FYI

The Nestucca Anglers have set June 1 as the day that they will finclip their Fall Chinook at Rhoades Pond. This could be a good volunteer activity for the groups. Ron Byrd at Nestucca Valley Sporting Goods (503-392-4269) is coordinating the activities. And Tillamook Anglers have their finclipping scheduled for April 13.

John

March 27th
ODFW Meeting on ocean Regulations
April 2nd, 7:00 P.M.
Port of Tillamook Bay Office.
We need to rally the troops and get bodyies at any ODFW meeting in the next few weeks.
Question why worry about regulations, if we are not going to have hatchery fish??

March 25th

Please note that the Tillamook Anglers are observing their 15th anniversary (1987-2002) on the same day that they will hold their annual fin clipping day at the Whiskey Creek Fish Hatchery, which is April 13th, not April 15th, as we had written in our last broodstock update to all of you.

Please mark your calendars for April 13th and come out to celebrate the Tillamook Anglers 15th year Anniversary and help us clip 120,000 Spring Chinook. This is a fun time for everyone.

Tim & Shana Juarez

March 23rd

This just in from Grant McOmie:
Shana, Thanks for the update. My story is scheduled to air in tonight's "2 the Outdoor" report and our website @Katu.com. I'll forward any questions to the Tillamook Anglers.
Thanks to Tim for his help.
Grant

March 22nd

ODFW News Release
For Immediate Release
March 22, 2002

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

ODFW to Spawn Wild Steelhead at Trask, Cedar Creek Hatcheries

PORTLAND — Wild steelhead broodstock will be spawned as soon as possible at two north coast hatcheries slated for closure while state officials further evaluate proposals to conduct the programs using volunteers, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife announced today.
A final ODFW decision whether to continue the wild broodstock hatchery programs using only volunteer labor will be made before June 1.

"The fish are ready to spawn right now, but we have identified some significant issues with allowing volunteers to operate a state-owned facility. Today’s decision gives us a chance to take a hard look at all these issues," said Lindsay Ball, ODFW director.

Funding for the Cedar Creek and Trask hatcheries was eliminated due to a revenue shortfall in Oregon’s budget. The hatcheries are scheduled to close July 1, 2002. Plans to close the Tillamook County hatcheries included releasing all the wild broodstock fish on hand to allow them to spawn naturally. Local anglers and ODFW volunteers from Tillamook Anglers and Nestucca Anglers submitted paperwork March 18 to continue the programs.

This winter local anglers caught wild steelhead and transported them to the hatchery facilities. The fish will be artificially live spawned and returned to the appropriate river. ODFW will incubate the fertilized eggs and rear the juvenile fish until July 1. Natural spawning in both rivers by wild fish should be high this year due to good adult returns.
The goal of the wild broodstock program is to provide angling opportunities for winter steelhead on the two rivers and minimize risks to naturally spawning stocks. Plans call for volunteers to clip the adipose fins of the hatchery smolts to distinguish them from the wild fish.

ODFW identified several issues that could not be quickly resolved during a review of the volunteers’ proposals, including cost, training, and safety of both the volunteers and fish. If the decision is made to allow the volunteers to conduct the programs, sufficient time remains for adequate training before ODFW moves out of the facilities.
The volunteer proposals were submitted under ODFW’s Salmon and Trout Enhancement Program (STEP), which oversees a variety of volunteer fish rearing and education projects throughout the state.

###

News Releases | ODFW Home Page

March 22nd

Jen,

Just received press release form ODFW, they will not make a decision until May. They will spawn and take care of the fish until that time. They seem to have some concern about volunteers working at a state owned hatchery. They are concerned about the cost,training,and safety of both the fish and the volunteers. I hope Mr. Ball and some of the other folks from ODFW will show up at Whiskey Creek Hatchery on April 13th for the 13th annual fin clipping. They will see what about 400 volunteers can do. We do about 120.000 fish in about 5 hours. Not bad for a bunch of untrained volunteers. We will keep asking for money and volunteers to run the brood stock program, just in case. We still need lots of letter and calls to ODFW and Salem to make sure they do not close these hatcheries. Thanks to all that have responded. Jerry Dove

March 21st

Hi everyone,

Well as many of you noticed Grant McOmie's news report on the hatchery closures and the brood stock rescue did not run last night! Unfortunately Katu's producers are holding the broadcast until tomorrow Friday. Grant told me that he will run it for sure Saturday at 5:00 p.m. and possibly again Sunday. He was very sorry that it did not run, but there is just a lot of things going on in the news right now.

As far as Lindsay Ball's decision on whether or not he will approve our proposal, we have not heard anything. The proposal should have been on his desk yesterday and we should hear something today or tomorrow. We do know that today Lindsay Ball is in Astoria. So we should have an answer Friday.

We don't know if some phone calls to both the Katu news room and the ODFW will help with either of these things, but if they are made in a good light we don't think they could hurt.

KATU 503-231-4222

ODFW 503-872-5310

Tim & Shana Juarez
T&S Guide Service
PO Box 276
Tillamook, Oregon 97141
503-842-2071
tsguide@hotmail.com

March 19th

Hi Everyone,

Everything went well with Grant McOmie today! Grant made it to the Trask Hatchery and talked with Rick Klumph and Norm Hammond (ODFW). Rick talked about the brood stock program and the proposals that he has written up for both hatcheries. After talking with Rick and Norm he went out to Cedar Creek Hatchery and talked with Ron Byrd regarding the Nestucca Brood stock rescue and what they are doing there. Then he went over to Whiskey Creek Hatchery and talked to Jerry Dove about what the Tillamook Anglers are doing to help with the brood stock rescue. After Grant visited these three hatcheries and talked to many of the people involved with the Brood stock rescue he was able to catch Tim just as he was leaving the boat ramp with 4 Brood stock fish. Grant said that the news broadcast will be on channel 2 news Wednesday and Saturday evenings. We are so thankful for Grant coming over and! getting a report on this. Make sure and tune in on Wednesday and Saturday.

We talked to Rick Klumph today and Rick says that the proposals are written up and have been signed by Jerry Dove and Ron Byrd. The proposals are circulating through the channels at ODFW and must be on Lindsay Ball's desk Wednesday. Lindsay should have an answer on Friday. We hope his answer is positive but if he says no, Tillamook County Commissioners are filing and injunction to make sure that nothing happens to these fish before the State Legislature can act. As of 7:00pm we were told that the State Legislature will also be filing some type of a suit.

Hi Jen,

Just some more info. I just got off the phone with Jerry Dove the Tillamook County Commissioners are in the process of writing up an injunction to keep the ODFW from doing anything with these three hatcheries until all this political wrangling is over with.

We have not heard anything from Grant McOmie yet. He is suppose to get together with Jerry at 1:00 and Tim wanted to try to meet up with him around 3:00 at the boat ramp. I just talked to Tim and he is having a great day and has 2 fin clipped brood stock in the boat.

I will have more later in the day, Shana

March 18th

A Sunday note from Phil Donovan

First, it was tremendously empowering to find a large crowd of Tillamook county residents, who strongly objected to the closures, at the Fish & Wildlife Commission reception. They left an important impact on the Commission and members of the ODFW. You cannot underestimate the value of everyone's presence.
We know one thing, unless the Legislature restores funding for Trask, Cedar Creek and Salmon River hatcheries in June, the doors will close on July 1, 2002. Between now and then, nothing is for certain.

The immediate issue of concern is the spawning of wild broodstock at the Trask and Cedar Creek hatcheries. These fish (caught by volunteers) need to spawn by Wednesday, March 20th or be released back into their natal rivers.
Leaders from several volunteer organizations (Tillamook Anglers, Oregon Wildlife Heritage Foundation, Tillamook Guides Association, NW Steelheaders, NW Sportfishing Industry, forgive me if I forgot an organization) met with ODFW to explore what it would take for volunteers to take over the broodstock program.

Huge kudos to Commission Chair John Esler and members of the Commission who directed the Department to not release the broodstock fish until volunteer options are explored. A call to the Director's office at (503) 872-5272 to thank the Commission for providing this direction is a good idea. They really stepped up and showed some leadership.

Second, we are working with coastal legislators on a "Dear Colleague" letter to State Senators and Representatives around the state. It is important that the coastal legislators work together in a bi-partisan manner to restore
these funding cuts. Every coastal resident needs to call their legislator and urge their active involvement in restoring funding. Restoring hatchery funding needs to be their #1 priority when the Special Session reconvenes.
Third, sport anglers living in Portland need to call their legislators.
The coastal legislators cannot restore funding without broad support from the
valley; especially helpful would be the suburban Democrats (i.e. Rep. Mark Hass (D-Beaverton), Rep. Charlie Ringo (D-Beaverton), Sen. Ryan Deckert (D-Beaverton), Rep. Kathy Lowe (D-Oregon City), Sen. Rick Metsger (D-Welches), Rep. Richard Devlin (Lake Oswego/Tualatin), Randy Leonard (D-Portland).

March 17th 2002

Tomorrow, Grant McOmie will come down to film at all three hatcheries, then meet with Tim Juarez , Marty Peterson and other guides for an interview afterward.
I believe that the proposal will go to Lindsay Ball for consideration.

March 16th 2002

Dear Potential Broodstock Volunteers:
I have written this as clearly and as correctly as I know how. If there are any inaccuracies, please bring them to my attention.
This is my understanding of the situation.

First, thanks to all people who were able to make it today. I know that the weather held some back, and this is fine,
as long as we hear from you by Monday or Tuesday.

Thanks, especially to ODFW's Rick Klumph.
I would like to thank all of the ODFW for working with us, in patience, as we strive to make the brood stock program work on a volunteer basis.
Their efforts have been nothing less than heroic.
Thank you to Lindsay Ball, Director of ODFW for giving us a chance to meet the needs of these fish.
Thank you to John Casteel for writing up the papers for us to consider.
Thank you to Jerry Dove, who is putting his heart and soul and half, at least, of his sanity into organizing this project.
Here is what happened at the Trask meeting today.

Rick Klumph was there to explain to the potential volunteers what we are up against.
He explained that these three hatcheries were chosen, due to the high financial cost of running them.
The Trask Hatchery suffers from age related financial expenses.
The Salmon River Hatchery, because it requires the pumping of water to run the hatchery, at extremely high electrical costs,
as opposed to other hatcheries, which have a natural gravity flow of water.
The Nestucca hatchery was chosen because of DEQ water quality problems because of it's age.
All of these hatcheries are general fund supported hatcheries, and this is where the cuts needed to be made.
He explained that the reason the hatcheries are closing is the order of the boss'.
His boss (Director Lindsay Ball) ordered him to shut them down on specific orders from Governor Kitzhaber.
If you work for someone, and they give you an order, you do it.
Although politics play heavily in the background, for now, the hatcheries are closed, as of June 30th.
A plan for transition to volunteer operation under the STEP program is the only option.
We met today, to discuss the possibility of a specific game plan for this transition IF it becomes necessary.
The ODFW has been ordered to release the ripe broodstock adults that we have collected from the Wilson and Nestucca.
This was met with extreme and passionate opposition at the Commissioner's open house in Cannon Beach, Thursday night.
Jerry Dove pleaded, on behalf of the sports fisherman and women to let us take care of these fish on a volunteer basis.
Lindsay Ball is taking our proposal into consideration.
We MUST have adequate funding and volunteer commitment and proof, thereof, by the first of the week. This is when Rick Klumph and
other ODFW key staff will present L. Ball with STEP proposals for broodstock programs, for both Trask and Nestucca hatcheries.
Loren Parks (A long time financial supporter of North Coast fisheries projects) has indicated his support of these projects,
as has The Oregon Wildlife Heritage Foundation.
However, we desperately need your dollars and time.
We need proof that we have the volunteer and financial backing to make this happen.
Our vow to help volunteer must not be a "Yeah, maybe I can help", but rather, a "Yes. I will be there, and on this date, at this time".
Perhaps 30 people attended the meeting today, March 16th, 2002.
Rick was extremely pleased with the turnout, and also mentioned how our show of support at the
Thursday meeting impressed Director Ball and the commissioners.
I will be creating a BROODSTOCK VOLUNTEER web site accessible off of the front page of ifish, as things progress.

What we need from you now, is your name, e mail address, and a vow to volunteer for this program's needs.
We also would appreciate you jotting down the amount that you promise to pledge to The Tillamook Anglers.
All of these e mails and names will go with the proposal as proof that we have the needed support to convince
the ODFW that our intentions are backed with our time and our money.
The Tillamook Anglers are taking charge of the Trask Hatchery Broodstock project.
I am waiting to hear who is taking charge of the Nestucca program from Marty Peterson tonight or tomorrow.
The NorthWest Steelheaders are working with The Tillamook Anglers in these projects, and lend their support.
PLEASE E mail, either Jerry Dove, at
jdovetillanglers@tillanet.com

With this information:

Name:
E mail:
Address:
Phone number:
Amount to pledge, (hopefully sent in by Monday) by check to:
Tillamook Anglers
7510 Trask River Road,
Tillamook, OR 97141
(503) 842-6519
The Tillamook Anglers

March 16th 2002

First let me say thanks to all that have replied to our cry for help!! We will be meeting today 3-16 at 1pm Trask Hatchery. We have a STEP Proposal in hand. IF every one agrees with it we will sign it to day. This is not a project that we can set at home and say this is a good idea, we have to get out and get our hands dirty, and put up some DOLLARS!!!! I know that a good many people took advantage of the hatchery steelhead this winter. It was so crowded on the Wilson at times that I just stood and watch you all having fun. Well if you all don't help NOW, that fun will be over. If the state closes the Trask River Hatchery, don't bother coming to Tillamook to fish after about another couple years, because their will not be any more hatchery fish to keep. Please show up at Trask today and sign up to help raise these wild brook stock steelhead. The hatchery is located at the end chance rd, that's first road south of the Trask river. See you at 1pm. Thanks Jerry Dove President of Tillamook Anglers

March 15th, 2002
Attention Volunteers:
One fish run at a time, we need you, to keep our broodstock programs alive.
Contact Jennie here.

Joe Schwab voicing an opinion. Joe is an active local fisherman, and guide.
Photo courtesy of Marie Wills, TillamookBait.com

I was greeted with pretzels, coffee, and ice cold water.
Several local fishing guides mixed in the crowd with the ODFW employees.
It wasn't just another meeting.
We mingled for a bit, perhaps 50 people, exchanging unpleasantries.
Lindsay Ball called the meeting to order.
"The boss has spoken".
The Cedar Creek on the Nestucca, The Salmon River hatchery, and the Trask hatcheries will be stripped down to zero operations and one maintenance man.
The broodstock program is halted immediately.
"The plans are final".
Jerry Dove of Tillamook Anglers was sweating bullets wanting to speak. He has put so much into this fishery. Several guides and sports fishermen echoed his passion with sighs and shaking heads.
Questioning began.
Why this hatchery? Why three in our area?
Lindsay Ball adamantly explained that the Governors position will hold. He explained the process, coolly and calmly. He said that the cuts must be made to general funded hatcheries, of which, there are about 9.
Somewhere, deep down, I could tell this was a difficult thing this man was doing. That he had tried to save the hatchery, and simply had his hands tied.
They had chosen the most expensive to maintain.
The Trask and The Cedar Creek Hatchery were not only expensive to run, due to their age, but, because extensive repairs would be necessary.
Salmon River, on the other hand, although substantially newer, requires the pumping of water, generating tremendous electric bills.
Talk turned to stopping the broodstock program immediately.
They are going to release the spawning fish. Lindsay said!
Jerry Dove nearly came unleashed!
He stood, finally, choking back the emotion.
"Whatever you do..." He stated, "Don't release those fish! We will take care of them! Please let us, the people care for these fish!"
Tillamook Anglers Whiskey Creek hatchery is dependent on egg take at The Trask Hatchery for their Spring Chinook program.
Lindsay explained the problem. He forecasted that when June 30th comes, the ODFW will have no place to care for these fry, so we should let the fish go now.
We discussed the financial impact. The near impossibility of raising licensing fees. The impact on the North Coast economy.
Mr. Ball explained his concerns on why volunteers couldn't carry the load.
Lindsay Ball continued to insist that this is the way it is. The boss has spoken...
I am left confused by so many things. Is the in veto line illegal? Even if the Gov. does get hell and found to be at fault, the budget cuts still will take place, the hatchery will still close?
I've never seen Marty Peterson look so defeated. Marty worked so hard, volunteered his time, and half of his trip money to the broodstock program. So many people gave so much. A wonderful example of how communities can make things work. Now it is stripped from us?
It's all political. It all can change, yet I was feeling rather stifled.
After the meeting, I was invited to take part in a smaller meeting, with the Tillamook guides and Tillamook Anglers. The people who might be interested in volunteer efforts to keep the broodstock program alive, including, but not limited to: Rod Brobeck, Jerry Dove, Tim Juarez, Marty Peterson, Joe Schwab, Phil Donovan, and the lobbyists.
The ODFW is willing to hand over the activities to us, the volunteers, providing that we sign on the dotted line that you we will cover expenses, and work with a STEP bio to complete all things necessary to raise these fish on a volunteer basis.
A ray of light?
Jerry argued that we would do it, but we are not prepared to sign on the line. We don't want to be used as a scape goat for what the State should be responsible for.
"OH! OK!!!" The people don't have to worry anymore. The fish are fine! The volunteers will handle it!
We WILL, but we shouldn't have to.
We have resources for funds that can possibly contribute to the success of a volunteer program, such as this. We DO need your help.
I will be there, all night and day, if I have to, to save these fish.
Will you?
I stand firm in not permitting an interruption in the broodstock cycles over politics!
Ifish is a powerful resource for mobilizing volunteers, and I plan on using it.
We need dedicated funding, yes, but right now what we need is your help. Financial, volunteer time, I don't care, but we need you. Too much work has gone into the program to see it fail now.
Wrapped in emotion, after hearing Jerry Dove speak, I walked over to commiserate with Mr. McCracken.
"Don't you feel we are facing a crisis?" I asked him.
" Jennie, I own logging companies... I have been faced with terrible decisions and have seen much of my work taken from me. Let's face this as a challenge, not as a crisis".
Those words linger in my mind.
Ladies and Gentlemen, my fellow sportsfishermen and women, I am asking that you join us in this challenge.
Our budget has failed, year after year, and what we have all feared has happened.
The immediate task, is to save our broodstock fish.
Contact me, follow along, as I set up an emergency volunteer page. I will post it at the top of ifish.net main page.
On this page, I will announce what we need, day by day, or as it happens. I will be in contact with Mr. Dove.
You will be asked to join us, whether it be for feeding, or telephoning, or general maintenance.
We will take care of these fish, and hope for a speedy resolution. If need be, we will then tackle the next run of fish that needs our help at the hatcheries.
We will handle this challenge, one fish run, at a time.