Pics of the house

Pics of our house - please excuse the mess as we're moving, packing and have two semi-destructive kids!

Siltcoos Fishing Is Good

Hello Readers,
Fishing is picking up on Siltcoos Lake. In two trips last week, we hooked several fish, landing 9 and keeping 7. Both trips resulted in boat limits early! Good dates are still available for November, which generally brings the best fishing.

See You On The Water,
Action Jackson

Come and Get Em!

Good numbers of chinook are in the river. Fishing has been very good this fall. Bobber fishing, trolling and even casting spinners will produce fish from the mouth to Swisshome. Tidewater fishing will hold up until we get good rains, then either move upriver or take advantage of some of the wild coho fisheries available on the Central Coast.

See You On The Water,
Action Jackson

Prediction: 22,000 fall chinook!

ODFW's prediction for this fall's run size on the Siuslaw is 22,000 fish! Chinook have been starting to show in good numbers. This weekend the fishing fell off some with poor tides, but fishing will get better and better. So get out as soon and as often as you can.

Steelhead and Stripers

Greetings Readers!
I have not posted in quite some time, and I apologize. I will do my best to give area updates and post regularly for fall chinook and coho season on the Siuslaw and coastal lakes. We managed a late-season trip for steelhead and stipers. What a combination. We hooked 2 steelhead, landing 1 and went 1 for 1 on stipers, landing a 27-inch fish.

The striper fell to a 4 1/2 Yozuri Crystal Minnow, blue back. This Crystal Minnow was a very slow sinking version. Now is the time to go and try for these fish on the Umpqua/Smith River system. They should be aggressively chasing the schools of out-migrating salmonid juveniles. Here's a couple of photos from our last trip.

See You On The Water
Action Jackson

Breaking Rods On Fish Is Fun!

Fishing has been pretty good here on the Siuslaw. Expect good fishing this weekend (Oct. 17-18) unless high winds make controlling the boat difficult. A big thanks to Josh, Rick and Dave who were on my boat over the weekend. Who says breaking a rod sucks! We think its great!

October Fishing Picking Up

Hello Readers
Sorry for the long delay in posting. The fishing has been picking up on the Siuslaw. Good numbers of chinook began showing in Mapleton over the weekend. Many of the fish were smaller 3 year-old fish ranging from 10-15 lbs. Look for pictures soon.

Fishing License Fees Increasing in 2010

The Oregon Legislature recently approved large increases in fishing and hunting license fees for 2010 (and beyond). ODFW agency representatives are shining the best light possible on the fee hikes that sportsmen might have a tough time swallowing. Fee and tag increases are to help offset the increasing costs of managing fish and wildlife in Oregon, and also offer us the following:
· Habitat restoration projects to benefit deer and elk populations
· Increased trout stocking for lakes, ponds, reservoirs and rivers
· Two additional Oregon State Police Fish and Wildlife Division officers in Central Oregon
· A two-pole option: A new $17 validation will allow licensed anglers to fish with a second fishing pole and line on most lakes, ponds and reservoirs
· Fish passage and riparian and in-stream habitat enhancement programs
· Additional funding for commercial fishing law enforcement

And here’s what you really want to know – how much are fees and tags going up? Here’s a partial list. The whole list can be found on the ODFW website at http://www.dfw.state.or.us/agency/budget/. There’s a box on the right side of the page that will link you to the fee increases.
· Annual Resident Angler - $33.00 (was $24.75)
· Combined Angling Tag – $26.50 (was $21.50)
· Annual Resident Combo Hunting/Fishing - $58.00 (was $43.75)
· Annual Nonresident Angler - $106.25 (was $61.50)

The Resident Shellfish License is still a good deal at $7.00 (was $6.50) as is the Hatchery Harvest Tag at $16.50 (was $13.50).

There are definitely some things that caught my attention in the ODFW press release. First, increased trout stocking in local lakes will do little more than feed the cormorants unless stocking methods are changed. Hatchery planting should take place in the late evening or overnight. It will give fish a chance to disperse and maybe give us a chance to catch them. More stocked fish being delivered the same way won’t help. I am very willing for fee increases to go toward enforcement, especially in the ocean and on the Columbia River. Too many fishermen feel like its not against the law if nobody sees it. On the other side – fee increases really hurt the average guy who wants to introduce the family to the outdoors. Sometimes it feels like we’re moving toward how they fish in Great Britain: only the rich can afford to fish for salmon and trout. Everyone else is reduced to fishing for rough fish.


See You On The Water,
Action Jackson

(Please send comments or questions to Action Jackson at 268-6944 or www.actionjacksonfishing.com)

You Guides Make Too Much Money

It seems that people want to give me a piece of their minds all the time. Last week I was talking about my bookings for the upcoming fall salmon season when someone asked, “how much do you charge?” When I told them my rates, they proclaimed, “that’s too much.” At first, I was offended by this accusation. Obviously this person thinks what I charge per day is pure profit. Far from it! There are many costs associated with being in business for yourself – and its no different with guiding.

Having literally thousands of dollars tied up in boats and motors, a truck, rods and reels, tackle and lures, traps, nets, electronics, and safety equipment is only the start. I use all top-quality equipment – folks paying money for a fishing trip deserve to have gear that won’t fail on them in a critical moment. You won’t find any duct tape on any of my gear. I could go with lower-quality equipment, but I wouldn’t have as much confidence in it, and you wouldn’t have as much confidence in me.

There’s a whole other side of business costs too. Fuel, insurance (truck, boat, liability), bait, licenses, maintenance are just a few of my expenses. I can easily burn $50 worth of fuel in a day, and $50 worth of bait. Insurance is well over $100 per month. If something needs repaired on my truck or boat, a minimum expense is $250. To obtain my U.S. Coast Guard licenses, I traveled to Astoria and took classes, one 1-week class and one 2-week course. This doesn’t include state licenses or tags for my truck and trailer. I am also required to attend CPR/First Aid courses every year. And then there’s advertising: we traveled to a Sportsman’s Show in Idaho and I distribute brochures in the area.

Finally, my day doesn’t start when I meet folks at the dock and end when they get off the boat. If I meet folks at 6:00, I’m up and getting stuff ready by 4:00. Lunch needs to be made, coolers packed, load gear, double check to make sure all equipment is ready and secure. Pulling out of the driveway by 5:00. I try to get to the launch at least 30 minutes early to account for any crowds and because its inevitable that fishermen always get there early. I have to be ready to go. Fast-forward to the end of the day. We’ll fish for a minimum of 8 hours (unless we get early limits), many times fishing for 10 hours. I clean the fish and pull the boat out. I stop by the gas station and fuel up. Boat gets washed and motors flushed. All the rods get re-rigged and prepped for the next day. I brine and prepare the bait. Whoa, its 7:00 p.m.! Time to slam down dinner so I can make some phone calls before it gets too late. During the season, I can easily put in 14-16 hour days.

You get what you pay for. Many folks choose to come fishing with me a few times a year rather than buy their own boat because owning and maintaining a boat is a big expense. Way bigger than going with a guide a few times a year. My prices might seem high to some because they don’t realize all that goes into the guiding business. If guiding was the easy way to be a millionaire, there’d be a lot more people doing it.


See You On The Water,
Action Jackson

(Please send comments or questions to Action Jackson at 268-6944 or www.actionjacksonfishing.com)

Dear ODFW: Please Remove Restrictions on Introduced Species

Last week I got into a conversation about smallmouth bass fishing on the Umpqua River. As some of you know, the bass fishing from (practically) Roseburg to Scottsburg can be amazing. You can catch fish all day, every day during the summer. You can literally catch 100+ bass a day. Anglers are recognizing the Umpqua River as one of the best smallmouth bass fishing locations in the world. The Big K Guest Ranch in Elkton is promoting this fishery as catch and release and demanding that anyone putting in on their property or passing through release these fish. Anyway, back to my conversation: this person wanted to know why there are daily limits on these fish. As it stands right now, the daily limit is 10 bass per day, any size. I, and many others feel this is too restrictive. Removing the limit on these fish, and other introduced fish in Oregon will help reduce their impact on our native salmon and trout.

Competition For Food And Space
A typical stretch of river only offers so much in the way of food and space for fish. There are only so many aquatic insects that can be eaten, only so many rocks and ledges for cover. When you increase the number of fish 10-fold, or 100-fold, some fish will lose out. Most often it’s the less-aggressive salmonids. Smallmouth bass are tough and aggressive feeders. So even though you might not find a salmon fry in the stomach of the next bass you catch, it doesn’t mean they aren’t competing with, and negatively impacting cold-water fish. If you still don’t think it’s that big of an impact, try inviting 100 people to your house to live for a few days. I think you’ll get the idea.

Striped Bass – Smolt Eating Machines
Striped bass, originally introduced to the Sacramento Delta from the East Coast in the late 1800’s, are well adapted to the Umpqua/Smith River systems. ODFW actually released these fish into certain Oregon rivers and bays for an additional sport fishing opportunity, not realizing that they are very efficient at feeding on juvenile salmon. Though striped bass populations go through peaks and valleys, there are still some large numbers of fish in the Umpqua, Coos Bay and the Coquille River.

ODFW, please consider these regulation changes:
REMOVE the daily bag limits on smallmouth bass and striped bass in the Umpqua/Smith system. The state of Oregon and federal government agencies spend millions each year on habitat restoration, dam removal, barging fish and other projects throughout the state to benefit salmon and trout. This simple step would cost nothing and benefit native fish greatly.

See You On The Water,
Action Jackson

(Please send comments or questions to Action Jackson at 268-6944 or www.actionjacksonfishing.com)

Keep Your Reels Running Smooth

This is usually the time of year I try to clean and maintain all my reels for the upcoming fishing season. It’s a good idea to clean and lubricate your reels at least once a year. It’s the same philosophy as with your car: don’t wait until something goes wrong to take action. The saying “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” was never more true. You don’t want your reel blowing up when you have a trophy fish on the line. There are things you can do at home, and other things you should leave to a professional. Let’s start with what you can do at home

Easy Maintenance
One thing that’s easy to do and should be performed every time you get back from fishing: wash your reels down with a mild soap and water. This is especially important if you’ve been fishing in saltwater. Hose the reels down, and take a couple of minutes to wash down your rods (especially the line guides). Saltwater can take a real toll on your gear. An old toothbrush is perfect for getting into tight spaces and removing sand, egg goo and dirt. Next, take time to lubricate your reels. A good three-in-one light penetrating oil or the reel oil that came in the box with your reel helps prevent rust and keeps moving parts working well. You can remove the reel cover and apply a couple of drops to the gears. Remember, just a couple of drops as the gear oil goes a long way. Also, tighten any screws that hold your reel cover together. Check these screws every time you go out. It only take a second and can lead to a major disaster if the reel comes apart while playing a fish. Don’t ask me how I know this. Finally, make sure to check that your reel is seated properly on the rod and that it is tightly fixed to the rod.

You’d Better Take It To The Shop
There are some reel problems that should be handled by experts. If you have a lot of sand and dirt in your reel, or its badly rusted, you are probably better off having a pro take a look. Also, even high-priced reels have plastic washers that wear out, and it’s best to have an expert replace them. If the line guide moves independently of the handle, or doesn’t move at all, take it to the shop.

Where To Go For Professional Help
Here’s a couple of places to go if your have a “reel” emergency:

2 Bro’s Tackle, 900 McKinley St., Eugene, (541) 434-1133, 2brostackle@gmail.com

Ollie Damon’s, 236 SE Grand, Portland, (503) 232-3193, www.olliedamons.com

See You On The Water,
Action Jackson

(Please send comments or questions to Action Jackson at 268-6944 or www.actionjacksonfishing.com)

Keep a Boat Log

When was the last time you changed your outboard oil? What about the gear lube? What was the water temperature on Sept. 16, 2004 and did you catch anything? These questions and many others can be answered by keeping a boat log book. Though its probably one of the last things you’ll consider after spending a day on the water, a log book can be invaluable when it comes to properly maintaining your boat and can help you catch more fish.

Where Do I Start?
Start by keeping a small notebook and pencil in a sealable plastic bag in your boat. Across the top of the page is a good place to put some general headings: Date, Time, Location, and Notes. Whenever you perform some sort of upkeep or maintenance to your boat, write down what you did and any other notes (i.e., oil was off color, etc.). That way, you can compare notes from the last time and perhaps head off a major engine problem.

Details, Details
After a day on the water, take a couple of minutes and update your log book. While you can write down as much or as little as you want, you should record things such as how long your motors ran (crucial for maintenance), where you launched, water temperatures, tide information, who was with you and what you caught. Generally, the more you write down the better off you’ll be. After a few trips worth of log book entries, you can begin to establish patterns: whether or not you caught more fish on the incoming tide, if you’ve had better success in 48 degree water or 58 degree water, and who never chips in for gas money. As far as maintenance, record changes for oil, gear lube, batteries, spark plugs and filters. Write down anything unusual, such as electronics that didn’t work properly. There are many facts about your fishing trip you can log, including

Using The Information
With a well-kept log book, you can make the most of your fishing trips. You can review the log book and concentrate on fishing those dates (and tides) that are most like the dates and tides where you’ve succeeded in the past.

See you on the water,
Action Jackson

(Please send comments or questions to Action Jackson at 268-6944 or www.actionjacksonfishing.com)

Please Be Gentle With That Salmon

Great news for this summer: the limit has been raised this year on hatchery coho salmon to 3 fish! Fish are already being caught in good numbers out of Winchester Bay, Florence and Newport. In order to get a 3-fish limit of hatchery coho, anglers are releasing a lot of wild coho salmon. It’s important to release wild fish as gently as possible because the less they’re handled, the better their chances are to make it back to spawn. With one of the biggest ocean salmon weekends of the year coming up, I thought I’d take some time to talk about ways to reduce ocean salmon mortality.

Don’t Net, Gaff Or Bring Aboard Wild Fish
One of the worst things you can do to a fish you intend to release is netting it. Coho salmon lose scales extremely easily and netting them really impacts their chances for survival. If you’re going to net every fish you catch, please use an all-rubber net. Catch-and-release trout fisherman have been using these types of nets for several years with good results. Another huge mistake I see many times every year is fish being brought in the boat, and then released. You might as well have given that fish a cigarette and blindfold because you probably just executed it. The more these fish are handled, the more likely they are to die. Its easy: don’t take them out of the water.

Use A “De-Hooker” Tool For Releasing Fish
A de-hooker tool is the way to go when releasing fish. I used one in Alaska last year to release several hundred salmon, trout and char. Once you practice a little bit, it becomes very easy. It’s better releasing fish with pliers because you don’t have to bend way out over the water, you don’t have to worry about losing (another) pair of pliers, and there are no worries about getting a hook in your hand. The de-hooker is a small hook on the end of a wooden dowel. The hook slides down the line to the hook in the fish and you raise the dowel while pushing down on the line with your opposite hand. The fish drops off the hook by its own weight. Sound confusing? Here’s a link to Washington Dept of Fish and Wildlife showing a step-by-step diagram.
http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/selective/techniques/releasing_salmon.htm.

Use Big Hooks
Using a single, large barbless (required) hook is the best way to reduce coho mortality in the ocean. With a large hook, there is little chance the fish will swallow it. If a fish swallows your hook, cut the line. This is way better than digging in the fish’s mouth trying to get a 25-cent hook back. Consider switching to artificials: Coyotes, Hoochies, Apex and other artificial lures work great.

Remember – keeping wild fish mortality down keeps selective fisheries open longer, and allows us to keep fishing for those hatchery fish.

See You On The Water,
Action Jackson

(Please send comments or questions to Action Jackson at 268-6944 or www.actionjacksonfishing.com)

Tips For Fishing With Kids

Since summer is here and the kids are out of school, I thought I’d dedicate this week’s article to kids and fishing. Introducing children to the outdoors through fishing will give kids a love for and appreciation of nature. Getting kids outside and away from the computer and video games will lead to happy and balanced children. And fishing is one of the best ways to bond with your kids or grandkids. Some of my best memories growing up are of dad and me fishing at the lake or on the river. It’s the kind of things your kids will remember all their lives.

Don’t Put Too Much Pressure On Kids
Putting too much pressure on kids can quickly ruin a fishing outing. Don’t expect kids to be up 2 hours before daylight and ready to go. Once on the water, don’t get in a rush to be in a certain spot. Take time to show kids what you’re doing and why you are doing it. Most knots are simple enough that a child of 7 or 8 can easily tie them. If the youngsters that are out on the water with you are getting bored with fishing and want to check out snakes, frogs or bugs, that’s great too! Remember, a day on the water is supposed to be fun.

Take Kids Fishing Where the Fish Are Biting
Make your first few trips to lakes where success is fairly certain. In the spring, many area lakes are stocked with rainbow trout that are very willing to bite. Later in the summer, Umpqua River smallmouth bass get very active and can be caught in large numbers. Yellow perch and crappie in local lakes can be a lot of fun to catch, and are also great eating. Ocean salmon can be very active and plentiful, especially in mid to late summer. Avoid sitting on anchor for hours hoping to hook a sturgeon. Save those trips for older children who are really interested and won’t get discouraged after a few hours of boredom. Whatever fish you decide to go after, catching them will keep the kids interested.

Pick A Nice Day
Sunshine and warm weather days are a great time to bring kids fishing. Save those cold and rainy steelhead trips for teenagers who show a strong interest in fishing. Not all good fishing comes during the harshest weather. Pack a picnic lunch, bring some sunscreen and swimming trunks, and head out for the water. Finally, if you are taking the boat out, remember to have life jackets for everyone on the boat, and that kids under 12 are wearing them at all times.


See You On The Water,
Action Jackson

(Please send comments or questions to Action Jackson at 268-6944 or www.actionjacksonfishing.com)

New Study Shows Hatchery Steelhead Genetically Impaired

Researchers at Oregon State University who have been studying wild and hatchery steelhead interactions since 1991 have concluded that hatchery steelhead are less fit when it comes to reproduction than their wild counterparts. The ability to survive and successfully reproduce, also known as reproductive fitness, is markedly less even in the wild-born offspring of hatchery fish. In other words, the impairment can’t be “bred out” of these fish.

The OSU study found that a fish hatched in the wild of two hatchery-reared steelhead averaged 37% the reproductive fitness of fish with two wild parents, and 87% reproductive fitness if one parent was hatchery-reared and one parent was wild. The study also showed that reproductive fitness differences were still obvious after a full generation of natural selection in the wild. And this study is not the first of its kind: a 2007 report published in the journal Science showed that ocean migrating hatchery fish produced far less offspring than those with wild parents.

In the OSU study, conducted on the Hood River (tributary of the Columbia River), it was thought that using captive wild fish as brood stock would lessen the problem of impaired reproductive fitness. Wild brood stock did not lessen the problem. It comes down to natural selection – or the lack thereof. Fish that do well in the safe, predator-free world of the concrete raceway are not the same fish that do well in the danger-filled real world of a free-flowing river.

Death By A Thousand Cuts
The implication is that hatchery fish, which can and do survive to spawn in the wild, can harm wild fish by breeding with them and reducing their reproductive fitness. And while a few hatchery fish would not make a big difference in a strong wild population, a huge impact would be made on a wild salmonid population with few fish. Add this problem with competition for food and space as juveniles, loss of habitat, droughts, floods, poor ocean conditions, overharvest, poaching, pollution and dams, and its little wonder that salmonid populations are in peril.

Its Not Too Late
Fortunately for us, wild salmon and steelhead are still with us. Hatchery fish have been pumped into the Siuslaw and other rivers for decades, yet wild fish still return each fall and winter to spawn. This makes me optimistic that if we make the right decisions regarding wild fish, they will eventually return in greater and greater numbers.

See you on the water,
Action Jackson

(Please send comments or questions to Action Jackson at 268-6944 or www.actionjacksonfishing.com)

Are You A Giver Or A Taker?

So I guess I’m making every other fisherman on the river mad. According to another local angler who claims to be “in the know”, the views I express through the Siuslaw News are destroying the fishing here. While I normally brush this person’s comments aside (I seem to be a frequent target of his attacks), it got me to thinking: am I giving back to the sport I love or simply taking what I can?

Are You A Taker?
Here’s my definition of a taker: someone who’s not worried about the number of fish returning, just so long as he can get his. The taker isn’t worried about future opportunities – just the here and now. The taker refuses to acknowledge the validity of spawning grounds surveys because he knows there’s plenty of fish. A taker is only concerned with any reduction in his opportunities – not really caring about other anglers. The taker is generally the last one you’d expect to give up any fish-catching tips, but the first to tell you a dozen stories about how great of a fisherman he is. After all, the taker figured out how to catch fish all by himself (yeah, right). And rather than admitting that he might be part of the problem, the taker will always blame some other person or group.

What’s So Great About Being A Giver?
A giver is willing to give up his own short-term opportunity for the big picture. A giver is not necessarily concerned with filling up the freezer, but realizes the value of wild fish goes way beyond the dinner plate. The giver respects the journey that our salmon and steelhead complete before they come home. The giver wants future generations to have the chance to experience what we’ve come to take for granted. Instead of complaining about what is lost, the giver takes action and tries to move things in a positive direction.

Be Part Of The Solution
I invite all of my readers to make a difference in our local fisheries. There are many different things you can do to give back: take someone fishing who might not be able to go by themselves. Leave your favorite fishing hole cleaner than you found it. Give fellow anglers a wave and a smile instead of a cross look when they fish next to you. And if you happen to experience some good fortune on the water, share your knowledge with other fisherman.

Thanks to all of you who make a difference. I know there are more givers than takers out there. And to that fine fellow who says (but probably doesn’t really think) that I’m single-handedly destroying fishing on the Siuslaw: you are always welcome to express your concerns to me personally. At least I’ll have some respect for that.

See you on the water,
Action Jackson

(Please send comments or questions to Action Jackson at 268-6944 or www.actionjacksonfishing.com)

ODFW Commission To Adopt Fall Chinook Regulations June 9

Due to anticipated poor returns, ODFW Commission members are expected to adopt some of the most restrictive fall chinook fishing regulations ever forwarded by biologists. Recommendations include reduced bag limits, new angling deadlines and the closure of the Nehalem basin to all chinook fishing. The Nehalem River is (was) home to one of the biggest chinook runs on the north Oregon coast. And while chinook fishing will be even more limited than last year, ODFW staff is recommending wild coho fisheries in tidewater portions of several different river systems – including the Nehalem, Yaquina, Coos and Coquille Rivers.

Why Are Coho Up And Chinook Down?
Chinook and coho salmon have different life histories, which makes it possible for these very similar species to return at different rates. Chinook and coho have different age structures – coho salmon return almost exclusively as 3 year-old fish, with a small number returning as 2 year-olds (jacks). Conversely, 4 and 5 year-old fish make up a significant part of the chinook return. Favorable ocean conditions have only taken hold (again) since 2007. This means that a large part of this year’s returning chinook headed into bad ocean conditions as juveniles, thus experienced higher mortality and lower overall returns. The coho salmon, with less turnaround, went to sea in better conditions and we are seeing greater returns. All things being equal (and we know they’re not), we will see a better return of fall chinook starting in 2010.

Commission Is A Wild Card
The ODFW Commission does not always follow staff recommendations, especially on controversial issues. For instance, on the Nehalem River how can you allow fishing for coho while chinook is shut down completely? How do you minimize the impact on chinook? Certainly some will be caught (and killed) incidentally? Also, Oregon Coast coho salmon are listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. The model of Siltcoos and Tahkenitch lakes does not fit the Nehalem fishery because on the lakes, there’s no chance of depleting an imperiled chinook run.

Regulations Not Much Different Than Last Year
Don’t expect any changes from last year’s regulations: the daily/season limit for chinook will most likely be 1/5 again this year. Also, angling is likely to be closed on Lake Creek, the mainstem above Lake Creek and on NF Smith River.

As always, your thoughts, calls, and e-mails are welcome on this and other related issues.

See you on the water,
Action Jackson

(Please send comments or questions to Action Jackson at 268-6944 or www.actionjacksonfishing.com)

Now A Good Time For Stream Trout Fishing

During the past few days, people have been asking about where to go to catch some nice trout. My first instinct was to tell them about the many local lakes that have been or will be stocked. Mercer, Munsel, Alder, Cleawox and others are regularly stocked with catchable rainbow trout, with some “trophy” fish also available. These lakes can have some fast action and are good places to introduce kids to fishing. But there are other options. If you’re looking for an adventure, fewer people and a chance to see the beauty the Oregon Coast Range offers, head for one of the many streams that just opened up to trout fishing over the weekend.

Check Regulations Before Heading Out
The Oregon Dept. of Fish and Wildlife fishing regulations can sometimes be confusing, but if you take just a few minutes you can figure out the applicable rules for the stream you want to fish. There’s even a map that shows which streams are open. Be aware that many streams are closed to the use of bait, including nightcrawlers and eggs. This is to protect the juvenile salmon and steelhead, which are still in streams in large numbers. The ODFW regulations will also point you in the right direction on places to fish. Many tributaries of the Siuslaw River are open to trout fishing – including Sweet, Lake, Indian and Deadwood Creeks. The water levels are low enough to allow wading for long stretches. There’s no better way to cool off during a hot summer day.

Gearing Up
If you’re spin-fishing, small spinners are a great way to catch cutthroat trout. Silver, gold, copper and black have always been top colors for me. Please consider using single, barbless hooks when trout fishing as treble hooks can really make for a tough release for smaller fish. Concentrate on moving water – riffles offer cover and food and are a great place to find fish. An ultra-light rod and reel combination with 4-6 lb. test line is perfect for summer trout fishing. Another tip – fishing early and late often produces the best fishing. Another great way to catch stream trout is with a fly rod. Try small bead-heads and other nymphs fished under an indicator in riffles and tailouts.

Trout fishing in streams is one of the most rewarding forms of fishing. Wading the streams in summer gives you the chance to see all kinds of wildlife, get away from the crowds and maybe catch a few hard fighting and tasty cutts.

See you on the water,
Action Jackson

(Please send comments or questions to Action Jackson at 268-6944 or www.actionjacksonfishing.com)

Getting Your Boat Ready For The Season

Its that time of year again. Its time to remove your boat cover, hose out your boat, and get ready to take family and friends to the lake for a summer full of fish and fun. Maybe you’re a new boat owner wondering what you need to be comfortable and safe on the river. Fear not friends, for Action Jackson is about to tell you what you need and what you’ll want to have on the water.

Before You Leave Home
Proper engine maintenance is the key to well-performing and long-living outboard motors. Change your engine’s oil and filters. Drain and refill gear lube. Check spark plugs, hoses running to fuel tanks and battery connections. Check trailer lights, trailer tires and lubricate trailer wheel bearings. Trailers take a beating year after year and are often overlooked when preparing the boat for the upcoming season. A blown tire or frozen wheel bearings can be very dangerous. Take the time to check your trailer, or take it in to folks who specialize in tires and wheels. Many modern outboard motors can be connected to a garden hose (with “ear” muffs, which use suction cups to feed water to your motor’s lower unit intake) and allow you to test your motor in the driveway. Start up your motor and make sure everything works as it should. I also recommend having a small tool box in the boat with some emergency supplies (screwdrivers, socket set, extra spark plugs, spare boat plug, duct tape, zip ties, pliers). Even if you aren’t mechanically inclined, you’ll be able to tighten up a bolt or stop a leak in a gas line.

Safety First
Depending on the size of your boat, federal and state regulations require different life saving equipment. Boats less than 16 feet (including canoes, kayaks and rafts) must have a Type I, II, or III personal flotation device for every person on board. Boats over 16 feet (except for canoes and kayaks) must have, in addition to PFDs for every person, must have a Type IV throwable flotation device. All flotation devices must be readily available for persons on board. My advice is to spend a little extra to get PFDs that are more comfortable and WEAR THEM AT ALL TIMES. Children under 12 must wear flotation devices at all times, NO EXCEPTIONS. For kids, make sure flotation devices fit properly and are comfortable.

Motor boats are also required to carry lights, fire extinguishers and emergency signal devices. The Oregon State Marine Board has a great website that lists complete requirements, based on boat length, http://www.boatoregon.com/Laws/Requirements.html. You can also call them at (503) 378-8587 for more information.

Another overlooked safety item is an anchor and anchor rope. Imagine crabbing near the mouth of the Siuslaw River when the motor suddenly dies. You could be pushed against the jettys or swept out to the bar before help arrives. An anchor might make the difference between a close call and disaster. And while an anchor might not hold in strong winds and currents, it will at least slow the boat down.

A Word About Boater Education
This year, all boaters regardless of age will be required to carry Operator’s cards. According to the Oregon State Marine Board website, citations for non-compliance have increased to $94. Younger boaters (less than 15 years old) also are restricted in certain ways. Courseroom classes are available statewide and will teach folks something new, guaranteed. You can also take a Marine Board-mandated test online. More information can be found on the Boat Oregon website http://www.boatoregon.com.

See You On The Water,
Action Jackson

(Please send comments or questions to Action Jackson at 268-6944 or www.actionjacksonfishing.com)

Nature Has Its Reasons

Over the past several weeks, I’ve had the pleasure of introducing Siuslaw Elementary’s 4th graders to the Smolt Trap—and teaching them about the work we do there. When we talk about the salmon, steelhead and cutthroat trout that make up a majority of the catch, I am amazed by how much the kids know. While most of the conversations are about anatomy, physiology and natural history, ultimately some of the discussions veer toward the cruelty of nature. Kids ask questions like, “do the fish eat each other?” and “why do the fish have to die after they spawn?” Some of the questions I get are so profound that I couldn’t begin to address them in a few hundred words. What I can do is offer some insight about why nature’s cruelty is necessary.

You’ve Got Two Chances: Slim and None (And Slim Just Swam Away)
Even before a salmon hatches, it is already a highly sought after food source. Other fish will attempt to feed on the eggs as they’re being deposited in the gravel. Cutthroat trout will stage behind spawning salmon in an attempt to pick up eggs. For the trout, eggs are a nutritious and plentiful food source that will help them put on the extra energy needed for their own upcoming spawn. As the salmon fry emerge from the gravel, trout, sculpin and larger juvenile salmon are all looking to feed on them. Blue herons and kingfishers expertly wait for recently hatched fish as well.

Not only do salmon fry have to survive the onslaught of predators, they must somehow survive flood conditions that can suffocate, crush, or leave them stranded in an isolated pool to be found by a raccoon or wash them downstream before they are prepared.

On their migration downstream, behind every boulder and logjam, in every riffle and pool, in front, behind, below and above them, awaits another potential predator. One of the saving graces for these fry is that they tend to migrate in large numbers. So while large numbers fall prey, some are able to make it to the next stage of the journey.

This all sound harsh to us humans, but it’s nature’s way of making sure only the best survive. The slow, the weak, the small, the careless (and the unlucky) never even make it out of Knowles Creek. And the trials don’t end—ever. Once juveniles make it to the main river, gulls, cormorants, otters, larger trout, pikeminnow and many other predators take their turn at weeding out the weak. All this time, juvenile salmon have to worry about their food, looking for invertebrates and smaller fish on which to feed.

By the time the juvenile salmon reach saltwater, things aren’t any easier. Maturing salmon have to be fortunate enough to find plentiful food and dodge the many predators. Seals and sea lions, orcas, salmon sharks and, another effective predator, man, all take ocean salmon in large numbers. As adult salmon stage in the ocean and in their home rivers, commercial and sport fisherman further reduce the salmons’ numbers. Being taken out of the mix in this case is more about bad luck for a salmon than a comment on its overall fitness.

What I tell the 4th graders is this: nature has its reasons for taking so many of the young salmon. It’s to help the next generation of salmon be as strong as possible. Only the best are able to make it home to spawn.

See you on the water,
Action Jackson

(Please send comments or questions to Action Jackson at 268-6944 or www.actionjacksonfishing.com)