The Caddis Fly: Oregon Fly Fishing Blog

From Native Fish Society March 2022

North Umpqua Summer Steelhead returns have declined significantly over the previous five years. In 2021, a record low run of only 450 wild Summer Steelhead returned to the North Umpqua basin.

This historically low return, combined with hatchery fish on the spawning grounds and recent environmental conditions affecting Summer Steelhead in the basin (wildfires, drought, low flows, high stream temperatures, ocean conditions), prompted ODFW staff to reassess the viability of the population and factors that could be limiting their abundance.

And now, ODFW wants to know what the public thinks should be done to help restore wild steelhead. The information collected in this survey will be shared with decision-makers before they convene in April to consider the future of North Umpqua wild steelhead management. Please follow the link to this survey to give your feedback on the future of North Umpqua Wild Summer Steelhead. Remember the following:

–We would like to see a pause in the summer steelhead hatchery program until wild abundance is restored.
–Multiple factors are contributing to the decline of these fish, but we need to focus on those factors we can control, hatcheries and harvest.
–A majority of the folks fishing for North Umpqua Summer Steelhead would rather fish for and restore wild summer steelhead.

North Umpqua Summer Steelhead are one of only three populations of wild Summer Steelhead remaining on the Oregon coast. If we don’t restore this run now, we may very well have nothing left. Let’s share our voices to restore these fish to abundance for future generations of Oregonians and anglers following in our footsteps.

Please read the press release below and sign up for the in person workshop. It’s critical that concerned North Umpqua anglers voices are heard. The link to sign up is here and in the body of the press release.

Thanks so much in advance.

From Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife Thursday, March 17, 2022

ROSEBURG, Ore – With recent low returns of summer steelhead to the North Umpqua basin, ODFW is seeking public input on potential fishery management actions.

In 2021, summer steelhead returns declined in much of their range from Cape Blanco to British Columbia. Just 450 wild summer steelhead returned to the North Umpqua basin last year.

This decline, along with fires and drought in the basin prompted ODFW to reassess the North Umpqua summer steelhead population and factors that may limit their abundance. Factors may include stream and ocean conditions, the hatchery program, and more.

As ODFW determines if fishery management changes are necessary, public input on the hatchery summer steelhead program is needed.

An upcoming workshop is the first of a multi-pronged approach to understand public attitudes and concerns related to hatchery and wild summer steelhead and climate change impacts in the Umpqua Basin. It is followed by a survey and virtual webinar.

For information on the reassessment and public outreach, check the North Umpqua Summer Steelhead web page .

March 29 public workshop (in-person)
ODFW is hosting a workshop in Roseburg at the Douglas County Fairgrounds Conference Hall building, Cascade West room March 29, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.

The workshop is limited to 100 participants and pre-registration is required .

During the workshop, attendees will participate in various round table discussions centered on these topics and more. The interactive nature of the workshop ensures all voices are heard and stakeholders can discuss their views with those at their table. Each table will be facilitated, and participants will move between tables to cover all topics.

March 19-27 Survey
Those who cannot attend the workshop but would still like to offer input can take a survey . The survey is open 12 a.m. March 19 to 11:59 p.m. March 27.

April 7 public webinar
The public is invited to a virtual webinar April 7, 6 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

ODFW will present results of the summer steelhead population reassessment, public survey and information gained at the in-person workshop.

April 22 Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission
Public input from the workshop, survey, and webinar will help craft management recommendations for the hatchery summer steelhead program. Staff will present this information to the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission for approval at their April 22 meeting in Astoria.

Contact:

Sara Gregory
541-464-2155
sara.c.gregory@odfw.oregon.gov