News flash: “Jailed hatchery steelhead released after being held captive for two years! Anglers rejoice!”

In Oregon by steelheaders

By: Rob Masonis That was essentially the message spread by various Puget Sound media outlets this week when the federal government allowed the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife to release fish from several steelhead hatcheries after two years. The hold-up had been, until last week, the hatcheries had not received permits establishing they did not jeopardize wild steelhead protected …

What “once was” may still come for steelheaders

In Oregon by steelheaders

As steelheaders, we’re all familiar with conventional wisdom about steelhead fishing.   The fishing isn’t what it used to be.   You should have been here 50 years ago.   Stories of huge fish and numerous multiple fish days, of fishing places that no one else had fished for weeks, or months. Tales of what once was, all centering around …

Oregon HGMP scoping comments

In Oregon, Steelhead Files by steelheaders

March 17, 2016   Sent via email to: OregonCoastHatcheryEIS.wcr@noaa.gov     National Marine Fisheries Service Sustainable Fisheries Division 2900 NW Stewart Parkway Roseburg, OR 97471   RE: Oregon Coast Hatchery EIS Scoping Comments   To Whom It May Concern: Trout Unlimited (TU), the nation’s oldest and largest coldwater fisheries conservation organization dedicated to protecting and restoring our nation’s trout and …

Rapid Genetic Change in Hatchery-reared Steelhead

In Oregon, Science Friday, Steelhead Files by steelheaders

Rapid Genetic Change in Hatchery-reared Steelhead By John McMillan Here is another paper hot off the press from Mark Christie, former researcher at Oregon State University in the Michael Blouin genetics lab, and several other authors. They looked into whether and how quickly genetic changes could be detected in the offspring of wild steelhead when they were bred in a …

Oregon’s loss of funding shows we’ve got work ahead of us

In Oregon, Steelhead Files by steelheaders

Loss of funding shows we’ve got work ahead of us  By: Dean Finnerty Oregonians have known for years about the need to clean up our act with regard to water pollution standards along our favorite salmon and steelhead streams in western Oregon.   That reality hit home recently. After the Oregon Board of Forestry ignored its own science and refused to make significant changes to address …

Field warriors: TU’s Citizen Science

In Oregon by Shauna Sherard

By Dean Finnerty, In early February, members from the Redsides and Coastal Cutthroat chapters joined forces with members of Project Healing Waters and the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife to begin several week’s worth of volunteer work as part of Trout Unlimited’s “citizen science” effort.  Volunteers are working in the West Fork of the Smith River (Oregon’s Umpqua tributary) …

Are there any wild steelhead left? Yes, there is no doubt. But it is up to us to ensure their future and the fisheries they provide.

In California, Idaho, Oregon, Science Friday, Steelhead Files, Washington by Nick Chambers

A topic that is commonly raised in the steelhead conservation world is whether there are any “pure” wild steelhead left.   Before I answer, I want to take a step back first. There are two types of hatcheries. We have integrated hatcheries, where fish used for broodstock are taken from the same population in which they are planted. These are …

Suction dredging in your backyard

In Oregon by Shauna Sherard

This week, anglers will gather for a hearing on House Bill 2467. If passed, this legislation will bring some much needed reform to rules (or lack thereof) regulating suction dredging in the state of Washington. [Show your support for HB 2467 by attending the hearing: House Hearing Room B at the John L. O’Brien Building Olympia, WA. Time: 8a.m. Or, tell the House Agriculture and …

Steelhead Angler Science

In Oregon, Steelhead Files, Washington by steelheaders

  Sportsmen have a long history of taking it upon themselves to conserve and protect fish and game species. Their conservation programs have greatly contributed to available habitat and enhanced protections of the same. In addition to the critical habitat work that is being done, many people are taking it upon themselves to contribute to scientific research under the guidance …