From the Native Fish Society
Dear Members and Supporters,
The Metolius River in Central Oregon is the crown jewel of the upper Deschutes Basin and a place of exemplary ecological value in the state of Oregon. It is also ground zero for an exhaustive wild Chinook, sockeye, and steelhead recovery effort. These fish swim hundreds of miles up the Columbia and the Deschutes to reach the Metolius where plentiful spawning and rearing habitat await them. These struggling anadromous populations remind us that we are duty-bound to act on their behalf to restore sustainable runs. Long story short, the Metolius is just too special to not receive all of the protection that we can reasonably and sensibly provide it.
But existing angling regulations are leaving our Metolius wild fish vulnerable. They are difficult for the public to interpret, contribute to ongoing ecological damage, and are detrimental to the health of our wild fish. The Native Fish Society is urging the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife to make changes to the 2019 angling regulations to protect the Metolius, our wild fish, and the communities that depend on this special river.
Please join us in sending an email to the ODFW Director and Commission that oversees the Department. Tell them to amend Oregon’s recreational angling regulations to extend the fly fishing only boundaries, require the use of single, barbless hooks, and ban the use of external lead weights.
The Metolius should be the shining example of how we manage our most cherished and ecologically significant river systems. Do your part today and send your letter of support to the ODFW Commission and Director Melcher. Simply follow the link, fill in your pertinent contact info, click the “Submit” button, and your message will be sent. Please send your message by 5 p.m. Pacific time on July 12, 2018. Feel free to customize the letter.
Thank you for your continued support of the Metolius and our wild fish!
Here is that link again: PROTECT THE METOLIUS
Adam Bronstein, NFS Metolius River Steward
Jennifer Fairbrother, NFS Campaign & Columbia Regional Director
