Action Alert January 2017

Posted on January 19, 2017 by Salem NW Steelheaders

Displaying On January 20th, the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission will decide the fate of Columbia River anglers for the 2017 fishing season and the future of the Columbia River Fisheries Reform Package. To date, Oregon’s anglers have not received what we paid for (the Columbia River endorsement fee), what we sacrificed for (smolt transfers from the Sandy River and Willamette River hatcheries to supplement the Young’s Bay gillnet fishery), and what we were promised (increased angler opportunity and greater conservation measures by the gillnet fleet).

WE NEED YOU THERE!

Join your fellow anglers in a united front against attacks on the bi-state reform package agreement by the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission. In December, led by Commissioners Buckmaster and Anderson, who favor commercial fishing interests, the Oregon Commission voted to “freeze” implementation of the reform package, thereby rolling back the phase out of gillnets on the mainstem Columbia and the promised phase in of increased sport fishing opportunity.

Fortunately, this last Saturday, the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission did not follow in Oregon’s footsteps, but instead largely sided with sport fishers. Washington decided to implement most of the key provisions of the reform package, including full implementation of the spring and summer season reforms, and a commitment to full implementation of fall season reforms in two years.

Now, the ball is the Oregon Commission’s court . . .

WE NEED YOU THERE!

Sportanglers have kept their promises and the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission reaffirmed their commitment to their largest constituency through a decision prioritizing sportfishing on the mainstem Columbia. In the face of two already approved fee increases, and the need for support for an alternative fee package that recognizes that all Oregonians should pay for ODF&W’s programs, it’s time for the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission to recognize the merits of full implementation of the Columbia River Fishery Reforms. Please join your fellow anglers and urge the commission to keep their promises to our community by attending the January 20^th meeting in Salem or email them, expressing your desires for full implementation of the reform policy. Please tell the Oregon Commission to:

Commit to full implementation of the Columbia River Reform Package – including the agreed to recreational fishing priority on the mainstem and a transition of gillnets to off channel areas.

Reject ODFW staff’s proposal to abandon full implementation and to allow non-selective gill nets to permanently remain on the mainstem.

Re-open the Young’s Bay area to recreational fishing – as recommended by ODFW to aid conservation of wild fish by removing more hatchery fish from the spawning grounds.

Allow the use of barbed hooks in the Willamette River and Oregon tributaries as also recommended by ODFW.

WE NEED YOU THERE!

Where:

Oregon Fish and Wildlife Headquarters
4034 Fairview Industrial Drive SE

Salem, OR 97302

When:

Meeting starts at 8:00am

Meanwhile, please consider writing the commission on your feelings for deviating from the course at:

[email protected]

AND, contact your Senator and Representative by finding their contact info here:

Find Your Legislator

Oregon Gillnet Betrayal

Posted on December 8, 2016 by Salem NW Steelheaders

This past Friday, the ODFW Commission, led by a former gillnet industry lobbyist appointed to the Commission by Governor Brown last year, voted to break the historic 2012 bi-state Columbia River compromise fishery reform plan. The good news is that you can doing something about this betrayal.

The Commission, ignoring the advice of its own staff and disregarding their ongoing negotiations with Washington’s Commission, voted to block the plan’s implementation for a year — including the promised removal of commercial gillnets from the mainstem Lower Columbia.

This action directly conflicts with the key tenants of the bi-state compromise plan and Senate Bill 830, which codified the reforms in Oregon. Instead of honoring its promises, the Commission is instead focused on growing the profits of the gillnet industry. We can’t allow this to stand:

•Non-selective gillnets that indiscriminately kill endangered salmon and steelhead as well as other wildlife would remain in the lower Columbia for at least another year, if not indefinitely.

•Columbia River recreational salmon and steelhead fisheries, which generate over $13 million in annual license and endorsement fee revenue for ODFW, would continue to be shut down by indiscriminate gillnet fisheries that generate little revenue for ODFW.

Governor Kate Brown has the power to reign in her renegade commission. When she appointed a gillnet lobbyist she explicitly promised that what happened Friday would not happen.

It’s time to hold her to that promise. Here’s how you can help:

•Call Governor Brown at (503) 378-4582 – let her know you oppose the decision of her ODFW Commissioners to block the Columbia River reforms. Urge her to reign them in.
•Plan on joining us next Monday, December 12 at Noon for a legislative briefing and rally in Salem — Room 350 of the State Capitol Building (900 Court Street, Salem, Oregon).

Remember, government – and fish policy – goes to those who show up. Will you show up for the fish and our fisheries?

Sincerely,
CCA Oregon

Mike Huddleston – Memorial

Posted on October 26, 2016 by Salem NW Steelheaders

In Remembrance

Mike Huddleston

12 March 1921 – 23 September 2016

Member Salem Chapter N.W. Steelheaders 1984-2016

Board Member Salem Chapter N.W. Steelheaders 1985-2016

N. W. Steelheaders Association Member of the Year 2012

Mike was a long time fisherman. He would proudly show you the photo of him holding a 40 lb. Chinook that he had just caught.

Mike was elected to the board of directors for the Salem Chapter of the N. W. Steelheaders shortly after joining the chapter in 1985.

Mike has chaired the Nomination Committee for the chapter board officers for several years. Mike has been known to ask, cajole, induce, and “Shanghai” chapter members into serving.

Mike consistently sold the most Association ticket sales for several years and he supported the chapter at weekend sales. Mike was noted for getting shoppers walking by to stop for a second and listen to his pitch.

Mike could always be counted on to help organize and attend work parties by the chapter. His support of the annual cleaning of Minto Park by the Salem chapter was, by his labors, an inspiration to the members who worked and tried to keep up with him.

Mike was inspirational in organizing and taking new members to the Alsea and Nestucca Rivers to explore and educate them on boat launches and “Hot Spots” for bank fishing.

Mike worked with other members of the Salem Branch in a booth at the State Fair explaining Steealhead Fishing and showing casting technique to children using a bicycle tire as a target.

Mike assisted other chapter members at the Roaring River Fish Hatchery with the fish egg spawning program and the smolt & fingerling fin clipping program at the hatchery.

Mike has testified before the Oregon State Senate on behalf of the N.W. Steealheaders in the River Navigation Designation bills that were under discussion.

In March of 1992, Mike served on a ODFW select committee representing the N.W. Steealheaders to develop and publish a “Fish Management Plan for the North Santiam and Calapooia Rivers.”

Mike was the key person to secure a booth for the Salem Chapter at the Stayton Fair which is held in Stayton, Oregon every June which enabled the chapter to receive very favorable exposure.

Mike was affectionately known to the Salem Membership as a “Motivator.” If someone had a good idea or project, Mike was a “Let’s get her done” guy with little discussion, no studying, no committee meetings if possible, no tabling it to next meeting; just “let’s get on with it and get it done”. At 90 plus years of age, he was an inspiration to all who observed him.

Mike, You Will Be Missed!