Could use a few more hands....

As of 12.14.17 we could us a few more hands - why not help out? "Shifts' are usually about 4-hours though if you want to hang for the entire collection day you are certainly welcome to. Side benefit is that both our collection spots are next to our favorite fly shops - you can step inside and visit during the day! No sales pitches or anything else that really needs to happen - receive and stack trees, take and record some basic information and the collection fee. Plus, you get to gather and gab with fellow TU'ers.....it's not all that difficult but the rewards are many! Please sign up with MIKE GENTRY today.

C4C VOLUNTEERS!!!

WHEN: Saturday, January 6 & 13, 2018
WHAT: CHRISTMAS for COHO Tree Collection

WHAT TIME: 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
WHAT to EXPECT: This is our yearly conservation project - the one that starts it all for us here at TVTU! Two weekends in the new year gather with a few of your fellow TVTU Chapter members to collect gently used Christmas trees from the public. We have two collection sites in the metro area where we gather trees and stage them for removal to project sites.

Low key effort - basically meet and greet the public, take their trees, collect the fee, and place the tree on the pile to go to the Clackamas River. Each location is adjacent to our favorite fly shops in town so you can venture into the shop to warm up and browse.

We can use your help! Sign up for one of the shifts today!

MORE INFORMATION/SIGN-UP: contact MIKE GENTRY.

REMINDER!!

GENERAL MEETING!
WHEN: Wednesday, December 13, 2017
WHERE: Lucky Lab Public House; Multnomah Village

WHAT TIME: 6:00 p.m.
WHAT to EXPECT: Rob Crandall - "Spring Fishing Opportunities"

Here in the NW we have so many great fisheries. Rob  is going to guide us around the state to some of his favorite spring fishing opportunities. Along the way he will offer tips and strategies for us to make the most of upcoming early season trips. Featured highlights: Lake fly fishing strategies, Deschutes River Spring hatches, Fly Fishing for Shad and Spring steelhead opportunities.

WHAT TO BRING: a friend and your best conversation! A few coins for some liquid refreshment and a slice or two and you're good to go!

December at TVTU?

Not sure what the water will look like - though it will most likely be dropping - but this week is due to be our first of typically two week-long 'winter' breaks that we are afforded every year so we hope that you are able to take advantage and get out a bit before the Holiday season grips you completely! Oh and take some gloves because the temps are due to be chilly.....Care to warm up a bit? This what we have on tap for this month!

Image of Rob stolen from his website: Water Time Outfitters!

GENERAL MEETING!
WHEN: Wednesday, December 13, 2017
WHERE: Lucky Lab Public House; Multnomah Village

WHAT TIME: 6:00 p.m.
WHAT to EXPECT: Rob Crandall - "Spring Fishing Opportunities"

Here in the NW we have so many great fisheries. In this presentation, Rob features some of his favorite spring fishing opportunities and offers tips and strategies for anglers

Volunteer today! 2018 C4C....

November Edition "The Trout Line"

NEWSLETTER POSTED!

Jerry, in his last flash as editor, has published his last edition of the The Trout Line. For years, he has tirelessly assembled the newsletter and improved its' content, appearance and layout. Jerry has decided he wants to focus more on his Veterans programs and will be leaving the newsletter staff [his staff of one....] to play a larger role in coordinating those efforts both locally and nationally - we don't find fault in his priorities! So to Jerry - we lift an Arnold-Palmer and salute his years of dedicated effort and THANK him graciously!!

>>> The Trout Line <<<

Please thank Jerry the next time you see him at an event!

The post-Marmot Sandy River...

ODFW fish biologists (left to right) Rob Dietrich, Todd Alsbury, and Danette Faucera, run a sein net through the Sandy River to collect spring Chinook for two years after Marmot Dam was removed, and a fish trap at the facility was also destroyed. Later on, ODFW used portable weirs to do this job as fish management evolved. (ODFW file photo

Ten years after Oregon’s largest dam removal, salmon and steelhead rebounding on the Sandy 
Thursday, October 19, 2017

CLACKAMAS, Ore. – Ten years ago a new era of salmon and steelhead recovery quite literally started out with a bang when Marmot Dam was removed from the Sandy River.

More than a ton of high-grade explosives were detonated, taking off the face of the 47-foot high concrete dam.

At the time, it was the largest dam breach ever attempted. Portland General Electric, owner of the dam, figured it would be more cost-effective to remove the structure than upgrade it to meet new federal re-licensing standards.

In July 2007, in a highly publicized event, PGE blew the concrete face off its dam on the Sandy River. For the next three months, large backhoes with pneumatic hammers pulverized, drilled, pulled apart and hauled off the remaining pieces of the dam. On Oct. 19, a rainstorm swept away the backfill that had accumulated behind the dam, making the Sandy totally free-flowing again,...

November at TVTU?

We know that the Holiday season is now upon us and most all of you ar probably busy, busy, busy....but if you want a break and want to mix up your plans, we may have you covered! So what is on tap for November?

GENERAL MEETING!
WHEN: Wednesday, November 8, 2017
WHERE: Lucky Lab Public House; Multnomah Village

WHAT TIME: 6:00 p.m.
WHAT to EXPECT: "The Salmon Superhwy" and Annual Meeting
No, this is not information on the near annual Skokomish River flooding episodes that send chum salmon migrating over the state highways in Washington - Sarah Zwissler [update], project coordinator, will discuss the effort to restore access to almost 180 miles of blocked habitat throughout six major salmon & steelhead rivers of Oregon’s North Coast.
This is also the annual State of TVTU meeting with a business update on your chapter as well as Board nominations/elections.

WHAT TO BRING: a few bucks for a beverage and dinner; throw in a few raffle tickets and your best dinnertime conversation to share with others!

CONSERVATION!

WHEN: Sunday, November 5, 2017
WHERE: 36412 Camp Creek Rd, Springfield, Oregon

WHAT TIME: 10:00 a.m.
WHAT to EXPECT: The latest State project - an collaborative conservation effort with the Mckenzie River Trust to restore an important side channel of the Mckenzie River, near Springfield, Oregon.

All TU members in Oregon are invited to volunteer.

WHAT TO BRING: work gloves, boots, rain gear and any other good gear to stay dry and warm in case of cold weather. The Mckenzie River Trust will provide clippers, shovels, and all necessary tools.

Help produce more of these - Mckenzie Steel '14

FOR FUN!!
WHAT: "Our Two Hands" film tour
WHEN: Friday, November 10, 2017
WHERE: Heathen Feral Public House [Vancouver, WA]
WHAT TIME: 6:30 p.m. [door open (for food! no host)]; 7:00 p.m. film start
WHAT to EXPECT: "Our Two Hands" takes you on a dynamic visual journey to familiar places that will have you seeing them in an entirely new light. Society has a complex relationship with salmon and steelhead. The current management paradigm has failed, and the status quo solutions for restoring impoverished wild populations have proven ineffective.

"Our Two Hands" is an examination of the underlying cause of this decline, as well as the innovative voices in the angling community and general public fighting for a wild fish future in the Pacific Northwest. <<MORE INFO>>

<<TICKETS>> are $10; <<TRAILER>> for checking it out.

Last chance!

Don't forget to take advantage of the COLUMBIA SPORTSWEAR employee store pass - opportunity runs out THIS WEEKEND [Sunday, October 29th].

A portion - 10% - of your purchases goes to help fund TU in Oregon by supporting the Oregon Council. Every little bit counts and you get some good product at great prices for any and all of your outdoor needs!

 

MORE INFO

[If you didn't get your pass via email on/around Oct. 4th - CONTACT a TVTU Board Member]

Help out with the latest State TU Project!

2017 State Conservation Project

Dear Oregon Trout Unlimited Members,

This is your invitation to participate in the annual Oregon Trout Unlimited state conservation project. On Sunday, November 5th, the Oregon Council of Trout Unlimited will be collaborating with the Mckenzie River Trust to restore an important side channel of the Mckenzie River, near Springfield, Oregon. All TU members in Oregon are invited to volunteer.

In 2015, the Mckenzie River Trust acquired the 31-acre "Chub Slough" property as part of its plan to protect 200 acres of riparian and floodplain habitat along the Mckenzie.

In case you had not heard....

Hopefully everyone got the email notice from the Oregon Council regarding your access to the COLUMBIA SPORTSWEAR employee store!

That's right - for the second year in a row during the month of OCTOBER you can access the employee store in Beaverton and take advantage of the opportunity to purchase Columbia and associated family products at employee discount rates. The BENEFIT? OCTU and the our TU efforts in Oregon will receive a 10% return on all purchases during this period.

If you didn't receive a pass or are not on the email list for TU - please CONTACT US and we'll do what we can to get you the necessary information.

THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

And thank you COLUMBIA!

 

September at TVTU??

Holding out for a bit of the 'Oregon sunshine' - we could use it! In the meantime - be safe and considerate when using our outdoor resources. So what is on tap for September to get us through this last bit of summer?

NEWSLETTER!

Jerry, our soon to be retiring from the editor position Editor, has filled one of the last editions of his career - take a look and what your chapter is doing!

>>> The Trout Line <<<

Just a reminder - although we have an editor in training who has volunteered to take on the TVTU publication.....we could use a hand or two to assist Lori Day with this bi-monthly effort - please let her know! CONTACT US.

GENERAL MEETING!
WHEN: Wednesday, September 13, 2017
WHERE: Lucky Lab Public House; Multnomah Village
WHAT TIME: 6:00 p.m.
WHAT to EXPECT: Stacie Kelsey-"Trout Fishing in SW Washington"
Expand your fishing geographically! Here's how to get started exploring the trout waters of SW Washington state - our neighbors to the north.
Stacie will provide specific information on where to go, when, and how to fish some of their more productive and easily reached waters close to our metro area.
WHAT TO BRING: a few bucks for a beverage and dinner; throw in a few raffle tickets and your best dinnertime conversation to share with others!

CAMPOUTING!
WHEN: September 21-26, 2017
WHERE: Fall River - Fall River Campground
WHAT TIME: whenever you can make it
WHAT to EXPECT: Hopefully not a lot of smoke! The Fall is one of the beauties of our state - come and share it with with a few other members from the Chapter.

WHAT to BRING: a place to stay and some fishing gear; a copy of the regulations and a side dish or dessert to share at the Saturday potluck dinner! Ask a friend to join if you wish!

FOR FUN!
WHAT: Pelican Brewing 5k/10k Benefit Run [and VOLUNTEER!]
WHEN: September 23, 2017
WHERE: Tillamook, Oregon
WHAT TIME: 10 a.m. race start [VOLUNTEERS probably a bit earlier!]
WHAT to EXPECT: As reported - a charity run; but more importantly for the Salmon Superhwy effort a chance to volunteer and represent Trout Unlimited!
Head over to THEIR WEBSITE and enter or volunteer, there is also all the information you would need to answer all the questions you have!

Drink a beer, save a fish! And take a jog....

Hi TVTU’ers

Just wanted to pass on an OUTREACH OPPORTUNITY that the Oregon council will be staffing as part of the support for Salmon SuperHwy.

Pelican Brewing is sponsoring a fun run in Tillamook on September 23.  All proceeds will go toward Salmon SuperHwy.

There are volunteer opportunities to assist with the event.  If you aren't a runner - please consider helping out by volunteering for this event - and represent TU! 

<<<CLICK>>> for more info.

There is a volunteer link at the bottom of the home page.

Thanks! 

Terry

Can't or don't want to volunteer? You can always sign up and participate! Use the same link above.

STILL busy on the 23rd and can't do either - then simply DRINK A BEER and SAVE A FISH in support of the project.

Photo by SchnitzerPHOTO

Salmon Superhwy

Speaking of Diamond Lake....

If you've been in Oregon for very long you are ware of the various efforts to eliminate Tui Chubs and shiners [released from 'trophy' bait fisherman's bait wells/buckets] including the last rotenone poisoning. Similar to other battles with mother nature this one continues to thrive - and here is the latest effort to thwart the invasives....

Tui chub (bottom) and a golden shiner (top).  Both fish are present in Diamond Lake, but ODFW says the shiners don't proliferate and affect water quality nearly as intensely as the chub.

Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife

Sterile trout will prey on invasive Diamond Lake shiners

Updated on August 4, 2017 at 7:38 PM

Posted on August 4, 2017 at 6:00 PM

By Bill Monroe

For The Oregonian/OregonLive

The battle for Diamond Lake has been joined.

A second sterile, cannibal of a trout has been added to its school of predators.

Biologists for the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife say while tui chubs and golden shiners have returned....

Last chance for a Diamond...

CAMPOUTING!
WHEN: August 4-6, 2017
WHERE: Diamond Lake - Broken Arrow Campground
WHAT TIME: whenever you can make it
WHAT to EXPECT: Hopefully, you read in our various notices that the date has changed for the Diamond Lake outing [to NOT coincide with the ecliptic state migration in hopes of saving you added pains of sitting idle on our roadways and being shoe-horned into our campgrounds...]. So gather up your camp stuff and flotation devices and join Andy and crew at Diamond Lake. Besides a healthy fishy [and midge population], Diamond is a beautiful body of water shadowed by Mt Thielsen. Come one, come all! Saturday is a potluck dinner - the chapter provides the entree - attendees please bring a side dish or dessert to share.

DIRECTIONS: Take I-5 south to Eugene; Hwy 58 across the mountains to Hwy 97; Hwy 97 South to Hwy 138; follow 138 to the Lake and watch for signs for the Broken Arrow Campground [south end of the lake].

WHAT to BRING: a floating fishing device, bug spray, a dish to share and a friend if you wish!

Andy Andrews is the man to CONTACT.

August at TVTU?

Hopefully you got the word that August is our break from things TVTU - a time to go out and enjoy the fruits of your labors with activities revolving around the Cold, Clean and Fishable waters of the region. Or perhaps some other region that you have chosen to explore. Regardless, we are all in this together and hopefully there are fruits to be savored....

To that end....THERE IS NO TVTU MEMBER MEETING FOR AUGUST! Enjoy your time off! Still looking for some stuff to do? Check these out.....

Mt Thielsen above Diamond Lake

CAMPOUTING!
WHEN: August 4-6, 2017
WHERE: Diamond Lake - Broken Arrow Campground
WHAT TIME: whenever you can make it
WHAT to EXPECT: Hopefully, you read in our various notices that the date has changed for the Diamond Lake outing [to NOT coincide with the ecliptic state migration in hopes of saving you added pains of sitting idle on our roadways and being shoe-horned into our campgrounds...]. So gather up your camp stuff...

From THE BULLETIN....

Dam removal should boost fish passage
Published July 23, 2017

PENDLETON — Work has started to remove a dam in Eastern Oregon that blocks salmon, steelhead and lamprey. 

The effort to remove the Dillon Diversion Dam on the Umatilla River outside of Echo started earlier this month. The dam is 200 feet long. 

Bill Duke, district fish biologist for the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife, said fish ladders on either side of dam don’t always work properly, and the dam was considered a significant problem for native salmon and steelhead. 

“Fall chinook and coho, they tend to come up to that obstruction and get delayed there,” Duke said. “They end up spawning there below the dam.” 

He said the spot is not conducive for rearing juvenile salmon and steelhead. 

The dam built in 1915 served five landowners as part of the Dillon Irrigation Co. with water rights dating to the 1890s.

But the landowners say......read the rest of the ARTICLE.

EJ Harris/East Oregonian

 

ODFW seeks Sport Fishing Representative for Fish Restoration and Enhancement Program Board

Tuesday, July 18, 2017

SALEM, Ore. — The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife is seeking qualified applicants to fill a soon to be vacant sport fishing position on the Fish Restoration and Enhancement (R and E) Program Board. Interested individuals must apply by July 31, 2017 using <<THIS APPLICATION>>. The appointment will be effective on Jan. 1, 2018.

The ideal Sport Fishing Representative candidate will be a resident of Oregon that is able to effectively represent the sport anglers of Oregon. Desirable attributes include involvement with local fishing groups or fish management, previous experience with boards or commissions, and knowledge of, or involvement with, the diverse sport fisheries across Oregon.

The Fish Restoration and Enhancement Program was created by the Oregon Legislature in 1989 to help fund fish restoration and enhancement projects throughout the state. The program is funded by a surcharge on sport and commercial fishing licenses and commercial poundage fees and is overseen by a seven-member citizen board made up of three sport fishing representatives, three representatives from the troll, gillnet and seafood processing industries and one public-at-large representative. The Board reviews grant proposals from various organizations and agencies and recommends projects for funding.

Board members, who are appointed to four-year terms by the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission, meet three or four times each year in various communities throughout the state to review project funding applications, hear public testimony, act as liaisons between the program and the public and to conduct other program business. Board members are volunteers; however, Board-related business expenses are reimbursed.

For more information and to obtain an application, go to the R and E Program website at http://www.dfw.state.or.us/fish/RE/board.asp or contact Kevin Herkamp at (503) 947-6232 or Kevin.Herkamp@state.or.us.

ODFW: anglers give region’s steelhead a helping hand

July 13, 2017

CLACKAMAS, Ore. – Facing some of the lowest steelhead returns on record, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife has already curtailed steelhead fishing seasons throughout the Columbia River basin by adopting rolling season closures, reduced bag limits, and a night angling closure for all species.

Additionally, ODFW is asking anglers to further help the region’s steelhead by adopting ODFW’s best handling practices when they’re out on the water this summer.

“Positive voluntary efforts may reduce the necessity for future mandatory regulations,” said Tucker Jones, ODFW’s manager of Ocean Salmon and Columbia River fisheries. “If a person happens to intercept a wild steelhead, or any steelhead during a retention closure period for that matter, it is imperative that they do their utmost to ensure its survival by using best handling practices.”

ODFW lists best handling practices on Page 13 of the 2017 Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations. These practices include:

• Use barbless hooks (even where not required)
• Use tackle strong enough to bring your fish in quickly
• Land fish as quickly and carefully as possible
• Avoid removing the fish from the water
• If taking a photo, cradle the fish at water level and quickly take the picture
• Remove hooks quickly and gently while keeping the fish under water
• Use long-nosed pliers or hemostats to back out a hook
• If a fish is hooked deeply, cut the line near the hook
• Revive fish (point them into slow current or move them back and forth until gills are working)
• When possible, let the fish swim out of your hands
• Fish when it’s cool out – likely early in the morning or late in the afternoon – fishing is better and stress on fish is less.

Upriver summer steelhead forecasts are very low this year at approximately 119,000, compared to 5- and 10-year average actual returns of 236,000 and 315,000, respectively. Wild upriver summer steelhead forecasts are low as well, with a forecast return of just 34,000 fish versus the 5- and 10-year average actual returns of 87,000 and 105,000, respectively. Snake River wild “B” steelhead returns are the most imperiled, with a forecast of just 1,100 fish.

With returns of steelhead so low, another strategy is to not target them and focus on other species, including warmwater species such as bass, walleye, and pikeminnow. These species are not only fun to catch but they also prey on juvenile steelhead and salmon.

A report....

Laurance Lake - early June:

I suppose if we received more reports from members we might publish them more for other members – as the case is, we don’t receive that many and I don’t seem to make the time to fish all that often these days to make reports. Who does right? I do however, have a group of people whom I consider fishing friends who invited me along on an annual trip of theirs. Mostly coworkers and work acquaintances, this crew has been fishing annually for 21 years – I was first invited in 2012. The premise, started by a now retired structural engineer, was to take a day in the middle of the week and leave work behind – as he states “it’s a reason to play ‘hooky’ for a day”.

For as many years as I have been involved, this so-called “Shut Up and Fish” gathering has been going to Laurance Lake...

July at TVTU?

As promised with the passing of July 4th we are deep into our rainless period which spells summertime! We hope everyone survived the holiday finger and toes intact - lest the balance of your cast becomes hindered.....
So what are you doing to pass the time? Maybe we can help.....

NEWSLETTER!

Jerry, our soon to be retiring from the editor position Editor, has filled one of the last editions of his career - take a look and what your chapter is doing!

>>> The Trout Line <<<

Good news we have an editor in training will to take on the assemblage of our little publication here.....still, if you are interested and care to help or otherwise lend a hand; let Lori Day know! CONTACT US! We can always use help!

GENERAL MEETING!
WHEN: Wednesday, July 12, 2017
WHERE: Cook Park - Shelter #3 - Tigard, Oregon
WHAT TIME: 6:00 p.m.
WHAT to EXPECT: No speaker: it's TVTU Potluck Picnic time!
Well, there will be plenty of speaking going on as this is when we all informally gather and chat amongst ourselves while chowing on grilled burgers and hot dogs! Bring a spouse, friend, family member and a side-dish or dessert and join the fun. The Clackamas River Chapter and Stonefly Maidens will be joining us again too!
Ron has promised a "Whole Bunch of “Good” stuff" for the silent auction fundraiser - and asks that everyone bring a charitable attitude and a moderately full wallet! We hope to see you there!
NOTE: VENUE AND TIME CHANGE [the we're pretty lax and won't turn off the grill immediately so if you're lagging a bit behind schedule - stop on by anyways!]

OUTING CHANGE!

NOTICE: Andy Andrews and Jeff Horton have revised the dates of the August outing to Diamond Lake - due to it's coinciding with the eclipse and all that ODOT is promising about freeway lockdowns, they have moved the dates UP on the calendar......AUGUST 4-6 are the new dates. Act accordingly or be one of too many stuck on the freeway on the originally scheduled weekend!

What'd I Miss - June Edition

The Chapter welcomed well over 30 people to the Lucky Lab Public House-Multnomah this past month in anticipation of hearing Jeff Morgan regale all with information on Fishing the Hidden Cascades of Oregon. Erle started off the meeting with new member and visitor introductions – a nice showing of folks self-introducing including Jackie [a recent Vermont transplant], Andrew and Preston [first time attendees], John [recent transfer from NY] and Phil Hafele a long-time participant and visitor. Thanks to all and we hope you had a good time! 

Fish Reports: Andy was not at this meeting but a few folks who made the Timothy Lake outing shared their reports – Tom Wolf noted that many fish were caught; John corroborates the story noting several 17” through 20” fish were brought

Help a native fish [and ODFW] out - comment today

Fish screening waiver requested on White River – Comment until July 11
Tuesday, June 27, 2017

SALEM, Ore.—The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife is seeking public comment on a request to forego fish screening at a new point of diversion on White River, a tributary of the Deschutes River in Wasco County. Comments are due by July 11, 2017.

The water user on White River applied for a point of diversion transfer to their water right through the Oregon Water Resources Department (OWRD application #T-10555) in 2008. This transfer requested approval to relocate the point of diversion downstream where water would be diverted through the use of a pump.

OWRD approved the Transfer Application in 2009 with a requirement that the applicant install and operate a fish screen at the diversion. OWRD specified, “Prior to diverting water, the water user shall install a fish screening and/or bypass device, as appropriate, at the new point of diversion consistent with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife’s (ODFW) design and construction standards.”

The applicant has applied to ODFW’s Fish Screening Task Force to be excused from compliance....