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About Vernonia's voice. (Vernonia, OR) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (July 20, 2017)
community news july20 2017 3 OSU Day at the ODFW Asks Anglers to Give Region’s Steelhead a Helping Hand Columbia County Facing some of the lowest steel- head returns on record, the Oregon De- partment of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) has already curtailed steelhead fishing seasons throughout the Columbia River basin by adopting rolling season clo- sures, reduced bag limits, and a night angling closure for all species. Additionally, ODFW is ask- ing anglers to further help the region’s steelhead by adopting ODFW’s best handling practices when they’re out on the water this summer. “Positive voluntary efforts may reduce the necessity for future manda- tory regulations,” said Tucker Jones, ODFW’s manager of Ocean Salmon and Columbia River fisheries. “If a per- son happens to intercept a wild steel- head, or any steelhead during a reten- tion closure period for that matter, it is imperative that they do their utmost to ensure its survival by using best han- dling practices.” ODFW lists best handling prac- tices on Page 13 of the 2017 Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations. These prac- tices include: • Use barbless hooks (even where not required) • Use tackle strong enough to bring your fish in quickly • Land fish as quickly and carefully as possible • Avoid removing the fish from the wa- ter • If taking a photo, cradle the fish at wa- ter level and quickly take the picture • Remove hooks quickly and gently while keeping the fish under water • Use long-nosed pliers or hemostats to back out a hook • If a fish is hooked deeply, cut the line near the hook • Revive fish (point them into slow cur- rent or move them back and forth until gills are working. • When possible, let the fish swim out of your hands • Fish when it’s cool out – likely early in the morning or late in the afternoon – fishing is better and stress on fish is less. Upriver summer steelhead fore- casts are very low this year at approxi- mately 119,000, compared to 5- and 10- year average actual returns of 236,000 and 315,000, respectively. Wild up- river summer steelhead forecasts are low as well, with a forecast return of just 34,000 fish versus the 5- and 10- year average actual returns of 87,000 and 105,000, respectively. Snake River wild “B” steelhead returns are the most imperiled, with a forecast of just 1,100 fish. With returns of steelhead so low, another strategy is to not target them and focus on other species, in- cluding warm water species such as bass, walleye, and pike minnow. These species are not only fun to catch but they also prey on juvenile steelhead and salmon. For more fishing ideas and opportunities, please visit ODFW’s online Fishing Resources Page http:// www.dfw.state.or.us/resources/fishing/. Fair July 22, 2017 Come meet Benny the Beaver on the promenade from 3 to 6 pm on Saturday, July 22 with free photo opportunities and to learn more about the OSU Extension Service in your community. At 7 pm, Benny will be at the Rodeo Grand Entry – wear your OSU gear! For more information, contact woody.davis@oregonstate. edu or (503) 397-3462. Publisher and Managing Editor Scott Laird 503-367-0098 scott@vernoniasvoice.com Contributors Chip Bubl Tobie Finzel Shannon Romtvedt Robert Schattschneider Public Invited to Comment on State Transportation Plan Draft Photography Scott Laird Want to advertise? Have an article? Contact: scott@vernoniasvoice.com The public is invited to review and com- ment on the draft policies and strategies in the new Oregon Public Transportation Plan in an online open house at http:// optpfeedback.org. Input is being accept- ed through August 31. The policies and strategies are core elements of the plan; when finalized they will guide invest- ments locally, regionally and statewide in services such as fixed-route bus lines, door-to-door buses, streetcars, light rail, transportation between communities and more. Share your input now to help im- prove these core elements of the plan! For an overview of the plan and process, see the project fact sheet at http://www. oregon.gov/ODOT/Planning/Docu- ments/OPTP-July-2017-Fact-Sheet.pdf. One year subscription (24 issues) $35 Vernonia’s Voice is published on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month. Vernonia’s Voice, LLC PO Box 55 Vernonia, OR 97064 503-367-0098 www.VernoniasVoice.com e rm an DM D Vernonia Dental . Dr ri h C s he p to r M . S e ch u 622 Bridge Street Vernonia, OR 97064 phone (503) 429-0880 -- fax (503) 429-0881 Cedar Side Inn FULL SPORTS PACKAGE! Happy Hour Mon-Fri 4-7 Taco Tuesday EVENTS from opening until 9pm 3 hardshell or 1 softshell $4.25 Ladies’ Night every Thursday 6pm-close • Free Pool • Free WiFi • Specialty Pizzas iheck our Facebook page for daily specials and upcoming events 756 Bridge Street, Vernonia 503-429-5841 • Specialty hamburgers • 8 Draft beers & mixed drinks • 5 Craft beers on tap • Pool tables & satelite TV • Free Wi-fi • Beer & Kegs to go Sun - Thurs 11 AM - Midnight • 733 Bridge St, Vernonia Sat, July 22 DC Malone & the Jones Jamboree Weekend Fri & Sat, Aug 4 & 5 Triple Edge “BIKER FRIENDLY” Fri - Sat 11 AM - 2:30 AM • 503-429-9999
