Trout Unlimited: McKenzie River and Upper Willamette River

New Website Location for Trout Unlimited Chapter 678

2009-05-16T11:07:00.000-07:00

For chapter updates and official info on Trout Unlimited Chapter 678, McKenzie River, Upper Willamette Chapter, please see Oregon Fly Fishing Blog.

Trout Unlimited Wine and Waders event Sunday Feb 22

2009-02-10T17:04:00.001-08:00

Next Sunday is Trout Unlimited Chapter 678's annual Wine and Waders event at Territorial Vineyards in Eugene. This is a potluck event with auctions and raffles for a great cause — restoration and conservation of our native coldwater fish. The event takes place Feb. 22nd, 12-4 at 907 W 3rd Ave Eugene, OR 97402.

This year we have excellent auction items, like a guided trip fly fishing for Spring Chinook on the Tillamook system, an Outcast FishCat 4, hand-tied fly collections from expert anglers like salmon-guru Jay Nicholas and Mike Brooks (whose Atlantic salmon-style steelhead flies are in the Smithsonian).

Be sure to come by, bring a plate of bean dip or mini corndogs, and help support TU's fishery conservation goals.

If you have any questions or would like to donate auction items, please email Matt Stansberry (mattstansberry@gmail.com)

Fly Fishing events coming to Eugene, TU fundraiser

2008-11-27T12:40:00.000-08:00

Monday December 8: Fly fishing movie Drift
The local chapter of Trout Unlimited will be showing the new fly fishing movie Drift at the David Minor Theater in Eugene, 5:30-7:30pm. One of the featured anglers in the movie, and editor of the new fly fishing magazine Catch, Oregon’s own Brian O’Keefe will be at the showing to talk about the film and his fly fishing travels. The cost is $10 and the proceeds from the event will go to the McKenzie Upper Willamette Chapter of Trout Unlmited. Tickets are pre-sale only and are available at The Caddis Fly shop in Eugene. Call 541-342-7005 for details.

Thursday December 11: Fly fishing for salmon seminar
Fisheries biologist and fly fishing fanatic Jay Nicholas will be giving a seminar on fly fishing for salmon in Oregon at The Caddis Fly Shop on Thursday evening, 6-9pm. Jay is a 30-year veteran of ODFW and is an expert on Oregon’s coastal rivers. Jay’s seminar will cover how to fly fish for salmon, fly tying demonstrations and gear selection. The class costs $20, call the shop for more details: 541-342-7005.

TU Cascades High Lakes outing this week

2008-09-08T14:22:00.001-07:00

Attention current, lapsed, and/or wanna-be Trout Unlimited members! Your local chapter (TU 678) is again traveling into the mountains for high lakes fishing adventures. You may have missed our previous outings this summer but there is still one more opportunity. These trips have been very popular and are a great way to get out and enjoy the outdoors.

This month we plan to visit the Benson Lakes complex located in the Three Sisters Wilderness Area. The trip will take place on September 13th-14th. To get there head up the McKenzie Hwy 126 and take the Hwy 242 scenic bypass. Take the turnoff to the left for Scott’s lake and follow the signs to the Benson Lake trail head. The hike into the lake (our base camp) is about 1.5 miles and we will be hiking out from there to reach the other lakes in the area. Waders and float tubes will greatly improve your catching opportunities. A 3 to 5wt fly rod is recommended although light weight spin cast and bait cast setups can also be effective. Fly selections should include wooly buggers, chironomids, pheasant tails, and mayfly patterns. These are overnight trips so please bring a backpack, tent, sleeping bag, and food. The mosquitoes have been worse than usual this year so come prepared. If you have any questions please contact Todd Mullen at 935-2189 before Friday. We hope to see you there.

Time to sign up for the McKenzie River Two-fly tournament

2008-09-06T09:10:00.000-07:00

The first annual McKenzie River Two-Fly Tournament will take place October 3-4, 2008 on the McKenzie River. Organized by The Caddis Fly Angling Shop and Trout Unlimited Chapter 678 (McKenzie River, Upper Willamette Chapter), proceeds from this inaugural event will fund restoration projects on the McKenzie River.

The tournament organizers have partnered with the Eugene based McKenzie River Trust to allocate funds toward native salmonid habitat enhancement. The Trust is a local grassroots organization working to protect special lands in Lane and Douglas county Oregon for their fish and wildlife habitat, water quality and scenic values. The Trust has been recognized by its partners for being creative with its projects, professional in its work with landowners, and committed to the community. “The McKenzie River Trust welcomes the continued loyal support of anglers,” said Joe Moll, Executive Director.

The tournament will take place October 3-4, 2008. Festivities begin Friday evening with a pre-tournament reception and raffle; the competition begins the following morning. The entry fee is $300 per person, two anglers per boat. Entry fee includes one day guided float trip on the McKenzie River, festivities, and door prizes.

“This tournament is a great way for anglers to give back to the resource that gives them so much,” said Karl Mueller, Conservation Officer for TU Chapter 678. “We can’t control ocean conditions but we can do everything in our power to ensure that salmon have the in-stream habitat necessary to thrive in the McKenzie River, which is one of the last strongholds for Willamette River spring Chinook salmon.”

Mckenzie River Two-Fly Tournament rules
1. Contestants will participate in teams of two, single entrants can be paired up with another angler and make a new fishing partner.
2. The winning team will be determined by total length of the three largest fish landed. Length will be determined by a standard method (either measure net or modified PVC pipe w/ measuring tape, TBD). Digital photos of fish and measurement required.
3. The morning of the tournament, contestants will select two flies to use through the day. The can be fished singly or in tandem. If the two flies are lost the contestant may continue to fish, but the angler’s fish no longer count toward the team’s total length.
4. Leader, fly tackle, and fly fishing methods are all at the discretion of the angler.
5. The guide is the judge in the boat and enforcer of the rules.

McKenzie River Two-Fly Tournament Prizes
1. First prize team wins Winston BiiX rod and Ross Reel combos — ($1800 value).
2. Second prize team wins 2 nights stay for four at a luxury cabin on the Upper McKenzie River, $50 gift certificate to Holiday Farm ($750 value).
3. Third prize team wins two Scientific Angler Sharkskin lines ($200 value).

Cold snap doesn't stop TU's Spring McKenzie River outing!

2008-04-21T22:56:00.000-07:00

TU Chapter 678 members Todd Mullen, Karl Mueller, Matt Stansberry and Brent Ross (aka the New Recruit)braved crappy weather to bring you this video. We hope you enjoy.

Despite the coldest late April weather in 50 years, we did manage to catch some nice fish on the lower McKenzie River last weekend. Karl put up more pics and a report at the Oregon Fly Fishing Blog.

Keep your ear to the ground for the next event, or sign up for our Yahoo Groups email list.

TU Oregon Council launches new blog site

2008-04-18T11:21:00.000-07:00

Trout Unlimited's Oregon Council has launched a new blog to help keep the state's multiple chapters informed on fisheries issues. Oregon State Council Chair Tom Wolf has a post on TU's legislative agenda for the coming year, plus new chapter news -- Chetco River baby! Winter road trip, anyone?

TU meeting this week; New listserv

2008-03-10T13:05:00.000-07:00

Hey there TU members. We're back on schedule at EWEB this Wed at 7:00pm. Please show up at this meeting if you're interested in shaping the calendar for trips or restoration projects in 2008. We'll be publishing a calendar of events in the near future. Also, TU member Matt Stansberry will present the National Wildlife Federation's slideshow on global warming in Oregon.

Also, if you used the RiseUp.Net listserv for TU, that is going away. If you'd like to stay in touch with our projects, please sign up on our new Yahoo Groups listserv. It's easy and free.

TU tables at NW Fly Tyers and Fly Fishing show

2008-03-10T13:00:00.001-07:00

Last weekend TU volunteers manned a booth at the Federation of Fly Fishers NW Fly Tyers and Fly Fishing expo.

New Oregon Fly Fishing Blog

2008-02-29T08:38:00.000-08:00

TU volunteers Karl and Matt teamed up with The Caddis Fly Shop to launch a new Oregon Fly Fishing Blog. Check it out and let us know what you think. The site offers Oregon fishing reports, gear reviews, conservation news and more.

Trout Unlimited pitches in with Eugene Stream Team

2008-02-10T22:55:00.000-08:00

Last summer, TU Chapter 678 and Metro Planning adopted a section of stream bank along the Willamette River in Alton Baker park. It was an ugly job, but members managed to reclaim almost 200 feet of nasty blackberry infested riparian area by hand. Last weekend, TU and Metro Planning members collaborated with the larger Stream Team Whilamut Natural Area project to replant the new growth to offer shade, buffer surface pollutants, and stop erosion of the banks.

TU members managed to get some airtime on KVAL as well.

Oregon Coastal Coho protected again

2008-02-05T05:12:00.000-08:00

Karl reports: Today NOAA fisheries announced its decision to restore federal Endangered Species Act protection as a “threatened species” for Oregon Coastal coho salmon. The agency, charged with salmon and steelhead conservation, had been under a court order to reconsider its 2006 decision not to list the Oregon Coastal coho. Trout Unlimited was among a group of fishing and conservation groups that sued to force a relisting.

Oregon Trout Unlimited State of the Union

2008-01-28T21:10:00.001-08:00

Trout Unlimited Chapter 678 sent representatives to the Oregon State Council meeting last weekend in Portland. Conservation Officer Karl Mueller wrote up the proceedings in a recent blog post.

Highlights include:

An update on the Eugene Water and Electric Board (EWEB) Carmen-Smith relicensing. Carmen-Smith is a hydropower project on the upper Mckenzie that blocks upstream passage for ESA listed Chinook and Bull trout.

Excitement over the TU-spearheaded Copper-Salmon Wilderness.

A look at the potential settlement of the Klamath Pacificorp relicensing issue.

Check out the post for the full report.

Redden rips latest salmon plan

2007-12-11T13:14:00.001-08:00

From an article in The Oregonian:

In a blunt letter to attorneys who will appear in his Portland courtroom Wednesday in a landmark salmon lawsuit, U.S. District Judge James A. Redden signaled that the government is close to fumbling its last chance to help fish hammered by federal hydroelectric dams on the Columbia and Snake rivers.

Make your voice heard at GiveADamForSalmon.org.

Switch for Salmon

2007-11-05T09:31:00.000-08:00

TU is launching a new campaign to get electricity customers in the PAC NW to save energy and pledge to do it for salmon recovery. The idea is that if you do the following, you reduce your household energy consumption 14%:

Switch out just three-quarters of my light bulbs to compact fluorescents: save 5%

Switch to running only full loads in the dryer: save 2%

Switch off lights when not in use: save 3%

Switch to air drying half my washed clothing: save 3%

Switch to running only full loads in the dishwasher: save 1%

From the site: Even if you've already made these changes, and many of you already do much more, it's important you let us know so we can demonstrate to the federal dam operators that consumers recognize the ties between power use and fish, and we're willing to change our power habits to help bring our salmon and steelhead back.

Sign the pledge.

BLM WOPR hurts trout and salmon fishing

2007-10-29T15:54:00.000-07:00

Bottom line: The Bureau of Land Management's plan to increase logging in Western Oregon (Western Oregon Plan Revision: WOPR) will hurt trout and salmon populations in our state, which are already in decline. From today's Register-Guard:

The plan would shrink by 57 percent the tree buffers along rivers and streams that provide shade, bank stability and downed wood in the water, which create good habitat for fish.

Please read this very balanced piece by Susan Palmer on how the WOPR will impact the financial situations of rural Oregon counties and the biodiversity of our region.

Eugene TU Chapter puts the hurt on Umpqua Coho

2007-10-17T10:19:00.000-07:00

While this doensn't necessarily qualify as coldwater fisheries restoration... TU 678 members boated a few of the Umpqua River's hatchery coho this year. Good to eat and good for you!

The fish were biting early in the morning between Elkton and Sawyer Rapid. If you want to read about catching them on the fly, check out Upstream In Oregon.

Dates set for upcoming Trout Unlimited Chapter 678 outings

2007-10-11T15:43:00.000-07:00

Last night TU 678 representatives had the October meeting. We met with Jeff DeVore of the McKenzie Fly Fishers to talk about how the two groups can work more closely together and possibly do some joint trips in the coming months.

Karl Mueller outlined some of the problems facing salmonids if the proposed BLM WOPR is passed. An outline of how the Western Oregon Plan Revision will impact our fisheries will be in an upcoming Newsletter.

Upcoming outings for TU 678 include:
November 24-25: Elk and Sixes River for Fall Chinook. Last year's Bounty:

We also have a trip scheduled for the Siletz River, March 1-2. If you're interested in either of these trips, email us.

Eugene Trout Unlimited chapter tackles barbed wire on Steens wilderness

2007-09-09T11:54:00.000-07:00

Trout Unlimited McKenzie River and Upper-Willamette Chapter 678 tackled barbed wire removal in the Steens Wilderness recently. Volunteers Karl Mueller and Matt Stansberry teamed up with Oregon-Washington TU Field Coordinator and Backcountry Hunters and Anglers Chair Mike Beagle and BLM employee Laura Dowlan to pull over 1500 feet of barbed wire. The project will help open up large parcels of elk and pronghorn habitat, previously intersected by the fence. In fact, during the project, a herd of 50-60 elk moved through an area that had previously been fenced in.

During the off-hours, TU 678 volunteers fished the headwaters of the Blitzen River, easily catching 50 native redband rainbow trout, the biggest fish measuring around 14-inches. We plan to put together a TU 678 backpacking trip to the Steens next summer to fish from the headwaters to Blitzen Crossing. If you're interested in this trip or other upcoming events, please email Matt.

For full details of the trip, check out the Upstream in Oregon blog.

Oregon fishing and climate change

2007-07-24T13:50:00.000-07:00

Last weekend, TU 678 attended a training session put on by the National Wildlife Federation and NW Steelheaders. The event was aimed at training Oregon hunters and anglers to give presentations on climate change. Check out Upstream In Oregon for the full report. Here is the segment on coldwater fisheries:

Global Warming is causing more rain in the Cascades (less snow). Because of that extra liquid precipitation, the average snow pack has been shrinking by 30-60% since the 1950s. The Cascades are the lifeblood of our coldwater streams in the Pacific Northwest. On Mt. Hood, Sandy Glacier (source of the world-class steelhead fishery, Sandy River) has decreased by 50% in the last 50 years.

Steelhead and salmon need cold, reliable flows to survive — fish that are already fighting extinction from extensive dam systems. The hydro system is not going away in the foreseeable future. Climate change is going to be an accelerant on all of the problems these fish already face.

Recent average August/Sept Columbia River temperatures were 68-71F. In coldwater species, 70F increases fish stress. 75F is lethal. According to the IPCC, stream water will increase in temp 2.2-4.9 F, making 25-38% of coldwater habitat unsuitable.

Call Representative DeFazio in support of SEAPA

2007-06-25T12:35:00.000-07:00

From the desk of Karl Mueller: This weekend TU 678 members assisted our coalition partner Save Our Wild Salmon to gather over 100 signatures urging Bob Lohn, Director of NOAA Fisheries to consider breaching the four lower Snake River dams in the Columbia River Bi-op. TU and Save Our Wild Salmon believe that this is the only way to recover Snake River ESA listed Chinook and Steelhead. On the Snake River, Coho have already gone extinct as have Sockeye and Chinook are barely hanging on. From historic numbers of about 1.5 million fish to the 1960's average of 100,000 fish to a current ten year average of 9,500 wild chinook the trendline that emerges is clear and convincing.

TU also supports House Bill 1507 known as The Salmon Economic Analysis Planning Act (SEAPA). That bill would fund a study to consider the economic impacts removal of the four lower Snake River Dams. Peter DeFazio, has been working behind the scenes to kill this bill. We are desperate to get 30 calls in the Rep DeFazio urging him to support SEAPA. The calls can be short, such as 'My name is, my address is, please support SEAPA. Thank you.' Please take this action.

Rep. DeFazio's phone number is: 541-465-6732

DeFazio's stated opposition is:

1. He does not support the assumption of the act, that dismantling the Columbia Hydrosystem is the only way to recover ESA listed Chinook and Steelhead.

The fact is that the act is a studies bill and make no such assumption.

Furthermore, it is directed specifically at the four lower Snake River dams and not the 'Columbia Hydrosystem.'

2. Peter believes we have to consider the economic impacts of dam removal.

The bill is called the Salmon Economic Analysis and Planning Act. Enough said.

3. We cannot easily make up for the lost power.

Noboday has said that it will be easy, only that it is necessary.

Furthermore, rebuilding the infrastructure will create scores of new jobs.

Here is a link to yesterday's Register-Guard Op-ed.

Willamette River Streambank Restoration

2007-06-18T10:55:00.000-07:00

Trout Unlimited McKenzie Upper-Willamette Chapter 678 and Metro Planning have recently partnered to adopt a degraded stretch of streambank along the Willamette River. Historically, the river bank habitat consisted on cottonwood , ash, aspen, fir and cedar as well as numerous smaller species; currently, the section is a blackberry thicket.

The adopted stretch is somwhat steep making mechanical vegetation managment impossible so members of OR Trout, TU Chapter 678 and employees of Metro Planning have been removing the blackberries by hand. Following blackberry removal, native species will be planted and watered in the hope that they establish themselves and provide enhanced habitat value and streamside shade.

All TU members are invited to participate in this enhancement project. Bring yourselves,leather gloves, and some longsleeves. Until further notice, work parties are every Tuesday at 5:30 pm. The strembank section that we are working on is in the Whilamut Natural area of Alton Baker Park.

To reach the site, park at Alton Baker Park or the Community Garden and follow the bikepath upstream. The site is right off the bikepath between the Autzen Footbridge and the Knickerbocker Footbridge (the Knickerbocker footbridge is the foot/ bike crossing just downstream of the I-5 Bridge). The enhancement area is right off the bike path.

This project is right in your backyard and demonstrates TU's commitment to riparian enhancement. We'd love to see you there!

McKenzie River spring trip

2007-05-02T20:42:00.000-07:00

Sunday, April 22 -- Trout Unlimited Chapter 678 hit the McKenzie River just east of Springfield Oregon. We were hoping to find some PIT tagged wild trout, but managed to only catch some small cutthroats without tags. Lots of March Browns on the water though. Here are some pics:

From MattStansberry

March Brown McKenzie River trip photos

2007-03-20T20:10:00.000-07:00

Last weekend, Trout Unlimited Chapter 678 out of Eugene, Oregon headed to the McKenzie River to chase wild trout and the prolific March Brown hatch. It was also a good excuse to bring out the PIT (passive integrated responder) tag readers and see if any of ODFW's tagged wild trout made it down to the lower McKenzie. We launched at Hayden Bridge and rode down to Armitage, stopping along the way at likely hot spots. We didn't see a ton of action, but it was a great day on the water. Look for more March Browns to be coming up soon -- and more trips from Trout Unlimited McKenzie Upper Willamette Chapter 678.

From MattStansberry

Alton Baker Canoe Canal project, plus March Browns

2007-03-12T21:09:00.000-07:00

We will have our March 14 meeting at EWEB at 7:00 pm and Ed Fredette will give a talk titled "The Alton Baker Canoe Canal - The History and Restoration Potential"

We will also discuss our March 18 McKenzie PIT tag trip. March browns baby!

Northwest Fly Tyer Expo: TU in the field

2007-03-10T09:58:00.000-08:00

TU Chapter 678 was on hand at the Northwest Fly Tyer expo in Albany, OR this weekend to recruit new members and educate attendees about how to make their conservation dollars go farther in Oregon.

Many of the people that came by the booth were already TU members, but were not aware of Chapter 678's role in Bull Trout habitat restoration or the fishing trips we have planned for 2007. We also promoted members to sign up through their local chapter, keeping a larger percentage of the chapter dues right here in Oregon.

By signing up with the local chapter, $14 of the membership dues stays right here. Talk to your chapter representatives when it's time to renew about how you can do more for your state.

Check out Oregon Outdoor Journal for more coverage of the event, and the gallery of Oregon Fly patterns.

Trout Unlimited banquet funds trout and salmon protection in Oregon

2007-02-24T16:08:00.000-08:00

The Trout Unlimited Banquet held Feb. 11 at Territorial Vinyards winery was a huge success. Volunteers raised money to fund local Trout Unlimited projects in the coming year. Members voiced opinions on what direction the chapter should take in 2007. The consensus was that Chapter 678 should organize more trips, both habitat restoration and fishing.

The Eugene Chapter of Trout Unlimited plans to participate in more riparian habitat restoration and monitoring of the Swift Creek project with USFS and ODFW. The Chapter will also be hosting several fly fishing trips in the coming months, including a March Brown trip on the McKenzie and several Cascades High Lakes trips.

Look for an events calendar in the coming weeks, in the mail or at a fly shop near you!

Klamath Dams coming down?

2007-01-31T15:24:00.001-08:00

This news comes courtesy of Teh Wind Knot: the U.S. federal government has ordered utility giant PacifiCorp to modify four hydroelectric dams on the Klamath River to allow passage for salmon.

From today's Washington Post article: Since modifying the aging dams would cost an estimated $300 million, removing them has suddenly become a much more plausible -- and considerably cheaper -- option.

For more info, check out the Klamath Restoration Council.

Also, here is a link to the official Trout Unlimited response.

In the meantime, I'm taking advice from the Trout Underground and popping a celebratory beer.

Email Congressman DeFazio to protect the Elk River

2007-01-18T13:56:00.000-08:00

From TU's Oregon Director Mike Beagle:

Next week, Trout Unlimited and local Elk River grassroots conservationists will meet with Congressman Peter DeFazio's staff in Eugene requesting that he introduce legislation to protect the Copper-Salmon region as Wilderness. We'd appreciate it if you could take a few moments to email or fax the Congressman and tell him that the time is now to introduce legislation to protect one of the best salmon and steelhead fisheries in the west. There are very few intact watersheds remaining on the Pacific Coast that produce these big, wild ocean-running fish. See attached sportsmen's coalition letter.

From MattStansberry

Some talking points:
Please identify yourself as a TU member and avid angler, sportsman or woman. TU's McKenzie Chapter is part of the this conservation-minded sportsmen's proposal. Now, with a new Congress in session, there is a great opportunity to introduce a Copper-Salmon Wilderness bill that can gain the support of the House and Senate. The Elk River is on of the healthiest salmon and steelhead fisheries on the Pacific Coast. Great habitat is the reason why. The old growth forests of Port Orford cedar and Douglas fir that exist in the Copper-Salmon proposal lands act as a natural filter which benefits fish, wildlife and people. With recent commercial fishing restrictions on the Pacific Coast, it makes sense to defend the economic viability of the region by protecting habitat. Oregon State University scientists believe that the upper Elk River is one of the best spawning and rearing streams on the Pacific Coast. Congressman DeFazio has stated in the past that he is supportive of protecting this gem. Now is the time to protect this land in his district.

Please send a fax of email with the following heading and address

The Honorable Peter DeFazio
Eugene Office
405 East 8th Ave. #2030
Eugene, OR 97401

FAX 541-465-6458

Click on the link to send your email to Congressman DeFazio.

Swift Creek restoration update from USFS

2007-01-13T20:28:00.000-08:00

Corey Lewellen, fisheries biologist with the U.S. Forest Service came to the Trout Ulimited Chapter 678 meeting in Eugene, OR this week to update members on progress on the Swift Creek restoration project for bull trout habitat.

Trout Unlimited, USFS and ODFW have teamed up to build bull trout spawning habitat in the Willamette watershed. Swift Creek, a tributary of the Willamette River above Hills Creek would be an ideal location, but the river is steep and fast, so jamming the river with logs provides blockage that will lead to a less steep, winding riverbed and help in the recruitment of gravel which is important for spawning trout.

According to Lewellen, the USFS has accumulated 600-700 logs so far to jam up Swift Creek. He also reported that in 2005 a screw-trap on the Willamette captured 12 sexually mature bull trout, and in 2006 USFS recorded six additional adults. He also said USFS had recorded 15 sub adults and several hundred juveniles. These fish were transported from the McKenzie River stocks as fry.

Here are some photos from the restoration.

From MattStansberry

P.S. Keep an eye out for Trout Unlimited Chapter 678 upcoming events around Eugene.

Upcoming TU Winter/Spring Events

2006-12-30T08:38:00.000-08:00

UPCOMING TROUT UNLIMITED AND FLY FISHING EVENTS

NEXT MEETING WED. JANUARY 10 AT EWEB MEETING ROOM, 7PM.

Map of 500 E 4th Ave
Eugene, OR 97401-2465, US.

Trout Unlimited Chapter 678 Fundraiser
Its time again for our fundraiser which will be held on Sunday, February 11th at 3:00pm. This time it will be held at Territorial Vineyards & Wine Company located at 907 West 3rd Avenue (Third and Adams) in downtown Eugene. Wine tasting and hors d’ oeuvre will be served beginning at 3:00pm. We have some really nice donations this year and will be updating our this website with the various items. If you would like to contribute items to the raffle or silent auction please contact Al Avey at (541) 431-0328. Raffle tickets may be purchased at the door for those who plan on attending the event. This is a great opportunity for all our members to get together and help support local activities that contribute to conserve, protect, and restore McKenzie and Upper Willamette trout and salmon fisheries and their watersheds (and win some great gifts to boot).

Major contributors to this year’s event include:

The Caddis Fly
The McKenzie Angler
HomeWaters Fly Shop
G.I. Joe's
Territorial Vineyards & Wine Company
The Angler's Book Shelf
Avenue Auto Works
L.L. Bean

Fly Fishing Film Tour
January 16 7:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. at University of Oregon, Ball Room, Eugene OR

The Fly Fishing Film Tour is coming to Eugene! Some of the most innovative fly fishing film makers are touring the country with a 90-minute highlight reel featuring trips to Argentina, Mongolia, New Zealand and more.

UPCOMING TRIPS:

Steelhead Fishing Clinic: Our first trip of the new year will be a steelhead trip to one of the coastal rivers (Siuslaw, Siletz, or Alsea). The trip is planned for the latter part of January and the selection of river will depend on how the rivers are fishing and the river conditions. For this trip an 8wt rod is recommended along with egg patterns and streamer flies.

March Brown McKenzie Trip: Our next trips will be on the McKenzie river in late February and March. For these trips we will be assisting ODFW with Pit Tag recovery on the McKenzie River. Wand readers will be used to identify wild trout that have been pit tagged. For this trip 4 to 6 wt. rods are recommended with reels that match along with tippets from 4-6X. Floating lines are recommended along with some strike indicators for nymphing. Fly selection: McKenzie caddis (#12-14), pheasant tails (#14-18), hare’s ears (#10-14), prince nymphs (#12-16), blue winged olive dries (#16-20), parachute adams (#14-20), and of course march browns (#14).

We will be using our this website to update the details of these trips.

Meetings: The monthly meetings are held every second Wednesday of the month at 7:00 pm at EWEB in downtown Eugene in the Training Center overlooking the river.

Trout Unlimited/ODFW High Lakes Survey 2006

2006-10-11T07:18:00.000-07:00

TU Chapter 678 members spent a lot of time in the Cascades high lakes last month. The chapter volunteered to help ODFW with trout survey work. The state stocks the remote high lakes with trout each year with a helicopter, but the biologists rely on anglers to keep them posted on how the planted fish are doing.

ODFW had appealed to the fishing community at large to step in, but was getting poor returns. So the chapter stepped in to help ODFW knock some unknown lakes off of its wish-list by hiking in and fishing for trout -- which is my kind of volunteering.

From MattStansberry

Labor Day weekend 2006: The first trip embarked from the Skookum Creek Campground off of the Aufderheide Scenic Byway (FS Road 19). Our crew (Todd and Lauri Mullen, Al Avey, Bill Laroux, and myself) hiked back to the campsite at Lower Erma Bell Lake with packs, rods, waders and float-tubes. After setting up camp, the team descended on Mud Lake, the upper, middle and lower Erma Bells and Otter Lake. All of the lakes had decent fish, aside from the aptly named Mud Lake. Members measured water temperature and clarity -- as well as several feisty trout.

The second trip took place over the last weekend of September. On Friday September 29, the crew of Al Avey, Bill Laroux and myself piled into Bill's truck to get a few more lakes. We picked up Register-Guard outdoors columnist John Rezell on the way.

Rezell wrote a great account of the trip in the Tuesday Oct 10th edition of the paper.

On the first night we hiked back to Helen Lake, a 1/3 mile trip from the Taylor Burn campground, north of the Waldo Lake wilderness. We found many nice trout in Helen Lake, but couldn’t convince any to bite. A giant fish was porpoising right near the bank as we walked back to camp dejected.

The next day we hiked from the campground to Moolack Lake, a 2.2 mile trek down a switch-backed mountain, across the headwaters of the North Fork of the Middle Fork of the Willamette and up another ridge to the Moolack Lake Spur trail.

From MattStansberry

When we first laid eyes on Moolack, it looked pretty dead -- still and a little filmy. But we made the trek, so we launched the float tubes into the lake. After a few minutes on the water, Al saw a rise near me and I cast at it. Less then a minute later I’d landed a giant cutthroat trout pushing 17 inches. We proceeded to catch Moolack’s down and deep cutthroats on weighted wooly buggers for the rest of the afternoon, including Bill’s monster 17.5” fish at the end of the day.

The trip back wasn’t as pleasant as the trip in, but we made it, knocking seven lakes off of ODFW’s list for the year. We will be including information on the lakes we’ve surveyed and the lakes that still need to be accounted for on the TU Chapter 678 Web site.

-Matt Stansberry

High Lakes Trip Photos

2006-09-06T14:02:00.000-07:00

Labor Day weekend 2006: TU Chapter 678 headed out to the Erma Bell lakes region in the Willamette National Forest. Members hiked in to base camp at Lower Erma Bell Lake and proceeded to fish and take notes on other remote lakes in the area, including Upper Erma Bell, Middle Erma Bell, Lower Erma Bell and Otter Lakes. The Chapter will report information including water temperature, vegetation, fish confirmations and other info to ODFW in order to help the state determine how to better manage high lakes stocking efforts. Photos below:

Packing in with float tubes

Al Avey fighting a rainbow in Middle Erma Bell

A high lakes rainbow, around 11 inches long

Base camp at Lower Erma Bell

Lots of vegetation, and big smart trout at Otter Lake

Erma Bell Trip Details

2006-08-30T20:42:00.000-07:00

Hello Chapter 678 TU Members,

Well we are going to try the Erma Bell high lakes fishing trip again. Last time we were snowed out so we alternatively checked out the Swift Creek restoration site instead. This trip will be a hike-in trip led by Todd Mullen and we plan to meet at the Skookum Creek campground at 10:00 am on Saturday September 2nd. There are several lakes we plan to fish, the furthest being about 4 miles from the trail head. Float tubes will increase your odds of catching fish although many fish can be caught by fishing from shore or wading. Waders are recommended along with 3-6 wt rods. The best flies for the lakes are: Wooly Buggers and Doc Spratleys in green, black, and brown size #6-10 and rainbow trout calf tail streamers. For dry flies elk hair caddis, tom thumb's, and comparadun's in brown, green, and tan. Mayfly spinners and pheasant tails work particularly well in the late evening.

For those who decide to stay over night there are several options for camping.

1. You can camp in one of the 9 tent sites at the Skookum Creek Campground trail head. The campground has vault toilets, fire rings, hand pump well water and garbage service. The campground is located adjacent to the common parking area for easy access to cars, ice chests, etc.

2. There are also several remote designated campgrounds located around the various small lakes for the more adventuresome. Wildlife is abundant in many of the remote lakes and sightings of river otters, deer, elk, and pica are common.

The directions to Skookum Creek Campground are as follows:

From Westfir proceed north on Aufderheide Scenic Byway (FS Road 19) for 35 miles to FS Road 1957. Follow FS Road 1957 for 4 miles to Skookum Creek Campground.

If you decide to go you will need to purchase a northwest forest pass [Price: $30 annually] if you don't already have one. They are available at most Forest Service Ranger Stations.

Hope to see you there.

Trout Unlimited Chapter 678: Swift Creek Project Summary

2006-08-28T23:14:00.000-07:00

Project Summary

The Upper Willamette River and tributaries were historically major spawning grounds for Endangered Species Act (ESA) listed spring Chinook salmon and bull trout as well as resident rainbow and cutthroat trout. Much of this area became inaccessible in the 1950's due to construction of down stream dams. Unfortunately, a rotenone project in 1960 severely impacted the bull trout population. A major effort was started in the mid 1990’s by the United States Forest Service (USFS) and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) to reintroduce bull trout fry back to their native habitat. However, reintroduction sites were selected based on rearing habitat. Spawning habitat at these sites was lacking.

The overall goal of this project is to facilitate the formation of a self sustaining population of threatened bull trout back into their native habitat, in addition to providing spawning and rearing habitat for spring Chinook salmon, which will always rely on transfers over the dams.

The conservation goal of this project is to restore spawning gravel and fish habitat back into Swift Creek, the only tributary, above Hills Creek Reservoir, with documented bull trout presence prior to their extirpation. The project partners, USFS, ODFW and TU, will accomplish this by placement of large wood and rock in the stream to create habitat as well as provide and recruit spawning gravel.

The capacity building goal is to get people involved in conservation and help foster more active leaders in the community. To accomplish these goals, members of the McKenzie Upper Willamette Chapter will assist in on the ground restoration efforts, engage in community education, and publicity about our chapter and TU.