03/28/08

SILETZ FISH TRAP

Snow, snow, snow. Picked up Larry Dale and met with Casey and Kevin B at Hatfield. After looking over some winch photos he had made the day before, Casey decided that we would all go up and handle "tubes" of fish across the river since there are brooders waiting in the trap's side cages. Casey has notified the original contractor, and is waiting word on starting the repair process. The weather had other ideas! Snow was about 2" on the road from Toledo to Siletz and deeper and coming down lightly as we left Logsden. We slid into Palmer (so to speak) and Larry and I jumped in to find 3 nice bucks that Casey decided to leave in the trap. As we crossed Wildcat, it really started to snow heavy, so the day was called off for Larry and me. Probably just as well since the woman at the Logsden store told us the loggers were not going in because it was too dangerous for the choker setters. We had left my truck at Logsden, so we came back and Casey and Kevin headed off to Bohannan. By the time we got back to Newport, the sky was bright and clearing, but it still looked ugly in the direction of the gorge. Larry promised he would be back, and is looking forward to getting up to the big trap.

Brian

03/28/08

SCHOONER CREEK FISH TRAP:

It was a rather interesting morning on the way to and at Schooner Creek today. On the way up it was it was 33 degrees, snowing hard with an accumulation of between 2 and 4 inches. No other vehicles had been up this morning and I found my way blocked with an alder that had
broken and fallen across the road. I was finally able to move it after a few minutes and clear the road. Unfortunately I left my chain saw in Prineville last weekend, foolishly believing that winter was over. When I arrived at the gate I met Duane, we parked and began walking up the road as we have been doing now for about two months.
Half way up we encountered another tree that has fallen and is currently blocking the road (again no chain saw). We had no fish in the trap. We cleaned the trap and it is working well. On our way out we heard a loud crack and saw a large fir or spruce bough break off and tumble into the canyon close to the creek. Once back at the gate we were talking at our trucks when two large alders broke one right after the other and fell into the North Fork of the creek just below
the weir. At this point we thought it best to leave the canyon as the snow was continuing to fall. The weight of this wet snow was really beginning to create a dangerous situation. My way down was clear and I was treated to a herd of approx. 30 Elk just past the one mile marker. I know the Longview Hills team turns before you get that far down but that is the location I usually see the Elk.

If anyone has a chain saw and wants to go up I will be glad to accompany you and help clean up the tree that is blocking the road. I will be gone once again this Sunday and Monday. So, it would either have to be today or tomorrow. If not, you might think about walking from the gate to the trap until we can get it cleaned up.

Duane and I will be working the trap also on Wednesdays for a few weeks as the Wednesday crew has lost most of the volunteers.

Sorry for the long winded email but thought it necessary to pass the info.

Mike

03/26/08

SILETZ FISH TRAP:

NOTE: Bill needs volunteer help for the Siletz trap for April 2, 4, 9, 11, 16, & 23. Please help Bill fill these dates.

First stop after getting a fresh oxygen tank and gas for the truck for Kevin Bastian and I was Palmer Creek. No fish but the beavers have been busy so much cleaning to do. Proceeded to Siletz with periods of very heavy and hail snow. The accumulation of snow on the road was getting pretty thick and we considered aborting the mission before it started to let up. There were 3 fish in the trap, 1 wild pair and 1 clipped buck. We had a serious malfunction of the fish bucket/winch and were not able to transport the fish to the Alsea hatchery as planned. After several radio discussions about the problem we then proceed to Bohannan where we released one wild hen upstream. I'm not sure what has to be done to repair the winch and cable but they were going to go back up today to assess the problem.

We saw 7 elk at the intersection of Roads 1000 and Beaver Creek. At about the 5 mile post of Beaver Creek Rd. we then spotted 30 plus elk but were not able to get an accurate count because of the distance and trees blocking our view. All Elk appeared to be cows. I'm not sure exactly when the bulls drop their antlers but perhaps they have already done so. See you for the tour this morning.

Frank

03/23/08

SCHOONER CREEK FISH TRAP:

Hello to All

Well team Chinook had a beautiful trip up to the Schooner Creek Trap. There was no rain and the sun broke through.We were not able to spot any wildlife except for one busy snowy egret on the tidal flats. Bob Abbot was the tour guide while I rode shotgun, and Wayne navigated the terrain. Everything was beautiful as usual in the canyon with the stream flowing high and clear.

We approached the trap with much apprehension after all of the tales of limited fish for so long. I jumped down into the trap and eureka there was a tell-tale flash and splash. I called Bob and asked him to get down and help to corral our prize. Bob got down in there and got into a wrestling match with a beautiful steelhead, and he won with the fish netted. I turned the fish, which turned out to be a beautiful native hen over to Wayne and he released her. In the process of capturing the hen we saw another fish flash. Bob and I went around and around, up and down, and we couldn't find or corner the other fish. Bob climbed out of the trap and I got real serious but it was as if the fish disappeared. I finally was able to net the elusive fish which turned out to be a native male. I turned the fish over to Bob, who in turn turned it over to Wayne, and he released it. We cleaned some debris from the trap and buttoned it up. All ill it was a great trip with good friends.

While I have the stage I want to emphasize that the Siletz trap for April needs help. Wayde, Wayne,and myself are unable to participate on Wednesdays because of prior obligations. The 11th is taken other than that the month is open. If you want to go with someone else there is no problem as there is always room for one more. This a major service that we do and is not only appreciated but is necessary so please step forward. We need to have additional help so that those who have been covering the traps do not get burned out. The Siletz trap slows down for a short period, but then it will be picking up for the larger summer runs. Let us know when you will be available to give a hand. "Good Fishing"

Electric Bill

03/21/08

SILETZ FISH TRAP:

I went with Wayde and Kevin Bastien to Palmer, Siletz and Bohannan Friday, and we had a great wildlife day. Started out with a little rain, then snow, but then cleared up as the day wore on. Palmer had 4 bucks and 3 hens, all from 10-18 lbs (big fish), and one buck was an "ad only" (adiposed clip only - not sure what system he came from). We dispatched them and took them up to the Siletz trap. There were 3 hen hatchery and one each wild buck and hen at Siletz. All the hatcheries were thrown in the river and the wilds sent back downstream. Around the 8mi marker going in and out we saw two deer (maybe the same deer?), and then we headed off to Bohannan. Trap was empty, but on the way down N. Beaver Creek, we followed a very light brown coyote for about a quarter mile, and ended the day on a high note counting a herd of 25 elk very close to the road. The were at least two bulls - one spike and one 3-4 point.

Brian

03/19/08

SILETZ FISH TRAP:

This in from Bill--Be sure to read Bill's request in the last paragraph. Starting in April, Bill will take over the job of coordinator for the Siletz trap. Welcome back Bill. Bill is now taking signups for the April trap volunteers. At least one volunteer will be needed every Wednesday and Friday for the month of April.

Hi Friends

My day started at ODFW this morning and I met up with our very own Mr. Frank Stout there. Frank was there on official business to present Derek Wilson with his membership certificate. I met the new Siletz trap person Kevin Bastien he is a commercial fisherman and worked with our trap program last year on our off days. Kevin has helped with the traps, and other related programs.

Kevin and I went to the Palmer trap first. Our instructions was to get 5 pair of hatchery steelhead, and to transport them to the Alsea hatchery. As we arrived at trap our road in was blocked by a pickup. I walked the road into the trap and there were two guys looking at the stream and into the trap. One of the guys had a rifle slung over his shoulder. I called out the guys and told them we needed to get in to work the trap. It turns out that they were just a couple of guys out to go fishing and spotted some coyote tracks and were following them. They wanted to stay and watch and help if they could so we let them. Latter were very glad that we had there help. We easily were able to get our required 5 pair of fish. We then also pulled out 29 bucks and 25 hens out of the Palmer trap. We then went on up to the Siletz trap. We loaded up 16 Bucks, and 10 native Steelhead, and dispatched 3 bucks, and 3 hen hatchery fish. After loading up the Siletz trap we went back down to the Palmer trap, and picked up the 10 pair of hatchery fish, and loaded them into to the truck. We then headed out Kevin dropped me off at the Dairy Queen and headed to the Alsea hatchery. I had put in 7 and a half hours and was done.

I would like to put out a request to everyone the Siletz trap has a lot of sand and gravel in it. It would be great if 1 or 2 people could step forward and and help out on the Friday trip. We were just not able to work with the trap to day because of time and all of the fish. Our total count was 96 steelhead, 37 hatchery males, 33 hatchery females. There were 16 male, 10 female Natives it was a good day on the river.

Bill

03/17/08

SCHOONER CREEK FISH TRAP:

Tom Roederer and I found no fish in the trap yesterday.

Frank

03/14/08

SILETZ AND PALMER FISH TRAPS:

A good friend of mine, Gary Smith, accompanied Kevin Bastian and myself on the trap runs today. Casey met us at the Wildcat bridge and went with us to the Palmer and Siletz traps. Cool with overcast and showers all day. Kevin is the new ODF&W employee for trap duty.
Palmer had 47 steelhead in the trap and 3 in the pool below. We crowded them to the west end and did a sort. All the ripe males and females that were in good shape were left in the trap as potential brood stock for a new study being started to spawn wild fish with hatchery fish. The program is being done at the Alsea Hatchery. 20 fish were dispatched and returned to the river.
The Siletz trap had 11 fish from Wednesday and 6 new ones. 1 was killed and put back in the river. The remaining 16 were transported across the river to the tank on the truck. We went back down to Palmer and netted 2 pair to add to the mix and then took the 20 fish to the Alsea hatchery. Casey went back to Newport.
At the Alsea hatchery Matt and Eric handled the fish we brought them with each fish getting an antibiotic shot and a tag in the jaw. None were spawned at that time but would be later. They had 2 spawned fish that we loaded and took back to Siletz and returned them to the river at the Ilahee ramp. We got back to Newport at 1725. A long but interesting day.
Wayde

03/14/08

SCHOONER FISH TRAP:

Good morning,

We can add at least one more wild fish to our total this year. This morning we had one wild male Steelhead in the trap. He was in good shape and in his spawning colors. The creek is up but is holding it's color well. The trap had quite a bit of debris which was cleaned and the trap is running well. Hopefully Monday will also provide fish. I repaired the upper gate winch again. I am not sure how long it will
last but be careful as it can slip and release the gate. I am including James in the email because I believe it is time to replace the upper gate. I am going down to Newport Marine later today and see if they might have a winch possibly a used one that I can get at a reasonable price. If I do I will let everyone know. Additionally, I saw a nice herd of elk down in the bottom land on my way in and again
on my way out. Great day.

Mike

03/12/08

SILETZ FISH TRAP:

The new guy, Kevin Bastien was not available today so I had a very pleasant day with Casey. The Palmer Creek trap has been closed so Casey and I opened it today after cleaning out an accumulation of debris from the local beaver tribe. We ten proceeded to the Siletz Trap where we netted 6 female and 5 male steelhead. All were saved and are to be transported on Friday for brooder stock. That includes the hatchery fish. We then headed to Bohannon but it was clean with no fish.

Casey informed me today that they are required to install seatbelts into the cable tram over the Siletz. I don't know who is going to enforce their use but they are to be installed. I bumped my head on the cable getting out of the tram and suggested to Casey that helmets also be required. Anything for safety. I don't think that tram will float very well and would therefore choose to bail out once we hit the water and wouldn't care to worry about unbuckling a seatbelt. Just my 2 cents worth.

Take care, Frank

03/10/08

SCHOONER CREEK FISH TRAP:

Short report. Wayde and I went to Schooner this morning and found it running clean, but no fish. The weather was relatively warm and the morning was dry. Nice day to visit the trap. Saw Mike's tile next to the shed - haven't got a clue what they were doing in the stream, but there were some faint traces of wheels (like a mountain bike) or something like that in the bottom sand at the low point crossing just below the bridge. I guess only the "Shadow" knows!
Brian

03/07/08

SCHOONER CREEK FISH TRAP:

Guess what? No fish in the trap on Friday. The trap was in good shape but quite a bit of beaver activity upstream. We cleaned out quite a few chewed branches from the trap and just above at the grate. Also, there were four (4) 6" by 6" terra cotta tiles in the stream just above the bridge. These were new clean tiles that look as though they had been placed in the stream. I don't know of any reason why they would be there so I removed them and placed them on the wood adjacent to the shed. If anyone knows more about this I would love to know. Additionally, I am not aware of any structure higher in the stream that would break up or lose these types of tiles. Once again, down stream I saw a lone Steelhead finning in the water.

Mike

03/03/08

Schooner Creek Fish Trap:

Team leader Bill Furgason, Bob Abbott, and Wayne Hill took the trip to the Schooner Creek trap. No fish, no wildlife........just a nice drive in the woods in a light rain. The only excitement came when Wayne (he drove) backed down by the bridge. When we started to leave we became stuck. Bob seemed quite worried, then Wayne discovered the 4 wheel drive was not engaged, then the Xterra jumped right out of the hole!!!!!!!! Bob was quite relieved.

Wayne

02/29/08

SCHOONER CREEK FISH TRAP:

Another NO FISH day at Schooner Creek trap on Friday. We cleaned the trap and removed some branches down the fish ladder. On my way down the creek between the 5 and 6 mile markers I stopped and looked in the usual places I see fish and was pleasantly surprised to see a couple
of Steelhead finning in the current just waiting for higher water to move up the creek.

Mike

02/29/08

SILETZ FISH TRAP:

THREE TRAPS CHECKED TODAY, FIRST WAS PALMER CREEK WHERE THE BEAVERS HAVE BEEN BUSY AND A LOT OF DEBRIS WAS BLOCKING THE ENTRANCE TO THE TRAP WITH LOTS OF WATER BEHIND IT, CLEANED THE MESS UP AND FILLED THE TRUCK TANK WITH WATER, NO FISH IN THE TRAP. THEN TO THE SILETZ TRAP WHICH HAD ONE NICE SIZE MALE HATCHERY FISH AND FINALLY TO BOHANNAN TRAP WHICH HAD NO FISH BUT TWO STEELHEAD WERE IN THE POND ABOVE THE FALLS AND TOOK OFF ONCE THEY SAW US. THE BEST PART OF THE DAY WAS LOTS OF SUNSHINE AND BEING ABLE TO GO ON ROGER'S LAST DAY OF WORK WITH ODF&W, WHAT A GUY HE IS, HE SERVICED ALL THE EQUIPMENT HE COULD ETC. HE WILL BE MISSED!

HANK

02/27/08

SILETZ FISH TRAP:

Roger Wilson checked Palmer and Siletz today alone as Wayde forgot it was his day in the truck. Roger forgave me and said there were 5 Steelhead in Siletz and none in Palmer. No wild fish at Siletz.

Wayde

02/25/08

SCHOONER CREEK FISH TRAP:

Tom Roederer, Butch Minich and I took the trip up to Schooner Creek this morning. There was absolutely no debris in the trap nor were there any fish. I have never seen the trap so clean. Water was lower than our last trip and very clear. Jeannine Roeder also rode along with us for the pretty drive.

Wayde, for your records, Tom drove his vehicle today. Take care, Frank