Oregon Coast Anglers Newsletter 2020
The Oregon Coast Anglers (OCA), a non-profit organization and DBA of Salmon for Oregon, was formed to improve fishing opportunity on the South Coast of Oregon. OCA assists anglers, members and non-members alike, in the pursuit of fishing. Many of our members are anglers, who fish our local waters, both fresh and salt, and have the knowledge and skills to catch fish. We meet on the first Thursday of each month at the Marina Activity Center in Winchester Bay, meetings start at 6:30 PM.
We support local STEP hatcheries, particularly when they are in need of help. Many OCA members are also volunteers at coastal STEP hatcheries. Our members have assisted in fish habitat improvement projects, trapping Salmon and Steelhead, harvesting eggs, fin clipping, feeding fry and releasing them in bays and rivers. More fry and smolts released means more adults returning and better fishing.
OCA Banquet 2019
The Oregon Coast Anglers 2019 Banquet, held at the Reedsport Community Center on July20th, was attended by one hundred and sixty members and guests. We were treated to a delicious Prime Rib and Roasted Chicken Dinner prepared by Jack Gentle, from the Tides Inn Bar and Grill. Members and guests were very supportive and purchased lots of raffle tickets and placed many bids on auction items. Thanks to the generous donors and volunteers, who made the banquet a huge success. OCA grossed $17,800, which will fund South Coast projects, events, scholarships and donations.
Christmas Trees for Salmon 2019
OCA engages the community and supports local businesses. The Christmas Trees for Salmon Project starts with community members dropping off their Christmas Trees next to the Les Schwab parking lot. This year Elongate Hemlock Scale almost ended our project. Infected Frazer Firs had been distributed in Oregon, as well as other Western States. Numerous calls to ODF convinced ODFW that our trees were sourced locally and were grown in Oregon. Reedsport Boy Scouts of America came to our aid and helped place the trees in Camp Creek. ODFW Biologist, Eric Himmelreich directed the activities to assure that the trees were placed properly and the Boy Scouts learned the importance of good fish habitat. Christmas Trees for Salmon improves stream habitat and provides protection from predators for salmon and trout. This is the fifth year for Christmas Trees for Salmon and all the lunches and refreshments for the students were purchased locally.
Fishing and Conservation Class 2019
The Oregon Coast Anglers offered a Fishing and Conservation Class to Reedsport students in April during the Brave Sessions. This is the fourth year the class was offered and thirteen High School students participated and learned about where and how to fish. The class was supported by ODFW and local anglers who shared their expertise. Each student graduated with all the equipment (rods, reels and tackle boxes complete with swivels, hooks, weights, etc.), knowledge, and skills to go fishing. On Graduation Day the students went to Lake Marie fishing. ODFW granted the Oregon Coast Anglers a Fishing Education Permit, which allowed the students to fish without a license. The Fishing and Conservation Class was paid for by generous donations made to the Oregon Coast Anglers. Graduates are offered the opportunity to be enrolled in OCA, as junior members.
OCA Fish Dinner 2019
The Ocean Garden Restaurant hosted our fourth February Fish Dinner. The OCA fish dinner has become a popular social gathering for members and guests. In 2016 there were thirty three members and guests and this year eighty eight participated in the event enjoying the comradery and a delicious meal. All the fish prepared were caught locally and were provided by member anglers. The restaurant prepares the fish in various ways and provides numerous accompanying plates. This was a great time and another good reason to become a member of the Oregon Coast Anglers (four new members joined for this dinner). And yes, we are already looking forward to next February.
Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife
We have an excellent rapport with ODFW. OCA members attend ODFW public hearings and comment on plans, regulations and strategies. OCA gathered over 400 signatures on a petition to split the Central Coast Halibut Area to give South Coast anglers equal opportunity with Newport anglers to harvest Halibut. ODFW Commissioners turned down our petition. OCA supported efforts by South Western Zone anglers to defeat a petitions (2) instituted by the Native Fish Society and guides to eliminate harvest of Wild Winter Steelhead. ODFW Commissioners sided with the Southern Western Zone anglers and OCA and disallowed that petition. OCA members help out on ODFW Free Fishing Days.
Scholarships
OCA donated $2,500 to fund Conservation Scholarships to local High Schools. The local schools that took advantage of the scholarship program include; Siuslaw High School, Reedsport Community Charter School, North Bend High School, Marshfield High School and Bandon High School. Students who will pursue higher education in a field relative to the conservation of natural resources will be selected by school administrators to receive the $500 scholarship. This is how OCA helps to fund and protect the future of our natural resources.
ODFW Free Fishing Days
OCA Members helped out at many of the ODFW Free Fishing Days including Cleawox Lake, Lake Marie and Tugman Park. This year OCA worked with ODFW and the Gardiner, Reedsport, Winchester Bay (GRWB) STEP to make a major upgrade to the Lake Marie event. ODFW provided a net and 500 legal size Rainbow Trout. The trout were delivered to the Gardiner Hatchery a week prior to the event, and GRWB STEP volunteers fed the trout until the event. OCA volunteers set the net at the North Beach of Lake Marie and assisted with the transfer of the trout into the net. GRWB STEP volunteers handed out “loaner” fishing rods and here’s the good news, every child caught one or more fish. OCA volunteers assisted the young anglers, and cleaned and bagged their trout for them.
Rebuilding the Boat Dock at Tahkenitch Lake
In September OCA Members Paul Osekowski, Bob Free, Mike Kelley, and I assisted the US Forestry Service in rebuilding the boating dock at Tahkenitch Lake. The dock had been patched previously, but was really in need of rebuilding. In a couple of days we tore apart the top of the dock and replaced it with treated 2 X 8’s. The dock is now in great shape for years to come.
Club Events
Besides our monthly meetings, Fish Dinner, Banquet and October BBQ, OCA Members get together for fishing outings. This year we travelled to the Clatsop Beaches in April for Razor Clams, and Odell Lake in August for Kokanee fishing. Also, the OCA Angler Buddy List connects our members and we openly share fishing opportunities. Our monthly meetings focus on Oregon fishing regulations, projects, fishing techniques, tackle, great fishing advice, and sometimes unbelievable fish stories. We often have Guest Speakers, and Pizza and refreshments are always available. Meetings conclude with a raffle for some great fishing tackle.
Local Events
OCA participates in and supports local events. Members polish their boats and trailers, mount OCA Banners and participate in the Reedsport Memorial Day Parade.
We are represented at and support the Lower Umpqua Fly Casters annual exposition, which is held at the Reedsport Community Center on the Last Saturday of February.
OCA donates fishing rods and reels to the Tree of Giving, to brighten up local children’s Christmas.
More information is available to the general public at OCA.COM and on Facebook, via a search for the Oregon Coast Anglers. Donations are appreciated; checks should be made payable to OCA and mailed to PO Box 584, Reedsport, OR 97467. Come to an OCA meeting, which are held on the first Thursday of the month at the Marina Activity Center in Winchester Bay starting at 6:30 PM, or contact Steve Godin, President, 541 255 3383.
Please join us at the next Oregon Coast Banquet on Saturday, July 18th for a delicious Prime Rib and Roasted Chicken Dinner at the Reedsport Community Center. The banquet is a lot of fun and our only fund raiser. All donations and money raised are dedicated to improve angling here on the Oregon South Coast. Doors open at 5:00 PM.
For the Enhancement of Sport Fishing on the Oregon Coast
Oregon Coast Anglers, P O Box 584, Reedsport, OR 97467
501c3#45-4272625
STANDARD MEMBERSHIP $30
Benefits include: one year of membership, membership card, and new members receive a monogrammed OCA hat. There are volunteer opportunities in education, fish enhancement programs, and shared knowledge in fishing techniques and more.
Please complete the application and submit the annual $30 membership dues (cash or check made out to OCA), and turn this application into the OCA Treasurer at our regular meeting or mail to Oregon Coast Anglers, P O Box 594, Reedsport, OR 97467.