The McKenzie River is the birthplace of the Federation of Fly Fishers, and the first club was our own McKenzie FlyFishers. The MFF has been rigorously studying the issue of hatchery trout negatively impacting wild fish on the McKenzie River. And after four months of debate, and research into the biological and social implications of the McKenzie River hatchery trout program, the Fisheries Committee developed an excellent position statement that is excerpted below:
The McKenzie Flyfishers’ Policy on Native Fish Conservation in the McKenzie River:
The following is the policy text: The McKenzie Flyfishers support and encourage enhancement of native, naturally reproducing fish populations wherever possible. While there may be a role for artificially propagated fish in some situations, when their presence significantly conflicts with wild, native fish, the welfare of native fish should take precedence.
This position is consistent with the Federation of Fly Fishers’ Native Fish Policy as well as the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife’s (ODFW’S) Native Fish Conservation Policy.
After a thorough review, the McKenzie Flyfishers conclude that hatchery-reared trout are likely exerting a substantial negative impact on the McKenzie River’s native redside rainbow trout, and possibly other native fish populations. Since the public statements of ODFW staff support this conclusion, the McKenzie Flyfishers urge that agency to take corrective actions.
Corrective actions, including modification of planting practices, should be guided by the best available science and occur at a pace that allows businesses and members of the fishing public who have come to depend on hatchery fish to make adjustments.
In the long run, the McKenzie Flyfishers believe that a robust McKenzie River wild-trout fishery will benefit all stakeholders in the community.
We recognize that establishing a robust, wild-trout fishery will take time and require cooperation with other groups. We also believe that it will be necessary to educate the public about the benefits of a strong wild-trout fishery, the disadvantages of the McKenzie hatchery fish program, and why changes are needed. The McKenzie Flyfishers stand ready to work with others, including the ODFW, to protect and increase our precious McKenzie River fishery resources.
You can read the whole article in their Newsletter here, which explains how the committee came to its decision.
Outstanding work by this fly fishing club. They did the research, reviewed the science, examined the social issues and made the right, biologically-sound stand. And now they are monitoring the population in the form of a tag and recapture study. Other fly fishing clubs take note: this is how it’s done.
Great job, McKenzie Flyfishers!!!
McKenzie FlyFishers,
Kudos to you!
Hopefully other clubs and organizations will follow suit and get on board. Not just here, but in every state where fish stocking is going on in waters that can support a healthy wild/native fish populations, and being mis-managed.
GREAT NEWS! After hearing our own Biologists presentation last night our Wild Stocks are not in danger. In fact DNA science is showing the upper McKenzie wild stocks are at capacity, pure and undeluted by hatchery progams. The lower river is home to the best spawning habitat available and is being preserved under the current plan. Also of note the angler preference reports are in! These surveys conclude that 19% prefer to fly fish, and 53% prefer to use bait. Lastly the “stillwaters” are open 365 days a year and also stocked to capasity for all to enjoy. Whew, I was nervous.
I don’t excpect you to post this since your one sided and don’t care about other fisherman.
Jon of O2 Fish Guide Service-you are incorrect on many levels. First, the stillwaters are not stocked to capacity. They could take more trout. Second, we do care about other fishers. You should read the text of the posts you comment on becuase this post expresses concern for minimizing social and economic disruptions and discusses gradual change. Also, for survey results to be valid, they need to be randomized. Mr Ziller acknowledged as much in his presentation-the preference survey is not random and as such is not representative of the average angler.
Now, it is true that Mckenzie redsides are not in danger of winking out but they are severely depressed in half of the river to the point where very few are caught in a day of fishing. You don’t think that is actionable. We do.
One thing you are right about though, it is good news that we have genetically pure strains of trout still. This shows just how inferior the hatchery fish you that inspire so much passion in you are to our native fish.
After a thorough review, the McKenzie Flyfishers conclude that hatchery-reared trout are likely exerting a substantial negative impact on the McKenzie River’s native redside rainbow trout, and possibly other native fish populations. Since the public statements of ODFW staff support this conclusion, the McKenzie Flyfishers urge that agency to take corrective actions.
Corrective actions, including modification of planting practices, should be guided by the best available science and occur at a pace that allows businesses and members of the fishing public who have come to depend on hatchery fish to make adjustments.
In the long run, the McKenzie Flyfishers believe that a robust McKenzie River wild-trout fishery will benefit all stakeholders in the community.
Jon of O2 Fish Guide Service-As to the angler preference survey of ODFW. It is flawed and Jeff Ziller knows this. Walk into McDonalds and ask those eating there if they like cheese burgers. What answer do you expect? Educate the general public on the harm hatchery trout are doing to native fish in the McKenzie River and I would expect a different answer.
The genetic results are good, but much hasn’t been said about the isolation of native trout populations in the Upper Willamette Watershed. Dams and other barriers (“The Sacrifice Zone”) are preventing genes being transfered to and from other populations of native redsides, which is not good! Call it inbreeding if you will. Over time this could doom those populations. There is a great book on the subject, my money says Ziller has read it in college, “The Song of the Dodo”, written by David Quammen. If you can’t afford a copy, I’ll buy you one if you will read it. Borders and Barnes & Noble carries it. You can skip the five dollar words and the latin, pay attention to the jist of the story.
Craig,