One of the pleasures of retirement is having the time to explore the myriad interests that were superficially studied during the frenetic working years. My love of science has sparked deeper investigation into botany, entomology, genetics, and even virology! Yes, there is a fishing connection here. But back to virology. Like many Americans, I…
Read more Conservation Corner – On Science and Living Rivers »
Editor’s Note: I am grateful that wild salmon and steelhead have the tireless devotion and expertise of David Moskowitz at The Conservation Angler. He continually advocates for science-based policies to manage Columbia River Fishery regulations. It’s difficult for those of us who love to chase summer steelies to think about leaving the two-handed rod at…
Read more Conservation Corner – Early Summer Report on Columbia River Salmonids »
Comments Requested by Flyline Editor – An·thro·po·cene – (anTHrəpəˌsēn), adjective relating to or denoting the current geological age, viewed as the period during which human activity has been the dominant influence on climate and the environment. Salmon and steelhead life histories in the Anthropocene Epoch. “Migrating” to the ocean on a barge. Your Flyline editor…
Read more Conservation Corner – The Salmon Life History Re-Written »
Editor’s Note: Tribal and NGO partnerships are finding creative ways to restore fish populations across the west. One of our newest FCO members, Rob Peterson, describes one such partnership in the northeastern corner of our state that hopes to restore sockeye salmon to the Wallowa Lake and Wallowa River. Rob comes to us by way…
Read more Welcome Back, Sockeye Salmon! 100 Years is Far Too Long »
Dreamin’ of Fishin’ Nature lovers and conservation enthusiasts have been creative during our “Stay Home Stay Safe” requirements. Here are a few trips you can take with your senses while being a responsible citizen and staying home. Love this You Tube video called Malheur Symphony by the Central Oregon Symphony with photographs by Terry and…
Editor’s Note: My friend, Felton, definitely enjoys more fishing opportunity than I do and his angling skills far surpass mine. Good thing for the fish as his “keep ’em wet” best practices means the many he brings to hand have a very good chance of procreating and sustaining the fishery resource. This month Felton shares…
Petition for Catch and Release of Wild Steelhead Last December the Oregon Commission of Fish and Wildlife heard testimony on a petition to prohibit take of wild steelhead in Oregon’s southwest zone. A group of local fisherman and river stewards submitted a petition arguing against wild steelhead harvest because Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife…
Editor’s Note: We knew 2019 was going to be a bad year for wild steelhead returns in the Columbia River system. A few FCO members found fish on the Deschutes and John Day but many recounted fishless days during our monthly meetings. Poor returns forced ODFW to close the lower Deschutes to steelhead fishing…
Read more Conservation Corner – Looking Back at 2019 Wild Columbia River Steelhead Returns »
Give me a place where I can rest my head . . . A sense of place, belonging, home – it is something that humans across the globe hold dear. This “place” may be surrounded by forest, desert, concrete, or even freeway interchanges with traffic that roars outside a flimsy tent. We strive to find…
Free the Snake and Clearwater River Steelhead Editor’s Note: This piece on the challenges facing steelhead that migrate to inland waters of the Snake and its tributaries comes by way of our White Salmon, WA member, Felton Jenkins. A die-hard steelhead worshiper, Felton laments the decline of these spirited fish and shares his thoughts on…
