February has been a  busy month with meetings and our Christmas Trees for Salmon Project. I attended a NOAA roundtable meeting at the Saltwater Sportsman’s Show in Salem on February 23rd. The hot topics were a need for more hatchery salmon and steelhead, last year ODFW recorded smaller salmon, reason speculated, more analysis needed, two many predators, challenge to NOAA that they don’t have good data regarding near shore bottomfish. This is the first such NOAA outreach in Oregon for public comment from recreational anglers regarding the Pacific Ocean fishery. I’m hoping for more dialog.

On Thursday, February 27th, I attended the ODFW Ocean Salmon Industry Group meeting in Newport. Ocean Coho Salmon fishing seems to be feast or famine, year to year. Last year was one of the recent best years, now followed by not so good. Certainly, Coho aren’t the only constraints, Klamath River Chinook Salmon are also an issue. I argued for the best fishing opportunity for the Central Zone, South anglers. On Tuesday, March 24th the Pacific Fishery Management Council will present three alternatives for public comment at the Red Lion Hotel in Coos Bay, starting at 7:00 PM.

The Oregon Coast Anglers sixth Christmas Trees for Salmon project was successfully completed on Wednesday, February 26th. Weather wise it was our best day for the project, thus far. Past years, it’s been miserable and cold, Wednesday, warm and sunny.
Craig Beyer, Beyer Excavating, loaded the trees onto three OCA volunteers’ truck and trailers. Craig was nice enough to blow all the debris of the Les Schwab parking lot. Yes, Craig wins the MVP award two years in a row, thank you Craig. The dump truck has a story. Ean Wright had a doctor’s appointment and couldn’t help, but he trusted Steve Godin to drive his 30,000 lb truck. Never having driven such a truck, air brakes and hydraulics to dump, was quite an experience. Neighbor and OCA member, Harold Ettelt, drove Steve’s truck and trailer. Bill Town and Connie Hastings brought the other large flatbed trailer.
Mr. Ron Frakes, Biology Teacher at the Reedsport Community Charter School bused five students to Camp Creek, where the trees were placed in the water. Eric Himmelreich, ODFW Habitat Biologist, brought waders for some of the students, and instructed the students in the benefits of the project, and how to place them in Camp Creek. All went well, and we were finished by Noon.
Leona’s Restaurant provided sandwiches for all at a discounted price, thank you. Water, soda and chips were also provided by OCA. Besides OCA Members already mentioned, thanks to Rick Rockholt, Bruce Odell, Mike Kelly and Jerry Noel. Watch for an article and pictures in the Umpqua Post.