Minutes December 2nd OCA Meeting
We had a great Oregon Coast Anglers meeting, attended by 24 members and guests. Jeff Wilmarth, Pacific Pond Charters Captain, was our Guest Speaker. Jeff came armed with numerous fishing rods and tackle, he even brought his new boat (picture attached). He made a great presentation and members had numerous questions. Jeff was recently accepted by the Pacific Fisheries Management Council as the Oregon Charter Boat representative to the Groundfish Advisory Panel. Additionally, I was accepted to the same panel representing Oregon Recreational Anglers.
Old Business; Paramount in the discussion of old business was the Fish Dinner, scheduled for February 3rd at the Ocean Garden Restaurant in Reedsport. Thirty six members and guests have signed up for the Fish Dinner. We will need OCA members to be generous and donate fish for the dinner. Frozen fish should be dropped at the restaurant two or three days prior to February 3rd. Members wishing to attend the dinner should mail a check to OCA, PO Box 584, Reedsport, OR 97467. Attendance is limited to eighty due to occupancy requirements of the restaurant.
Not discussed, my oversight, is the Christmas Trees for Salmon Project. OCA has permission from the Reedsport City Manager to collet Christmas Trees on city property adjacent to the Les Schwab parking lot. Both the Lions Club and the Winchester Bay Market are selling trees and handing out fliers to customers regarding our project. So, we will need to get signage set up at the Les Schwab parking lot, a day or two prior to Christmas. The trees will be collected throughout January and removed in February. Hopefully Reedsport High School students will be available to help place them in Camp Creek.
New Business; I requested that anyone interested in becoming an officer or director should volunteer. Because of Covid, OCA did not have the annual business meeting, which is when officers are elected. This is an opportunity for those interested to get more involved. After the meeting, Lisa Amundsen volunteered for the open Secretary position. Anyone else interested should contact me.
The upcoming ODFW Commissioners meeting will take place on December 17th. At this meeting the commissioners will determine the outcome of the ODFW Southern Zone RSP. The biggest contention is regarding the harvest of Winter Wild Steelhead. Anyone interested in emailing comments to the commissioners should address them to [email protected]. I will sign up to testify on behalf of OCA.
Additionally, ODFW will seek commissioners’ approval for the 2022 bottom fish regulations. We discussed the proposed regulations along with the halibut regulations at the meeting. Next year looks like a great year for bottom fishing!
Eric Himmelreich, habitat Biologist ODFW, is looking into a request made by Bruce Harris regarding possible improvements for the Lake Marie Creek.
Members were unanimous in the approval of $3,000.00 to be allocated to the OCA Conservation Scholarships. OCA will send out notices and applications to all the high schools from Florence to Brookings, and hopefully we will award three conservation scholarships next year.
The OCA Calendar of events was discussed and members approved. We agreed on an OCA Banquet to be scheduled for July 23rd. I contacted the Reedsport City Management and reserved that date. The OCA 2022 Calendar is attached.
Welcome to two new OCA members, Jim Irvine and his son James, who will be at the Fish Dinner.
We shared some fish stories, Jeff answered more questions from members and we had a raffle. The 50/50 worth $80 was won by James Irvine. New members have great luck!
Reminder, there will not be a January OCA meeting.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays,
Steve