07/02/2010

SILETZ TRAP RUN:

Another busy day at the Siletz Falls trap. We took 2 vehicles again because of the expected number of fish. Casey and I were in the truck with the small tank and Bill and Donny were in the truck with the big tank. Bill and Donny reached the trap first and Casey & I pulled in at 9:53. Very nice, cool day with a few showers. The trap was not as full as it has been. Last Wednesday there were 147 Steelhead and 5 Chinook. Water was 53 degrees.

Today the count was 105 Steelhead and 5 Chinook. The breakdown was:

Hatchery Steelhead

44 male 42 female

Wild Steelhead

7 male 12 female

Chinook

2 male 2 female 1 jack

60 hatchery Steelhead were taken back downriver and released at the Mann Ranch, just below Moonshine Park.

26 were taken to Siletz tribal food share.

A bit of excitement today. When we first crossed the river Bill noticed some fishermen downstream and near the "deadline" rock. It is illegal to fish upstream of the deadline rock and it is well posted. All 4 of us observed the men fishing and once we saw them fight a jumping fish that was upstream of the no-fishing line. Casey got on the radio and was able to contact OSP and get a trooper sent our way. The trooper arrived in 1/2 hour from Otis via Gravel Creek. He walked down to check the fishermen. When he arrived none were fishing and denied fishing above the deadline. We could not positively identify who was fishing illegally and the trooper did not see them fishing. He cited 1 for no fishing license and warned the other 3. My guess is they won't fish there again for awhile.

Saw 1 doe deer on the way out and got back to the Pig House at 3:30.

Wayde

06/25/2010

SILETZ TRAP RUN:

Derek and Casey figured that it would be a heavy day and therefore sent two teams to the trap. Bill and I were joined by Emi (sorry but I can't remember her last name), a student and internist from Oregon State and Donny Pearson. Donny is a "host" who volunteers to assist ODFW during the summer months. Donny is from Texas as can be confirmed by his great souther drawl. Emi is 19 years old at scheduled to graduate next spring with two degrees in Biology and Zoology. Both tank trucks were used for today's mission. This was a new personal record day for me as we were greeted by 181 anxiously awaiting fish in the trap. The count was:

Hatchery 57 male 64 female 1 jack (two separate loads of 60 fish each were taken down river and released at Mill Park in Siletz.

Wild 14 male 23 female All passed upstream

Returns 5 male 4 female All contributed to stream enhancement

Brood stock 6 male 5 female The brood stock was transported to the Cedar Creek hatchery in Hebo by Emi and Donny

There were 2 winter males that were also returned for stream enhancement.

Got back to the Pig Pen at about 4:50 with many sore muscles. A long enjoyable day on the river. We also noted approximately 11 fish in the ladder below the trap awaiting their turn. We also noted a large number of vehicles and bicycles at the lower end of the gorge as the word has spread about the current run.

Take care, Frank

06/11/2010

SILETZ TRAP RUN:

June 11, 2010

Once more we set out on the trail of the elusive Siletz Steelhead. Saw a deer going in and arrived at the trap at 9:45 am. River was down and running clear. Captured a total of 57 fish in the trap. Hatchery males 19, hatchery females 24, 1 winter female and 11 wild females. Also 1 previously tagged fish and 1 winter male which were sent to the great fish pond in the sky by Bill the hit man. Had some company at the trap as some of the equipment was undergoing it's yearly inspection. Weather was great and no major malfunctions, so another successful day on the river.
Don

06/04/2010

SILETZ TRAP RUN:

June 4, 2010

Went to the fish trap with Bill and Christina. After the heartbreak of leaky hip waders last time, I resolved to remedy that situation with a trip to the store for some proper equipment. After spending copious amounts of cash, I wound up looking like a sporting goods store mannequin, which prompted my sweetie to grab her camera and get a picture of me cuz I looked so "cute". Being used to this sort of abuse, I took it in stride, wobbled out of the house and headed for town.

Saw a bald eagle on the way to the fish trap and arrived at 9:50 am in one piece, despite an impromptu meeting with a sneaky logging truck (Use your radio Bubba!). We then proceeded to hop into the trolley of doom and braved the raging Siletz (sorry folks just trying to spice it up a bit). The river was up quite a bit since the last time I was there and the water temp was 48 degrees. We found 24 steelhead in the trap. One wild male, 4 wild females, 10 hatchery males and 9 hatchery females. Alas, 5 perfectly innocent hatchery fish were brutally slain, but all for a good cause.

Bill had 2 rookies on his hands today. Christina on some of the power equipment and me on pretty much everything else. Hopefully, I didn’t bring too much shame or humiliation on the LVHFC. I'm happy to announce he never once lost patience with either of us. What a great guy! In the end - mission was accomplished and a good time had by all. Looking forward to doing it again next Friday.

Don

05/21/2010

SILETZ TRAP RUN:

Siletz Falls trap run, Friday May 21st

Wayde and Bill Segler made the trap run today. Very uneventful with so-so weather, no critters and only 5 steelhead. We got to the trap at 9:37. The water was 47 degrees. The fish were winter steelhead:

Hatchery

2 male 1 female

Wild

1 male (re-run) 1 female

There was 1 dead female in the fike (inlet structure) that got it's head caught.

We left the trap at 10:10 and were back in town at 11:40.

Wayde