How's the Elwha flowing?

Pretty well based on what the returning fish are saying! At least as reported by John Gusman and his video camera...

The chinook are now coming home to spawn in the dam free Elwha River. We try to find these returning king salmon as they battle the natural elements and a historic low water flow.

Another Fish Passage Exemption request...

Comments should be made on this one - why would one not make this a passage friendly bridge - who knows what may happen with a dam down the road; why not require passage on BOTH?! Certainly better to set the precedent now than to retroactively argue it later....

ODFW seeks comment on fish passage exemption for proposed bridge project near Selma

August 21, 2015

SALEM, Ore. – The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife is seeking public comment on a request to exempt from fish passage requirements a proposed bridge replacement on McMullin Creek, a tributary to Deer Creek in the Illinois River Basin located near Selma, Oregon. Comments are due by Sept. 11, 2015.

The existing bridge located on Lakeshore Dr. and owned by Josephine County, crosses McMullin Creek immediately downstream of the Lake Selmac Dam. The county has proposed replacing the existing bridge with a new bridge, triggering ODFW fish passage requirements.

According to Ken Loffink, ODFW assistant fish passage coordinator, ODFW may grant the exemption if there is no appreciable benefit to fish from providing passage. Currently, coho, steelhead, and cutthroat trout are found in McMullin Creek downstream of the Lakeshore Dr. Bridge. However, the Lake Selmac Dam is located approximately 100 feet upstream of the bridge, and the dam spillway extends downstream to and beneath the bridge. The dam and spillway is a complete barrier to all native migratory fish.

Because there is a complete barrier immediately upstream, Loffink said ODFW has determined that even if fish passage was provided at the proposed new bridge, the action would not result in any appreciable benefit to native migratory fish.

Therefore, unless the agency receives public comment that would affect its determination, the exemption request will be approved. If, in the future, a trigger occurs at the Lake Selmac Dam, passage would be required at Lake Selmac and the exemption at Lakeshore Dr. would likely be revoked. Fish passage exemptions can be revoked and fish passage required if an appreciable benefit to native migratory fish develops in the future.

In the meantime, members of the public will have until Sept. 11, 2015 to submit written comments on the proposed plan. The fish passage exemption application and the Department’s benefit analysis are available at http://www.dfw.state.or.us/fish/passage/.

Members of the public can send written comments to or request additional information from Ken Loffink, ODFW Assistant Fish Passage Program Coordinator, 3406 NE Cherry Ave. NE, Salem, OR 97303, e-mail, Ken.J.Loffink@state.or.us, or by calling (503) 947-6256

What'd I Miss - March Rehash!

Just learned from the esteemed TVTU Prez that Dave Hughes attended and wrote a recap of Jeff Morgan's March TVTU presentation - "The Oddballs"; with permission from Frank Amato publications we have the article from their Flyfishing & Tying Journal here for your reading pleasure!

Reminder: there is a SMALL BOX WITH AN ARROW in the upper right hand corner of the picture above; hover your curser in that area and it should appear; click that little box and the article will pop-up in a readable size....assuming technology works that is!

<<<LINK to ARTICLE>>>

Rogue River re-opens to full day fishing....

Afternoon fishing re-opens on Rogue River

August 13, 2015

MEDFORD, Ore. – The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife has lifted afternoon fishing restrictions on the Rogue River and tributaries. Anglers can now fish from one hour before sunrise to one hour after sunset from Fisher’s Ferry boat ramp to the mouth of the river, and on all tributaries normally open to fishing. The change is effective immediately.

Releases of cooler water from Lost Creek Reservoir typically increase this time of year to minimize disease and pre-spawning mortality in adult fall Chinook migrating upstream. Flows from the reservoir were increased on Aug. 12. Combined with a milder weather pattern, river conditions should be back to near normal for August, allowing fishery managers to re-open the river to regular fishing hours.

Steelhead and the Crooked River...

Crooked River Steelhead and Opal Springs

Opal Springs Fish Passage

by Dwayne Meadows

As iconic Oregon fisheries go the Crooked River is an amazing resource. One of the great bread-and-butter trout streams of central Oregon, it not only fishes well, but is amazingly beautiful as well. The Crooked is a working river, providing water for communities and farms as well as recreation for anglers and boaters.

As a major tributary to the Deschutes, the Crooked has always been a focus for Trout Unlimited and our local Deschutes Chapter. For years our efforts to work with water users, conservation groups and municipalities to conserve habitat values and enhance angling opportunities have been successful.

 

Now steelhead are swimming in the Crooked River after being absent for 50 years....

 

<<<READ MORE on the CROOKED STEEL>>>

A few rivers re-open to p.m. hours....

ODFW has lifted fishing restrictions the lower Deschutes River [Macks to the mouth]; also the upper reaches of the Imnaha River [above Freezeout Creek] and the Wenaha River [above Crooked Creek]. Anglers can now fish after 2 p.m. - the change is effective immediately

<<<<ODFW News Release>>>>

August at TVTU?

August is here - along with the continued heat! Be careful in your adventures and do not forget to be kind to the cold water loving friends of ours as they struggle in the warm water. In case you missed it ODFW has some closures worth noting on Oregon streams - regardless, handle fish gently and keep 'em wet!

What is TVTU doing in August? To start - we're taking a break - NO MEETING in August! We do have an outing - on some warm water for some warm style fishin' and camping! Come join us for some unbelievable summer evening time in Central Oregon!

GENERAL MEETING - No Meeting!

We take an annual break so families can spend time together before school and all the rest of that hectic life which is associated with school starts again.
NEXT MEETING:  Wednesday, September 9, 2015
WHERE: Lucky Labrador Public House
WHAT to EXPECT [in SEPTEMBER]: Preston Singletary speaking on searun cutthroat.

photo: www.KATU.com

OUTING!

WHEN: August 7-9, 2015
WHERE: John Day River - Cottonwood Canyon State Park
WHAT TIME: when you get there
WHAT to EXPECT: Cottonwood is one of the newest state parks in Oregon; this area has a great success story for private to public land transitions overseen by our friends at Western Rivers Conservancy. You're most likely award this area of the John Day is a warm water fishery primarily - at times steelhead pass through - but for now expect smallmouth bass, bluegill, and carp. So pack up some woolly buggers, poppers, crawdad patterns and see how many smallies will smash those to bits! There are also many trails leaving from the camp area There is a fee for camping.

WHAT to BRING: This is an overnighter - so bring your gear. Don't forget it may be hot but sometimes this means cool nights and thunderstorms; kayaks, rafts and drift boats are sometimes used. Andy will be hosting a cookout Saturday night - TVTU provides the entree, bring a side dish and drink to share!
Right now campfires are out - charcoal in rings and propane are good; be sure to double check with the regulations!

The park is on Hwy 206 between Wasco and Condon - right on the river; you might have to look for signs as the park is so new many maps/mapping devices do no show it!