As part of the 2010 trout stocking plan for the McKenzie, ODFW will open up an additional five miles of river to native fish management on the Lower McKenzie River. The McKenzie Flyfishers spearheaded a population study of the wild fish in that section to see how the natives bounce back now that stocking is removed. The project was funded by our Trout Unlimited Chapter through a $5,000 grant from the Flyfishers Club of Oregon.
The wild trout population study will involve catching and tagging (or recording data on previously tagged fish) in the lower river between Hendricks and Bellinger. To kick this off on a solid footing, we are asking all participants to take part in a training session which will cover tagging procedures, data recording and study logistics. There are two sessions scheduled, so pick the most convenient and just show up. The sessions will be held at the ODFW Springfield Field Office at 3150 E. Main Street, Springfield, OR 97478 (the phone # is (541) 726-3515. The currently scheduled sessions are:
Session 1: Tuesday, March 2nd at 1:00 PM
Session 2: Thursday, March 4th at 6:00 PM
Each session will cover the same material so just pick one. As there may be fisherman who wish to participate, but cannot make either session, let me know and if we have enough interest, we will schedule another session. Alternatively, buddy up with someone who has been through the training session and fish with them. I will maintain training logs so if you need to know who you might fish with, give me a call or email me.
We will have participants from several clubs, so that we hope to make a big dent in the target tagging during the month of March. Please feel free to contact Dave Thomas regarding any questions you might have.
Dave Thomas
McKenzie Fly Fishers
Email: dthomas@sierraware.net
Phone: (541) 505-7213
Glad to see the FFF in the game! In fact, this confluence of efforts from TU, FFF clubs, and the NFS is really encouraging and exciting. I hear the national office of FFF is looking at this, too. Thanks to all of you!!
I can’t remember the last time I was this excited to go to work :).
Can’t wait! A chance to help wild trout AND go fishing.
Just a reminder that the first training session is today, Tuesday, at 1 pm. And the next one is Thursday at 6 pm. Let’s get out there, learn how to do it right, then have some fun!