Salem Chapter Northwest Steelheaders

Newsletter for June 2024

June 18th Membership Meeting Plans

Plans for our next meeting include a program presentation from “Shuttle Bob” Lusk, one of our own longtime members, about “Fishing the North Santiam River.” With over 50 years of experience doing just that, Bob has a wealth of knowledge and information to share with us on that subject. Please plan to join us and learn from his many experiences of living and fishing on the North Santiam.

Fishing has been pretty good this year and here’s the proof

If you haven’t been fishing lately, you may want to give it a try. On June 8^th, Mill City resident Howard Kim had the good fortune to land two beautiful, Hatchery Summer Steelhead on the South Santiam River fishing with Guide, Mitchell Brooks. On June 10^th, Club Secretary Mike Ferris guided David Kocaj and his son Zach on the North Santiam which resulted in Zach tagging his very first Steelhead.

Howard Kim with two Summer Steelhead on the South Santiam and Zach Kocaj and Dad, David on North Santiam with his very first Steelhead

Save the date for the Salem Steelheaders Picnic in July

Plans are still in the works to hold our Summer Picnic on Saturday, July 13^th at Mike Ferris’ home on the North Santiam River in Mill City. There will be a sign-up sheet available at our meeting on June 18^th for those wishing to attend.

Please be reminded there will be no monthly membership meetings in July or August

Future meetings and newsletters will resume in September. Have a great Summer!

Reminder Notice for Membership Dues

If you need to pay your annual membership dues, attached below is a Membership Form for your convenience. Please return your completed form and dues payment to:

Linda Chezem – Treasurer

663 Rockwood St. SE

Salem, OR. 97306

Submitted by Mike Ferris

Salem Chapter Secretary

Salem Chapter Northwest Steelheaders

Newsletter for March 2024

March Membership Meeting includes a presentation by Oregon State Police

Plans for our Membership Meeting on March 19^th include a program presentation by Andrew Porter who is an Oregon State Police Trooper. His program on “game enforcement issues” will inform us on how we might be able to help report fish and game violations and turn in poachers. If time permits, Club Secretary Mike Ferris will cover another lesson from the ODFW’s Steelhead 101 Class on “Reading the Water” for Steelhead Habitat.

Local anglers discover a bright spot of Winter fishing success at Detroit Lake

Ray Perez with a 15-inch Rainbow and Lee Harrington with a nice Detroit Lake Kokanee

One recent bright spot on the fishing horizon this Winter has been the Kokanee and Trout fisheries at Detroit Lake. Trips to Detroit Lake between rain and snowstorms last month revealed some consistently good results. Dan Lemke of Mill City also reported catching twenty bright Kokanee Trout with two of his fishing buddies on February 23^rd.

Plans for a new park bench in honor of deceased member Jim Kitzhaber are under way

Our Salem Chapter Board of Directors has been working with Past Secretary Bob Johnston and members of Jim Kitzhaber’s family to design and install a park bench in Jim’s memory at Minto Park on Highway 22 near Gates, Oregon. Jim was an active member of our Salem Chapter for many years and regularly participated in our volunteer work at Minto Park.

Tualatin Valley Chapter of ANWS to Host Tillamook Area Fish-A-Long Event

The Tualatin Valley Chapter of the ANWS will be hosting a “Fish-A-Long” event in the Tillamook Bay area on March 23^rd and have invited other chapters to participate. Please contact Jeff Hernandez for more information at: [email protected] Phone: 971-404-5793.

Reminder Notice for Membership Dues

If you need to pay your annual membership dues, attached is a Membership Form for your convenience. Please return your completed form and dues payment to:

Linda Chezem – Treasurer, 663 Rockwood St. SE, Salem, OR. 97306

Submitted by Mike Ferris

Salem Chapter Secretary

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Salem Chapter Northwest Steelheaders

Newsletter for February 2024

February Membership Meeting Plans

Notwithstanding another surprise Winter ice storm, our scheduled meeting program for February 20th includes a presentation by Janine Belleque from the Oregon State Marine Board on boating access. If time allows, we will also continue with our ongoing plans to present another segment of ODFW’s Steelhead 101 Class. Robert Morton has agreed to cover the “Basic Fishing Gear” and “Rods & Reels” portion of the lesson at next Tuesday’s meeting.

Sportmen’s Shows are Scheduled for Portland and Salem

If you find yourself looking for something to do during all the rain and high water this month, you might want to check out the Sportsmen’s Shows coming to Portland and Salem. The Pacific Northwest Sportsmen’s Show is scheduled to be at the Portland Expo Center from February 14th to 18th and the 2024 Saltwater Sportsmen’s Show will be held at the Oregon State Fair and Exposition Center on February 24^th and 25^th. A few more details are listed above.

Tualatin Valley Chapter of ANWS to Host Tillamook Area Fish-A-Long Event

The Tualatin Valley Chapter of the ANWS will be hosting a “Fish-A-Long” event in the Tillamook Bay area from March 1 – 3 and have invited other chapters to participate. Their plan is to fish some of the local waters including the Wilson and Nestucca Rivers. At last report, there were still a few spots open. The cost is $70.00 per person and includes meals and two nights of “dormitory style” lodging. Please contact Jeff Hernandez for more information at: [email protected] Phone: 971-404-5793

Reminder Notice for Membership Dues

If you need to pay your annual membership dues, attached is a Membership Form for your convenience. Please return your completed form and dues payment to:

Linda Chezem – Treasurer

663 Rockwood St. SE

Salem, OR. 97306

Submitted by Mike Ferris

Salem Chapter Secretary

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Salem Chapter Northwest Steelheaders

Newsletter for January 2024

January Membership Meeting Plans

Our scheduled meeting program currently includes a presentation by Janine Belleque from the Oregon State Marine Board on boating access. If time allows, we will also continue with our ongoing plans to present another segment of ODFW’s Steelhead 101 Class. Robert Morton has graciously agreed to cover the “Basic Fishing Gear” and “Rods & Reels” portion of the lesson at next Tuesday’s meeting.

Winter Steelhead Are In the North Santiam…and Here’s the Proof!

On January 1^st, Mike and Tony Frolov launched their raft at the Lyons-Mehama Boat Ramp to test the waters of the North Santiam for Winter Steelhead and were well rewarded for their efforts. By the end of the day, they reported hooking nine and landing four big native Winter Steelhead which were promptly photographed and released. The photos below bear witness to a very successful day of fishing.

Tony and Mike Frolov enjoying a very productive New Years’ Day on the North Santiam

Jim Kitzhaber Obituary Notice

It is with great sadness that we report the passing of our fellow Salem Steelheader, Jim Kitzhaber on November 14^th, 2023. Jim was a longtime member and enjoyed attending and participating in our Chapter meetings and events. A website address for his obituary has been provided below and members can view it and leave comments for his family at:

www.weddle-funeral.com/obituaries/James-Kitzhaber?obId=29953637

Reminder Notice for Membership Dues

If you need to pay your annual membership dues, attached is a Membership Form for your convenience. Please return your completed form and dues payment to:

Linda Chezem – Treasurer

663 Rockwood St. SE, Salem, OR. 97306

Submitted by Mike Ferris

Salem Chapter Secretary

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Salem Chapter Northwest Steelheaders

Newsletter for December 2023

December meeting includes a Holiday Potluck Dinner and presentation by Roger Fletcher

It’s time for our December Holiday potluck dinner meeting which will include a presentation by author Roger Fletcher about is book “Drift Boats & River Dories, Their History, Design, Construction and Use. Following is a little more information about Roger and his book.

Roger Fletcher in his shop and on the oars of a “Doryak,” a boat design inspired by his book

Roger is a 60-year drift boater, drift boat historian, educator, author, craftsman, and accidental fisherman. Concerned that the early drift boats and river dories were being lost to time, he researched their origins, their uses, lines and construction detail, and the people who built and used them. The spawning grounds for these boats, which are now used world-wide, are Oregon’s McKenzie and Rogue Rivers. His resulting book, Drift Boats and River Dories (Stackpole Books, 2007), chronicles the people behind the boats, describes how they are built and presents the lines and construction detail of 10 of the 13 boats he has recovered. Since its publication, people around the globe have, and are, building these boats as fishing platforms and whitewater river runners. His program will be an overview of these unique riverboats through tales, scaled replicas of the original boats and good humor.

Roger also plans to have a few of his books available for sale at a discounted price of $35 (cash or checks accepted) which could make a great Christmas gift for the boating enthusiast in your life.

We look forward to seeing you at our December 19^th meeting. As usual, Bob Johnston is preparing a yummy holiday ham so please remember to bring a side dish, salad or dessert for our potluck dinner.

Reminder Notice for Membership Dues

If you need to pay your annual membership dues, attached is a Membership Form for your convenience. Please return your completed form and dues payment to:

Linda Chezem – Treasurer

663 Rockwood St. SE , Salem, OR. 97306

Please note that the payment amount for annual dues has changed to $40.00 effective February 1, 2023.

Submitted by Mike Ferris

Salem Chapter Secretary ————————————————————————————————-

Salem Chapter Northwest Steelheaders

Newsletter for October 2023

October meeting plans include election of Salem Chapter Officers for 2024

As of press time, there was no program speaker presentation scheduled for our October 17th meeting. That being the case, our meeting will focus on the election of club officers for 2024. There will also be a discussion about the upcoming ANWS Annual “Hall of Fame Banquet” to be held on November 17^th at the Milwaukie Elks Lodge to see how many of our members might be interested in attending. If possible, we are hoping to have a table of 8 at the event.

Fall Coho Salmon are coming up the Willamette River and heading for the Santiams

On October 3^rd, Chapter Secretary Mike Ferris had an opportunity to test the waters of the Willamette River near Meldrum Bar Park with some Fall Coho Salmon fishing. The weather was pleasant and the fishing was pretty good too. With over 19,000 Coho over Willamette Falls at Oregon City so far, these fish are still heading upstream and 464 of them have already passed the fish ladder at Bennett Dam on the North Santiam. At that rate, there should be good opportunities for success when Coho Season opens above Stayton on October 15th.

Adam Grill of Portland and Mike Ferris fishing for Coho Salmon on the Willamette River

Plans are in progress to rehabilitate and re-open Minto Park on Highway 22

Our Salem Chapter is currently in discussions with a representative of Marion County Parks to help improve the trails and fishing areas in Minto Park at a possible volunteer event scheduled for November. Further details will follow at our membership meeting. Please plan to attend.

Reminder Notice for Membership Dues

If you need to pay your annual membership dues, attached is a Membership Form for your convenience. Please return your completed form and dues payment to:

Linda Chezem – Treasurer

663 Rockwood St. SE , Salem, OR. 97306

Please note that the payment amount for annual dues has changed to $40.00 effective February 1, 2023.

P.S. Bob Johnston is looking for a working Handheld CB Radio

if anyone has one available. You may contact him at the

Salem Chapter Secretary meeting or give him a call at: 971-718-2654.

Thank You! Bob J.

————————————————————————————————-Submitted by Mike Ferris

Salem Chapter Northwest Steelheaders
Newsletter for September 2023

Plans for Our September Membership Meeting Include Officer Nominations for 2024

Since our last meeting in June, we hope that you all had an enjoyable and restful July and August despite the heat. With our two-month summer break now behind us, it’s time to get back to business as usual and nominate our Salem Chapter Officers for 2024. Please plan to attend and provide your input for next year’s slate of officers at our meeting on Sept. 19th.

Salem Chapter Members Go Fishing in Alaska
Three of our Salem Chapter Members had an opportunity to go fishing (and catching) in Coffman Cove, Alaska during our summer break. Those participating in all that catching were Rod Ratzlaff, Nigel Hearne and Mike Ferris. A good time was had by all and everyone returned with enough frozen salmon and halibut fillets to last well into next year. The boys from this year’s trip are pictured below demonstrating how that gets done.

Vice President Rod Ratzlaff, Member Nigel Hearne and Secretary Mike Ferris Livin’ the Dream in Coffman Cove on Prince of Wales Island in Southeast Alaska.

With no featured guest speaker currently scheduled for our next meeting, we will plan to present a short slideshow of photos from the trip prepared by Past Secretary Bob Johnston if time permits after our business meeting. We hope to see you there!

Reminder Notice for Membership Dues
If you need to pay your annual membership dues, attached is a Membership Form for your convenience. Please return your completed form and dues payment to:

Linda Chezem – Treasurer
663 Rockwood St. SE , Salem, OR. 97306

Please note that the payment amount for annual dues has changed to $40.00 effective February 1, 2023.

Submitted by Mike Ferris
Salem Chapter Secretary