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About The Chronicle : Creswell & Cottage Grove. (Creswell, Ore.) 2019-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 29, 2019)
26 — THE CHRONICLE THURSDAY, AUGUST 29, 2019 ANGLER’S LOG COMMUNITY Late summer brings diverse mix of fish At the top of this week’s fishing report is “diversity” – as in, the many variet- ies of fish species that become available in the late summer to anglers in western Oregon. Salmon, tuna, halibut, bass, trout and steelhead are all out there. It doesn’t matter how you reach the water – on foot, pontoon boat, kayak, drift boat or power boat; whether you canoe or have a big offshore cuddy with all the electronics, it’s time to fish. It does take a little plan- ning to take advantage of the bounty. Along with the multiple species, there are multiple and specific regulations for many indi- vidual fish. So understand the species and regula- tions, and do what you can to release non-targeted bycatch successfully. * The warm-water bubble that wells up from the southern Pacific every summer has arrived, bringing albacore tuna as close as 30 miles from the Oregon coast. The fishing has been very good and ODFW fish checkers say we are on track to set a tuna record this season. It really does depend on the day as to how far out you need to go. The bubble moves, but water 66 to 68 degrees has been what the sport-fishing fleets and capable private sailors have been seeking. * Near to us, the best in the state are the reports out of the Winchester and Charleston harbors. The captains tell me their customers are catching an average of six to seven tuna per person on every trip. The big catches are the reason the excitement around tuna grows every season. But being 30 or more miles offshore is not a float on a pond. It takes a lot of skill, a capable boat and the correct gear. So even if you own an ocean craft, invest in a charter for your first tuna trip. Take notes. It will advance you along the learning and safety curve by several leaps and load your cooler with tuna. The tuna fishing lasts into early October. * Inshore, the rain last week brought salmon into many bays along the coast, including the NOTEBOOK More than 1.2m acres treated for fire season FROM WIRE SERVICES By Frank Armendariz The Angler’s Log Siuslaw, where trollers are now working the incom- ing tides all the way up to Cushmen. The bite has been light over this first push of fish but should pick up in the next couple weeks toward the peak in October. Limit is one wild fall chinook per day (five total per fall season) and only hatchery-marked coho can be retained as part of a two-salmon limit. * Bass fishing across our region remains one of the best opportunities for anglers in general. Valley- and Florence-area lakes, ponds and the nearby Main Umpqua River are all fishing as good as any time of the year. I do have to put the Umpqua at the top’ the smallmouth bite just continues to provide some of the best and most easy-to-access bass fishing in western Oregon. Plenty of landings, parks and other public accesses line the bank from Umpqua to Elkton. A pontoon boat, fishing kayak or drift boat will offer unlimited oppor- tunities and access to miles of warm-water fishing. The Umpqua is not real techni- cal fishing, which makes it great for kids. A lot of lures work for smallmouth; spin- ners, flies and plastic baits are all effective day to day. The bass fishing on the Umpqua should hold up well into late September. * Let me wrap up with an item about trout fishing. The lakes, ponds and small creeks that get stocked early in the season across the south valley are pretty much depleted by late August. The exceptions are the recently planted McKenzie River, includ- ing Leaburg Lake, which will still get a couple more plants of hatchery trout Above: Florence’s Matt Burdett landed an 18-pound dorado, along with plenty of tuna, about 30 miles west of Winchester. PHOTO BY FRANK ARMENDARIZ Left: My good friend Jim Beral, who lives in Springfield, with a very nice Umpqua River smallmouth – one of about 50 he caught while fly- fishing with mutual friend and fellow river guide, Phil Strader. PHOTO BY PHIL STRADER Lower left: Jessica Lowery of Redding, California and her father Ray Chase, who lives in Veneta, fished with me this week. It was several hours of pretty good trout fishing for late August in the cool water of the McKenzie River. Below: Jessica was with her father Ray (not pictured) on a recent float. Jessica has a McKenzie trout on the line; this one fell for a Panther Martin run deep. PHOTOS BY RAY CHASE With peak wildfire activity predicted in the coming months, the Department of the Interior (DOI) has been working to implement measures to limit the size and scope of wildfires, treat current wildfires already underway, and protect wildfire-prone areas to best safeguard people and their communities. DOI agencies contribute to a workforce of 4,500 firefighting personnel, 500 tribal firefighters, 151 smokejumpers, 18 inter- agency hotshot crews and four Tribal hotshot crews. These firefighters will have over 600 pieces of special- ized equipment available for use, including engines, water tenders, dozers, and other equipment. Aviation assets also play a critical role in efforts to manage wildfires as the DOI will have access to 23 single engine air tankers. The BLM began analyzing a significant, 11,000-mile stretch of stra- tegic fuel breaks to combat wildfires in the Great Basin, which includes portions of Idaho, Oregon, Washington, California, Nevada, and Utah. DOI is nearing comple- tion of more than 2,500 wildfire risk-reduction projects on more than 1.2 million acres of DOI and tribally-administered lands in some of the most fire-prone areas of the country. Travel management changes in effect this season; Alton Baker Park Canal was planted last week and will get more fish in September. On the McKenzie, access is a little more complicated; it is best to float the river. Above Leaburg Lake, Open Tues.-Sat. • 10am-6pm 147 W. Oregon Ave. • 541-895-2666 Visit our website www.emeraldvalleyarmory.com the river is demanding of your attention and here again you should consider hiring a guide for your first float. Below Leaburg Lake the river tends to be less technical to navigate, but always wear a life jacket. For bank anglers, focus on the state, county, Forest Service campgrounds and day use parks. Frank Armendariz writes for The Chronicle, and can be reached at Frank@ rivertrailoutfitters.com. With fall hunting seasons approaching, hunters using travel management areas on the coast are reminded of some changes this season. To find out more about Oregon TMAs, see page 81-84 of the 2019 Oregon Big Game Regulations or seehttps://www.dfw.state. or.us/maps/#Travel for TMA maps. • Class III Dealer • Standard Builds • Handguns • Rifles • Shotguns • Ammunition • Accessories • Classes • Basic Repair
