12/28/2007

SCHOONER CREEK TRAP

Just a quick reply for Mike Samples report below We did service the trap completely on December 24th, there were no fish in the trap and the water level was low enough when we got to the trap because of the in flow partial blockage that allowed us to get into the trap, after cleaning out the debris a full flow was again established, and the log book was filled in. The good thing is that Mike did find some native fish and more seem to be showing up and we all know that after rebuilding the fish ladder the trap is working as expected. I want to thank Mike for his dedication to the project as he puts in a lot of effort and time into the Schooner trap.
Hank Bryson

12/28/2007

Siletz Trap

Roger Wilson and Wayde Dudley checked 3 traps today. The weather was cool with showers. We were back in town by 1440. In the order visited:

Bohanan - No fish. Large blue heron sitting near the falls.

Siletz - 2 male Steelhead, 1 wild. Roger had a gas powered portable 2 inch pump and some fire hose. We transported the gear to the trap using the tram bucket. Hooked up the pump and Roger washed the accumulated silt, sand & gravel out of the trap. Much better than shoveling. River was up and the boulder area was solid white water. Some snow in the area.

Palmer Creek - No fish. Cleaned the gates and also the weir on the main channel.

Wayde

12/28/2007

Schooner Creek Trap

This in from Mike Samples

I have just returned from Schooner Creek trap. I am still not able to go down into the trap but my partner Duane was with me and he went in. We had three (3) wild, male Coho in the trap. Two of the fish were released upstream but the third didn't make it. We didn't know there
was a third fish until the lower gate was raised. The fish had turned sideways and wedged himself into the bars instead of going through the middle. When we saw him and removed him from the bars we realized he was still just barely alive, so we spent 30 minutes trying to revive him but to no avail. His jaw had been forced open while he was stuck in the bars and it appeared to be broken or at least he was unable to keep his mouth closed. Very unfortunate since we have such small numbers of fish this year. I am going to cc James on this one because we had a mortality and I am not sure the trap was serviced on Wednesday. Hopefully it was
and the group on Wednesday just forgot to enter anything on the log.

Thank you again for covering for me last Wednesday (Hank Bryson covered for Mike on the Siletz).

MIke

12/26/2007

Siletz Trap

Trap report from Hank Bryson

I still have the keys for Schooner Creek, let me know how to get them back to you, please. My day at the fish traps was eventful, Bohannon had Zero fish, Sieltz trap had two Steelhead, both hatchery fish and Plamer creek had nine Steelhead, one native, and eight hatchery fish. The road to the Sieltz was slippery due to some snow from about five mile and up, which is thrilling when your looking way down to the river in places. Hank

12/17/2007

SCHOONER CREEK FISH TRAP

To Wayne:
Barb & I checked the Schooner trap this morning. It was clean and clear. No fish visible in trap. Did not have trap key as I thought it was under the table in the hut. Someone left the keys on my door this afternoon. Who needs them next? Mike S. must have had some fish last Friday?? Does that explain the fish slime on the table?
Wayde

----- Original Message -----
From: "Big Fish" <lvhfishclub@hotmail.com>
Sent: Monday, December 17, 2007 7:48 AM
Subject: Fw: Schooner Creek

I just got this in from Mike Samples. I think Frank is up on Monday. Let me know if you are short handed and I will make the trip with you. There is a High Wind Warning issued for Monday afternoon into Tuesday morning, so be sure to check the forecast. Don't take any chances. Frank, if you and Brian were up there with Mike on Friday, he mentioned fish slime on
the table. How about a trap report?
Wayne

----- Original Message -----
From: "Mike Samples" <msamples57@gmail.com>
To: "Big Fish" <lvhfishclub@hotmail.com>
Sent: Sunday, December 16, 2007 12:23 PM
Subject: Schooner Creek

Hi Wayne,
On Friday afternoon, Brian, Frank and I had what I believe was a pretty successful field trip at the Schooner Creek trap with students from Lincoln City technical school. When we left for the afternoon I kept the table (normally located inside the shed) outside the shed so the
rain could wash off some of the fish slime. I planned to return today to put everything back together for the upcoming week but as luck would have it, I have contracted some kind of intestinal virus and have not been able to leave the house since Friday evening. I kept the key for the lock on the trap cover. I believe LVH teams have your own set. If so, please bring them on Monday in case I am unable to get back up to the trap between now and Monday morning. I still plan to try but didn't want an unpleasant surprise when the team arrives. If you can
get the word out to Monday's team I would appreciate it.
Thank you very much,
Mike

12/14/2007

SCHOONER CREEK FISH TRAP

Wayne: Slime was from steelhead Mike brought in for demo for the students we had there from Lincoln City. He put the table up outside the shed and we went through the fine points of fish ID/clips. The Coho team is due up on Monday, and Barb and Wayde are going to get there some time on Tuesday - I passed it along to Butch that he could probably take the day off since Wayde wasn't sure when they woudl get there.

Brian

PS: its snowing lightly tonight at the motel in K Falls, but should see some more tomorrow. Leaving for Reno on Tuesday, it may be lighter by then?????

12/10/07

Schooner Creek Trap

Report from Big Fish:

We were not as lucky as Mike Samples was on Saturday. Bill Furgason, John Spangler, and Wayne Hill went to the trap this morning. No fish at the trap and no big game was sighted. The trap was cleaned and is ready for any fish coming upstream.

We noticed the trees that were planted on Saturday. Rod "Coach" McCready, Brian Hudson, John Spangler, Mike Samples, Alan Canfield, and a couple of other members of the Central Coast Flyfishers participated in the planting of about 100 cedar and hemlock trees under the guidance of the Midcoast Watershed Council. Great job guys.

12/08/07

SCHOONER CREEK

Gentlemen and ladies,

We had our first winter Steelhead in the trap today. I released a chrome bright native buck winter Steelhead upstream to the delight of the assembled crowd. I took six people to the trap today, most of whom had never been there before. After the wonderful job everyone did yesterday cleaning and repairing the trap, the fruits of our labor were very apparent to me today. The trap was working perfectly with no silt at all.

Mike

NOTE FROM FIRST LADY: Isn't this what it's all about? We cleaned up the trap good enough on Friday to get it working and Mike had the privilege of showing people the wonder of salmon and nature. It doesn't get any better than this . . .

11/26/07

Brian Hudson reports on the Schooner Creek trap on Monday and the Siletz trap on Friday.

Team Coho went to Schooner on Monday and found only a few leaves/debris in the gates. No fish, unfortunately, but the "we made a trap, so they will come" (some day). Barb & Wayde Dudley, Bob Breakfield and I made the trip - two cars, so double the usual milage.

Went to Siletz and Bohanan today(Friday), but once again, No Fish. The water was colder than a well digger's ------, and the river was up several feet from the day before. I didn't check the gage, but would guess it was running around 7 feet. The net handles were so cold that it almost hurt to pick them up with your bare hand. Saw one drift boat above Siletz. From about Mile 8 to the trap and back down it was snowing steadily, but only sticking to the top of the hills. Made a couple little repairs to Bohanan and cleaned it out. Coming back around via Beaver Creek to Ona Beach, we saw three fat coyotes running through a meadow - Roy said they were probably getting tuned up to relay-run a deer down!

Brian

PS: Wear your long underwear and take an extra pair of dry gloves to handle the equipment.