Oregon Wallpaper

ENORMOUS IMAGE1600 x 1088
[click on image for high resolution copy]

Sneak To California

IT'S WAY EARLY
FOR STEELHEAD

It's Just Right For Salmon

good bye Chetco / hello Smith

-------

.. Just a brief note: gone south of the border for a couple of days. The 30# salmon of the Chetco River are interesting - BUT; how 'bout some from the main-stem Smith River? (READ THE LATEST CHETCO REPORT HERE!)
.. Shameless plug: GET YOUR GUIDE HERE!
.. It's such an easy drive from Brookings, Oregon to Crescent City, California that we decided to spend some money on a ticket for the Bear Flag Republic.
.. Reports to follow.

--------

Grotesquely Sunny

MOTHERS HIDING THEIR BABIES

Salmon Wearing Sunglasses

guides confused by lack of fog

-------

.. The "Chetco Effect" was absent for four days straight. Obscene sunshine permeated the conifers and they began to wilt. Neighbors saw who they were living next to for the first time in seven months.
.. Motorists discovered that Crescent City wasn't in Oregon. And, believe it or don't, there was no wind to speak of and the sky really is blue.


.. Salmon fishing slowed until yesterday afternoon, (a welcome Thanksgiving gift,) - the fog returned, it rained, the river came up, and the slugs came back to the roads.
.. There truly is a god, and the salmon sniffed their way back to the runs below the forest road. Just a mere 3 miles from Highway 101 there are 22# fish begging to be caught. We think it's worth another day or two.
.. The migratory fishers are already looking either north or south. Umpqua, Smith, and Gualala are on the lips of many. For now, and for us, it's still the Chetco River and the Coquille River. We won't tell if you don't.

-------

.

The 101 Connection

CRUISIN' FOR CHROME

Vantage Points And Access

it's a social thing

-------

.. We were invited to an interesting social event along the Oregon coast. Of course we attended. The informal gatherings are pleasant, informative, and require an enormous amount of gasoline consumption.
.. The venues change periodically as the season progresses. Currently the big party is at the ELK RIVER bridge. Since Highway 101 crosses these rivers near the coast, and since the bridges are high above the water, and since the sun moves across the sky, (or so it seems,) - it's possible to anticipate the correct viewing conditions for spotting steelhead in their holding water.
.. In some instances the access from the bridge right-of-way coincides with good holding water.
.. Bridge pools along U.S. 101 are similar to bridge pools elsewhere. They are stable, predictable, and provide constrictions for aerated water and viewing for fisher folk.
.. Information is exchanged as the folks peer over the side at the fish. Where are the fish concentrated? What are they eating? Have you seen Hank's new girlfriend? Etc.
.. We enjoyed the experience. We also enjoyed the enormous prevarications, misinformation, and silly demeanor of the local guides as they did their best to protect their insight in the face of so much local "TRUTH."
.. We bypassed the Elk River and sallied down to the Chetco River. It proved to be worthwhile.
.. Time for some jelly donuts and green tea. It's the local equivalent of a healthy breakfast.

-------

Kibitz

IT HAPPENS

Into The Fog

THERE'S THIS BIG LAKE

The Trout Swim In Muddy Rivers

right past the bass

-------

.. A night in a motel between the Umpqua Rivers is not conducive to sleep when one is going farther south. We ignored the possibilities and pushed on.
.. Made it to the mystic river. It's full of mud - usually is - steelhead don't care.
.. They head upstream past the cranberries and the bass. They figure it out and end up in some interesting places.
.. The middle fork of the Coquille River is pretty brown and fishing is hard for those without a bit of flash in their gear - not flies, mind you.
.. We arranged a bit of sight seeing, and a visit with our local informant. Then a brief time out for food. We pause now for a piscatorial adventure. Pictures to follow - words maybe.

-------

.

No Cholera

FORT BOISE TO ROSEBURG

A Few Simple Rations

fish tomorrow

-------

.. Fort Boise was the largest city along the old Oregon Trail. It still is! We made it across the northern Great Basin on a quart of chocolate milk and three jelly donuts.
.. No cholera was contracted, every river crossing was dry, and the natives we encountered were not hostile.
.. The high point of the trek was the Millican Store - it's for sale! It would make the perfect fly fishing emporium for sand trout.

-------

.. By the time we encountered Willamette Pass another quart of milk had been consumed - along with a 1/2 dozen Twinkies. The pass was an instructive experience. We'd never before seen a tractor/trailer rig on an escape ramp in 18" of snow. We would show you a picture of the strange sight but we were too busy sliding sideways to find the camera.
.. From what we could see through the fog, and the snow, and the clouds of diesel exhaust, it looks like pretty country. The stench of burning brake linings spoiled the experience though. The elk we saw reminded us of home - even if they were DOSR.
.. There does not seem to be a recession in the Oregon gasoline business. No self service here. Swarms of eager pump jockeys descend on the vehicles to put gasoline in the correct orifice. It seems that the state legislature figures that people who drive their own automobile, (not motorcycle or airplane,) are too stupid to find the correct place to shove the nozzle. Interesting in a state that does allow self-serve suicide!
.. This day will bring a journey down the mysterious Coquille River. From it's headwaters to the Pacific Ocean It should provide some beautiful scenery, and probably several more dead elk. After driving past all the renowned fisheries on the road here - this had better be good!

--------------

.

'Sno Snow

PLENTY OF GRAY

Sky, Water, Day

great for fishing

-------

.. Gentle drive across Idaho. Nothing but wind and a song to keep us company; and that's just fine.
.. The spuds are in: the Fork is fishing nicely, the hay is stacked, the sky is vast, and we'll have breakfast in about an hour - somewhere in Oregon.
.. Just for Ed - stopped to see if downtown Jerome was still the hot spot of southern Idaho. Report in 12 days.

*****

.. Click on over to ART CREEL for a special deal on limited edition prints from some of fly fishing's more renowned artists - (including Jeff Kennedy.)

-------
-------

.

'Tweeners

DA ONES IN BETWEEN

Summer Run & Winter Run

salmon, steelhead, cutthroat

-------

.. There's a host of less well known streams in southern coastal Oregon that provide exceptional fishing between the last of the Summer run fish and the first of the Winter run fish.
.. When local residents are asked about the catching possibilities, a response, (with just a small - nearly undetectable smirk,) is offered, that directs visitors to the Chetco, Umpqua, Rogue, and Elk rivers. They seldom mention the Coquille River.
.. We won't say much either -- BUT -- The South Fork of the Coquille River hosts a "whisper run" of interesting fish. We're inclined to be suspicious about the lack of conversation surrounding a river of this size, in this geographic setting.
.. With our interest piqued, we're off to investigate the possibility that there is still a place where neither elbows nor egos get in the way of winter fishing.
.. Prognosis HERE and HERE. And, of course there's just a bit of controversy surrounding the fishery too. After all the Coquille River System is the third largest in Oregon. We'll let you know.

-------

.

Number Two

NEW AND IMPROVED

Fish Can't Read

you should

-------

.. The new issue of FISH CAN'T READ has hit the electrosphere. There's a fine note about fishing hoppers.
.. John Juracek lets us know about fishing hopper patterns, and the reasons for owning many of them.

MONEY QUOTE

My favorite reason to own a variety of hoppers however, is for the fun of it.

-------

Wild Trout Synposium

BACK IN WEST YELLOWSTONE

September 28-30, 2010

call for papers

-------

..The Wild Trout Symposium is returning to West Yellowstone next year. A call for papers has been issued. Read about past meetings HERE. Read our early announcement HERE.

=

.. Here's the deal:

Call for Papers, Posters, and Award Nominations
Wild Trout X
"Conserving Wild Trout"
Holiday Inn, West Yellowstone, MT
September 28-30, 2010

The Wild Trout Symposium brings together a broad and diverse audience of governmental entities, non-profit conservation groups, media representatives, educators, anglers, fishing guides, and business interests associated with trout fisheries to exchange technical information and viewpoints on wild trout management and related public policy. Held every 3 years, each symposium has led to innovative wild trout management approaches.

Wild Trout X offers a unique forum for professionals and anglers to interact, and where participants will to be exposed to the latest wild trout science, technology and philosophies. This conference will equip participants to better manage, preserve, and restore these significant but declining resources. The symposium will focus on the needs of working-level wild trout professionals, conservationists, and trout anglers.

The Wild Trout X Program Committee is soliciting abstracts for presentations and posters. Please send brief abstracts (300 words or less) to Committee Co-chairman, Kevin Meyer no later than April 1, 2010.

Abstracts on all aspects of wild trout research, management, conservation, education, and recreation are welcome and will be considered. However, the following topics are of particular interest:

* Climate change and wild trout
* Whirling Disease 50 years later
* Resource extraction and wild trout resources
* The role of the Endangered Species Act in wild trout management
* Genetic considerations for managing wild trout
* Understanding interactions between wild trout and invasive species
* Sustaining interest in wild trout in our youth and urban citizens

Additional session topics will be added based on the papers that are submitted. Presentations will be accepted in oral or poster format, so please specify your preference and whether you would be willing to present in either format. Please note the authors who are selected for oral presentations at the symposium must submit a complete manuscript ready for Symposium Proceedings publication by August 31, 2010. Successful applicants will receive further information upon acceptance of their paper.

Abstract submission should be sent electronically to Kevin Meyer (address below) by April 1, 2010 using Word Perfect or MS Word file format. Guidelines for abstract, poster, and manuscript preparation can be found at the Wild Trout X web site: http://www.wildtroutsymposium.com

For additional information and inquiries, contact the Program Committee Co-chairs:

Kevin Meyer
Idaho Department of Fish and Game
Tele: 208-465-8404
Fax: 208-465-8434
kevin.meyer@idfg.idaho.gov

Doug Besler
North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission
Tele: 828-659-3324
Fax: 828-652-3279
doug.besler@ncwildlife.org

Nominations are also invited for the Aldo Starker Leopold Wild Trout Medal. Two medals are conferred at each symposia in memory of this distinguished naturalist: one natural resource professional and one nonprofessional who, in the eyes of their peers, have made long-time and significant contributions to the enhancement, protection, and preservation of wild trout. Please send nomination letters and a brief rationale including complete recipient contact information no later than April 1, 2010 to Wild Trout X Awards Chairman:

Jim Daley
New York Division of Fish, Wildlife & Marine Resources
Tele: 518-402-8959
Email: jgdaley@gw.dec.state.ny.us

-------

.. Se ya in September.

..

The Big Sleep

MADISON RIVER UNMOLESTED

fish rise to midges in steam

-------

..Took a quick Armistice Day trip to the enclave at Madison Junction to visit some friends & tell war stories.
.. The park is quiet. The snow has fallen. The fish are on the surface. They can tell what they are eating. We can't see a thing.
.. We'll be back here - rod in hand - in the Spring.

-------

.. In the meantime we're going to keep tabs on CASTING OUTLOUD.com. He's having a good time letting us know the haps. This is a wonderful 'participation board.' Check it out; there's some substance.

-------

.

Big Fish Radio

100% INTERNET RADIO

Right Here In Montana !!

give it a listen

-------

.. Almost as good as iTunes radio & it's local. Click on over to BIG FISH RADIO.
.. It's a full service "radio" station on the Internet.
.. It's straight from Whitefish, Montana and it's loaded.
.. Just run it in the background and keep up to date on all the fine happenings in Whitefish, Montana.
.. It will add spice to the uneventful happenings in the Mt. Shasta region - eh Tom?

-------

-> Get the live stream - HERE.
-> Get news - HERE.
-> Get sports - HERE.
-> Get shows - HERE.
-> Featured events - HERE.
-> Community page - HERE.
-> Explore music - HERE.
-> Contact & comment - HERE.

-------

.