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Columbia Basin Partnership report offers new vision for salmon and steelhead

In Oregon by steelheaders

The Columbia Basin Partnership has been flying mostly under the radar, but it could be the forum with the greatest potential to make a great leap forward in recovering wild salmon and steelhead in the Columbia Basin.  Why, you may ask?  Because it is the one place where all of the major stakeholders in the basin – tribes, utilities, water …

Much at stake in listing decision on Northern California summer steelhead

In California by steelheaders

We love all steelhead here at Wild Steelheaders United, but some anadromous O. mykiss populations may deserve more love than others.   Consider wild summer run steelhead in Northern California. The available data for wild summers between Redwood Creek and the Gualala River (including the legendary Eel River watershed) suggest their numbers are greatly depleted — probably enough to warrant …

Throwback Thursday- Voluntary Beatdown Part II

In Oregon by steelheaders

This post is part of our Throwback Thursday series and originally appeared on the now deceased blog “Voluntary Beatdown.”  Author Jason Koertge can be found on Instagram @bacon_to_fry.  Thanks to Jason for letting WSU revive your epic work as one of the best fishing experience writers we’ve had the pleasure of reading. RIP VB.     Let’s face it critters: …

eDNA and O. mykiss, part II

In Science Friday by steelheaders

Natalie Stauffer-Olsen   Two weeks ago we looked at the use of eDNA in monitoring for the presence or absence of aquatic species. While our post was not a comprehensive review of this subject, we did include some of the most promising aspects — and some of the challenges — associated with using this new technology.   In short, eDNA …

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Carving a path through the debate over upper Willamette steelhead

In Oregon by steelheaders

  Carving a path through the debate over upper Willamette steelhead   There are no easy decisions in the world of steelhead conservation and management, but some issues are more difficult than others, such as hatcheries.   Although the science on hatcheries is solid and critical to guiding management of wild steelhead, there is a role for hatcheries, as long as …

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Science Friday: The value of new technology: eDNA and O. mykiss

In Science Friday by steelheaders

By Natalie Stauffer-Olsen   It is always exciting when new technology becomes available that can help us understand, manage and protect wild steelhead, the mavericks of the Pacific salmonids.   Steelhead and rainbow trout populations can be difficult to predict, model and understand because of their very plastic (scientific term for highly variable) life histories, from juveniles to adults. What’s …

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Science Friday: What happens when you cram the big’uns in with the small’ins?

In Science Friday by steelheaders

We sure do love this beautiful weather! It’s almost the first day of June. Summer is officially within sight.   This week’s Science Friday goes back in time over 20-years to 1997.  We review a study conducted by Brett Harvey and Rodney Nakamoto. We have reviewed some of their work previously, which focused on habitat usage by adult steelhead.  Today …

Frank and Jeanne Moore Honored by Senator Wyden, Conservation Community

In Oregon by steelheaders

  Looking down over Winchester Dam and the spring flows of the North Umpqua River, Umpqua Community College’s Danny Lang Event Center was packed with river lovers, conservationists, and anglers of all stripes last Tuesday, at a banquet dinner honoring Frank and Jeanne Moore and the recent creation of the Frank and Jeanne Moore Wild Steelhead Special Management Area on …

Throwback Thursday- Voluntary Beatdown Part I

In Alaska, Oregon, Steelhead Files, Washington by steelheaders

This post is part of our Throwback Thursday series and originally appeared on the now deceased blog “Voluntary Beatdown.”  Author Jason Koertge can be found on Instagram at @bacon_to_fry.  Thanks to Jason for letting WSU revive your epic work as one of the best fishing experience writers we’ve had the pleasure of reading. RIP VB.       take any …

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Science Friday: Successful habitat restoration on the Washougal River

In Science Friday by steelheaders

Welcome to another Science Friday post from Wild Steelheaders United. In this space we usually review scientific studies that have implications for wild steelhead conservation and management. But we take a slightly different path this week. I was born and raised on the banks of the Washougal River in SW Washington. The poor Washougal has suffered more than most steelhead …