The State of the Trout report by Trout Unlimited.

For more information go to TROUT UNLIMITED.

"Fishing for trout is a passion shared by countless anglers across the country. The challenge of catching a monster Lahontan cutthroat trout from Nevada’s Pyramid Lake or a salter brook trout from a coastal stream in Massachusetts can be rewarding and frustrating all at the same time. As fly-fishing author John Gierach described it, “If people don’t occasionally walk away from you shaking their heads, you’re doing something wrong.”

The beauty and diversity of trout attracts the artist and photographer as well as the angler. Not only are the fish themselves works of art, but they occur in some of the most beautiful settings the country has to offer, from small gurgling country streams to high-mountain lakes to sweeping western rivers.

Unfortunately, neither the status of native trout nor their habitat is secure. During the past century, trout have declined as a result of land development, overfishing, water pollution, poor timber and livestock grazing practices and the introduction of non-native fishes and other aquatic invasive species."

 

READ the REPORT

 

 

More warm water worries..........

Emergency restrictions for the Umpqua River protect wild summer steelhead

Emergency regulation – Scottsburg Bridge (Hwy. 38) to River Forks Boat Ramp

Today through Oct. 1, 2015, angling is prohibited within 200 feet of all tributaries including no angling in the tributaries themselves from the mouth to 200 feet upstream.

This emergency regulation will protect wild summer steelhead and fall Chinook salmon that hold in and around tributaries looking for colder water. Currently, the Umpqua River has abnormally low flows and higher than normal water temperatures due to drought conditions. 

Greg Huchko, Umpqua District fish biologist, says projected low flows and water temperatures often over 75 F will likely continue through the summer.

“The wild steelhead that haven’t made it up to the North Umpqua will stay around those mainstem tributaries until the fall rains come. They’re often easy to spot in shallow water and are more susceptible to illegal snagging. Even fish caught legally and released are stressed and mortality rates are higher in these conditions.” Huchko said. 

Tips for hot weather angling

• Fish during the cooler early mornings or evenings.
• Land your fish quickly to help increase survival rates.
• Keep your fish in at least six inches of water while releasing it.
• Revive the fish before release. Keep the fish upright facing into the current, and the current is slow, move fish back and forth slowly to help oxygenate the gill

 

Water is warm folks....

...fish are struggling. Be mindful in your pursuits [and watch out with the fires 'cuz it's dry out there too...]:

Higher water temperatures primary cause of early spring Chinook mortality

June 18, 2015

CLACKAMAS, Ore. – Elevated water temperatures are most likely the cause of spring Chinook salmon deaths in the Willamette River and some of its tributaries, according to fish biologists from the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife.

ODFW biologists and survey crews have observed unusually large numbers of spring Chinook salmon carcasses in the Willamette, Clackamas, and Santiam rivers recently.

“Pre-spawning mortality is normal and happens every year to some extent,” said Friesen. “But usually we don’t see dead spring Chinook in the mainstem Willamette until mid-summer.”

ODFW biologists say that high water temperatures likely contributed to the death of the fish.

Chinook salmon are more prone to disease, injury, and stress when water temperatures exceed 60° F. At 70°, the fish start to get into real trouble.

For the past week, water temperatures in the Willamette River have risen steadily, from 70° to 74° F. During the same period, Clackamas River water temperatures rose from 62° to 64° while the Santiam rose from 62° to 66°.

“Fortunately, many of this year’s spring Chinook have already entered the tributaries, which should help ensure their survival,” Friesen said.

ODFW Press Release

TVTU supports Deschutes River Alliance

Through our association with the Fly Fishing Arts and Conservation Society we have been the recipient of an equal share of donated dollars to provide monetary support to a worthy non-profit group designated by the Tualatin Valley Chapter Board of Directors.

For 2015 this amounted to $600 generated from the November 2014 FFACS enclave - thank you first to the organizers of FFACS and secondly to the generous supporters of that event!

Though it is not an easy decision and there are many deserving groups which support the ideals of TVTU and Trout Unlimited in general, the Board deciding in their May 26 Board Meeting to name the DESCHUTES RIVER ALLIANCE as our 2015 recipient!

Congratulations DRA!

We have been fortunate to have David Moskowitz from DRA as a presenter at our September 2014 General meeting; besides being a devoted Oregon group, DRA represents the health and viability of one of Oregon's most treasured resources - one that is being loved in significant ways by significant numbers of folks. We have also had input from members relative to the ever present cargo trains and the concerns they bring; though DRA has not expanded to address all concerns, they have brought attention to this famed water way which raises everyone's awareness for the betterment of the resource. We hope that our support through this donation will benefit greatly this growing organization!

Thank you DRA for all your efforts!

Deschutes River Alliance

PO Box 440

Maupin, OR 97037

JUNE at TVTU?

June is here! And with the weather this past weekend - so is SUMMER apparently! Is it too early to start thinking about late summer/early fall tactics - yikes! Do not also forget to begin thinking about giving our fishy friends considerations for a warm and low water approach....

What will YOU be doing in June? Here's some TVTU Meetings, outings, conservation projects to help you decide..........

Fishing the Crooked River?

Are you planning on hitting that rarely straight river in Central Oregon the week of June 15th? Might want to know about this ODFW survey if you're below Bowman Dam area........

Anglers on the Crooked River the week of June 15 may see ODFW biologists conducting their annual fish survey to estimate numbers of redband trout and mountain whitefish.
-Photo by ODFW

ODFW to conduct trout survey on Crooked River
May 29, 2015

PRINEVILLE, Ore. – Biologists from the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife will sample redband trout and mountain whitefish populations in the Crooked River below Bowman Dam from Monday, June 15 through Friday, June 19.

OUTING UPDATE!!! Take Note...

In an email from Andy -Man of Travel and Grill - a warning for the upcoming TIMOTHY LAKE trip [June 11-15]:

To all concerned in the world:

Found out from PGE today that the North Arm campground will be closed until (at least) July 1st.  Therefore, we will now be staying at the Gone Creek Campground starting June 11th, leaving on the 15th.  The campground has a good boat ramp, and we have reserved camp sites of #41 and #43.  Check in will be at 2 pm.  Each spot will hold six campers, extra parking will probably be at the boat ramp.  Gone Creek is the first campground you come to when approaching Timothy on the South end.

When you first approach Timothy Lake, you will see the Oak Fork day use area, that has a boat launch.  Continue past the turn off for the day use area and next you will see the Gone Creek Campground.  If you see the Hood View Campground, you've driven past Gone Creek.

The Oak Fork of the Clackamas river comes near there and it will be a shorter run to the north arm than from the other campgrounds in the area.

Best to all,

Andy

   

P.S.  If you think of anyone I may have missed on this mailing, please forward it on to them

Regs Change - South Santiam

ODFW moves in the name of protection....


ODFW adopts anti-snagging gear rule at Waterloo Falls
Wednesday, May 27, 2015

CORVALLIS, Ore. – The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife has enacted a new fishing regulation on the South Santiam River around Waterloo Falls to thwart illegal fishing practices that harm endangered chinook and steelhead.

Waterloo Falls is a natural feature on the South Santiam adjacent to Waterloo County Park about six miles southeast of Lebanon. Fish can become crowded at the falls as they migrate upstream to their spawning grounds, making them especially susceptible to “snagging” and “flossing” – two fishing techniques that are illegal under Oregon sport fishing regulations.

Oregon State Police have issued numerous citations for snagging at this location in the past and takes multiple snagging complaints from the general public every year, according to Elise Kelley, ODFW district fish biologist.

The new rule on the South Santiam is patterned after similar regulations on other Oregon rivers where illegal snagging has been a problem. It imposes gear restrictions – namely, limiting anglers to the use of fly and bobber fishing gear – that not only makes these illegal and unsportsmanlike fishing techniques more difficult but also easier for law enforcement to detect.

The gear restriction is effective from Waterloo Falls downstream to the Waterloo Road Bridge, a distance of approximately 500 ft. In this area, bobber angling gear must include a bobber and a leader no longer than 36 inches in length. Any weight (except the bobber) may be no more than 36 inches from the lowermost hook when suspended vertically. The leader below the bobber must remain suspended in the water column and not resting on the river bottom.

CONTACTS: Elise Kelley (541)757-5249 / Rick Swart (971)673-6038

As a a reminder, if you witness illegal actions/take use that handheld camera that you sometimes talk on to call the TIP line:  1-800-452-7888 [program it in!].

TIP has an email as well: tip@state.or.us [business hours/days only].