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North Umpqua River closes for summer steelhead fishing

In Oregon by Dean Finnerty

Oregon’s North Umpqua River is legendary for its summer steelhead fishery, and for the special fishing regulations that have helped sustain the unique character and history of this water. Now, for only the second time since Oregon began to regulate fishing on the North Umpqua, the summer steelhead fishery will be closed in 2023 due to poor returns of adult fish. 

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Oregon Legislature honors Frank Moore 

In Oregon by Dean Finnerty

Last week the Oregon Legislature passed House Concurrent Resolution 12, honoring legendary wild steelhead advocate Frank Moore for his lifetime of service to Oregon and his remarkable conservation legacy.  

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Speak up for North Umpqua wild steelhead

In Oregon by Dean Finnerty

North Umpqua wild summer steelhead numbers have been in serious decline for decades. Considering the major decline in returns of wild steelhead to the basin, ODFW is reviewing its management policies, including the North Umpqua hatchery summer steelhead program.

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Coquille Bass Blitz – Revisited

In Oregon by Dean Finnerty

Wild Steelhead Initiative Manager, Dean Finnerty, and his son recently assisted ODFW with electro-fishing on the Coquille River, one of Oregon’s finest salmon and steelhead waters. ODFW’s electro-fishing efforts help remove non-native species that adversely affect native fish.

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Uncharted Territory

In Columbia River, Snake River by Dean Finnerty

The Northwest is experiencing the worst summer steelhead returns on record. Steelhead stocks from British Columbia to southern Oregon and as far inland as the Snake River basin are doing poorly. Sadly, we are likely to see greater variability in run sizes, with smaller peaks and deeper troughs.

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For the First Time in My Life

In Oregon by Dean Finnerty

For the first time in my life, I won’t be skating flies over glassy tailouts for summer steelhead this year on my beloved North Umpqua River. That’s because the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife has closed this legendary fishery until December due to extreme low flows and dangerously high water temps.

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Rogue-South Coast Management Plan: Public Comment

In Oregon by Dean Finnerty

After more than two years of development, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) recently released its Rogue-South Coast Multi-Species Conservation and Management Plan (RSP) for public comment. We have the scoop on what’s in it and how you you can speak up on behalf of wild steelhead.