On February 8th, the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife Commission will determine spring chinook fisheries for the Columbia and Willamette rivers. The Northwest Steelheaders are working to end non-selective fisheries (gill-netting) on the Columbia river and to increase the sport fishing allocation of spring chinook. Your participation is crucial to success.

Our strength is in numbers!
We encourage your attendance whether you testify or not. The Oregon Fish & Wildlife Commission meeting is at ODFW's Salem headquarters on February 8th beginning at 8:00 am (3406 Cherry Ave, NE, Salem, OR 97303). For those planning to write or testify to the Commission, here are talking points for your consideration:

Conservation should be the number one priority of the commission!

• The 2008 forecasted low return of Willamette spring chinook should be managed conservatively to ensure the return of wild fish, escapement for hatchery broodstock and fishing opportunity for Willamette Valley anglers on the Santiam, McKenzie, Middle Fork Willamette, Molalla and other tributaries. All Columbia River fishing in 2008 should occur above the mouth of the Willamette to protect Willamette spring chinook.

• A larger buffer should always be used on early fisheries to ensure that run size projections are accurate. Nets are too efficient and may catch too many fish if the run size is smaller than expected.

• The Northwest Steelheaders are opposed to gill-nets on the Columbia when endangered fish are present. We believe the commercial fishery should maximize the use of Select Area fisheries for the benefit of the public.

Create a sport fishing season we can rely on!

• Consistent: The Northwest Steelheaders believe the projected Columbia spring chinook run size is sufficient to allow a fishery through April with a two-fish bag as was provided in 2002.

• Predictable: Sport anglers are frustrated by the common practice of 'emergency closures.' Avoid emergency closures by providing a calendar season that is realistic.

• Flexible: After the run size update, both commercial and sport fishing should be managed to catch as many returning hatchery fish as possible.

Renew sport fishing faith in ODFW

• The last two allocation decisions provided more of the Columbia spring chinook allocation to gill-nets at the expense of the sport fishery. Sport anglers have provided the vast majority of the dollars that fund fishery programs and do not feel their contribution is appreciated.

• The Northwest Steelheaders urge the Commission to increase the Columbia sport fishing allocation to allow sport fishing through April with a two-bag limit above the mouth of the Willamette river.

• The Northwest Steelheaders urge the Commission to protect the Willamette run by limiting fishing to the Willamette basin.

If you cannot attend the Commission meeting, you can write the Commissioners at 3406 Cherry Ave, NE, Salem, OR 97303 or email (odfw.commission@state.or.us). Please do so before February 4th so ODFW staff can include your letter in the Commission packets.