I hope this message finds you all in good health. Although we are all ordered to shelter at home, recreational fishing is open. If we practice social distancing, and limit our exposure to anglers we know are practicing home sheltering, fishing is a viable option. I would limit anglers onboard on most boats to two, not many of us have thirty foot plus boats.
I’d like to share an opportunity to help those less fortunate. John Blanchard, Sharky’s Charters out of Charleston is donating bottomfish he and others caught while recreational fishing to the Coos Food Cupboard. Donating recreational caught fish is legal, as long as the angler receives no payment or benefit. So, those who would like to fish out of Charleston and team up with Sharky’s Charters can reach John at 440 333 2787.
Those of you who would prefer to fish out of Winchester Bay and provide much needed protein to needy families in Reedsport should contact me, 541 255 3383. I have arranged with the Food Pantry in Reedsport to take fish we catch. There is one hitch, the fish must be processed by a licensed seafood processor. Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to locate a willing processor in Winchester Bay in this time frame. Fish that are caught and donated will have to transported to Chuck’s Seafood in Charleston, where they will be cleaned and packaged. They will have to be picked up and transported back to Reedsport. We can consolidate the fish in Winchester Bay and transport them in bulk to Chuck’s Seafood. Transfer agreement forms must be completed to keep the transfer legal, page 88 of your Oregon Fishing Regulations.
I will coordinate this project, at least to get it started, and I appreciate any help OCA members can lend. Some of you might be interested in participating in a derby to make this a little more interesting! There are two methods of angling for bottomfish at this time; three hooks inside forty fathoms (5 fish and 2 Lingcod) and the thirty foot leader outside of forty fathoms (10 bottomfish, no Lingcod).
Donations are also helpful to offset the cost of processing. OCA members can make tax free donations to OCA, write fish processing in the remarks area of the check and mail it to OCA, PO Box 584, Reedsport, OR 97467. The cost of processing fish donated by OCA members and friends will be paid for by OCA. Related, OCA has sent a check for $300 to help offset the cost of processing fish for the Coos Food Cupboard.
Today, OCA provided Pizza and Wings to the Lower Umpqua Hospital Staff, as a sign of our appreciation for those we depend upon most when we are in physical distress. Putting them at great risk, we need them more than ever before during the Coronavirus Pandemic. So, many thanks to our doctors, nurses and first responders for helping those in need.