I hope the New Year has gotten off to a good start for you, your family and friends. I’ve been working from home on OCA projects, our hobby farm and fishing equipment.

I have one new announcement; Mark Teeter has agreed to step in as the Coos Bay OCA Director. Joe Cook, the previous Coos Bay Director advised me that for personal reasons he would discontinue his role as director. Joe has been very supportive of OCA and I thank him for his involvement. Mark will be an acting director until he can be confirmed by the OCA membership or we can find another candidate.

OCA meetings will be discontinued in 2021, at least until the Oregon Government authorizes such meetings. I’m hoping that we can get past the Covid19 Pandemic and get back to a more normal life, soon.

OCA projects that are going as planned include the OCA Conservation Scholarship Project and the Christmas Trees for Salmon Project.  Regarding the Conservation Scholarships, three $1,000.00 scholarships are being offered to qualified students graduating this year. Notices have been sent out to all the high schools from Florence to Brookings, and the OCA Directors are actively engaged with school administrators in their respective areas. New this year, Coquille High School has been invited to participate.

The Christmas Trees for Salmon Project is on schedule. There is a large pile of Christmas Trees next to the Les Schwab parking lot in Reedsport. I’ve been engaged with ODFW in discussions about this project, and it appears that we will place the trees in Camp Creek, as we did last year. Due to the pandemic student classes are virtual, no bus transportation. So this year, we will have to place the trees in the creek ourselves. We will need OCA members and friends to help out. We need trucks with trailers, volunteers to help load trees in trailers, unload the trees at Camp Creek, and people in waders to place the trees in the creek. At this time we’re planning this project for the first week of February. A notice will be sent out once a day has been selected.

Notices:

Please contact your legislators regarding SB 592 in the 2021 Oregon Legislature that seeks to ban the use of lead for recreational and commercial fishing in Oregon.

Summary

SB592Page1of1SB592DexterA.JohnsonLEGISLATIVECOUNSEL900COURTSTNES101SALEM,OREGON97301-4065(503)986-1243FAX:(503)373-1043www.oregonlegislature.gov/lcOpenGovernmentImpactStatement81stOregonLegislativeAssembly2021RegularSessionMeasure:SB592OnlyimpactsonOriginalorEngrossedVersionsareConsideredOfficialPreparedby:CameronD.MilesDate:1/19/2021SUMMARYProhibitspersonfromusingleadweightinwatersofthisstateforpurposeofanglingorcommercialfishing.Providesthatviolationispunishablebymaximumof364days’imprisonment,$6,250fine,orboth.Prohibitspersonfromusingleadshotgunpelletforpurposeofhunting.Providesthatviolationispunishablebymaximumof364days’imprisonment,$6,250fine,orboth.

Bottom Fishing Regulations for 2021

I’m advising everyone who reads this warning and who bottom fishes (Rockfish and Halibut) to read the latest revisions to the bottom fishing regulations. I would like you to avoid a citation. I’ve sent a letter to ODFW regarding my concerns.

I’ve been selected to participate in the Marine Resources Education Program webinar regarding Covid Impacts and Innovations in West Coast Fisheries in February. This is a two day webinar with representatives from commercial and recreational anglers from the West Coast.

The Ocean Salmon Industry Group meeting will take place as a webinar on February 25th. This is the first ODFW meeting seeking public input into 2021 ocean salmon regulations. This is a public meeting, Links to the agenda and briefing materials for the meeting will be posted at www.dfw.state.or.us/mrp/salmon/ as they come available in January and February.

I’ve been advised that Pacific Pond Charters is planning a Lingcod Tournament in the near future, no dates announced at this time. I’ve offered an OCA donation of a bottom fishing rod and reel to help with the tournament. Watch for future announcements.

Good Fishing,

Steve