steppin` out - Florence STEP

OUR MISSION: RESTORING FISH POPULATIONS TO HISTORIC LEVELS!
DECEMBER, 2013
STEPPIN’ OUT
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The Florence Salmon & Trout Enhancement Program Newsletter
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All Things Shellfish Topic At December Meeting!
hellfish, specifically Dungeness crab, will be explored at the Wednesday, December 4 membership meeting of the Florence
Salmon and Trout Enhancement Program. Mitch Vance, shellfish project leader in the Marine
Resources Program of the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, will share information
about shellfish in the Siuslaw River basin with the group. Carissa Anderson, project biologist,
has been collecting information about the Dungeness through catch samplings at ports on the
Central Coast.!
! The meeting begins at 7 p.m. Elections for the 2014 board of directors will be held and ballots
available at the start of the meeting for current members. (See separate story for candidates’
list).!
! Last month, Anderson said that the crabs had been slow coming into the river systems.
“They haven’t been showing up as usual,” she noted. “It’s been consistent up and down the
coast. Warmer waters may be a contributing factor.”!
! These issues and more will be explored during the presentation.!
Recreational crabbing is a popular
! The opening of the ocean commercial Dungeness crab season in Oregon will be delayed
sport on the Siuslaw River.
through at least Dec. 15, fishery managers have announced. The commercial Dungeness crab
season along the Oregon coast normally opens Dec. 1, but can be delayed to ensure a high-quality product for consumers. !
The test measures the percentage of meat by weight in the crab. Delaying the season allows the crab to fill with meat. Coast-wide
testing showed some areas did not meet minimum pre-season test criteria. !
Fishery managers from Oregon, Washington and California met last week and decided to delay the season opening from Klipsan
Beach, Wash., south to the Oregon/California border through at least Dec. 15, pending further results.
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Calendar of Events December, 2013
Wild Coho Season continues on
Siltcoos & Tahkenitch Lakes
through December 31
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Wednesday, December 4!
Membership Meeting 7 p.m. !
Dungeness Crab on the Oregon Coast!
with ODFW Shellfish Project Leader!
Mitch Vance and team!
2014 Board Elections, trap reports,!
Fishing information!
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Public is invited.!
Elks Lodge, 12th st., Florence!
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Saturday, December 14
Ada Grange #570!
Annual Christmas Party!
1-3 p.m.!
Hay rides, crafts, free ornaments!
Refreshments provided. Santa will visit!!
Questions? Loni at 541-997-6933!
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Wednesday, December 18
Board Meeting
4 p.m.!
Port of Siuslaw Offices, Florence!
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Work Parties
Whittaker Creek trap installation will be
scheduled, weather permitting, sometime
in early December. Watch your emails
for times and dates!
Weirs at both Whittaker and Green
Creek will be installed at a later date.!
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OUR MISSION: RESTORING FISH POPULATIONS TO HISTORIC LEVELS!
DECEMBER, 2013
Hatchery Set, Traps Getting Ready
Where’s The Rain and the Fish??
All systems are go at the STEP hatchery, the Munsel Creek trap is seeing some fish
come through but the winter steelhead broodstock and coho educational programs are on
hold, waiting for Mother Nature to open the storm doors and let the rains begin.!!
There have been a total of 26 coho returning through the Munsel trap thus far, according to Bill Hennig, who with Craig Brandt has been overseeing that trap this season.
Two weeks ago, 23 were in the trap and were sent up to spawn naturally. Last week, there
were two males and one female, Hennig noted. The fish were tubed and are remaining in
the trap as they were not yet ready to be spawned out.!
Hennig also reported that the new fyke has been built and is ready for the Whittaker
trap. “We need a good flush out with rain,” he said. “We’d like that to happen to get the
large debris down the creek before we put in the trap but it will need to go in during the
next two weeks.”!
There will be email notifications sent out when the date is set for the trap installation. The major pieces of the trap are already at the site. “We’ll build the trap but delay
the installation of the weir until the end of December or possibly early January, depending on the weather.”!
Hennig said that the Green Creek trap is in good shape and will just need the weir
and boards in place, when it is time for it to begin fishing.!
Keep an eye on your in-box for notifications for the work parties at Whittaker and
Green Creeks. Once the season begins, work parties will be held three days a week,
Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.!
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P.O. Box 1322!
Florence Oregon 97439!
Not for profit tax TIN !
#93-1121056 !
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President!
Ron Caputo, [email protected]!
541-997-4961!
Vice President!
Rick Samuelson!
[email protected]!
541-902-1954!
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Secretary
Open Position!
Treasurer!
Craig Brandt, [email protected]!
208-336-8877!
Newsletter Editor!
Becky Goehring, [email protected]!
541-997-9046 !
STEP
out
and
get
involved!
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At-Large Directors!
Jack Armer, Craig Brandt!
Bill Hennig, Jim Jordan, !
Bob Occhi, Skip Rosenbalm, !
and Terry Talbot!
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Hatchery Crew
541-997-3558 (on-site phone)!
Jack Armer, manager!
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STEP SHED
Craig Brandt
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OUR MISSION: RESTORING FISH POPULATIONS TO HISTORIC LEVELS!
DECEMBER, 2013
Tidbits From the Tackle Box!
Editor’s Note: From time to time, this column will run with ideas, stories, classified ads and items sent to the editor
from the membership. If you want to contribute a tidbit, please send it to Becky at [email protected].
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For Sale: 2000 Smokercraft Osprey, e/w manual. Equipped with (all purchased new): 40 hp Mercury Outboard motor w/manual,
Calkins trailer for 16 ft. boat/spare tire; Uniden mod. 1010 VHF Marine Radio w/manual; Humminbird TRI Beam fish and depth finder,
w/manual, Ritchy Explorer Compass, w/manual; anchor, w/ 200 ft. rope. The boat has been in the water just six times, twice in the river
and four times in area lakes and garaged the rest of the time. Price reduced to $6,500. If purchased by a STEP member, a donation will
be made to the club. To see the boat or arrange a test cruise contact Ziggy Ziegelmair, 541-902-0584.!
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For Sale: Six foot microfiber green couch. Good condition, just doesn’t fit in the house any more. $150. Contact Becky,
541-997-9046.!
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For Sale: Crab davit complete with block and mounts. $125. Call Richard, 541-997-3296.!
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For Sale: Complete aquarium setup, including 25 gallon tank, rocks, two filters, lid and light, recirculator, cleaning tube, thermometer, chlorinator and more. $100. Contact Ed Houck, [email protected].!
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For Sale: 2003 Chevy Tahoe for sale. For details, contact Bob Fletcher, 541-997-1711.!
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If you are a multi-sport hunter and angler, remember to report your tags by January 31, 2014 or face a $25 penalty when you purchase your 2015 tags. Reporting is required for every deer, elk, cougar, bear, turkey and pronghorn tag purchased. Tags can be reported
by calling 1-866-947-6339. Have your hunter/angler ID number (printed on every license and tag) ready. Hunters who don’t report elk
and deer tags by the deadline will face the $25 fine. For more information, visit the website, http://www.dfw.state.or.us/resources/hunting/reporting/index.asp!
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Randy’s Riverview Market
and Deli
on the way to Whittaker and Green Creeks -- Come in and say hi!
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Good Food!
Fried Chicken
Pizza
Espresso
Deli
Groceries
Liquor
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Fishing Gear!
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At the Corner of
Highways 36 & 126
in Mapleton
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541-268-4478
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OUR MISSION: RESTORING FISH POPULATIONS TO HISTORIC LEVELS!
DECEMBER, 2013
President’s Musings Ron Caputo
So Much To Be Thankful For This Holiday Season
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Now is the time to reflect about the Holiday Seasons. Thanksgiving has just passed. I hope you had a nice
Thanksgiving with your family and friends. I have had time to reflect on some of the things I’m thankful for.
I’m thankful for living in the greatest country in the world, a place where a person can be free to be as great or
as poor as he wants to be; a place where you’re free to pursue your wildest dreams without too much interference from others. !
I’m thankful to live in Florence Oregon. Where else can you go fishing 365 days a year with so many different choices? Fish in the
ocean for rockfish, halibut, salmon, or even tuna. Fish the Siuslaw or Umpqua rivers for salmon, sturgeon, striped bass, steelhead, shad
or sea run cutthroat. Fish the many lakes for trout, bass, perch, or even Coho Salmon. Don’t forget Dungeness Crabs, Razor Clams,
Butter Clams, mussels, and every one has to go get Mud Clams at least once. Where else is all this so close to home?!
I’m also thankful for the many hunting opportunities we have here. This area is loaded with black bears, Elk, and migratory game
birds. I hunt in Eastern Oregon because it’s dryer and easier but the local hunters fill their tags with trophy bulls and big bucks every
year. The many lakes attract large flocks of ducks and geese accessible to the hunter who has the right equipment and a good retriever.!
As president of STEP I’m so very thankful for all our volunteers who do so much for our program and our watershed. We have such
a diverse group of people skilled in so many talents. There is nothing we can’t do!!
We have people who can write newsletters, build traps, run hatcheries, spawn fish, teach kids to fish, take care of our equipment,
and anything else that comes up. We have engineers, welders, electricians, plumbers, accountants, doctors, dentists, teachers and many
other specialists that we can call on to get a job done. Put them all together and we have the best STEP club in the State and maybe in
the world.!
So much for Thanksgiving. It’s time to start thinking about Christmas. What to get a fisherman for Christmas? A new boat and motor? I don’t think so unless you win the lottery. A new fishing pole and reel are always appreciated as well as new waders, life vest, or
fishing vest. A great gift is a subscription to Salmon Trout Steelheader magazine (1-800-541-9498) or Northwest Sportsman
(1-800-322-1736) for the fisherman on your list. For the hunter a Membership to Oregon Hunters Association (541-772-7313) would be
greatly appreciated. OHA does a great job in rebuilding habitat for wildlife just like STEP does for fish. Remember you can go on line
to ODF&W ‘s website and order a new fishing, hunting, or combination license for 2014. That’s always good for a grateful kiss to the
giver.!
I wish each of you a joyous Christmas and good fishing in the New Year.!
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Jay & Cindy Cable
75 Harbor St., Ste. 100
Florence, OR 97439
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Bait,
tackle,
food:
at
the
Port
! boat
launch
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It’s Here!
Bridgeport Wine Shop!
We have bait, tackle, food
all at the Port boat Launch
541-997-5091
541-997-5093 fax
[email protected]
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Ada Grange #570!
Annual Christmas Party!
Saturday, December 14!
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1 to 3 p.m.!
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Hay Rides, Crafts, !
Free Ornaments!
Santa Will Visit!
Refreshments Provided!!
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Questions?!
Call Loni at 541-997-6933!
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10 miles out Canary Rd.!
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OUR MISSION: RESTORING FISH POPULATIONS TO HISTORIC LEVELS!
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DECEMBER, 2013
Nine Members Running for Seven Board Posts
Elections Will Be Held At December 3 General Meeting!
Nine members of the Florence Salmon and Trout Enhancement Program have submitted their names for the 2014
Board of Directors, according to President Ron Caputo, who is in charge of the elections this year. There are seven spots
open on the board. Caputo is in the midst of his two-year term. The hatchery manager, Jack Armer, is a standing post.!
! Elections will take place at the beginning of the December 4 STEP meeting. Results will be announced at the end of
the meeting.!
! “Ballots will be available before the start of the meeting,” Caputo noted. “Members can vote and put their ballots into
the ballot box. During the meeting, Mike Frankhouser and Becky Goehring will tally the votes.”!
! Those members running for the board include Bob Anderson, Dean Hendricks, Bill Hennig, Jim Jordan, Lyle Jorgensen,
Larry Phillips, Skip Rosenbalm, Rick Samuelson and Dave Warrilow. Hennig, Jordan, Rosenbalm and Samuelson are currently serving on the board.!
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In addition, according to Caputo, the treasurer and secretary are not standing board members but do attend board
meetings. “We still have an opening for secretary,” Caputo noted. “I hope that someone will be willing to stand up and
take that spot. It just means jotting down a few notes at the monthly meetings, general and board.”!
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The board meets on the third Wednesday of each month at the Port of Siuslaw offices. Members are always invited
and encouraged to attend the board meetings.!
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North Fork Trees Liberated From Encroaching Grasses and Berries
Eleven members of STEP met Thursday, November 21 and spent four hours liberating the young saplings from the
encroaching blackberry and grasses on the ODFW property, located nearly 10 miles up North Fork rd. Though it was a
cold and frosty morning, with weed whackers and other special equipment, the task was completed in record time.!
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Volunteers included Bob Occhi, Craig Brandt, Tom Dickson, Ron Caputo, Jim Jordan, Ken Hockhalter, Skip Rosenbalm, Bob Anderson, Terry Talbot, David Sedlacek and
ODFW biologist John Spangler.!
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“We noticed very few dead trees so we are on the right
track,” noted club president Ron Caputo, who organized the
project. “The cedars are doing the best. They are sticking
their heads out of the tubes and reaching for the sun.”!
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Caputo prepared one of his classic hot lunches of “red
hot” hot dogs, potato salad, chips, cookies, cold drinks and
hot coffee. The work crew finished it all up and was on its
way by noon.!
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HART FINANCIAL SERVICES!
Jimmie L. Hart, EA, LTC!
Income Tax Consulting & Preparation -- E-Filing!
Accounting & Bookkeeping Services!
1845 Hwy. 126--Florence!
541-902-9109
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OUR MISSION: RESTORING FISH POPULATIONS TO HISTORIC LEVELS!
DECEMBER, 2013
Members Report Some Fishing Success
! Although fishing has been slow because of the lack of rain, there are still
some successes being reported at both Siltcoos and Tahkenitch lakes in the
last couple of weeks.!
!Don Jordan had a multiple fish day on
November 22, bringing in a nice, bright 10
pound coho, using a #5 green Blue Fox and
trolling south of LCC’s Siltcoos Station
property.!
!Dean Hendricks reports good action with
the North Coast Lures and Flies’ pink
Sonic Bell. He hooked up a fin-clipped
coho, 30 inches long and 15 pounds.!
!Hendricks noted that Siltcoos has been
slow for Coho, but sea run cutthroat have
been hitting sonic bells that carry a piece
of night crawler on the hook. They have
been hanging out in the tules by Ada, he
reports.!
!Jim Watkins had a successful crabbing
trip out of Newport, on a charter with his
family, bringing home 36 nice large crabs
Bob Depweg shows off a nice
from the trip.!
18-pound coho caught in the
! This week’s rain should help bring some
Maple Arm on Siltcoos Lake
last week. He used a pink
fish up into the lakes, if hearty anglers
super hoochie with a silver
can tolerate the arctic cold front
spinner to land this beauty
coming along with it!!
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What’s On Your Christmas Wish List?!
There are many options for the angler at Christmas, but when
you’re making your list. Angling supplies, including rods and reels,
lures and more are available from North Country Lures and Flies.
Contact Dean or Pat at 541-997-7080 to stop by and make your list.!
Outlaw Baits has a full line of plastic bait that is time tested in
the local waters for bass, salmon and steelhead. Check out the
company’s website at www.outlawbaits.com.!
Another good present is the gift of the 2014 angling license.
These can be purchased online at the ODFW website, or at local
sports counters or stores. Enjoy the holidays!
Siuslaw Watershed
Council
Restoration, Monitoring, & Outreach in the
Siuslaw & Coastal Lakes Watersheds
Summer Watershed Exploration Camps:
www.siuslaw.org/camps ~ 541.268.2044
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WITH STEP
Investing in the Future
of our Community!
777 Highway 101, Florence,
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OUR MISSION: RESTORING FISH POPULATIONS TO HISTORIC LEVELS!
DECEMBER, 2013
2014 Sport Fishing Regulations Available
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Columbia River Basin Endorsement is new license option to consider
The 2014 Oregon Sport Fishing regulations are now available on-line, at ODFW offices and at most places that sell hunting and fishing licenses.!
One of the most significant changes in this year’s regulations is a number of new license options that include the Columbia River
Basin endorsement. Beginning Jan. 1, 2014, the new endorsement will be required for all anglers fishing for salmon, steelhead and sturgeon within the Columbia River Basin – an area that includes the Willamette, Central and Northeast angling zones, as well as a handful
of Columbia River tributaries in the northern edge of the Northwest Zone.!
The 2014 endorsement, along with all other licenses, will go on sale Dec. 1, 2013. Anglers can purchase the $9.75 annual endorsement
in conjunction with a fishing license, a combined fishing and hunting license, or sports pac. The endorsement also can be purchased separately at a later date, though anglers will have to pay an additional $2 transaction fee.!
“If your 2014 plans include fishing for salmon, steelhead or sturgeon in the Columbia River or its tributaries, we encourage you to
buy the endorsement at the same time you get your license,” said Mike Gauvin, ODFW recreational fisheries manager. “Not only will
you save two dollars, you will have one less fishing document to fit in your wallet.”!
For daily licenses, the endorsement will be $1 per day. Holders of free resident disabled veteran, pioneer and youth-under-14 licenses
will be issued a free Columbia River Basin endorsement upon request.!
The Columbia River Basin endorsement was approved by the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission in October 2013 as part of a
larger package of management reforms for fisheries on the lower Columbia River.!
The endorsement will fund the transition of non-tribal commercial gill nets out of the mainstem Columbia River into enhanced off-!
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channel areas, freeing up additional salmon and steelhead for sport fishing.!
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Happy Holidays!!
Enjoy the season with your family and friends!
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STEP Sponsors and Friends
Once again, we have created a way for area businesses, residents and friends to
support the work that STEP does and be recognized for donations. The categories will be Salmon ($100 or more) Steelhead ($50-$99) and Rainbow Trout
(up to $49). This is a fantastic way for your friends, who so enjoy hearing about
your adventures with STEP, for businesses that might like to give a one time donation or those who would like to support the work we do. Tax-deductible. donations should be mailed to STEP, PO BOX 1322, Florence, OR 97439.!
SALMON!
Al Whitehead!
Rick’s Custom Caps!
North Country Lures and Flies!
STEELHEAD!
Ginny and Garry Kelly
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OUR MISSION: RESTORING FISH POPULATIONS TO HISTORIC LEVELS!
DECEMBER, 2013
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STEP
PO BOX 1322!
Florence OR 97439
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