EMERGENCY Fishing Regs - Start July 1!!!

 

Emergency fishing regulations in response to drought begin July 1:
Check the Recreation Report in your zone for info

June 30, 2021

SALEM, Ore.—ODFW is implementing emergency regulations that will BEGIN JULY 1 in several angling zones as Oregon faces a severe drought this summer, putting the state’s salmon, steelhead, trout and sturgeon at risk. 

As always, the latest regulations are listed at the top of the Recreation Report – Fishing Report for each zone. Always check your angling zone before you go fishing.

These emergency regulations are in effect until Sept. 30, 2021 but may be lifted early or extended depending on conditions.

A summary of emergency regulations follows.

• Fishing will CLOSE for salmon, steelhead, sturgeon, and trout from 2 p.m. until one hour before sunrise in some rivers and streams in the NW, SW, Willamette, Central, NE zones. (“Hoot owl” regulations to end fishing before water temperatures are at their warmest, which stresses fish.)
• NEHALEM RIVER (NW Zone) upstream of the Miami-Foley Road Bridge (and tributaries upstream of bridge) will close to all angling July 1-Sept. 30. The Nehalem Bay/River from the mouth to the Miami Foley Road Bridge remains open under permanent regulations. The North Fork Nehalem is also open with “hoot owl” restrictions above tidewater. All other open streams in the NW Zone will be under “hoot owl” regulations. 
• The DESCHUTES RIVER from the mouth to Sherars Falls will be under “hoot owl” regulations to protect fish.
• Angling closure within 200 feet of mouths of tributaries in portions of the UMPQUA and NORTH UMPQUA RIVERS, to allow fish to gather in these cooler areas without angling pressure.
• Other targeted angling closures in portions of the ROGUE and ILLINOIS RIVERS to allow for salmon and steelhead facing tough conditions to migrate without angling pressure.
• HYATT and HOWARD PRAIRIE RESERVOIRS in SW Zone are lifting all bag limits on all species due to extremely low water conditions that are becoming unsuitable for fish.

For full details, see the emergency regulations for your angling zone at https://myodfw.com/recreation-report/fishing-report/

“There is a tough summer and early fall ahead for fish, and we want to take steps to help them survive,” said Shaun Clements, ODFW deputy administrator for inland fisheries. “We appreciate anglers following the regulations and being flexible with their plans to help fish this year.”

This doesn’t mean that all fishing has to stop,” continued Clements. “Except for the Nehalem River, fishing will remain open the morning and early afternoon hours when water temperatures are cooler for fish and people. There are many great fishing opportunities in high lakes, for warmwater fish like, bass, walleye, or crappie, and in lakes and reservoirs stocked with hatchery rainbow trout—though stocking plans may change due to the drought so remember to check the Recreation Report not the online schedule for the latest information.”

Anglers are reminded to use best practices when fishing in areas that may require release of the fish:

• Use appropriate gear and land fish quickly. The longer the fight, the less likely the fish will survive.
• 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.

 ODFW Press Release

Ongoing fish kill on the Klamath River is an ‘absolute worst-case scenario’

The video shows clear river water washing over rocks as sunlight dances in the shallows. Small slivers of white that look like leaves float on the surface. But they aren’t leaves; they’re the bodies of juvenile salmon, most of them no longer than a finger, dead from a warm-water disease exacerbated by drought on the Klamath River. The caption to the video, filmed by Yurok Vice Chairman Frankie Joe Myers, is stark: “This is what climate change looks like when we don’t act.” 

Read the HIGH COUNTRY NEWS article

Boat Inspection Stations - OPEN for the SEASON!!

Boaters required to stop at aquatic invasive species inspection stations.
Free inspection takes five to 10 minutes

May 25, 2021

SALEM, Ore. – All watercraft entering Oregon are required to be inspected at an aquatic invasive species station when the stations are open. Failure to stop at an open station could result in a $110 fine.

Inspection stations located in Ashland and Ontario are open year-round and seasonal stations in Brookings, Klamath Falls, Lakeview and Umatilla are now operational.

All vehicles towing or carrying motorized or non-motorized boats, including canoes, kayaks, and even paddleboards must stop. This includes commercial watercraft.

Inspections for aquatic invasive species typically take five to 10 minutes and drivers are not required to get out of their vehicles. Please turn off vehicles during inspection to make it easier for the inspector and driver to hear each other and maintain physical distance. Watercraft found with aquatic invasive species attached to the vessel are decontaminated on the spot. Both boat inspections and decontaminations are free.

"People who stop at these stations are directly contributing to our success in keeping aquatic invasive zebra and quagga mussels, snails and aquatic plants out of Oregon," said Rick Boatner, ODFW Invasive Species Supervisor.

Inspecting boats coming into the state is the first line of defense in keeping aquatic invasive species such as zebra or quagga mussels, snails and aquatic plants out of Oregon. These invaders can cost millions in damage to water delivery systems and serious environmental damage to our rivers, lakes and native aquatic species.

"Everyone who boats needs to make sure they always practice Clean, Drain, and Dry. All boaters and anglers should be vigilant about cleaning and drying all their gear after each use," Boatner said.

Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Permits or Waterway Access Permit are required for most boaters in Oregon. Both resident and non-resident, non-motorized boats (paddlecraft) ten feet and longer require a Waterway Access Permit. All non-resident motorized boats require an Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention permit. Resident motorized boat permits are included in the Oregon boater registration fee. Permit sales provide funding for the six boat inspection stations throughout Oregon.

So far this year, crews have inspected 3,796 boats and intercepted 41 vessels...

VOLUNTEERS!

 Greetings TVTU Volunteers!

JUNE 6: There are about 200 Christmas trees on site at the Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge [Pacific Highway toward Sherwood] that need to be placed.  The work group would be about TEN folks from TVTU and ten volunteers from the Friends of the Refuge. There may be a need for additional help if some of the trees on site need to be moved any significant distance from where they were dropped to get where they need to be placed [we’ll determine that with sufficient time in advance to add in folks].

CAN YOU HELP?? We’ll take the first ten responders and will make a standby list of any others, to fill in any cancellations or to augment the June 6 crew if we need to move trees that day.

The plan will be to meet in the parking lot of the Refuge Visitor Center at 9 a.m. on June 6, and we’ll carpool to where the trees are located. It should be about TWO HOURS of rewarding effort.  Thanks for helping out.

CONTACT : Mike Gentry

 

Christmas for Coho - CANCELED

 

C4C 2021 has just been CANCELED.

The Chapter Board received some concerns for being able to safely operate the Christmas tree recycling program for this year. With national Trout Unlimited guidelines and increased State of Oregon protocols for safety, the Board decided to cancel for this year. Thank you to all those who had already volunteered - we certainly appreciate your dedication.

 

We hope that everyone remains safe and that we can continue this program in future years...for the fish, the fisherman and future generations!

 

!! 2021 C4C  !!

Dates are set for this next collection season - can you find the time to help out? COVID restrictions apply and we will be working to meet guidelines for the outside environment. Our dates this year will JANUARY 2 and JANUARY 9; we will be keeping our same drop-off locations at Royal Treatment Fly Fishing in West Linn and North West Flyfishing Outfitters in Portland.

CONTACT MIKE GENTRY

Please let us know if you will be available and we'll wok on a schedule. Hope to see you then!

 

Notice of Annual Meeting

Notice of TVTU Annual Chapter Members Meeting

[NOTE: the link for this zoom meeting was sent via email to members on November 2; if you did not receive the email notice or cannot find it in your spam-box, please CONTACT US to assist! We're always glad to help]

 

The Annual Meeting of Members of the Tualatin Valley Trout Unlimited Chapter will take place online in a Zoom meeting on November 11, 2020, starting at 6:30 pm

The agenda will include:

1. Elections
2. Treasurer's Report on income, expenses, and cash-on-hand.
3. President's Annual Report to members  
4. Eric Means, Climate Change Coordinator for Oregon

Our meeting will conclude with a presentation from Eric Means, TV chapter member, and TU's volunteer Climate Change Coordinator for Oregon. Eric is an electronics engineer in the computer-chip business, and 8 years ago was bold (foolish?) enough to step into the political climate change fray — as a Republican, no less. Eric will describe what climate change is, what causes it, and — most important — why it poses a long-term threat to cold-water fisheries in Oregon. If you wonder why climate change has become so politicized, Eric will offer his view from 8 years inside the mayhem as an advocate. TU’s national office concluded that the best current political vehicle to address climate change is something called “carbon fee and dividend”, which now exists as a resolution in the US House of Representatives.  Eric will describe why this resolution is so important, why it inspires fear from both sides of the political aisle, and what TU members can do to support it. 

Thank you,

Lori Day
President

TU Youth Essay Contest - Enter now!!

 

When did you become interested in conservation? | Trout Unlimited Participants in Trout Unlimited summer camps across the country and annual teen summit are the usual contributor...

Directly from TU’s Headwaters Youth Program to you - they wanted to share an opportunity to win prizes by writing an essay - plus, every youth entry receives a years membership:

Second is something for the young person in your chapter and beyond! Youth ages 12 to 18 are invited to participate in the annual TU Teen Essay Contest. We hope to hear from teens across the country describing the moment they felt a responsibility to become involved in conservation. Deadline to enter is October 31.  Learn more about prizes and eligibility here. Any youth that enters will receive a free one-year TU membership.

 

 

 

MORE OUTING UPDATES

 

Thanks for hanging in there with us - hopefully the last newsletter hit everyone's inbox in time for planning your TVTU outings. Below are the most recent changes. Click this link to the entire list of UNREVISED Chapter OUTINGS for the year:

• HARRIET LAKE [OCTOBER 15]: single day trip with protocols should go off without a hitch.
• FALL RIVER [September 24-28]: CAMPGROUND REVISION - the trip will now bivy at ROCK CREEK CAMPGROUND at CRANE PRAIRIE as the original venue remains closed. As a reminder, campsites are the responsibility of the participant.

As previously noted, all trips are very fluid and we will try and keep updates coming via this site, Facebook, website and the TVTU newsletter [via email]. As always, if you have questions or wish to RSVP - contact Andy Andrews.

2020 Outings updated....

During the last board meeting Andy Andrews updated us on the status of the remaining Chapter OUTINGS for the year - obviously, there have been some changes and the trips all remain very fluid....please bear with us [and Andy!].

• TIMOTHY LAKE [June 12-14]: this was postponed; being as it is one of the most popular trips, Andy and Jeff are looking to reschedule it to a date in September. Keep an eye out for updates.
• LAURANCE LAKE [July 12]: so far so good; a day trip to Mt Hood, Andy is confident this can be pulled off without impact and gathering guidelines can be maintained.
• MILLER LAKE [August 14-17]: so far so good with miller as well; though an overnighter, the crew anticipates being...

Recent temporary regulation changes....

ODFW enacts temporary changes
Wild fall-run Chinook salmon harvest
June 11, 2020

SALEM, Ore.— Following poor Chinook salmon returns last fall and forecasted low 2020 returns in certain coastal rivers, ODFW is implementing some restrictions on coastal wild adult Chinook salmon harvest.

The changes to wild Chinook salmon harvest are consistent with existing ODFW management plans, which specify increases or decreases to harvest levels in response to changing stock status for wild Chinook salmon in various groupings of neighboring rivers.

There are no changes to permanent regulations for North Coast streams from....