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About The Siuslaw news. (Florence, Lane County, Or.) 1960-current | View Entire Issue (April 8, 2020)
THESIUSLAWNEWS.COM WEDNESDAY EDITION | APRIL 8, 2020 | $1.00 ODFW R EGIONAL F ISHING R EPORT www.dfw.state.or.us/RR Sports & Recreation Calendar All sporting activities at Siuslaw and Mapleton high schools have been cancelled through April 28 Tide Tables Entrance Siuslaw River High Tide Low Tide April 8 12:45am / 8.1 1:15pm / 7.6 7:08am / -0.6 7:18pm / 0.3 April 9 1:23am / 8.4 2:08pm/ 7.4 7:56am/ -1.1 8:00pm/ 0.9 April 10 2:02am / 8.4 3:02pm / 7.0 8:44am / -1.2 8:44pm / 1.5 April 11 2:43am / 8.3 3:59pm / 6.5 9:34am / -1.1 9:30pm / 2.2 April 12 3:28am / 7.9 5:01pm / 6.0 10:28am / -0.8 10:22pm / 2.9 April 13 4:17am / 7.4 6:11pm / 5.8 11:26am / -0.3 11:25pm / 3.4 April 14 5:15am / 6.8 7:27pm / 5.6 12:32pm / 0.2 Celebrating a local legend COURTESY PHOTO M onday afternoon, Florence-area resident Liz McCain, a pioneer for girls athletics at Siuslaw High School and within the state of Oregon in the Mid 1960s, celebrated her 90th birthday April 6. While following social distancing guidelines, a surprise parking lot “party” was held in her honor to celebrate the occasion and her impact as a long-time PE instructor and track coach. McCain started the first girls track and field team in 1964 and coached five consecutive undefeated seasons, earning her national recognition as a Sports Illustrated High School Coch of the Year. McCian taught PE at Siuslaw from 1957 to 1986. During her time as a track coach, McCain’s teams won a total of 31 district titles for Siuslaw. Continued fishing, hunting dependent on following social distancing practices Fishing locations being monitored by ODFW staff. SALEM — Most fishing and hunting seasons remain open in Oregon, but partici- pants should continue to comply with social distanc- ing and other guidelines set forth in the Governor’s Stay Home, Save Lives order. While ODFW does not enforce regulations such as the Governor’s Order, a sig- nificant number of ODFW staff who work in the field are also monitoring recreational use at many fishing, hunting and wildlife viewing loca- tions in the course of their regular duties. US Coast Guard, Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, Oregon State Police, Oregon State Sherriffs’ Association and other enti- ties are also observing the actions by Oregonians and potentially visitors to Oregon. Adherence to the order while recreating can help prevent more closures. With good weather and low tides coming up later in spring/summer, ODFW is also stepping up monitoring of clamming on the coast. Staff will be out this week- end to monitor recreational and commercial harvest of razor clams along beaches to determine the level of harvest and behavior of clammers (e.g. social distancing). Information gathered from this weekend’s surveys will help inform decisions about future actions regarding har- vest seasons during the COVID-19 pandemic. “We’ll continue to monitor fisheries and do everything in our power to be sure it isn’t contributing to the transmis- sion of the virus,” said Director Curt Melcher. “If we do see anglers, clammers or others are not following the guidelines and endangering themselves and others, then we may need to modify fish- ing seasons.” ODFW has been working with the Governor’s office and other state agencies to address crowding and health concerns related to COVID- 19, and encouraging adher- ence to the Stay Home, Save Lives order. The order does allow for outdoor recreation as long as the guidelines for social dis- tancing are followed. Just as hiking and biking are allowed, getting outdoors and fishing is a healthy way to get fresh air and exercise during this difficult time pro- vided the guidelines are fol- lowed. Governor Brown’s Stay Home, Save Lives Executive Order requires that everyone: • Practice social distancing and stay six feet away from anyone who doesn’t live in your immediate household, including when outdoors. • Stay close to home rather than travelling far. The Governor’s Executive Order says hiking and outdoor activities are OK, but to limit travel. • Stay home if you are sick. • Wash hands frequently. • Carry needed supplies with you to minimize non-es- sential stops — including buying your license online instead of making a trip to a license sale agent. While seasons are open, access to many areas are closed. State Parks are closed, national forests have closed established recreation areas and some counties and cities See ODFW 2B Invasive species inspections still required of all watercraft Free inspection take 5 to 10 minutes and are required as protection measure. SALEM — While the state of Oregon is currently not recom- mending out-of-state residents visit the state for recreation due to the Governor’s Stay Home, Save Lives order, all watercraft enter- ing Oregon are still required to be inspected at an aquatic invasive species station when the stations are open. This includes commercial wa- tercraft, which, will account for most of the inspections while the stay-at-home order remains in ef- fect. Located throughout Oregon, stations are open if large, orange “Boat Inspection Ahead” signs are posted on highways followed by “Inspection Required for All Watercraft.” Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife inspection stations in Ashland and Ontario are open year-round. Seasonal stations open May 12 in Brookings, Klamath Falls, Lakeview and Umatilla. Inspections for aquatic invasive species typically take five to 10 minutes. ODFW staff working at the stations are taking necessary precautions to protect themselves and others against the spread of COVID-19 by wearing proper protective equipment and main- taining physical distance from others. We would ask that drivers please turn off their vehicles when they pull into the inspection sta- tion. This will make it easier for the inspector and driver to hear each other and maintain physical distance. Drivers are not required to get See BOATING 2B COVID-19 precautions • To help protect you and others during the COVID-19 pandemic, take the following precautions when fishing: fol- low social distancing guide- lines when bank fishing, only fish from a boat with other members of your household, carry your own hand sanitizer or soap/water, and, if a place is crowded, go somewhere else. • Anglers have been catch- ing striped bass in the upper portions of tidewater of the Coquille River. Most of the fish are 20 – 26 inches long. • Fishing for recently stocked and holdover trout has been good in several area lakes and reservoirs including Ben Irving Reservoir, Cooper Creek Reservoir, Empire Lakes, Galesville Reservoir, Garrison Lake and Loon Lake. • Jackson County Parks and ramps are closed, Josephine County Parks day use and boat ramps are open. Learn more about the specific water bodies below. • There are limited boat ramps available in the Upper Rogue. • Lost Creek Lake is a great location to bank fish as trails are open and there is ample bank access. • Bank anglers willing to do a little walking on the Elk River have been very success- ful catching steelhead. • Surfperch fishing usually sees an uptick in spring and early summer. MID COAST LAKES Stocking of mid-coast lakes are scheduled through spring. Warmwater fisheries will start up again when we get some warmer weather later this spring. SIUSLAW RIVER: winter steelhead Winter steelhead fishing has slowed down on the Siuslaw system as well. The river is low and clear, making the conditions tougher for catching steelhead. Anglers are still catching fish around the Whitaker Creek area and things should improve when we get another shot of rain. SALMON RIVER: winter steelhead Winter steelhead fishing is open on the Salmon River. SILETZ RIVER: winter steelhead Winter steelhead fishing has slowed down on the Siletz River as of late. The low clear water has made for tougher conditions and the fishing has slowed. Expect more of the same until we get some more rain. Anglers are still catching fish throughout the system with a mix of hatchery and wild fish. Reminded to keep wild fish in the water and release immediately after landing to minimize negative impacts to these fish. The 4-mile bridge (aka Steel Bridge) in the Siletz gorge is open to motorized vehicles but is only open to public vehicles on the week- end. Anglers can walk/bike in See FISHING 2B Hello All! Hope you’re all doing well and staying safe. So starts week 3 of social distancing! It has been diffi cult, and never in my lifetime have we seen such an occurrence. We will defi nitely remember this period in our lives. I have to say cooking every night has been kind of fun, and saves money! I did quick cucumber pickles for my burgers tonight. Tomorrow is asparagus risotto and the next night will be chicken teriyaki stir fry over rice. I have to admit though I look forward to gatherings with friends soon. Since we have all been so good at isolating, it shouldn’t be too long. At Coldwell Banker we have been coming and going and keeping at safe distances. We have some new listings coming and look forward to serving you. Enjoy the week! Warm weather is coming, so we can enjoy the outside. COAST REAL ESTATE Take care, be well. Lynnette Wikstrom Broker lynnette@cbcoast.com · Cell: 541.999.0786 100 Hwy. 101, Florence, OR • 541.997.7777 “We’re next to the Bridge.”
