 2015 (PST)

The “Climate Shield” study just published in the scientific journal Global Change Biology uses the high-resolution “Norwest” stream temperature scenarios developed from data contributed by more than 80 agencies with crowd-sourced biological datasets to develop accurate forecasts about specific streams that are most likely to act as climate refugia for native cutthroat trout and ESA-listed bull trout across the Pacific Northwest this century, said Dan Isaak, who along with Mike Young headed the research.

Don't Forget!

It's gonna rain Saturday so you might as well be inside with a good breakfast and fishing type folks....or if you're a diehard you could go and then check out the water nearby and VOILA! Two birds, one stone....

Steelhead Summit...April 18, Seattle

If you're in the area you might find this interesting:

Wild Steelhead Coalition

More Elwha reports....

The Elwha River mouth, aerial photo taken Oct. 16 2014  -Tom Roorda/Peninsula Daily News

Elwha: Several New Studies Detail Impacts Of Largest Dam Removal Project In US History
Posted on Friday, February 20, 2015 (PST)

The effects of dam removal are better known as a result of several new studies released this week by government, tribal and university researchers.

The scientists worked together to characterize the effects of the largest dam removal project in U.S. history occurring on the Elwha River of Washington. New findings suggest that dam removal can change landscape features of river and coasts, which have ecological implications downstream of former dam sites. “These studies not only give us a better understanding of the effects of dam removal, but show the importance of collaborative science across disciplines and institutions,” said Suzette Kimball, acting director of the U.S. Geological Survey.

Five peer-reviewed papers, with authors from the U.S. Geological  Survey, Reclamation, National Park Service, Washington Sea Grant, NOAA Fisheries, the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe, and the University of Washington, provide detailed observations and insights about the changes in the river’s landforms, waters and coastal zone during the first two years of dam removal. During this time, massive amounts of sediment were eroded from the drained reservoirs and transported downstream through the river and to the coast.

One finding that intrigued scientists was how efficiently the river eroded and moved sediment from the former reservoirs;

Mark forwarded a bit of news.....

from ODFW. An interactive map locating all the accessible waters of Oregon - regionally and locally. So GET OUT THERE!

ODFW creates interactive map for anglers with disabilities
 Jan. 27, 2015

CLACKAMAS, Ore. – The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife today unveiled a Google-based map that highlights 133 sites across Oregon that may be suitable for anglers with physical disabilities. This is the latest in a suite of interactive maps designed to help anglers find places to fish.

Interesting what others are doing.....

No, we aren't Wales but we also are not the only people learning about wild fish and hatchery fish. The Natural Resources Department of Wales is beginning a new approach on a river system in that country......

Date: 02/10/2014

Press Release

CYMRAEG ISOD

New approach to protecting wild salmon

A major change in the way Natural Resources Wales works to protect wild salmon has been agreed.

A comprehensive review of scientific research found that hatchery-reared young salmon have a much lower survival rate than young wild fish, and can harm existing wild salmon populations.

Don't Forget....

GENERAL MEETING!

WHEN: Wednesday, March 11, 2015 [TOMORROW NIGHT]
WHERE: Lucky Lab Public House [Multnomah]
WHAT TIME: 6:30 p.m. Socializing; meeting starts at 7:00 p.m.
WHAT to EXPECT: Jeff Morgan - "The Oddballs"
Jeff is an author, fly fisherman, historian, and professional fly tier. His first book, "An Angler's Guide to the Oregon Cascades" was his senior honors thesis at OSU. Self-published and distributed, it sold over 4000 copies in its first run and has been described as "the best regional flyfishing guide..."

Jeff will be using his knowledge from another of his books "Productive Trout Flies for Unorthodox Prey: The Oddballs" and reviewing those other critters that should be be a part of every trout fisherman's box! 
WHAT to BRING: a story, an appetite, a friend - even a willingness to volunteer - meetings are rather informal, so put out your hand and offer a smile! Food and beverages are available for purchase - second floor banquet room.

Willamette Basin Steel - holding

As 'winter' winds down and we turn from winter steel pursuit to summer steelhead and trout, here is an interesting article about the Willamette and a native steelhead that occupies its waters - regardless of hatchery infusions. From the Columbia Basin Bulletin:

Study: Willamette River Basin’s Sole Native Steelhead Stock – Late Winter Run – Remains Genetically
January 16, 2015

Even after years of spawning by hatchery fish in the Willamette River basin, late winter steelhead, the only native steelhead stock in the basin, remain largely genetically untouched.

Two other runs of steelhead, one with run-timing in early winter and another in summer, come from local hatcheries on the Columbia River and have been introduced into the basin by fisheries managers to mitigate for the addition of 13 high-head dams.

Only summer hatchery fish continue to be added to the river system above Willamette Falls, but all three stocks spawn in the Willamette’s tributaries.

The native run has remained distinct likely due to factors such as timing and distance when spawning, being choosy when mating or natural selection against hybrids from fish whose ancestry began in a hatchery, according to a recent study that looked at the genetic distinctiveness of the Willamette River’s only native steelhead run, finding that the river’s native stock remains relatively pure of hatchery influence.

“Despite opportunities for gene flow among the native and introduced stocks, we found that the native stock has retained its genetic distinctiveness from the non-native stocks,” said Don Van Doornik, geneticist with NOAA’s Northwest Fisheries Science Center at the Manchester Research Station in Port Orchard, Wash. “This is an important finding because the late winter-run stock is listed as threatened under the ESA and, therefore, any negative influences the non-native, introduced stocks may be having on them must be properly investigated and accounted for.”

REMAINDER of ARTICLE

Let's hope we don't see this everyday.....

Hunks of plastic found inside Fraser River steelhead

by Justin McElroy
Global News

Anglers around BC are being urged to report any foreign objects they find in their catches. This comes after two Chilliwack fishermen discovered bits of plastic and garbage inside of the steelhead they hooked last week. Jeremy Hunka reports.

Jordan Butt has been fishing the Vedder River for years, but what he saw on February 13 after catching a steelhead was a first.

“I hooked a seemingly normal fish,

March at TVTU?

It appears spring is upon us and winter - well, never really showed up. Though we did get that early cold weather back in October if you recall....regardless, stuff is blooming and things are happening!

March is no exception with quite a bit going on.............