It’s a function of the lengthening daylight hours to chase the chill of winter and usher in the spring each year. The sunshine buds out the river’s edge foliage and, most importantly to anglers, stimulates the first of the aquatics to release their hold from the bottom of our local[Read More…]
Outdoors
Winter steelhead running cold
If you put your ear to the wind, listen closely … you will likely hear the sound of winter steelhead fishers slamming the door on what has been a somewhat disappointing winter run, following an exceptional 2022, where we saw better-than-expected abundance. The 2023 season might be remembered for its[Read More…]
Row River reforestation efforts taking root
COTTAGE GROVE – Sections of the Row River are getting a facelift thanks to a contract between the City of Cottage Grove, The Coast Fork Willamette Watershed Council (CFWWC) and The Freshwater Trust (TFT). The project was unanimously approved by the Cottage Grove City Council at last week’s meeting. TFT[Read More…]
Emerald ash borer detected in Oregon
ODF Invasive Species Specialist WyattWilliams points to a tiny D-shaped exit hole made by an emerald ash borer as it emerged from an ash tree in Forest Grove. The long-anticipated arrival in Oregon this summer of the destructive emerald ash borer sharpens concerns about the impacts to urban forests, wetlands[Read More…]
Spring salmon run nearing its peak on McKenzie, Middle Fork
The Lane County crabbing dock is on the south jetty of the Siuslaw River. A 30-mph wind had thinned the crowd on this day but the crabbing was good for the people who endured. Shad and other fish parts are always effective as is out-of-date chicken. Let me start at[Read More…]
Water safety offers a variety of teaching opportunities
Summer is just around the corner, which means sprinklers, water balloons, backyard swimming pools and other ways to beat the heat. It’s important to remember that water accidents can happen quickly—even if the water your child is playing in is only a few inches deep, or your child knows how[Read More…]
Angler’s Log: April showers helped; drought remains
FRANK ARMENDARIZ / THE CHRONICLE – Orchard Point Marina on Fern Ridge Reservoir. April rain has nearly filled Fern Ridge and several other reservoirs in the Willamette Valley. With more wet weather in the forecast, the boating season in 2022 should be the best in several seasons. The prospect of[Read More…]
Angler’s Log: Pumping up rainbow trout
FRANK ARMENDARIZ/PHOTO – Cleawox Lake is adjacent to Honeyman State Park in western Lane County. With two wheelchair-accessible and numerous fishing access points, it is a favorite among spring breakers from the Willamette Valley. It was recently stocked with several thousand trout and the fishing was “good.” While having breakfast[Read More…]
THE ANGLER’S LOG: Floating a few ideas for your personal watercraft needs
Brandon GoodBuffalo of Florence is a sit-on-top kayak pro angler and the representative of a kayak manufacturer that specializes in SOT fishing kayaks. An SOT kayak technician, Brandon can help design and outfit an SOT to meet your angler needs. FRANK ARMENDARIZ/PHOTO With salmon season fading into the sunset, winter[Read More…]
Commentary: Praying for rain while planning and helping
Bob Beck Then Joseph said to Pharaoh, “The dreams of Pharaoh are one and the same. God has revealed to Pharaoh what he is about to do. The seven good cows are seven years, and the seven good heads of grain are seven years; it is one and the same[Read More…]