05/16/09

SILETZ TRAP:

Just In from James & Brian >>>>> SILETZ TRAP REPORT (16 May 09)

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From: James Ray [mailto:james.ray@state.or.us]
Sent: Monday, May 18, 2009 9:18 AM
To: John Spangler; pandpreed
Cc: BRIAN PAMELA HUDSON; James Ray
Subject: RE: SILETZ REPORT

Saturday’s Siletz Falls trap count: 10 wild winter steelhead (8 of which had been caught in the trap before) and 1 hatchery summer steelhead (buck).

J

05/08/09

SILETZ TRAP:

Casey and I carried out the trap duty on Friday and it was a full day. The river was at about the 6' level and was as high as I've ever seen it. Sorry Bill and Matt but you know all that silt and gravel that you shoveled last week?....Well it's back. There were only 5 fish in the trap, supposedly because of the high water, but one was the first summer steelhead. It was a very bright silver hatchery hen that unfortunately was bonked. In addition there were 2 wild males and 1 wild hen that we transported to the Alsea Hatchery along with 4 other hold over fish for spawning. Following the spawning process we returned the fish, along with several other fish being held at the hatchery to the Siletz. As we were transporting water across the river to fill the tanker truck a beautiful bald eagle flew directly overhead headed up the river.

Announcement! Derek Wilson's son, Finnigan "Finn" Wilson, arrived on Monday morning. Mother and child are doing fine. We understand that Finn's first camo suit was a perfect fit.

Frank

05/01/09

SILETZ FISH TRAP:

WOW

What a great day! Just to get out and enjoy the great outdoors. It started out a little questionable with a few drops of rain hitting the windshield but fortunately that didn't last.
We arrived down at South Beach just before Casey around 8:00 AM. We loaded up and were off Casey had to stop by the office and check in. The truck was fueled up so we were on our way to the trap. The weather had cleared and it was a very pleasant drive up. On the way into the Siletz trap Casey stop at the Mill Creek trap. They have a regular trap similar to the Bohanian trap. and a temporary trap set up catch the smolt that are out bound headed for the ocean. They set up temporary troughs on each side of the stream to direct the flow into through the smolt trap. There was a guy waist deep in the river counting smolt from a bucket He would mark some of them and set aside to be returned up stream to gather further information when they came back through, the rest he released down stream. It is in a very beautiful spot and would be pretty neat duty Casey said that he started out working this trap.

We didn't see any wild critters but it sure was great to see Spring beginning to unfold with new leaves, buds, and blossoms. We arrived at the trap and put on our waders ( Matt has a brand new pair ). We took a couple of minutes just to admire the beauty then it was on the tram and down into the trap.

We found several Steelhead in the trap so we began to remove them. Casey stayed up on top and Matt and I went down in and began herding fish. I gave the net to Matt and told to go for it. Matt did the netting and I just told Casey if the fish were native or hatchery. Casey then went down a couple of ladders and released the wild fish, and dispatched the hatchery fish for stream enhancement. There were 4 wild fish one buck,and 2 hens along with a repeat ( one that had been put down the ladder before ). The hatchery fish were 2 hens, 1 buck, plus two out of basin (SEX?) not a lot of fish but a good experience. Three of the fish had seal bite marks on them, and there was one very nice 3 salt buck in the group that barely fit into the net.

We all then began the task of cleaning out the gravel and sediment which seemed to be at least 10 yards, but by the time we were through more like a hundred. When we left the trap it was nice and clean and flowing well. Casey said that this might be the last time that the trap will need to be cleaned until fall. After we were done in the trap we had lunch on the picnic table by the truck. Casey decided that we could go over and check the Bohanian Fish trap. We were off again enjoying the great day and wonderful scenery. We arrived at the Bohanian Trap and again just admired all of the beauty around. Unfortunately there were no fish in the trap. Casey said that they will continue to check it for a couple of more weeks and then close it for the season. We came back by way of the Beaver Creek Estuary and Casey pointed out a fairly new Stat Park that he said was great Elk habitat. All in all it was a great Day and Casey dropped us off just before 4:00pm at our truck.


MATT & BILL

04/13/09

SCHOONER CREEK FISH TRAP:

This was the last Schooner trap run of the season for LVH Fish Club.........

Monday 4-13-09
Barb & Wayde checked the Schooner trap on their way back from Tigard. Nice day but no fish in the trap. The "Drift Creek" elk herd was on the south side of the Drift Creek meadow.
Wayde

04/11/09

PALMER CREEK AND SILETZ TRAP:

Greetings One and All

Matt and I joined the rest of the group as the last of the steelhead smolt were placed into the ponds at Palmer Trap. Frank had the camp set up real nice and had brought in some wood and pallets for camp fires. Casey gave us the what to do list for the smolt and keeping the screens clear. It turned out that the main generator had conked out again but this year Matt had brought up his generator as a back up so all was well. There was a lot of debris from reeds to beaver limbs that kept jamming the screens and causing the ponds to raise. Matt really got into the total experience he was trimming more brush, and checking the screens. Frank had left his small electric chain saw so Matt and I proceeded to cut up the pallets, and chop some wood. Again Matt really got into the chopping and stacking of the wood. We built a fire and Matt made sure that it was going great most of the time. There was plenty of wood as the wood piles from the last couple of years was still there, due to very wet camps in the past. The weather was pretty decent for the most part with occasional misting now and then. I took my dog Sadie along and she enjoyed herself with all of the new scents, and sounds. We had a great dinner consisting of steaks, fried potatoes and onions, and some of Matt's great salsa. We went to bed full and happy.
The next morning Matt was up early and out checking the ponds and the screens when he saw our pesky beaver. Well he had taken his trusty sling shot along for just such an emergency and he let one fly. He said that beaver went up in the air did a double gainer, and back flip and landed into the pond and was off like a shot. The beaver wasn't hurt except for his pride but he made himself very scarce after that. We had a great breakfast then Derek Wilson came by from ODFW to take me up to the Siletz trap it seams that Casey wasn't able to make it in. Derek and I had a great trip both in and out we didn't see any critters just a lot of log truckers, and some fishermen. We were pleasantly supprised to find several fish in the trap. The total count was 13 wild females,5 wild males, and 9 hatchery females,3 hatchery males. There was a beautiful 20 plus pound buck in his full spawning colors, and a beautful 18 plus pound hen always a pleasure to see. We turned the wild fish back down the ladder, and created stream enhancement out of the hatchery fish. As we returned back to camp we found the LVHFC board of directors chowing down and getting ready for their meeting. Lunch was enjoyed by all and then Matt and I left leaving the smolt sitting in the capable hands of Wayde and Barb. It was a great experience and a good time I would recommend it to all.

Have a Great Day

Electric Bill, and Matt the (Beaver Guy)

04/06/09

SCHOONER CREEK FISH TRAP:

SCHOONER CREEK FISH TRAP REPORT ( 6 April 09 )

( 2 men & 54.5 Miles )



Team Chinook represented by the Dynamic Duo (Bob Abbott & Hook) made the T. R. Unfortunately we found No Fish, but got up close & personal with the Resident Elk Herd (Approx. 25). We, along with a bunch of folks, found the herd, just before you get to the Drift Creek Road turn off. Several cars were stopped watching the Elk eating Skunk Cabbage along the creek………..

Bob & I had a Great Morning. It was really beautiful down at the trap; the temperature must have been almost 70 degrees & not a cloud in the sky. THE HOOK