2B | SATURDAY, MAY 18, 2019 | SIUSLAW NEWS
O REGON , W ASHNGTON SET 2019 SUMMER , FALL SALMON SEASONS
Oregon and Washington
fishery managers recently
announced seasons and
regulations for 2019 sum-
mer and fall Columbia
River fisheries.
Although coho returns
are projected to be much
better than recent runs,
below-average projections
for summer Chinook, fall
Chinook, sockeye and
upriver summer steelhead
will require another year of
reduced seasons and bag
limits, and in some cases
closures for these runs.
The summer season will
be limited to steelhead
retention. The weak sum-
mer Chinook forecast of
35,900 fish returning to the
Columbia River would be
the lowest return since
2000 and too small to pro-
vide for directed harvest in
non-treaty fisheries.
Similar to 2018, sockeye
retention will also be pro-
hibited due to projected
low escapement.
The fall seasons will
start Aug. 1 based on a pro-
jected return of 349,700
fall Chinook, which is
almost 20 percent higher
than the actual return of
293,400 last year.
This year’s forecast
includes 159,250 upriver
bright Chinook, compared
to a return of 149,000 in
2018. The allowed harvest
rate of 8.25 percent on this
stock is down from 15 per-
cent available during many
recent years, resulting in
shorter fall Chinook reten-
tion seasons.
“The reduced harvest
rate for upriver bright fall
Chinook has made it chal-
lenging to design fall recre-
ational fisheries the last
two years,” said John
North, fisheries manager
for ODFW’s Columbia
River Program. “Working
with the public in the
recent season-setting pro-
cess, we tried to balance
opportunity with manage-
ment constraints for fall
Chinook and steelhead.”
Due to the low projected
returns for upriver sum-
mer steelhead, additional
protective regulations are
needed this fall including a
one steelhead daily bag
limit and area-specific
steelhead retention clo-
sures.
The rolling 1- to
2-month closures start in
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B OATING O REGON ’ S WATERWAYS ? PLAN AHEAD , PAY ATTENTION
There are dozens of boat
types on the market and so
many opportunities to
explore Oregon’s water-
ways. Regardless of what’s
calling you to the water
and the type of boat you’re
in, be sure to plan ahead,
know your limits, pay
attention to your sur-
roundings and share the
water so everyone can have
a fun time.
The Oregon State
Marine Board invites boat-
ers to explore the interac-
tive Boating Oregon Map,
where you can find a boat
ramp near you, plan for a
weekend escape to places
less-frequented or find a
waterway in the center of
all the action.
“There’s plenty of water
around the state to play in
this year,” says Ashley
Massey, Public Information
Officer for the Marine
Board. “Why not consider
exploring a new waterbody
and new adventures? There
are dozens of waterbodies
perfectly
suited
for
non-motorized boating
and just as many ‘electric
motor only’ lakes, for folks
looking for a serene, relax-
ing, and peaceful excur-
sion. Take a few minutes
to plan ahead and check
out the Marine Board’s
interactive Boat Oregon
Map with all of the public
boat ramps and a data layer
with local rules.”
Massey also advises to
“check the weather fore-
cast, water levels or tides,
see if there are any report-
ed obstructions, and have
the right gear for the activ-
ities you’re doing.” Massey
adds, “Boaters can also
check the Marine Board’s
Little
from 1B
facing a challenge to even
make the league play-off s
in most sports.
When I was a student
athlete at Warrenton High
School, we were also a
small fi sh. Beating our
rival and a possible up-
set victory were our only
claims to success. Siuslaw,
since re-classifi cation cost
us our forever rival with
Reedsport, we have not
yet established a true rival
— yet there is hope in our
future.
Most of our teams
were young. Th e compet-
itiveness and learning
throughout the season
has shown Viking spirit.
Th e football team trav-
eled over fi ve hours on
the bus to try and secure
its only victory… and did.
Th e soft ball and baseball
teams also struggled but
never gave up, defeating
Marshfi eld and Elmira,
respectively, in their fi nal
week.
It will take all athletes
to be ready for the coming
year. Th ere are great chal-
lenges ahead for each and
every team in the 2019-
20 school year. Only with
dedication, hard work and
versatile athletes willing
to compete in multiple
sports will the Vikings be
contenders. Th e best ath-
website to find out what
equipment is required
based on the size of the
boat and rules for opera-
tion which vary by water-
body.”
Massey also emphasizes
paying attention to your
surroundings, continually
scanning port to starboard
and keeping a close eye on
what’s ahead.
“Brush up on the rules-
of-the-road, start out slow
because of debris in the
water from this past win-
ter, and whatever you do:
Don’t text and drive.
Taking video and pictures,
along with social media
and texting can be fun, but
the operator needs to
maintain focus and aware-
ness to what’s going on
around them,” says Massey.
“The captain is responsible
for the safety of everyone
on board, but everyone
needs to pitch in and be an
active, alert crew, working
together.”
High water levels in the
spring cover many wing
dams (also known as pile
dikes) on rivers and bays
and are just below the sur-
face.
Massey adds,
“Boaters need to keep their
distance from the shore-
line, up to several hundred
feet in some locations, so
they don’t inadvertently hit
one of the piles.”
Boaters are encouraged
to learn where the wing
dams are located based on
the waterbody where
they’re boating from
NOAA Charts. The navi-
gation charts can be down-
loaded for free.
The Marine Board also
recommends boaters play
it safe by:
• Not using marijuana,
drugs or alcohol. Instead,
take along a variety of
non-alcoholic beverages
and plenty of water.
Impairment can lead to a
BUII arrest. Drugs and
alcohol impair a boater’s
judgment and coordina-
tion which every boat
operator needs. Swift cur-
rents, changing weather
and debris require boat
operators to be focused
and skilled to avoid an
accident.
• If you are feeling tired,
take a break on land and
return to the water when
you are re-energized and
alert. Wind, glare, dehy-
dration and wave motion
contribute to fatigue.
Continually monitor the
weather because it changes
quickly.
• Operators and passen-
gers should wear properly
fitting life jackets. Learn
more about life jacket
types, styles, and legal
requirements.
Anyone
rafting on Class III
Whitewater Rivers is
required to wear a life jack-
et, and all children 12 and
under when a boat is
underway. The water tem-
perature for most water-
ways is below 50 degrees
this time of year and wear-
ing a life jacket is the most
important piece of equip-
ment for surviving the first
few seconds of cold water
immersion. What’s the
downside to wearing one?
• Never boat alone —
especially when paddling.
Always let others know
where you are going and
when you’ll return. Print
out a downloadable float
plan to leave with friends
letes need to be leaders in
more than just one sport.
Th e league is a strong one
and we can’t be caught up
in the fact we are small in
numbers.
Woodburn High School
petitioned the OSAA to
move down in classifi ca-
tion from 5A to 4A this
year. Th ey currently have
1,066 students and yet were
granted the petition. Why?
Because they had not been
competitive in any sports
at the 5A level. How did
they do this year? One
state title in soccer and few
play-off teams in all other
sports. Even if you think
you can win with larger
teams it may not happen if
you lack competitiveness.
I am reminded of the
old saying: “It is not the
size of the dog in the fi ght
but the size of the fi ght in
the dog.” Th e Vikings have
been competitive for over
my four decades here. We
need to continue playing
the Siuslaw way, compet-
ing until the end of every
game and contest next
year.
And just as importantly,
it’s also time for the fans to
fi ll the bleachers and sup-
port our teams regardless
of their win-loss record.
and family.
• Be courteous to other
boaters and share the
waterway. Congestion is a
given in many popular
locations, especially with
nice weather. By staying in
calmer water near the
shore, paddlers can help
ease conflict with motor-
ized boats and sailboats
that need deeper water to
operate. Non-motorized
boats are encouraged to
use the shoreline adjacent
to the ramp to help ease
congestion. Regardless of
your boat type, stage your
gear in the parking lot or
staging area prior to
launching your boat. This
makes launching faster
and everyone around you,
happier.
In Oregon, all boaters
must take a boating safety
course and carry a boater
education card when oper-
ating a powerboat greater
than 10 horsepower. The
Marine Board also offers a
free, online Paddling
Course for boaters new to
the activity.
For more information
about safe boating in
Oregon, visit www.boat-
oregon.com.
August and progress upriv-
er following the steelhead
return to reduce take of
both hatchery and wild
fish. These closures affect
the main-stem Columbia
and the lower reaches of
specific tributaries.
For more information
about upcoming Columbia
River seasons, including
regulation updates, visit
ODFW’s online fishing
reports at www.myodfw.
com.
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Clawson’s Wheelhouse*
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Coming Wednesday, June 5th
FROM
BabyTO
Graduate
8TH GRADE • HIGH SCHOOL • COLLEGE
Now is the time to reserve your
graduates a spot in this special
section just for them.
Grad’s Name
School:
Birth Date:
Parents:
Grandparents:
Deadline is Friday, May31st
Just bring in or mail, with the coupon below, your graduate’s favorite baby picture
along with a current picture to be published side by side on June 5th.†
Enclose Check for
$35.00
See Jim for your auto sales needs!
2150 Hwy. 101 • Florence
(541) 997-3475 • 1-800-348-3475
and mail to
Grad’s Name:
School:
Birth Date:
“Baby to Graduate
Review”
Parents:
Siuslaw News P.O. Box 10, Florence, OR 97439
Or stop by our office at 148 Maple St.
Address:
(in Old Town Florence)
Grandparents:
Your Name:
Phone:
†Please attach a self-addressed envelope for picture return.