ON THE WATER

ON THE WATER FOR APRIL ( 2K11 )

2011-03-31T20:48:00.001-07:00

ON THE WATER FOR APRIL 2011

I need to report some "stunning" news to the membership of the Longview Hills Fishing Club. In an emergency meeting of the Club board of directors, we have accepted a directive from the Governor of the State to take control of the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife. Citing the Club's dependability, organization, and hard work in the sustainability of fish runs, the Governor issued the directive to take effect immediately. The board appointed Club member, and Joe Longo Award Winner, CASEY DECKARD to head the Department. DEREK WILSON was appointed to join Mr. DECKARD as Associate Director. To fill other positions, the board has hired JAMES RAY, from the State of Alaska, to return to the position of Head Fish Biologist. BRIAN HUDSON was appointed Director of Angler Education for the State, and HANK BRYSON was named to head the Commercial Fisheries Division. It was also decided to move the Department's headquarters to Newport. For further information on this move, be sure to read the first entry on your Meeting & Activity Schedule for April.

In other news from the area, we had a tsunami alert this month. The biggest damage to Lincoln County was to the harbor at Depoe Bay. The videos of the event were quite dramatic. It is a wakeup call and certainly points to the need to prepare for such events. When the BIG ONE happens, it will be a much larger event. We are past due for a

Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake. The last one was in 1700 and historically we usually have such a quake every 230 years. It was great news that Lincoln City Police Officer STEVEN DODDS has recovered enough to be named the Grand Marshall of the Loyalty Days Parade on April 30. I am sure we all wonder what has become of the shooter and hope the mystery is soon resolved. The NOAA project continues to near completion ON TIME and ON BUDGET. What a boost for our local economy! It is great news that our Club Vice President LARRY DALE is now home and recovering. Larry has been greatly missed and we hope he will be back in the groove to help with the club projects. He is a great hand in helping with the Club and community with our activities. PHIL REED continues to recover and hopes to back in the boat soon (It is with good authority that his wife Pam hopes so well). BILL FURGASON returned from his trip to Scotland. Be sure to ask Bill about his adventures. Maybe he can give us some stories at the upcoming breakfast meeting.

Looking back on March, we had a fair number Steelhead in the Schooner Creek trap. The fish were passed upstream and we hope that we will see even larger returns in the future. Thanks to LEE FRIES we had a great tour of the NOAA facility. It is uncertain if there will be any tours in the future. Oregon State Police Trooper Heather Van Meter gave the club a great presentation on "Sports Fishing and the Law 101". JIM STANLEY reports that is trout fishing is quite good at Big Creek Reservoir. DON SARVER and WAYDE DUDLEY attended the STEP conference in Tillamook.

Turning our attention to April, it will be a VERY BUSY MONTH for the Club. Your assistance will be needed for the success of those events that we have committed our help. Beginning April 2, there will be a Sportsman's Banquet at Newport High School. Your Club will have a table there to explain the things that we do for the community. We will show our Club video "FISHING FOREVER", produced and directed by WAYDE DUDLEY and MAC ANDREW. MIKE SAMPLES provides the narration. If you have not seen this great video, be sure to get a copy. On April 5, we will meet with ODFW at our Quarterly Meeting to plan upcoming events and projects. April 7 is our fun and informative monthly breakfast meeting. Then things really get busy starting on April 9, the Siletz Watershed Council has asked for help with the Siletz River Clean Up Day to keep the river clean and beautiful. There will be free food and prizes. On April 14, the 50,000 plus Steelhead Smolts arrive at the Palmer Creek ponds. Frank Stout will be bringing his trailer to the site again this year and we will set up camp. We will be watching over and feeding them while they acclimate themselves for about seven days before being released down Palmer Creek and into the Siletz River. Then the next day (April 15) our volunteers will be helping ODFW with installing a net and with stocking fish for the first ever Olalla Reservoir Fishing Derby and Earth Day Event 2011 that will be held on April 16 from 8am until 3pm. Our second Club meeting of the month on April 21 will feature Stan van de Wetering from the Siletz Tribe telling us of the Tribe's fish restoration and sustainability programs. To wrap up the month we have the Newport Loyalty Days Parade on April 30. Officer STEVEN DODDS will act as Grand Marshall and look for Jake (aka WAYDE DUDLEY) and Elwood (aka WAYNE HILL) Blues---The Blues Brothers--- in the Newport Police Volunteer's car.

WHEW, what a month it will be.

See you On The Water

Big Fish

ON THE WATER FOR MARCH ( 2K11 )

2011-03-31T07:55:00.001-07:00

ON THE WATER FOR MARCH 2011

Hello All

Well, another month has sped by. On February 2, Punxsutawney Phil emerged and did not see his shadow. That predicts an early spring but I guess that does not apply to late February in Oregon. It is a real surprise to see late February snow in Western Oregon, especially on the Coast. On a great note, Officer Steven Dodds was released from the hospital to recuperate in an undisclosed location. Our best to Officer Dodds and to all the men and women of law enforcement that dedicate themselves and risk their lives to enforcing the laws and keeping us safe. As you know, PHIL REED, took a terrible fall and required surgery to repair ligaments, tendons, and muscles. It was necessary to drill holes in the knee to reconnect the ruptured tendons and he will be in a cast for several months. I am sure Phil knows he can count on his fishing club pals to lend him a hand if he needs any help. We will take him up on the "rain check" for the fishing trip drawings until Phil gives us the okay. TOM SIMPSON was spotted the other day and he is doing fine after surgery to repair his shoulder. Tom is now starting Physical Therapy. The NOAA battle over their move to Yaquina Bay should now be over with our sore loser northern neighbors after their latest loss in Congress. WAYDE DUDLEY, BARB DUDLEY, and myself, on a trip to the Schooner Creek trap, were discussing how much help we are to ODFW. As the discussion continued, Wayde observed that it is just as good for us as it is for them in that it gives us a lot satisfaction in assisting them and it gets us off the couch with something to keep us active and involved, not to mention being in the great outdoors. Those activities are available to any of us as there is usually room to tag along on any of the trap runs or help with any of your fishing club functions.

Looking back on February, we all had a great breakfast at the Agate Beach Golf Course. BEV GARVEY won the drawing to go fishing with PHIL REED. At the mid month meeting, PHIL REED gave us all excellent tips for catching the elusive Steelhead and LINDA REED won the drawing for the trip with Phil (those trips will be made when Phil is back on his feet). FRANK STOUT, BRIAN HUDSON, WAYDE DUDLEY, and myself took a trip to Portland for the Sportsman Show. I had not been to the show and I must say, IT IS HUGE. We spent about 4 hours there and it would take at least another 4 hours to see everything. If you have not been to that show, it is a must see in the future. At the show we found club member DEAN FLECK working the Englund Marine booth. Dean had great things to say about our club. It seems that we are well thought of in our community for all that we accomplish working on events and our help to ODFW. Your Fishing Club has started accumulating items for the Memorial Day weekend Garage Sale. If you need to do some "Spring Cleaning", keep your Fishing Club in mind for those items you no longer need. If you want things out of your way, let Wayde or Wayne know and we will arrange to haul them away. We have a great start in making this year's sale the largest in our history.

As we turn to March, we will have our breakfast meeting on March 3 at the Golf Course. Bring your appetite and your favorite stories. Then on March 9 we will be forming a work party to do some repairs and improvements to the Schooner Creek trap and then JOHN SPANGLER and BUD ROARK will burn some burgers for the hungry crew. On March 17 we will have the pleasure of a presentation by OSP Trooper Heather Van Meter on "Sport Fishing and the Law 101". After a great presentation last October by OSP Senior Trooper Carla Urbigkeit about the Commercial fishing side of enforcement, this will be a real treat to find out about the enforcement of Sport Fishing laws. To round out the month, DON SARVER and WAYDE DUDLEY will be attending the STEP Conference in Rockaway Beach on March 26. Also in March, we will be planning for the Kid's Fishing Event that will be held on April 16 as part of the Olalla (Community) Festival sponsored by GP.

So, we hope to see you in March for all of these fun events. Until then, keep those tips up and we hope to see you ON THE WATER.

Bigfish

ON THE WATER FOR FEBRUARY ( 2K11 )

2011-03-31T07:53:00.001-07:00

ON THE WATER FOR FEBRUARY 2011

Well, January is over and, quite frankly, I am looking forward to February. It was with great anticipation that many of us awaited the Duck's appearance in the National Championship game. I am usually really pumped up for a Duck game however, the night before, one of our founding Brothers and my good friend and neighbor Bill Nichols was found deceased. Bill was taken from us in his prime at the age of 65. Yes, I like most of the rest of you watched a very good football game. Kudos to the Ducks for making it to the championship game. It was a close lose (wait until next year). They certainly did not embarrass themselves or the State of Oregon. Then came the big rains to the Central Oregon Coast. Later that week with over 5" of rain in 24 hours (and nearly 8" in 48 hours) our soil could not handle that amount of rain. As most of you know, we had the evacuation of several home in Longview Hills due to a landslide. In the end, two of the homes were lost. Then there was another landslide forcing the evacuation of the Port Dock 4 condos. We can certainly be thankful for the dangerous & necessary work that our Fire Department deals with. They had a very wet and very busy day. And then if that were not enough tragedy, Officer Steve Dodds of the Lincoln City Police Department was shot several times while he was on a routine traffic stop. Our thoughts and prayers are with Officer Dodds and his family as well as with all of his fellow officers that risk their lives on a daily basis to protect all of us. We certainly hope that this fugitive can be apprehended and brought to justice. Another thanks should go to our member ALAN CANFIELD for his effort in passing out flyers on the fugitive (many of us saw Alan on TV). As a side note, Alan founded the Citizen's Patrol in Waldport in an effort to reduce crime in his area.

As for your Fishing Club, January began with a great Breakfast Meeting and a wonderful turnout at the Agate Beach Cafe. KEVIN McCARTHY walked away with the biggest fish (35#) in our Salmon Derby and all that caught salmon were awarded a Salmon Nation salmon pin (if you did not get your pin be sure to let Frank or myself know so we can get the pin to you). Professional Fishing Guide and club member PHIL REED made the generous offer of donating 6 guided steelhead fishing trips on the Siletz River. By drawing, one trip will be awarded at each meeting through March. The first trip was won by WALTER CHUCK. We also had a little fun with a Surprise Roast of Past President JOHN SPANGLER. Then the following Saturday we were led by our Beach Mistress ELLIE LEMASTER on a successful Beach Cleanup on Beverly Beach. We had a large turnout of 14 member litter pickers and the weather was nearly perfect for the event. The second meeting of the month was a very informative meeting with a presentation by Lisa Mulcahy of the Midcoast Watershed Council. Now we know the important work that the Council does supporting fish and the protecting the environment on the Cental Oregon Coast. We welcomed our newest club members ELMER AND SANDY AMSDEN (Elmer has already made a Schooner Creek trap trip). Then came drawing number 2 of 6 for the trip on the Siletz with GUIDE PHIL REED. The lucky winner was ELLIE LEMASTER. We hope Ellie had a great trip. Then to end the month we hosted the Longview Hills Social Club breakfast. We had a great turnout of about 45 hungry people. This event was organized by LARRY DALE and FRANK STOUT. A big "THANK YOU" to all that supported this fun event with a special "THANK YOU" to those that helped out to make this a great breakfast. A very special thanks to BOBBY DEAN for taking the lead on the cooking.

As we turn our attention to February, we will have our breakfast meeting on THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 3RD at the AGATE BEACH CAFE (at the Agate Beach Golf Course). Be there by 9 am to join us in the festivities. Drawing number 3 of 6 will be held for that great Steelhead Trip courtesy of PHIL REED. Be sure to be there for your chance to win this drawing. Then at 9 AM on Thursday, February 17, be at the Longview Hills Clubhouse for an informative meeting on how to catch those fighting Steelhead. PHIL REED will show us how to bring one home for dinner! Then we will have drawing #4 of 6 for that GUIDED STEELHEAD TRIP.

On a final note, your Fishing Club has an annual Garage Sale held on the Saturday of Memorial Day Weekend in WAYDE & BARBARA DUDLEY'S driveway. Dues are not necessary,as with other many other organizations, to support the activities of the club. We have been collecting some really great items. TOM & JEANNINE ROEDERER cleaned out their garage and made a generous donation of some great tools and other items for the sale. So, as you do your Spring Cleaning, keep in mind to donate those unwanted or unneeded garage sale items to Your Fishing Club. Let us know if you need any help or a pickup to haul away your donated items.

Big Fish

ON THE WATER FOR JANUARY ( 2K11 )

2011-03-31T07:50:00.001-07:00

ON THE WATER FOR JANUARY >> YEAR 2K11

Howdy Fellow Fisher Men and Women........Hope everyone had a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS and here's to a Healthy and HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!! Let's dump out the Old Tackle Box and load up the New One. Some memorable things have happened in this past year. The COHO seem to be having a great year (we are getting many of them at the fish traps). AND, How about our amazing Port of Newport landing the NOAA contract? AND, even more amazing, the project is ON SCHEDULE AND ON BUDGET. What a boost to our local economy injecting upward of $20 MILLION a year!! As if that wasn't enough, the INTERNATIONAL TERMINAL is moving right along in spite of some minor setbacks. Our COMMERCIAL FISHING FLEET is having a decent year and the CRAB is especially tasty. Then there was the craft that ended up on NYE BEACH. That attracted a lot of attention. And Bay Blvd. received a face lift (it was a real mess for a while). It is nice the utilities are now underground.

Where did 2K10 go? Looking back on 2K10, it was a busy year for the Longview Hills Fishing Club. Besides the routine Breakfast Meetings, Beverly Beach Cleanups, Big Creek Res. Solv Bag Stations repair and bag changes, trap duties on the Siletz and Schooner Creek, and tending to Line Recycling Stations, we also found time to have a Coast Guard Station tour in January, Babysit the Steelhead Smolts at Palmer Creek, assist the Port of Newport with Ocean Fishing openers, fund our Fishing Club for another year with the Memorial Day Weekend Garage Sale (a special thanks to Wayde & Barb Dudley for their hard work and driveway), assist Our Friends at Central Coast Fly Fishers and the Baptist Church with the Kid's Fishing Day at Eckman Lake, have a Georgia Pacific tour of the Paper Mill, a tour of the Oyster Farm, a tour of the International Terminal Project, assist the U DA MAN Yaquina Bay Chinook Salmon Tournament, have a great presentation by OSP Sr. Trooper Carla Urbigkeit on Commercial Fishing Enforcement, and then a Show of Member Hobbies at our November Meeting. The other Big and Special Events were the Wildlife Presentation by Tami Wagner in September AND in August our 6th Anniversary Birthday Bash with our Special Guest and Founder Jack Scherer. With Great Sadness we lost both Tami and Jack later in 2K10. Then in December, we held our 5^th Annual Christmas Gathering & Joe Longo Award Presentation. It was a Touching Moment when the Joe Longo Award was given to Casey Deckard with his Wife and Daughter in attendance. Then Frank Stout and Barb Dudley were presented with Meritorious Service Awards. And our very own BEACH MISTRESS, Ellie Lemaster was recognized for organizing and reporting our Beverly Beach activities. To conclude the program, it was our pleasure to present John Spangler with a beautiful mounted Rainbow Trout (Carved by Ducks Stout) as a memento of our esteem, for the Dedication and Leadership John displayed, over the last 5 years, as our Fishing Club President. WHEW!!!! WHAT A YEAR !!!!!

Looking ahead to 2K11 we can only hope that we can keep up with our accomplishments of 2K10. Your New Officers and Board Members will be challenged to arrange Tours and Presentations to meet the expectations of Our Membership. We look forward to adding New Members and find New and Exciting Tours in the Coming Year. I would remind every member that my leadership of YOUR Fishing Club can only go SO FAR without your HELP & SUPPORT. It is the RESPONSIBILITY of EVERY MEMBER to stay involved by attending the meetings and participate in events. That would include making SUGGESTIONS & RECOMMENDATIONS regarding Fish Club Activities directly to myself or other LVH FC BOARD MEMBERS: Larry Dale (vice president), Frank Stout (secretary/treasurer), Don Sarver (operations officer), and Barb Dudley (public affairs officer).

Big Fish

ON THE WATER FOR DECEMBER ( 2K10 )

2010-11-28T13:57:00.001-08:00

ON THE WATER FOR DECEMBER >> 2K10

Hello to All of my LVH FC Friends >< Here we are again at the beginning of The Christmas Season & Another New Year !!! Can you believe how quickly they seem to come around ??? >< The Behind’er I get” >< This seems to fit my perspective on how quickly this last year has gone by >>> Enough of this Maudlin Stuff !~!~! Let’s Get-R-Done for 2K10 ……..

When I dumped out the 2K10 Tackle Box >><< 2 Young Folks recently lost their lives by being swept off the South Jetty >< ODFW is reporting Sea Lions dying from a mysterious bacteria that can be transferred to our pet dogs >< There are 3 proposed (Cape Falcon, Cascade Head, Cape Perpetua) Fishing-free Marine Zones currently under consideration. This is a very sensitive issue >> If you have concerns (For/Against) >> Please make your concerns known to ODFW >< US Postal Service reports an $8.5 Billion loss for this Fiscal Year & It will run out of Bucks for 2K11 >> Holy Toledo, if we want to continue to receive our Fishing Mags, we may need to revive The Old Pony Express Concept !?!? It gets worse >< How would like to have been 1 of the 450 passengers on the Carnival Cruise Ship that went “Dead In The Water” for 3 days & Ultimately had to be towed into LA >< Now, we are hearing about a significant upswing in Mule Deer Poaching .. Yep ODFW reports Poaching is UP & the Sale of Hunting Licenses is Down >> A sign of the Times !?!?? Let’s close on a brighter note >>

We received a great Hunting Report from Brother Tom Simpson >&< 1 December Marks the Opening of our Commercial Crab Season … Now begins the haggling over Price per Pound >> Last year it was $1.75 for the first 3 days >><< Current discussions are running anywhere from $1.50 to $2.15 >> Stay Tuned !!! >< Another bright spot, is the recent purchase of a strip of salt marsh land that straddles Drift Creek & the North Channel of the Alsea River. This is a prime habitat for salmon propagation >> Att’a Boys to the Western River Conservancy who will be conveying this valuable salmon habitat to the USFS >< On ward & Up ward >>

Let’s take a quick look back at NOVEMBER >><< The month started off with sadness >> We lost 2 of our Very Dear Friends > Tami Wagner & Jack Scherer >> May they Rest in Piece & again our Condolences to their Families >< Moving on >> I am pleased to report, that at our breakfast meeting, the membership, unanimously supported the nomination of Casey Deckard as our 2K10 Joe Longo Award Winner >&< It appears as though we all got thru the Daylight Savings Time Changes & Veterans Day >> How’ bout them BLUES BROTHERS !~!~! Yep, The W2’s (Wayne Hill & Wayde Dudley) made an Academy Award Appearance, representing the Newport Police Volunteers, in the Albany Veterans Day Parade >> They were a really Big Hit & Perhaps, if we encourage them a bit >> They may take this Fun Idea “On The Road” at subsequent parades !!!! >< We had a very positive GM Meeting >> Congratulations to all of the Newly Elected FC Board Members. This is a wonderful group of folks who will take the Club into 2K11 & Beyond…. We concluded this fun meeting with our 1^st Show & Share Event …This consisted of our various members Showing & Explaining their interesting & varied Collectibles, Hobbies, Crafts & Avocations >>> Check out the Terrific Photo Shoot done by Wayde Dudley & displayed by Barb, on the LVH FC WALL >>>>> (Try to remember how you felt >< When it comes time to tuck into the Christmas Dinner Table !!)

Next >< It’s on to doing the Outside Christmas Lighting Decorations & All of the Other Holiday Chores that go with The Season >>>>>

Let’s lope right into DECEMBER >>>> Our Breakfast Meeting will kick off the Christmas Season with our usual camaraderie & We hope the attendance of Saint ReCouperator (aka Ron Thomas & his lovely wife Jacky) >> We will also get the “Short Version” of Electric Bill Ferguson’s recent French Connection Adventures >&< Don’t forget to watch the Annual Oregon Football Classic >> The Civil War >> between >> The Beavers & Ducks >>> Somebody is hoping to go to “The Natty” !~!~! May the Best Team Win >>> Hold the 11^th of December Open for our 4^th Quarter Beverly Beach Patrol >&< This may be your last chance to unseat Kevin McCarthy as the Lead Dog in the final days of the 2K10 LVH FC Salmon Derby (Derby Ends Midnight on the 15^th) >><< Then we wrap up the year with our Annual Christmas Gathering & Presentation of the Joe Longo Award >>> We are delighted to recognize Casey Deckard as our 2K10 Winner. We are doubly pleased that Casey will be joined by his lovely wife Kelly & their 2 children, Kaiden & MaKennah >>>>>

That brings us to the 25^th of December >> Christmas Day >> I sincerely hope Your Holiday Season will be Safe, Full & Rich in the Blessings of Family & Friends >>> Please be kind to one another, as you go into the New Year >>>

As you know, I will stand down at the end of this year as the President of your LVH Fishing Club. Allow me to Thank Each & Everyone of You for affording me that Honor & Privilege, over these last 5 years >< This will be my Last On The Water Column >< That said, your FC Board has extended, to me, the invitation to act as the Unofficial FC Chronicler >< This would entail, occasionally writing about my Various Travels, FC Activities & Other Eclectic Items of possible interest to Our Fishing Club Membership. I am pleased to accept their invitation & In that capacity, you will continue to recognize THE HOOK as he, joined by his lovely wife Mary, go DOWN THE ROAD >>>>>>>>>>

Well that’s the Top of the News as it Looks from Here > & >>>>>>> THE HOOK

ON THE WATER FOR NOVEMBER ( 2K10 )

2010-10-30T13:25:00.000-07:00

ON THE WATER FOR NOVEMBER >> for << ( 2K10 )

Hello Dear Friends >< My Heart is Heavy as I come to the task of writing my column this month. It is about all I can do to Open The Tackle Box.

As with all of our Tackle Boxes, there is a Bunch of Stuff in mine, that I have no idea why I collected it !?!?? On Top of the Pile was a Note that reads >< The “Miracle” at the San Juan Mine in Chile ….. Not sure how the Miraculous Rescue of these 33 Miners will relate to our Fishing Club ????

That Stumped me for a while >< As I was thinking about that, I could not help but see, on my desk various papers, that relate to the recent Very Sad News, we received, regarding the Loss of Our 2 Dear Friends >> Tami Wagner & Jack Scherer >><< Now, how do you make any sense out of all of that ???? Then I had a Stray Burst of Voltage >>> You’ll have to Help Me a Little Bit with this >>>>>

Suppose, we work with the Word MIRACLE >< Perhaps, the connection my mind made with the Miraculous Rescue of the Chilean Miners was my way of looking back at the Same Kind of Miracle, that resulted in us having Our Dear Friend Casey Deckard With Us Today !!!! If we can accept that >< Then we can see the Miraculous Connection in the Lives of Tami, Jack & Casey !!!! Think of all the Wonderful Things these 3 Fine People have done with their lives >><< Think of the Joy they have Given & We all have Shared, in Knowing these Wonderful People.

I believe, We are The Better for Knowing & Loving these Dear Friends >< That said, they would be the 1^st to say to us >< Live In The Moment > Appreciate your Friends & Get-R-Done !~!~!~!

So, in Their Spirit >< Let’s Get-R-Done & Do a Look Back at OCTOBER >><< Once again, we had fun supporting the 8^th Annual U-DA-MAN Salmon Tournament, unfortunately, due to some “Really Nasty Weather” only 2 Nookies were caught, each weighing about 16 lbs. >> Special Thanks to All FC Members who gave of their time, and Got Very Wet, to support our UDM Friends > Onward >< What a fine G.M. Meeting we had, Thanks to Barb rounding up Senior OSP Trooper, Carla Urbigkeit as our Guest Speaker. Carla did an Outstanding Job giving us some insight into A Day In The Life Of An OSP Trooper > In fact < She did such a fine job, a motion was put forth, by Brother Lee Fries (aka Canyon Man), to make her an Honorary Member & Special Friend of Our Club >< I am pleased to report, that the Motion Carried by Unanimous Consent !!!

Let me close the month with some Fun Tid-Bits >><< Seems like Lot’s of our Anglers can be Accused of “Stealing Salmon from the Seals” this month >> Congrats to >> Mac > Mike > Pam > Brian >Phil > Ryan > Barb > (Forgive me if I missed somebody, at my age “I’m Just happy To Be Here”) >< Don’t forget to Snag One of our New LVH FC Decals & I hope you saw the Cool Note & PIX we got from Brother Bob Abbott >< Now >>>

Let’s Lope into NOVEMBER >>< Make sure you Catch the Breakfast Meeting, on the 4^th, to Learn Who our 2K10 Joe Longo Award Winner will be !!! >>&<< Don’t miss the G.M. Meeting, on the 16^th, this will be a “Vote’in Meeting” +++ A Fun Show & Share of our Members Various Collectibles, Hobbies, Crafts, Avocations & Other Good Stuff >><>>>

In closing >> Once again >> Our Condolences go out to the Wagner & Scherer Families >> & << To Casey and his Lovely Family, we send our Warmest Regards & will continue to Hold Casey Close as he recovers from yet another surgery >< Knowing him & the Unbelievable Courage & Fortitude he has shown >< We will soon have him Back With Us >> (P>S> You really must get him to tell you the story about the time He Shot an Elk & Had to Stuff It in His Car to get it Home >>> HIS CAR WAS A CHEVY GEO !~!~!!)

I’ll leave you with this thought from Leonard Pitts >><< “Life is an Understanding >< We’re All Going to the Same Destination >< The Only Difference is in What We Choose To See Along The Way” >>>>>>>

Well. That’s the Top of the News as It Looks from Here >&>>>> THE HOOK

ON THE WATER FOR OCTOBER 2K10

2010-09-30T14:39:00.000-07:00

ON THE WATER FOR OCTOBER >< 2K10

Hello Dear Anglers & Angler’etts >< When I opened the Tackle Box for this month >< 2 Things Jumped Out at Me >> Bed Bugs & Salmon Action on our Rivers >><< I think I’ll deal with the latter, First … We are hearing about a lot about our FC Anglers successfully bringing “Nooks” to the net, all over our Mid Coast Watersheds (Yaquina, Alsea, Siuslaw, Coquilla, Umpqua & Tillamook Bay) >< That said, the General (aka Brian Hudson) is leading our Salmon Derby Pack with his 32 lb. Fish >><< Followed, closely, by Brother Tom Simpson with his 31.5 lb. Nook. To date, we have 7 Anglers/Fish entered in the 2K10 LVH FC Derby Registry, with the Smallest (21 lbs.) being caught by Electric Bill Furgason. The Derby closes out at Mid-night in December >>>>

Now, just a brief word about Bed Bugs >< I am sure you all have been hearing about how wide spread the infestation is of these Bad Boys. Kind of takes the Fun out of Planning a Trip ….. Wouldn’t be nifty if we could use these nasty critters in some form as Fishing Bait ?? Put your Thinking Caps On, this could be a Real Money Maker !~!~! Speaking of Trips > Also < I’d like to mention the Exciting Kathy & Bill Furgason Trip they are planning to meet up with Bills son Chris (He is currently working in Iraq) >< Yep, Chris is going to meet Bill & Kathy in Paris & they will spend about a month, with Chris, touring this beautiful region of France >< I hope Bill remembers to buy a French Fishing License … We sure don’t want to have any International Incidents !~!~!

Let me mention, that I recently received a nice Post Card from Brother Abbott & He send his regards to all of his FC Pals.

Speaking of Incidents >< What did you think of Brother Mike Samples Unbelievable Fishing Story, which involved having 2 nice Salmon Stolen by 2 very Aggressive Seals 2 Days in a Row !~!~! Did I also mention, that he had Boat Motor Problems !!!

All of that said, I want to nominate “Hard Luck Samples” to be considered for one of The Best Fishing Story’s of 2K10 >>>>> This issue will remain open to any additional nominations you may wish to submit !!!! It seems only fitting >< That I pause to insert Brother Tom Simpson’s generous offer of his pants >< Allow me to expand on that a bit >< He is offering up Free, to the Membership of LVH FC & CCFF, a new pair of LL Bean Fleece Pants. Suffice to say >> Greater Love Hath No Man > Than for Him < To Give Up His Pants !~!~! H

How’ bout some Stuff found in the Bottom of the Bait Bucket >>> Genetically Engineered Salmon being considered by FDA > ??? < The Border Collie is being recommended for consideration as our Official State Dog > ???< Metasequoia is, in fact, the Official Oregon State Fossil > ??? < A new Doggie “Play” Park is now open at the Wilder Village located near OCC Campus > ?? < The Chevy Suburban is the longest running nameplate in the Auto Industry … It will turn 75 this year. Let me close out the Tackle Box with this late entry >< EMILY >> This is a really cool remotely controlled Robotic Life Saving Raft, which was recently tested, in the surf, at Gleneden Beach. It still needs a bit of “Tweaking” but shows great promise as a way of getting help to swimmers that find themselves in dangerous surf conditions >> Stay Tuned for more on this interesting device. NOW, let’s Lope into a look at some of the water we covered in September >>>>>>>>

SEPTEMBER began with a Wonderful Breakfast Meeting, which involved Roasting our Dear Friend Charlie Curry prior to his departure from LVH. We then were delighted to receive our ODFW Wildlife Biologist Friend, Tami Wagner. Tami provided us with a very informative & professional “Step Into The Wild” presentation, which featured highlights of the many Stewardship & Sustainability Activities she & her colleagues are currently running. These involve many interesting Volunteer Opportunities, which we might consider >><< Wayde Dudley was the Team Leader of a Work Party that went in to put some finishing touches on the very successful USFS Schooner Creek Fish Trap & Stream Enhancement Project. In addition, our Beach Mistress (aka Ellie LeMaster) took a Team of 9 FC Members down to Beverly Beach on the 25^th, as a part on the Annual Oregon SOLV Fall Beach & River Clean Up Event. In conjunction with that event, several FC Members also preformed a Litter Patrol on the Big Creek Reservoir Complex >><< Special Thanks to the Schooner Trap Work Party & the Beach / Creek Litter Pickers >>

OCTOBER hits the ground “Running” >>>> Lot’s of U-DA-Man Salmon Tournament support activities. See the various schedules, for complete details. The actual Tournament will be held on 10 October, at first light, out of the South Beach Marina. We will have 2 FC Member Teams competing against each other, under the Professional River Guide Supervision of Boat Captains, Ryan Minor & Phil Reed. The Tournament concludes with a 3:15 PM Official Catch Weigh In >< You don’t want to miss that !~!~!

Interspersed with all of this UDM Activity will be our FC Breakfast at the Agate Beach Golf Course >< Don’t miss the Special Alaskan Guest Lecturers (Marilyn & Bob Breakfield) & Other exciting Fishing Stories !!! On the 21^st, thanks to our 1^stLady (aka Barb Dudley) >< We will be joined by Senior OSP Trooper, Carla Orbigkeit, who will be sharing her insights into a typical > Day In The Life of an OSP Trooper”<> This should be most interesting & informative.

This is the month, for our FC, to act as the Host Group for the LVH Community Breakfast, which will be held in the Club House, on the 29^th of October. Larry Dale will be the Lead on this Fun Event. Watch for more information as we get closer to the 29^th.

In Closing >< Let me leave you with this thought, which was sent to me by my Pal Jasper Joe >>>>>

Dolphins are so smart, that within a few weeks of captivity >< They can train people to stand by the side of a pool & Throw them fish !~!~!

Well, that’s the Top of the News as it Looks from Here >& !!! < Hope to See You On The Water >>> THE HOOK

ON THE WATER FOR SEPTEMBER 2K10

2010-08-30T14:31:00.000-07:00

ON THE WATER FOR SEPTEMBER >>>>>>> 2K10

Hello to All of You >< Can you believe, that we are looking at the Fall of the Year already ?!?!? Where did the Summer Go ??? Now, we are hearing about us going into a La Nina Winter Weather Cycle >< Woaa Nelly, we better keep our Rubber Pants Handy !!!!! Let’s Rant On >>>

Lot’s of interesting stuff in the Old Tackle Box this Month >< We started off the month with the sail boat, Gloria Jean running aground on Nye Beach. Her skipper Phillip Stubenrauch survived the ordeal; unfortunately, the boat was a total loss. On the upside, there is a lot of construction going on at the NOAA Site >< According to the Port Manager, Don Mann, everything continues to be running along, Right On Schedule >< Did you hear about our 1^st Reported Case of the West Nile Virus >< Yep, it happened in a place called Irrigon, which is someplace in Marrow County. My recommendation is > Keep your DEET handy & Stay away from Irrigon !~!~! How’bout, the Urban Renewal recently accomplished by Mother Nature on our nearby Drift Creek Falls …The entire face of the falls fell down & completely rearranged the falls >< Not to worry, it still falls & it’s still very pretty !!! Speaking of Other Mother Nature Stuff on the List > Asian Floods, Arctic Melting, Lamprey Ells on the decline & the Hugh Fires Burning in Russia > Then we had our Own Rooster Rock Fire <> We are all glad to hear that Wayne Hills Daughter’s Home near Sisters, was not impacted by the recent Rooster Rock Fire, although Wild Fires continue to be a Very Big Concern throughout the state. P>S>> It looks like we are not going to be getting Oahu’s OPALA (The Hawaiian word for Garbage) … This whole affair has a strange odor to it, resulting in a Judge issuing a TRO, until all of this can get Sorted Out … Stay Tuned !!! By the way, I just heard about the possibility of our Shrimp Salads Glowing in the Dark !~!~! Yep, it seems that, according to OSU Biologists, this is a perfectly normal thing to occur. It is caused by Harmless Bioluminescent Marine Bacteria, which cohabit with the shrimp … What a Great Conversation Starter at Lunch !!!! Heads Up, we have a New Editor of our LVH Village Newsletter (The View From The Hill) >< Let’s Welcome, Jim McCrea back to LVH after a residence change. I will invite Jim to joins us for our Special Charles Curry Breakfast Meeting on the 2^nd September >><< Some Closing Fun Stuff >>>> Factoid … The ODFW Department was one of the first 12 Departments formed in our State. They Officially came into being in 1901 >><< Question … Do you know what a Rock Jack is ??? I bet Jack Scherer does !!! >><< These are the Names of some Real Funky Bands, that have played on our Coast recently >> Johnny Limbo & The Lug Nuts !!! >> Unkle Nancy & The Family Jewels >>> (Don’t you wonder who thinks these names up ??)

Let’s Lope into a Look Back at our AUGUST Activities >< We started the month with a Fun Breakfast Meeting. Then,on the 14^th several of us attended a lovely Celebration of Life for Lou Reed. This Event was held in Waldport & Linda, Lou’s Wife, & Her many friends made this a most memorable gathering. Then, on the 19^th, we held our 6^th Annual Birthday Meeting & Brunch > We had 40 Attendees < Plus we had the extreme pleasure of having Jack Scherer & his son Ed, join us for a Wonderful Brunch consisting of Wayde Dudley’s World Famous Ribs + Fix’ens & Cake (Did I mention Ellie’s Stuffed Mushrooms ??). We were pleased to present Jack, Ed & Brandon Hill with LVH FC Ball Caps, as tokens of our esteem. On the 26^th, Once again, Ellie LeMaster, lead us on another successful Beverly Beach Litter Patrol, which was followed by a run “Up The Creek” to change out some SOLV Bags on Big Creek. All in All August was a Fun Month >>> Let’s see what comes next ……..

SEPTEMBER begins our entry into Fall >< However, we are going to kick off the month with a “Cracker Jack” FC Breakfast with a Special Twist >< Our Dear Friend Charley Curry is preparing to leave LVH soon. That said, we will be sad to lose our Oldest Member (92 Years Young) >< So what we hope to do is use this opportunity to Roast Charley a Bit & let him know how much we have valued his Company & Friendship. Please collect your Favorite Charley Recollections & be prepared to share them at this Fun Breakfast. On the 16^th, we want to invite you to STEP INTO THE WILD with our Special Guest Speaker, Ms Tami Wagner. Tami is the Assistant Wildlife Biologist, operating out of our local ODFW Office in South Beach. I think you will find Tami’s Power Point Presentation Interesting & Informative. On the 25^th, the Beach Mistress (aka Ellie LeMaster) is calling us all together to join forces with Good People all over the state to participate in this year’s Fall SOLV Beach & River Clean Up. As we always do, please Muster at the LVH Club House about 9 AM on Saturday the 25^th.

Now, let me digress a bit & let you know about my plans to Stand Down as your FC President, at the End of This Year. What a wonderful experience it has been, over these last 5 years, for me to Stand Up & represent you fine people, as your President. I believe it is now time & most appropriate for you all to consider putting a New Horse in Front of the Wagon. Suffice to say, any one of your Current Outstanding FC Board Members are Fully Capable of taking this fine club “On Down the Road”. I should also mention that we are also blessed with some New Outstanding Men & Women who are making, & I am sure will continue to make, contributions to this fine club.

I would like to Acknowledge & Recognize ALL of the FC Board Members, Past & Present, for the unwavering support they have given, so unselfishly, to me. Thank You to ALL of You Outstanding Club Members for giving me this opportunity to represent you. Then there are my many Friends with ODFW & the Outstanding Central Coast Fly Fisher Club, in Waldport. I am & have been blessed with All of Your Support over these last 5 years. Please Know, I will cherish the memories & be forever grateful to each & everyone of you.

In Closing >< Let me leave you with this thought (Sent to me by my Pal Linda) >>>>> An Imponderable !?!?

“Sanity Statistics State that 1 in 4 people are suffering from some form of Mental Health Illness >> Now >>>>>> Think of your 3 Best Friends >< If they seem OK >< It must be YOU !~!~!

Well, that’s the Top of the News as it Looks from Here >< Hope to See You On The Water >>>>>>>> THE HOOK

ON THE WATER FOR AUGUST >< 2K10

2010-07-30T20:01:00.001-07:00

Hello Dear Friends >< We “Coasties” know it’s Summer Time, when the Morning Fog is Thick Enough to Cut with a Knife !~!~!

Let’s Lurch On >><< Check Out what got thru the Fog & into the Old Tackle Box >>> I am looking at a very recent Post Card from Brother Bob Abbott & You will be happy to Know, that he is Doing Good & Avoiding Evil >< Mostly !!! He reports, that the VA is very close to providing him with a set of electric wheels, very similar to the set he used while here in LVH. He says this New Chair will really Get Him Moving >!!< He also wants me to send All of His LVH FC Pals & Pallets a VERY BIG HELLO & Please continue to send him Cards & Other Good Stuff clipped out of the Local Newspapers. Speaking of Moving >> This is Turtle Egg Laying Time & our 2 Native Turtles (Western Painted & Western Pond) are very busy right now> Also on the Move is the Dredge Yaquina … She has been busy keeping our Yaquina Port Channel & the Jaws at a depth of 40 feet. Thus involves moving over 200K Cubic Yards of Yuck out of the Channel & Jaws. How’ bout another Good Job >< Let’s “Give It Up” for Walter Chuck, Dean Fleck & All of the Tuna Classic Crew, that made this 2K10 Tuna Fishing Event another Big Success. In spite of the really Tough Fishing Conditions, the Tuna Anglers were able to turn over 1500 lbs of Tuna to our Local Food Share Program > Special Thanks to All of You Fine Folks !!!

It’s Stopped> Thank God Almighty <> We are now Over 100 Days since the Gulf Oil Disaster Began & It looks like we may be very close to getting the Well Head Under Control. The Recent Containment Cap appears to be working & Now we need a little more time to Side Drill the Bore & Completely Kill the Well (Keep Your Fingers Crossed <> The Clean Up Will Continue) … Some More Good News >> Brandon Hill, Wayne’s son, is Home Safe from his recent Military Tour in Afghanistan > &< It’s beginning to look like the Great NOAA Home Port Controversy is about to finally subside. The recently published IG Report clearly states that, in spite of some Administrative Flaws in the bidding process, the Final Outcome of the Competitive Bidding Process would have remained the same >> (Newport it is, Hands Down!!)

This seems like as Good a Time as any, to talk about Mosquitoes !~!~! This Summers projections for these Bad Boys, suggest that We Better Keep our DEET Handy !!! (On the bright side, it seems that there is considerable work going on to Produce Genetically Altered Mosquitoes, that will not Carry/Transmit the Malaria Virus >< Unfortunately this is still several years out … In other words> K>T>D>H !~!~!)

Factoids >>>>

Here’s an Otter Factoid >> Did you know these Little “Otter” Nippers are Born Without Knowing How to Swim ?? Yep, this is one of the very 1^st things they have to learn from their mothers. Another Factoid for all of you Drinkers >> There is a distillery in Wasilla Alaska, that makes a Vodka called Smoked Salmon … They also make one called Russian Garlic !?!?? I very much like Salmon & Garlic, but I much prefer eating them !~!~!

Another Car Factoid >> The Last PT Cruiser rolled of the Mexican Production Lines EOM July … Get ready to Say Hello to the New Chrysler / Fiat 500 >< I still can remember when Nehru Jacket’s were popular & We used to say, “Fix It Again Tony” !~!~!

I’ll close the T.B. with this last item, which was stuck to the bottom >< Have you ever heard of “Paternal Explanatory Syndrome >> Grand Parents are sometimes diagnosed with this >< Their Grand Children often call it >> Drivelalia Factosis, which is caused by a Significant Build Up of Large Quantities of Useless Information on the Brain >>>>>>>>> (Sometimes, Writers Can also Suffer from this Affliction !~!~!)

Let’s Take a quick look-back at Our Club Activity for JULY >>> We enjoyed a very well attended Breakfast Meeting & a most Interesting & informative Tour of the Georgia Pacific “Toledo” Paper Plant; compliments of our good Friend & Plant Communications Manager, Tom Picciano. Once again, Ellie LeMaster was the Spearhead for another successful Summer Beverly Beach Litter Patrol. Special Thanks to All of You Terrific Beach Pickers !! (You may remember, this was a real Highlight Activity for Brother Bob Abbott) >><< I should also mention, the Good Summer Big Creek Litter Patrol Work being accomplished by Don & Shari Sarver, with Mike Rosica also giving us a helping hand.

It’s AUGUST >> Which means it’s Our Birthday Month >><< Yep, the Old LVH FC will be Celebrating it’s 6^th Birthday on the 19^th of this Month > & < What a celebration it will be >>>> We are going to have an Early Brunch >< Consisting of “Wayde Dudley’s World Famous Ribs” complimented by Potato Salad, Rolls & a Super Birthday Cake + Coffee. We have invited our Dear Friend & 1st FC President, Jack Scherer to join us for this Fun Event. Keep your fingers crossed, that he can come down, from Lacy, WA, to be with us. This Annual Event is one you most certainly do not want to miss !!!!

Speaking of Birthdays, Frank “Ducks” Stout, will be “Suffering” a B-Day this month >> Give him a “Big Happy” the next time you see him. Heads Up on the 26^th >< We will be conducting another Summer Beverly Beach Patrol … As always, our Beach Mistress will appreciate your involvement & So will the Beach >> Thanks In advance ……

>>> A Special Note for August >< As you are Banging Around on Saturday the 14^th >< Please Remember our FC Pal Lou Reed. On this day, Lou’s Wife Linda & The Reed Family will be holding a Celebration of Life for Lou >< Several of us from the Club will be Honored to Attend.

In Closing >< Let me leave you with this thought, “Time is The Only Resource > that > We Are Not Making Anymore Of”

Well’ that’s the Top of the News As It Looks From Here >< Hope to See You On The Water >>>>>>>> THE HOOK

ON THE WATER FOR JULY (2K10)

2010-06-29T15:01:00.000-07:00

ON THE WATER FOR JULY >< 2K10

Hello to ALL >< It’s supposed to Officially be Summer, but it sure started as JUNEUARY, which included almost 2 inches of rain !~!~!

The Tackle Box Lid is actually getting Rusty !~! Let’s pry it open & see what we got for Juneuary >< What with all of our Spring Rain, the Hydro Power Plants are reporting Hugh Surpluses of Electrical Power. The excess release water over their spillways can actually harm fish, by infusing to much dissolved oxygen into the water below the dams >> Talk about Too Much of A Good Thing !! >> Speaking of Too Much !~! There is the Ongoing Gulf Oil Saga >< Let’s hope the 2 Side Wells, being drilled, can STOP this Terrible Ecological Nightmare. Talk about Eco-Problems, what of the Gazzilions of Carp Living & Multiplying in our Malheur Lake National Wildlife Refuge >< So many in fact, that millions of Waterfowl are being driven from this shallow lake. How’ bout some Good News ?? Looks like NOAA is Coming to Town >but< There still are some Dissenting Voices in the Wilderness !~! Speaking of Yaquina Bay, did you hear about the Pod of 6 Orcas that was recently sighted ?? They did not stay long, but they did transit up the river, quite a ways, before they went back to sea. Speaking of Visitors > OSU Marine Biologists are working with our local commercial fishermen to get a better handle on the distribution of those Humboldt Squid that recently appeared off of our coast. Some more Good Stewardship News > Oregon will dedicate it’s 1^st State Forest in over 60 years by designating 43K Acers of land as the New Gilchrist State Forest >Also< The Bandon National Wildlife Refuge will be expanding is Tidal Marshlands by the Restoration of 418 Acres of old existing pasture land adjacent to the refuge. Here’s one for you > What do you know about “Ti Swaq” ?? It’s the Original Native American Name for our beloved Mt. Rainier (It’s pronounced “Tea Swak”). It seems George Vancouver had some trouble pronouncing “Ti Swak” … So it became Mt. Rainier & will probably remain so !~!~! Some Car News for all of our “Gear Heads” >< General Motors quickly gave up on pursuing a very “Lame Corporate Memo” discouraging GM Sales Staff from using the Iconic Term CHEVY !~!~! Can you imagine a world with out Our Chevy’s On The Levy !?!? Can you imagine a world without Mercury Cars ?? Yep, much like the Pontiac, the Old Merc will go by the wayside this fall >< The 1^st Merc hit the road in 1935. Heads Up >> No More Peanuts will be served on Airplanes !~! Seems too many folks are Allergic to Peanuts >> You have to wonder if it’s not the Lousy Sandwiches, we are just beginning to hear about, which have been Served on The Big Silver Birds !?!?

Let’s close the Old Tackle Box with a True & Positive Shaggy Dog Story >> News Times recently report the Newport Police Drug Dog EYAN has really been earning his Kibble >< It seems that Eyan & His Partner, Officer T.J. Ericksen, have had a “Very Good Year” >> They have been credited with 63 Drug Busts, which is “No Small Shakes” >< Att’a Boy Guys & Thanks to All of Your Colleagues for the Service you all provide to our Community.

Yep >< We had some Ups & Downs in the Month of JUNEuary >< Our Breakfast Gathering began the month with a Bang !! We were able to WELCOME 2 New Members into the Fold & They are >> Sue Minich & Mike Flaming. Another Bang !! Our FC has just been informed, that we are, one of several entities that are being considered for the 2009 ODFW David Liscia Volunteer Award. A final decision by ODFW will be made sometime in the month of August. A Bust >!!< Our Commercial Fishing Boat Tour got Rained Out, but Mike Pettis & Dean Fleck have given us a “Solid Rain Check” for next year >>Thanks Guys !!! Our Beach Mistress (aka Ellie LeMaster) wants to thank all of the Many FC Beach Patrollers that turned out to make our June Patrol a very successful event (The Big Fish FLIP Video was a Great Addition to Memorialize this effort !!). Lot’s of Great Fishing Reports are being submitted by several successful recent expeditions, up to the North Country & on Our Local Waters. Att’a Boys for our 2 Professional River Guides >> Phil Reed, Ryan Minor & The General (aka Brian Hudson) !~!~! How’ bout that 131 pound Halibut, Brother Tom Simpson caught on his recent Alaskan Adventure > Well Done Tom !!! The Trap Road Truckers continue to be Very Active & Their Thrilling Trap Reports continue to Hold Us Spellbound !! Some Up’s & Downs >< Up’s 1^st >> Hello Again to the Roederer’s & If all Goes Well, we will soon have Wayne’s son, Brandon, back with us from his Successful Military Tour in Afghanistan >> A Bit of a Downer >> You may be aware, Electric Bill Furgason is a bit on the wobbly side due to a nasty inner ear infection, which has effected his balance. This Too Shall Pass, but it might be a Good Idea for us to Put In a Good Word for “EB” just to be on the safe side !~!~! If memory serves me >> It is reported the Wayde Dudley has been doing an outstanding job, acting as the NPD Volunteer Coordinator >> It seems only fitting, that his Suzuki should be Named “The PERP” >< Which would perfectly fit it’s Police Activity Profile !?!?

As we Lope into July, let’s Close Juneuary On a Very High Note >< He & Pam Really know how to put on a Shindig >> Thank You Both for a Wonderful Party & Our Very Best to You into the Future >>>>>

JULY looks like it will have a bit slower pace. Of course, we will gather for our Fun Breakfast Meeting to kickoff the month. You will notice on the Monthly Activity Schedule the FC Board Members will be involved in several meetings. You will also note >< That we have a Georgia Pacific Paper Plant Tour scheduled for the 15^th of July. We have many New & Current Members who, I am sure will find this tour most interesting & informative. On the 29^th, we will be doing another Fun Beverly Beach Litter Patrol. We sincerely hope you can join us.

Let me wrap up July, by Wishing You All a Very Happy 4^th of July >&< Please be Careful, if you will be traveling on this Busy Holiday Weekend !!!

In Closing >< I’d like to leave you with this Bon Mot, shared with me by Big Fish & Smart Duck >>>>>>

“Save The Earth !!! It’s the Only Place With Chocolate !~!~!

Well, that’s the Top of the News As It Looks From Here >< Hope to See You On The Water >>>>>>> THE HOOK

ON THE WATER FOR MAY ( 2K10 )

2010-04-30T16:05:00.001-07:00

ON THE WATER FOR >< MAY >< 2K10

Hello Fellow Anglers & Angler’ets !~!~! Lot’s of Interesting Stuff in the Old Tackle Box this Month >> Let’s take a LOOK See >>>>>>>

These Bad News Stories Jumped Right Out of The Box First >><< The Global Gridlock caused by EYJAFJALLAJOKULL … aka The Nasty Volcano that Recently Erupted in Ice Land >< Then we had the Swiss Needle Cast, which is Playing Hob with our Douglas Fir Trees >< Followed by, the Humboldt Squid Invasion being reported by our Local Commercial Fisherman >< Followed by, the recent Beverly Beach “DIP” Crash, which was caused by a House Trailer that came unhooked & rolled over as a result of the Nasty Shifting Road Surface Dip at Beverly Beach >< Followed by, the “Chain Saw Chicken” in Sandy OR. The Police believe they may have caught the PERP >> Who is alleged to be a 13 Year Old Boy !~! >< Followed by, the Mississippi Delta Oil Slick, resulting from that Off Shore Oil Rig, which Blew Out & Is now about to enter the Breton National Wildlife Refuge !~! >< Followed by, the Phoenix SUNS 99 & Portland TRAIL BLAZERS 90 >> So much for Game 6 of The NBA Playoff’s !~!~!

Oh Yes & We had Some Good News >< This one is for all of you Garden Hackler’s >< Pelouse Earthworms, these Bad Boys live on the Washington / Idaho Border & Run about 10 to 12 inches in length. They sure don’t resemble the Red Wigglers I used growing up in Pennsylvania >< Then I am sure you have heard about “Einstein” … He is the Really Cute Little Pinto Pony that weighs in at about 6 lbs & is a bit taller than a Pelouse Earthworm !! >< How’bout some Att’a Boys for Brothers Mike Samples & Brian Hudson for all of the Good Stewardship & Sustainability Work they have been doing with our Coastal Middle School Students >< Let’s also recognize our CCFF Friends & the recent success they had, working with their Local Boy Scouts, by helping them earn Fly Fishing Merit Badges >< What say you consider getting Hooked Up with Brian Hudson & take him up on his offer to join him for a very interesting Florence ODFW STEP Project, which will involve Cormorant Counting & Hazing > No this is not an Oxymoron >< He will be using his boat, along with other STEP Volunteers, on the Siuslaw River, to try & protect the Steelhead Smolt, from Cormorant Predation >< Did I mention the recent “Sturgeon Fishing Offer” from our Good Friend & Professional River Guide, Ryan Miner. He would like us all to see his NEW “Willie Raptor” Boat & Better Yet Fish with Him on the Waters Out of Astoria (Give Him a Call at (541) 270-5745) >< Let me also mention, the very generous Projector Screen Gift recently given to our Club by Jerry & Arlene Gibson (Special Thanks to The Gibson’s) >>> Well, let’s Lurch into a Quick Look Back at April >>>>>>>

APRIL started off with a wonderful breakfast meeting which resulted in all of us getting to Meet Christine Clapp. Christine is the New ODFW STEP Biologist & We had the additional pleasure of nominating her as an Honorary Member & Special Friend of our Club. We also gave her one of Roger Wilson’s “Terrific Thumpers” >< We should mention, that we had another very successful ODFW Smolt Plant at Palmer Creek Beaver Ponds. Thanks to the ODFW Staff, Our CCFF Friends, Frank Stout for his Trailer, Wayne Hill for his Generator & Mat Methaney for his “Flaming Gouge Salsa” >< Without these Fine Folks & All of the Other Volunteers … It would be impossible for us to Stand Up Camp Palmer Creek >< The end result of your hard work was the release of over 50,000 Steelhead Smolt into the Siletz River System. Well Done, One & All !!! >< Capt. Rick Brown, as our Special Guest Speaker, did a Bang Up Job Representing NOAA at our G.M. Meeting. He provided us with a most Informative & Professional “NOAA 101” Presentation >< One note of sadness, I need to mention, Bob Abbott, because of his declining health, departed LVH to take up residence with his son in Scottsdale, AZ >< Moving On >< How’ bout, the Terrific Recognition Our FC Membership Received as a result of the very Laudatory & Professional Article, written by Derek Wilson, which had front page billing in the New ODFW “Volunteer Tracks” News Letter. Thanks to our ODFW Friend Derek Wilson for doing such a Fine Journalism Job >< In closing out April, we capped off the month by Hosting Our 1^st .. Saturday .. LVH Community Fisherman’s Breakfast. Special Thanks to Larry Dale & His Stalwart Band of Breakfast Helpers ... It is estimated, that we had over 45 Attendees & Nobody Left Hungry !!! >< Let me also mention >< Att’a Boys All Around for the ongoing efforts being expended by our Fish Trappers & Drivers >>>>>>>>

Let’s Jump Right into some MAY High Lights >>>>>>> We will kick off the month with the ODFW ELK Habitat Tree Planting Project, which will occur on the South Fork of the Yachats River >< Followed by MOTHERS DAY >< Then, on the 15^th, we will be cooperatively involved with ODFW, our CCFF Friends & our Waldport Baptist Church Friends in supporting the Annual Eckman Lake Kids Fishing Derby. Larry Dale is spearheading our Fishing Mentor Responsibilities. Please contact him if you wish to be involved in this very rewarding experience >< May 20^th, is our Yaquina Bay Oyster Farm Visit & Tour. Mark your calendar, you surely want to make this run with us >< EOM >> The Biggest Little Sale of The Year >< Yes, it’s our Annual LVH FC Memorial Day Weekend “Second Time Around Sale” … Come Early & Take Full Advantage of the Many Bargains to be had >< We sure Hope to see You in “The Dudley’s Driveway” on Saturday the 29^th >>>>>>>

I’ll leave you with this thought from Comedian Steve Wright >< “I recently went to a Restaurant that Serves Breakfast Anytime & I ordered French Toast During the Renaissance !~!~!

Well, that’s the Top of the News as it Looks from Here >< Hope to See You On The Water >>>>>>>>> THE HOOK

ON THE WATER FOR MARCH ( 2K10 )

2010-02-27T17:16:00.001-08:00

ON THE WATER FOR MARCH ( 2K10 )

The “Tackle Box” is Full of Stuff this Month > Check this out < If you are getting tired of doing Face Book or Twitter >> How’ bout trying “Blippy” !?! Yep, this New “Share Your Life Medium” allows you to let all of your friends know what kind of Stuff You Buy … Sorry, but that’s a bit much for an Old Fisherman like me !~!~! Moving on >< Did you hear about the Added Benefit of the Recent Cold Snap in the Florida Everglades >< Suffice to say, it was Not Real Good for the Health of the Many Unwanted & Dangerous “Volunteer” Burmese Python’s that have taken up residence in “The Glades” >< Now, here’s a possible Spare Time Money Making Idea for you >< There’s $$$ in them “Red Wigglers” ……. All you need is a Bit of Space & some Really Good Compost & BINGO you have the “Ultimate Sustainability Machine” >>> This is not so far fetched >< The First Unitarian Church in PDX is actually make some good cash using this Idea !!! Let’s talk about some Sci/Tec Stuff >> WOW > Oregon is #2 Nationally in Wind Turbine Use & Development (You might guess Texas is #1) >> On a bit of a Sad Note, for some of us Old Mariners > After 33 years > The USCG will Stop LORAN Navigational Signal Transmissions (These sure came in handy, when I could not get a Good Star Sight.) >> El Nino Factoid > Elevated Ocean Temps. off the Coast of South America mean predictably Lower Snow Packs & Run Off for us Pacific North West’ers ( Our Current Statewide Snow Pack stands at 61% ) >> ODFW Biologists are reporting High Mortality Rates on Steelhead Smolt in the Alsea & Nehalem Estuaries >< Data is showing Mort Rates as high as 50 to 60 Percent > The Great Unknown, what is causing this ?? Predation by Seals & Birds or some other Marine Variable ??

This is a REAL BIGGIE >!!!< The recent signing of the KALAMATH WATER ACCORDS >< It’s probably way to soon to get “All Juiced” about the substantive results, that may come from this Historic Action > but < It sure is a Step In The Right Direction. Some more positives >< Let’s recognize Bev Garvey, for her generous presentation of a Cool Framed Fly Fishing Print to our resident Fly Fisher, Bud Roark >Also< Our Good Friend, Bob Breakfield is on the Mend from his Recent Back Surgery & his lovely wife Marilyn, seems to have survived The Ordeal Quite Well !!! Speaking of Blessings >< On 20 March, our Commercial Fishing Fleet will receive it’s Annual Ecumenical Blessing … (20 Fishermen have lost their lives in our treacherous waters since 1992) >> Remember the F/V Helen McCall ?? She is a 99 year Old Salmon Fishing Boat that went down, in November, at Port Dock 5 Pier >< Thanks to some Very Special Managing & Planning, by the Port Director & his Fine Staff, they figured out how to get her up & over to a salvage area >< This was all done, at considerable savings to the taxpayers of Newport. Well Done Guys !!!!

We have been Hearing Some Great “True Life” Fishing Stories (Backed up with PIX !!) >> Our Pro River Guides (Ryan Miner & Phil Reed) have been having some success on the Alsea & Siletz >< Let’s also mention “Lady Linda” Reed’s “1^st Steelhead Catch” on the Siletz … Then we received Glowing Reports of some “Beautiful Bows” being caught by Bernie Cooperstein at Olalla Lake >>> Let’s close the T.B. with Positive Recognition for all of our LVH FC Members who are currently serving, as Newport Police Volunteers, in support of this years Sea Food & Wine Festival.

Then there was FEBRUARY >>>>>> Punxsutawney Kid saw his Shadow > Saints Won the Super Bowl > The Winter Olympics have been exciting & our US Teams have done reasonably well > Valentines Day Came & Went > Then we enjoyed a most interesting & informative Visit & Presentation provided by ROB THOMPSON ….. Rob was joined by his Brother Kenny & Lisa Kellenberser >< They made us much more aware of What Actually Happens to All of “The Stuff” that we put into our Blue & Green Curbside Cans. This fine presentation was followed by a very successful Beverly Beach Litter (about 100lbs) Patrol >> Kudos to our Beach Mistress (aka Ellie LeMaster) & All of the Good Folks who turned out to Help Make this a Fun Beach Experience >> It should also be noted, that Several of Our Members went over to the recent Eugene Boat Show > However > To Date < I have not seen Any New Boats “floating around” in LVH ??

Let’s Lurch into MARCH >>>>>>> Not quite as busy as February, but there are a couple of interesting events of note this month. Our Breakfast Meeting will again be held at the Agate Beach Golf Course Restaurant >< Followed at 6 PM with an invitation to join our CCFF Friends for a Private Showing of the 2 Hour Video RIVERS OF THE LOST COAST. Later in the month, there is the NW Fly Fishing Expo, which will be held at the Expo Center in Albany. Don’t forget the Daylight Savings Time Change & St Patty’s Day !~!~! We will wrap up the month with a most interesting Guest Speaker (JERRY DOVE) from Tillamook Country. Jerry is a close friend of Phil Reed’s & comes highly recommended. This should be a Fun Meeting.

I’ll leave you with this thought > Sent to me by my good friend, Jasper Joe >< The Lost Art of Proof Reading >>>

Red Tape Holds Up New Bridge !! ( You mean there’s something actually stronger than Duct Tape !?!?!? )

Well, that’s the Top of The News As it Looks from Here >< Hope to See You On The Water >>>>> THE HOOK

ON THE WATER FOR FEBRUARY ( 2K10 )

2010-01-31T11:19:00.001-08:00

ON THE WATER FOR FEBRUARY ( 2K10 )

Hello Folks >< We have some very Interesting Stuff In The Tackle Box this Month < To Wit >> 3D TV is coming to a place near you & it will only cost you $ 2000 Bucks for a 3D TV Set. Of course, you will need a pair of $ 20 Buck “Geeky Goggles” to watch this Electronic Marvel … Can you imagine what this will do to the SIZE of the FISH CAUGHT on the Out-Door Channel !?!? Let’s take a look at some Strange Animal Stories >> How’bout the Sea Lion Migration from San Francisco Bay up to our very own Sea Lion Caves >< Then there is the very sad situation involving our confused & starving Costal Brown Pelicans (If you find a Pelican Dead or Alive, Please call the North Coast Wild Life Center at (503) 338-3954) .. These birds should have Migrated South, but for some unknown reason, they are still on our Northern Coast. Are you aware, that we have a Herd of about 40 to 60 Moose ?? Yep, these Bad Boys & Girls live up in the Wilds of Wallowa County. The problem is that there is great concern that they may be dying as a result of a disease similar to Heart Worm in Dogs. This disease is present in a Moose Herd in Wyoming & our ODFW Biologists are trying to capture a couple of Moose to get Blood Samples to help determine “What’s Up” with our Oregon Moose.

*** For Sure, you know about Maude & Myrtle’s Recent Private Flight Down to Sea World in San Diego ??? You have no idea what I am talking about !~!~! Well, the “2 M’s” are Green Sea Turtles, which we (The Oregon Coast Aquarium Staff) have been rehabilitating. This was so successful, that the US Coast Guard was able to divert a C130 Training Flight into Newport, pick up the “2M.s” & fly them down to Sea World (What a Great, Happy Ending Story) ……….

*** Now, for an Unusual Story for those of you who have been to London, England & Eaten “Jellied Eels” > YAK !!! < Here’s the Scoop >>> It seems that the Eel’s are rapidly disappearing from the Thames River (James Ray are you listening ??) .. Sampling indicates, that there has been a 98% population decline in the last year >< Fisheries Biologists have no idea what is causing the precipitous decline. On an “Up Note” >< I am told Whale Watching, off of our Coast, is Prime Time Right Now !!!

*** Consider this a BOB ABBOTT ALERT >>> Yes, It behooves us all to be on The Alert for Brother Bob >< It seems, our Good LVH Neighbor JIM ROSE provided Bob with a Really Cool Rechargeable Battery Operated Motorized Chair & Bob is now able to get up to the LVH Club House in “Gentleman Style” >So< If he “Blows By” you on the street >< You can Toot Your Horn 3 Times or Give Him the “Dynamic Didgit” !~!~!

*** Let’s continue to keep Kimberly Andrew, Bob Breakfield & Casey Deckard Close …. All are making Good Progress with their Medical Challenges & I want to also mention, Wayne Hill’s Son Brandon >< Brandon just began a Military Deployment to Afghanistan & we should also hold him Close, while he is in Harms Way. Since we are talking about THE HILL’S >< Let me encourage You All to Tune In to this Cool Website (www.spiritearrings.com) What you will find is an introduction to some Really Fun Custom Made Gift Ideas >< These could Pay Really Big Dividends as Birthday & Valentine Gifts, etc.

*** Att’a Boys & Girls Department >><< 3 Cheers for 1^st Lady Barb Dudley & the Wonderful Photo Albums she has been providing us (The Christmas Gathering & Our 2009 Salmon Derby Winners ) >< Let’s Hear It >> for ALL of the HARD WORK being done by our “Stalwart Fish Trappers” >>> Speaking of Trap Reports >< How’bout, Brother Mike Samples recent sighting of a “VERY LARGE BULL ELK” along the Schooner Creek Road. Allow me to also mention a Recent Big Creek Project accomplished by the Team of ATV #1 (Larry) & ATV #2 (Mike) >< Larry Dale & his Son Mike recently replaced a rotted out Critter Basket Post >>> Larry tells me, Mike dug the 3 foot hole in less than 5 minutes !!! Oh to be Young Again >< Thanks to All ……….

OK >< Let’s take a quick look back at JANUARY >> I am not sure I want to Remember the Rose Bowl Game Results. That said, Well Done Buckeyes & maybe Next Year Ducks !~!~! We followed the R.B. Extravaganza with a Fun Breakfast & a Well Attended General Membership Meeting, which resulted in recognizing our 2009 Salmon Derby Winner < KEVIN McCARTHY with a 35# Chinook >& < Brother Tom Simpson was our 2^nd Place Winner, this year, with a very nice 21# Chinook. We also anointed ATV DALE & ELECTRIC BILL (Each caught a 6 # Coho) Larry Dale became the Mascot Keeper for 2009 & Bill Furgason got the Fisherman’s Bubble Bath Kit. In addition >< All successful 2009 Derby Anglers received our Traditional Salmon Pin for their Club Ball Caps....... Our 2K10 Derby Season has started & will run from January thru December >< Good Luck To All >>>>>>

*** Just a Note …. To Thank You All for your Cards, Good Thoughts & Good Food >< All of which have Greatly Contributed to Mary’s being “On the Recovery Road” from her Recent Back Surgery. She is Progressing Very Well & We are Most Grateful to All of You for your Loving Concern & Generosity ……….

Lot’s of Stuff going on in FEBRUARY >>>> Check this out >>>>>> We start off with Ground Hog Day, followed by our Fun Breakfast Meeting, followed by Super Bowl XLIV, followed by the Beginning of 2K10 Winter Olympics, Followed by Valentines Day, followed by our Very Special Guest Speaker, Rob Thompson & we wrap up the month with the Beach Mistress (aka Ellie LeMaster) leading us on a Beverly Beach Litter Patrol. Now that’s what you call “Multi-Tasking” >><< Just a word about encouraging you to stay involved in your Fishing Club >< It has been said >< “When you begin to Take Something for Granted … You Run the Risk of Losing It” ………

I’ll leave you with this thought (Sent to me by My Pal Linda) > An Oxymoron < Doesn’t “Expecting the Unexpected” make the Unexpected Expected ??? It may be best >< If you don’t think about this too long !~!~!

Well, that’s the Top of the News as it Looks from Here ….. Hope to See You On The Water >>>>>>> THE HOOK

ON THE WATER FOR JANUARY ( 2K10 )

2009-12-31T08:37:00.001-08:00

ON THE WATER FOR JANUARY ( 2K10 )

Here we Go >> Ready or Not >>Into the New Year !!! Boys Howdy, but they seem to come around quicker each year !~! Well >< We got a few things in the Old Tackle Box, which we might take a look at >>>>> Let’s start off with a BANG …. Our DUCKS WON the 113^th CIVIL WAR Football Game with the BEAVERS with a score of 37 >< 33 >>> Now it’s on to the ROSE BOWL & the Ohio State BUCKEYES >< GO DUCKS !!! How’bout, some more Good Stuff >>>>> Holy Toledo, what a Great Dungeness Crab Catch this year >< Lot’s of crab weighing in at 2 to 2.5 lbs. with a total catch so far of over 12 Million Pounds. Then we have the Very Positive Spring CHINOOK Forecast, provided by the Columbia River Fish Managers, which suggest the Largest Spring Returns since 1938. Did you hear about the Sumner Kimball Readiness Award Recently Presented to all of the personnel at our Local USCG Station >??< Well Done to All Station Personnel, for Keeping your Boats & Equipment in “Tip Top Readiness Condition” … We are very fortunate to have such a Fine Group of Folks Serving Our Community. Let’s also mention the Wonderful Free Christmas Dinner recently provide to Members of our Community Thanks to the combined efforts of the ELKS & members of the CHURCH of the NAZARENE. Yes, the rumor you heard is true >> Ellie LeMaster & Bev Garvey did a Beverly Beach Patrol >< They braved the COLD & actually picked up about 50 lbs. of Nasty Beach Stuff !! Good Job Ladies & Thanks !!! Here’s One for the “Bad Day Department” …. There is a Guy in Oregon City that has been living with Big Trucks & Lots of Cars coming down his narrow “Dead End” driveway, which leads to his home >>> Then they have a Devil of a Time Getting Turned Around to Get Out !~!~! This has been going on for over a month & is the result of a “Mapping Error” in a Garmin GPS Driving Program, which leads drivers to believe this Guy’s Driveway is a Short Cut into a New Very Ritzy Housing Development. The Bottom-line is that Garmin & Navtacq are saying it will take 6 months to correct the problem & continue to finger point over who’s responsibility it is to fix the problem >< My suggestion for the Oregon City Guy is to Open a Coffee Stand & make the Best of a Bad Situation !~!~! ( On a Positive Note >< We did not have any of these problems with the Excellent “Trap Map” recently completed by Wayde “Surveyor” Dudley) …. Moving on to Close Out the Tackle Box… We are still very much in the NOAA Home Port Relocation Plans for 2K10 & It would do us all well to continue to “Think Very Positive” about the outcome of this Important Newport Port Project. Lurching into December >>>>>

DECEMBER was replete with Good Cheer & a Most Enjoyable Christmas Gathering that recognized BUD ROARK as our 2009 Joe Longo Award Recipient. We were delighted to have Michele Longo Eder, with us, to assist in the Award Presentation & to have Mac & Kimberly Andrew as our Special Guests. Once again >< Congratulations to The Tom Simpson Household for doing such a Magnificent Exterior Christmas Lighting Display >< It was really the “Top of the Holiday Mark” !!! I am also pleased to report, that Our Very Good Friend Casey Deckard, continues to mend & for that we are Very Grateful. Then we have the New Year >>>

JANUARY begins with our DUCKS meeting the BUCKEYES in the Rose Bowl Football Game of the Season. May the Best Team Win & I Sincerely Hope it’s the DUCKS !!! We will “Kick Off” our 2K10 Salmon Derby Season at our Mid-month Meeting by recognizing KEVIN McCARTHY as out 2009 Derby Winner & also Appropriately Anointing 1 of the 2 Fishermen (ELECTRIC BILL or ATV DALE) who caught the Smallest Salmon. The Surveyor (aka Wayde Dudley) devised a most Innovative & Scientific Way for us to do that & you don’t want to miss this one !~!~! ( We will also be presenting Salmon Pins to All of those Lucky Anglers who Caught a Salmon during the 2009 Season.) P>S>> Don’t forget to Renew your Fishing License & Salmon Tag for 2K10 & for You Boat Owners >< Check out the New Invasive Species Permit Regulations.

Allow me to close, by Wishing All of You My Very Best For the NEW YEAR >> & << Good On You All ………

I’ll leave you with this thought, which was taken from an Actual Church Bulletin >< “The Low Self Esteem Group will be Meeting this Thursday at 7 PM >><< Please Use The Back Door” !~!~!

Well, that’s the Top of the News as It Looks from Here …… Hope to See You On The Water >>>>>> THE HOOK

ON THE WATER FOR DECEMBER (2009)

2009-11-30T11:45:00.000-08:00

ON THE WATER FOR DECEMBER ( 2009 )

Hello Folks >< Can you believe this Weather ?? A little bit ago Mary & I were out on our Front Deck looking at the Ocean, when we saw an Eagle soaring out over the Light House >>> What a Great Place to Live !!! I guess I better get back to my writing task >>>>>>>>>

Lot’s of Interesting Stuff in the Tackle Box this Month >><< Can you believe our 1^st BIG WINTER STORM, with 90 MPH Winds, actually made the Weather Channel & they even talked about the Water Spout & Tornado that visited damage on us at Roads End in Lincoln City. Talking about Nasty Stuff >< What’s the World Coming Too > !!! < When we are hearing about the damage being done by Gill Netters on the Trinity River, Cattle Rustlers & Elk Poachers …… These kinds of things get my Bowels in an Up Roar !~!~! Seems like it’s time to >< “Speak Softly, but Carry a BIG STICK” !~!~! On a bit of a Sad Note >< Did you hear about the 98 year Old F/V Helen McCall >< Yep, the Old Girl just got tired & went down while tied up at Port Dock 5. To add Insult to Injury >< The Skipper fished Salmon with the Boat for 39 years & when she went down so did his career as a Salmon Fisherman. So much for Life Being Fair !!!! How’ bout an unusual Christmas Gift >< This is a Hum Dinger, it’s called a “Fish Friendly Car Wash Kit” >< This Bad Boy is intended for use by Groups who Stage Car Wash Fund Raisers >< The idea is that this Kit directs the Nasty Water into the sewer system & not out into surface run off …. This Gift might not be for everybody !!! Here’s some Good News for all of you “Snowy Plover” fans … These lovely little shore birds were having a very tough time, but they seem to be making a Very Good Comeback, thanks to significant habitat improvements done by a lot of shore volunteers. Some more Good News >< The Newport Volunteer Fire Department will be getting a Brand Spanking New Aerial Rescue Truck >< This Bad Boy will replace their existing 32 year old truck. Not sure how that information relates to the FC, but if your house catches on Fire it could Become Germane !!! P>S>> Don’t try to do a Road Trip up to Mary’s Peak… US Forest Service just closed the access road for winter. It’s a lovely place & we’ll try to stage a FC Road Trip/Picnic up there next year. How’ bout an Att’a Boy for Brother Mike Larson >< He got his PIC in the News Times recently for providing free “Pop Up” gallery space, which makes it possible for our Local Artist to display their work. Let’s close out the TB with some Really Good News regarding our Winter Crabbing Season >< The Fishermen & the Processors have settled on Opening Day Catch Price & If the Weather Holds, as it’s been, this could be a Safe & Profitable Season for All Parties >>>>> Let’s Lurch into some November Highlights >>>>>

Lot’s of NOVEMBER activity. We got into Day Light Saving Time & Thanks to a lot of Hard Work, by a Great Bunch Folks, we got Schooner Trap Road Open & the Trap Fully Operational (On Time & Under Budget !!) Things were going along beautifully, we were delighted to Welcome LORI LEMONS as a New Club Member & even the Ducks & Beavers were hanging in there >><< Then It Happened >>>> Our Dear Friend Casey Deckard was involved in a Very Violent Automobile Accident >< It was Touch & Go for a couple of days. I know our Angel List Works because Casey & I are examples of what your Positive Prayers & Thoughts can accomplish >< Casey is now Home with his family & I can Walk Upright again >< I have talked with Casey & We are most appreciative of what you all have done for us & our families. THANK YOU ALL

(Please keep Kimberly Andrews & Lou Reed on your List .. Thanks)

*** With Casey Out of the Loop we have been very active in helping Derek Wilson, of ODFW, with the Winter Fish Trap Operations. Special Thanks to all Trap Team Captains (Including Team Lone Wolf >> aka Mike Samples) & all Trappers. We even have 3 men (Wayde Dudley, Frank Stout & Roger Wilson) helping Derek by actually Driving the Big Tanker Truck >< Remember Guys >> Shiny Side Up & the Dirty Side Down !!!

*** Did I Mention >??< We now have several “Ladies Of the Trap” … Yep, & they are >> Barb Dudley >< Linda Reed >< Ellie LeMaster >< Ginger Dale & Candy Garrison !!! Onward >>>>>>

*** We have elected our 2010 FC Officers & We welcome Larry Dale as our New Operations Officer. We were also pleased to recognize BUD ROARK as the recipient of our 2009 Joe Longo Award, which will be formally presented to Bud in December. Of course, as I write this our 2009 Salmon Derby is drawing to a Close & it’s looking like Kevin McCarthy’s 35# / 42in Chinook may be this years Winning Fish. Stay Tuned for who will be the Keeper of our Stuffed Salmon for the Smallest Fish of 2009 >< Wayde Dudley has a surprise in store for us, as to how this will be resolved between Bill Furgason & Larry Dale, both guys caught a 6# Fish !!! Allow me to also Mention & Thank Roger Wilson for the Beautiful Myrtle Wood Gavel he recently presented to the Club. It is being engraved & we will Recognize Roger, for his Craftsman Ship & Generosity, at our December Christmas Gathering. That’s our queue to Jump into December >>>

DECEMBER is always a Reflective Month for me, in as much as the Slower Natural Winter Cycle Begins & we bring Another Year to a Close. We start off the Month by celebrating a New Breakfast Venue at Szabo’s Restaurant. We will continue to meet there for January & February. Then we have our Annual Civil War Football Rivalry between the Ducks & Beavers >< This year the stakes are Very High >< A Ticket to the Rose Bowl rides on the outcome of this game >< May the Best Team Win !!! As always >< We will look forward to seeing you at our Annual Christmas Gathering on the 17^th of December. We will have the pleasure of Michele Longo Eder’s company & she will play significant part in Honoring BUD ROARK as the recipient of our 2009 Joe Longo Award. This has been a Very Good Year for our LVH Fishing Club & we are very proud of all that we have accomplished over our 5 Years as a Club

All in All we have a lot to be Thankful for as this Year draws to a close >< Friends, Family & our Health >< We sincerely Wish You & Yours the Very Best for the Holiday Season & The New Year >>>>>>> (Sorry, I can’t resist >> GO DUCKS !!)

Well, that’s the Top of the News as it Looks from Here ……. Hope to See You On The Water >>>>> THE HOOK

ON THEW WATER FOR NOVEMBER (2009)

2009-10-30T16:46:00.001-07:00

ON THE WATER FOR NOVEMBER ( 2009 )

Hi Pard >< Let’s see what “Bit’s & Pieces” we have collected in the Tackle Box this month >><< Can you believe that It’s Halloween again & on the same day that our DUCKS host USC ……. Boo on the Goblins & GO DUCKS !!!! How bout this years World Series >< The Phillies & Yankees have each won a game, but if history is any indication, the team that has won the 1^st game has always gone on to win the Series …. My Dad would be tickled to hear that, because he was a Really Big Phillies Fan. Dog Gone It > Sunday < Daylight Savings Time is upon us again. I know we gain an hour, but it takes longer than that to reset all of our clocks !!! Have you heard about the SF Bay Bridge Closure ??? What a mess, I just heard that they expect to reopen today >< Boys Howdy, If I were a Surfer that would be enough for me to begin looking into Snow / Skate Boarding !!! On a brighter note, Significant COHO Catches are being reported by ODFW & the really Good News is that the Coastal Fish Hatcheries have agreed to process the excess 2000 fish per day for the Oregon Food Bank, which in turn redistributes these fish to all of the other Food Banks. This is fun Bear Story >><< Park Rangers are reporting that the Bears have determined it’s much more cost effective to break into Mini Vans than waste their time on Trash Bins >< Wonders never cease !!! It is sad to report that we are again experiencing Red Tides, which seem to be doing the most harm to Sea Birds. The birds get in the foam along the shore, which causes the Birds Feathers to loose their Water Repellency, which in turn causes the Birds to drown. On a brighter note, let me mention the wonderful letter I recently received from James Ray. He was most appreciative of our “Send Off” & wanted me to extend his “Very Best Wishes” to all of the Club Members. Now, let’s lurch on & take a quick look at October >>>>>>>>

What a Month OCTOBER turned out to be >><< On the 1^st of the month (The Day after my Birthday) yours truly went into surgery for some Serious Low Back Spine Problems >< How this all turned out I’ll save for later in the column. Allow me to Thank All of you terrific Volunteer Drivers for helping Brother Bob Abbott accomplish his weekly shopping & errands. In addition, there were Several Club Members who also accomplished a wonderful Humanitarian Gesture by helping Linda Reed relocate her husband Lou to Skilled Nursing facility in Florence. There will be a Special Place in Heaven for You Fine Folks. Moving on >< We are beginning to gear up for our Winter Trap Operations. To that end, Wayde Dudley, working with our ODFW Pal Casey Deckard, organized a Terrific Crew who cleared the Entrance Road to Schooner Creek Trap. He & Hank Bryson went back later & did some logging by clearing a substantial chunk of tree that was beginning to encroach onto the road. Just a word here about the terrific PIX Barb has been doing covering these types of Club Activities. (Hope you all saw the wonderful PIX she did of the Pelicans on the Jetty) Speaking of PIX, I hope you have seen the 2 Mexican Cruise Albums provided by The Hills. Then there was the “Stream Team Event” album, which involved introducing 40 4^th/5^TH graders to Schooner Creek at the Fish Trap. Thanks to Brian, Frank & The Dudley’s who were supporting one of Virginia Tardaeweather’s youth projects. Onward >< Good Information was exchanged as a result of the recent Water Plant Tour, which was provided to us by the Plant Supervisor, Steve Stewart. Just in from Casey Deckard (ODFW) >< It looks like we may not have to provide “Trapper Power” to support the November Siletz River Trap Operations >< Stay Tuned !! Lot’s of Good Fishing PIX being sent in recently by Tom Simpson, Frank, Brian, Bernie & Phil Reed >< Keep up the Good Work guys, because we really do enjoy BLASTING your successful catches out to our members. (It’s too bad that we cannot hear the stories about the ones that got away!) Onward & Upward to November >>

NOVEMBER is a Busy Month for the CLUB. As you have seen from the Monthly Schedule >< It involves determining who our 2009 Joe Longo Award Winner will be & the Election of Club Officers for 2010. It’s really important that you all try and attend our 2 Club Meetings this month. In addition, allow me to mention a couple of special days this month >< Veterans Day, please take a moment to thank the Military Veterans you know for their Service to this fine Country of ours >&< Thanksgiving Day, Allow me to wish all of you a most enjoyable Turkey Day.

Now here is the straight scoop on The Hook’s Spinal Surgery Adventure. It all began on my Birthday with visit to a Neuro Surgeon. After a CT Scan, Mylagram & a Bunch of X Rays were done & evaluated >< The Surgeon said I don’t want you to go back to Newport this afternoon. I want to see you in surgery tomorrow about 6AM >< It appears that I had a tear in the Sheathing of my Spinal Cord & a Disk that had completely Blown Out. If not addressed “Pronto” >< They were putting me at risk of losing the function of my legs. >< So Mary & I stayed in Eugene & at 6 AM the next morning, I went into surgery & came our about 5 hours later. Here is what happened >> Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (L3 – L4) with an Illiac Crest Graft >+< Laminotomy (L25 & L45) >>> That’s My Story & I am Sticking to it !!!

In closing, as I write this, 4 weeks Post Op, I have been given the “Gift” of a Sound Back that is Pain Free. This has been a humbling experience that has resulted in seeing life with fresh eyes & a sound ”Pain Free” Back. Believe me; Thanksgiving will be Very Special for me this year. I am still not fully up to speed, but my goal is to attend our November Breakfast Meeting. I could not have accomplish my recovery, thus far, without the loving care provided by my wonderful wife Mary & all of the Prayers & Well Wishes provided by my many Wonderful Fishing Club Friends >< It seems inadequate, but please accept my most sincere THANK YOU for all you have done to facilitate my recovery & being there when you were needed most >>>>>>>>>

Well that’s the Top on the News as it Looks from Here …….. Hope to See You On The Water >>>>> THE HOOK

ON THE WATER FOR OCTOBER (2009)

2009-09-29T17:07:00.001-07:00

ON THE WATER FOR OCTOBER ( 2009 )

THE NATIONAL PARKS >><< AMERICA’S BEST IDEA !!!! Hi Pard >< That’s the 1^st Thing that Jumped Out of the Tackle Box this month. Yes, it’s the New Ken Burns Series, which has begun running on OPB & it’s a Hum Dinger. Let me recommend it to you, It’s on at 8 PM nightly !!! Have you heard about Hatfield Marine Science Center applying for a $14 Million Grant (supplemented by $9 Million from the State) to expand & build a Marine Mammal / Marine Genomics Building. The prospects are positive for this “Grant to Fly” … If that happens > Newport could become known as the “Woods Hole” of the Pacific (Keep your Fingers Crossed & don’t forget next month is decision month for NOAA to confirm their Newport Selection Decision ). How’bout, a “Short Cut Across the Top of the World” … I know this is something folks have talked about for a long time > but < This may actually become a reality >< It seems that the Artic Ice Sheet may be retreating sufficiently, in the Summer Months, to allow for Commercial Shipping, escorted by an Ice Breaker, to take the “Short Cut” which would allow ships to move from Japan to the Netherlands. This would be 8500 Miles Shorter than using the Suez Canal, which would save Big Bucks for these Large Shipping Companies. Moving on >< Can you spell DROUGHT ?? It seems, that the US Forest Service recently released a report predicting significant reductions in our Rain & Snow Packs, which in turn would result in earlier & reduced Spring Runoff, which in turn would have very serious implications on the Summer Sustainability of our Vital Salmon & Steelhead Streams. Of course, there is another Group of Scientists who say the USFS Information is “Bah-Hum-Bug” >> Coyotes On The Coast” << Doug Cottam, a Newport ODFW Wildlife Biologist, reports a significant increase in the number of small animals being attacked by Coyotes in our Newport Community > Waldport is also reporting Coyote Problems < He strongly suggests > Keep you Small Household Pets Close & Inside at Night !!! Let me mention, the Bay Front Underground Infrastructure Up-grade Construction going on down there >< Suffice to say, It’s kind of Nasty Down on the Old Bay Front & that will continue thru June of 2010 >><< On a Happier Note, let’s take a quick look back at last month ……..

4 Big Issues come to mind for September >> #1 We started off by recognizing Dean Fleck & Walter Chuck for the Outstanding Job they did with the recent Oregon Tuna Fishing Classic. A lot of folks benefited from their hard work, Thanks Guys >< #2 Then we enjoyed the Terrific Blue Water COHO Fishing Techniques Presentation given to us by our Fellow Club Member Roger Wilson … Fine Job, Roger & Thanks >> #3 How’bout, “Bringing In The Trash” … Ellie &10 Brave Club Members were an instrumental part of the 25^th Anniversary SOLV Great Oregon Fall BEACH CLEANUP Event. This event was held on the 19^th & resulted in 3700 Volunteers removing approximately 54,460 Pounds of Litter from Oregon Beaches > Now, That’s What I Call a “Big Time” Litter Patrol > Great Job Ellie, et al … #4 Nice Job CCFF on your recent Garage Sale. Let me also mention, the Great Fishing Expedition Write-Ups you guys have been submitting >< Keep’em Coming, we really enjoy reading about your various Fishing Adventures >>… Let’s leap into the New Month ahead of us >>>>>>

October is going to be getting us much more involved in Fish Trap Operations. Thanks to all of you who have been answering Wayne’s Trapper Calls for Siletz Operations. Wayde is calling a “Road Gang / Work Party” on the 13^th of this month. This will be a High Aerobic Exercise to Clear & Prepare the Access Road to the Schooner Creek Trap. Hope you have had an opportunity to view Barb’s recent Photo Album of their Recon of Schooner Road & Trap. Casey wants to Officially Open the Trap on the 16^th of this Month, but unless we get a “Gulley Washer” >< Barb’s PIX suggest, there will not be any Water Flow thru the Trap >< We will be discussing Trap Issues & other issues at our Quarterly ODFW Meeting scheduled for the 6^th of October. Be sure you mark the 15^th of October on your planners >< This is a great opportunity for us to Tour the Water Plant & Learn about the Future Plans for the New Water Treatment Facility. Larry Dale is suggesting that we do a Quick Litter Patrol after Steve Stewarts WTP Tour & Briefing >< If you can join us, please remember to bring your Gloves. Just a Note about our 2009 Salmon (Chinook/Coho) Derby >< To be eligible to win, you must have your Fish Information Entered in Wayde Dudley’s Derby Data Base. Also remember, the Derby “Lights Go Out” at Mid-night on 30 November.

In closing, allow me to share with you some Wisdom sent to me by Our Good Friend Bud Roark >><< 4 Things You Can’t Recover :

The Stone ..... After the Throw The Occasion …..After it’s Missed

The Word ….. After it’s Said The Time …….... After it’s Gone

Well that’s the Top of the News as it Looks from Here …. Hope to See You On The Water >>>>>>>> THE HOOK

ON THE WATER FOR SEPTEMBER ( 2009 )

2009-08-31T11:46:00.000-07:00

ON THE WATER FOR SEPTEMBER ( 2009 )

Tackle Box Time >> Pard << Check this out >>> September Marks the beginning of the Fall Football Season > Go DUCKS > Go BEAVES & the NFL !!! How’bout this for a “Fresh Idea” …. What say we start a Cash for “Old Fish’n Equipment” Clunkers Program ??? This Just In from The Park Manager Guy >< He’s tells me the Governor just signed a Law making Bucket Biology a Felony & He is now keeping a very close eye on our Resident LVH Pond … So Heads up to all of you LVH Anglers !~!~! I am sure you all saw the Great PIX, provided by First Lady, of the recent Little Linda grounding at Nye Beach. Then we had the Huge Great White Shark caught off of Depoe Bay. All Good Stuff to draw Tourists to our Coastal Community. Speaking of our Community >< Steve Stewart, the Water Plant Supervisor, informs us that we are beginning to draw water, from the Siltez River, to supplement our Big Creek Reservoir Complex (Might be a Good Idea, if we all became a bit more aware of our individual water usage). Speaking of Conservation >> Have you heard about the 2010 … GM VOLT … This Bad Boy is touted to get 230 MPG. Did I mention, that the Sales Price is touted to be $ 40 K >< WOW, that’s a Spicy Meatball !~!~! Here’s one for you Local History Buff’s >< Did you ever hear about “The Belamy Colony” ??? According to a recent article in The Oregonian, this Utopian Community was started about 1890, by Ed Belamy. Ed & his band of 20 followers, set up the colony just North of Toledo, along the Road to Siletz, at what is now know as Depot Slough. As with most Utopian Experiments, the “Wheels Came Off” after about a year & everybody when their separate ways. This one is for you Sci-Fi Buff’s >< According to a recent German Study, it has been determined, that when Hikers get Lost, they predictably will Wander in Circles, often crossing their track, several times, with out realizing it >>>>> Now … Where in the Heck, do they keep the Gray Poupon Mustard in Safeway ???

Lurching to Close the Tackle Box >< We had some Really Terrific News about the recent NOAA decision to select Newport as their New MOC-P (Marine Operations Center – Pacific) with construction to be completed by 2011 >>> That’s the Really Good News >< However, now we hear, “Drums Along the Mohawk” > To whit < Bellingham, WA. is not very happy about NOAA”S Newport Selection & they are presenting a formal challenge to these proceedings !?!? We better keep an eye on this one !~!~! Let’s proceed to take a quick look at Club Activity for August >>>

The absolute HIGH LIGHT for AUGUST had to be Celebrating our 5^th BIRTHDAY, with over 50 attendees, at our recent Outstanding BBQ Luncheon & Party. I have been delighted to receive extremely favorable comments, from attendees, about the over all construct of the event & specifically, Wayde Dudley’s Superb (36lbs) BBQ Ribs ++ The additional food “Fix’ins” including a Really Cool Birthday Cake. Of course, it was poignant to present our Good Friend James Ray with Going Away Mementos from our FC & CCFF. We all sincerely wish James, & his wife, our very best as they begin their Juneau Alaska Adventures. Allow me to close out August by once again reflecting on our 5^th Birthday Event. This kind of successful enterprise can only be accomplished by “All Hands” pulling together. That said >< It is appropriate, that we single out the significant contributions made by Wayde Dudley, Barb Dudley, Frank Stout & Candy Garrison ++ All of the other FC Board Members. Let’s proceed to look at what is in store for us in September >>>>

Our SEPTEMBER Breakfast Meeting will be a Hum Dinger !!! We hope to “Capture” Dean Fleck & Walter Chuck. Hopefully, Dean will provide us with some up dated information on the Commercial Pier Rebuild & the current status of the NOAA Port Selection & the Bellingham Challenge. You may want to bring a Couple of Bucks to this Meeting >< Frank will be showing us some New (For Sale) Club Gear, which will include our “Spiffy” New Ball Caps. Moving on >< You don’t want to miss the General Membership Meeting on the 17^th >< It’s not everyday that we get our fellow member, Roger Wilson, to share some of his ”Tippy Top Secret” Blue Water COHO Fishing Techniques. Also, you may want to mark your calendar’s for a Cool Event on the 19^th >< We will be joining forces with SOLV to celebrate their 25^th Anniversary Beach Cleanup at our own Beverly Beach. Watch for a reminder BLAST >> & << That’s the way it is for September >>>>>>>>

In closing. allow me to share with you some wisdom from, a delightful 90 Year Young, Regina Brett >< According to Regina, “No one is in charge of Your Happiness > but < YOU >>>>>>>

Well, that’s the Top of the news as it Looks from Here …… Hope to See You On The Water >>>>>>> THE HOOK

ON THE WATER FOR AUGUST (2009)

2009-07-31T14:04:00.001-07:00

ON THE WATER FOR AUGUST (2009)

Whoa Nellie >>!!!<< When I Opened The Tackle Box this Month the 1^st Thing that Jumped Out at me was a Notice that our 541 Area Code Dialing Procedures will be changing Effective in January 2010 ….. This could be a “Real Pain” >< We better keep an on this Bad Boy !~!~! Then I read that Devil’s Lake is Turning Green with that Nasty Blue Green Toxic Algae. On a Brighter Note >< The recent Oregon TUNA Fishing Classic was very successful compliments of Dean Fleck, Walter Chuck & the Tuna Running in closer to our shores. A lot of people benefited from the Tuna that was made available to our Coastal Food Share Program. Then there is the Fresh News, that our very own Charles Curry has been elected (I use the term loosely) as the President of our LVH Social Club >< Att’a Boy Charles !!!! A whole Bunch of our Club Friends had Birthday’s this month (I will refrain from identifying specific ages) >< Hooray & Huzzahs for >>!!< Ginger Stout, Bill Furgason, Bill Hanus & Larry Dale. I should also mention, that by the time you read my column, Larry will be “A Man of Leisure” … Yes he will be retired & we hope to put him to work helping us with our Various FC Activities > CONGRATS< To you Larry & All of our Birthday Folks !!! Have you heard, that our Coastal Economy is boosted by the influx of over 2.8 Million Visitors, Anglers, Hunters, Shell Fisher’s & Bird Watchers >< All of that activity results in $94.7 Million Bucks being Spent Annually on our Coast. Some more Positive News >< Things are “Really Cooking” with the HWY 20 (Pioneer Mountain to Eddyville) Construction Project … They are Making the “Gravel Fly” >&< The 2011 Completion Date is still Look’in Good. I just stumbled across a Cool DVD that you may want to look into >< “Yaquina Bay” >< It’s done by a local fellow, Howard Shippey. He does a fine job of Highlighting our Bay & City >< Could be a Nice Stocking Stuffer for Kids & Family living out of our area. Dean carries the DVD down at Englund Marine for $4.50. Let me mention some Proposed State Legislation, that, if passed, would permanently protect about 29 Thousand Acres of very remote & pristine Coastal Rain Forest. The terrain of this Devils Staircase Area is so difficult, that it is not even practical for Commercial Logging Operations. What with the Extreme Heat we are experiencing in the Valley & the Cascades, I continue to hear about several (15) Wild Fires Burning in & around the Sisters Area >< Currently there are about 350 Fire Fighters doing all they can to keep up with the various fires caused by the extremely dry mountain conditions. Looks like NOAA is going to use some of its Bucks to contract with some of our Local Fishermen to attempt a program designed to Retrieve / Remove Lost Crabbing/Fishing Gear off of our Coastal Fishing Waters. Did you know that annually our Fishermen experience, for a variety of reasons, about a 10% Loss of their Fishing Gear, which gets to be a Real Problem if not retrieved/removed from the Fisheries. Speaking of Fisheries & Stuff >><< Heads Up for the Fall Chinook “Sport Fishing Season” Catch Guidelines. These Go into Effect on 1 August & are Very Restrictive & Fishery Specific. As an example, for our Local Rivers (Yaquina, Alsea & Siletz) the Bag Limits are >>> 1 Fish Per Day >&< 2 Fish Per Season (It would be Best if You Check with ODFW on your Specific Fishery.) On the Down Slope >>>>> Smokey the Bear was born in 1944 & turns 65 this year >< Some of us can remember when He used to say, “Only You Can Prevent Forest Fires” >!!< Of course some of us also remember when that was changed to “Wild Fires” !~!~! Many of us also remember, “The Most Trusted Man in Journalism” … On 17 August 09 >< Our Iconic Friend, Walter Cronkite, at the age of 92, left us & “That’s The Way It Is” >>>>>>>>> Let’s take quick look at some July Stuff ………

JULY was a Fun Month replete with our Classic Costal Fog & Valley Heat >< All in All it was full of Doctors Appointments, FC Meetings, Litter Patrols & Birthday Activities. Congrats Again to the Birthday Folks >< It would be worth you time to get Electric Bills Version of his recent White Water Birthday Adventure !! We want to also Thank Virginia Tardaewether & Parker Ogburn for joining us at our Breakfast Meeting. It was our pleasure to recognize them for the many contributions they have made to our 2008/9 Aquatic Angler Youth Program at the Newport Middle school. Ellie LeMaster led us on another successful Beverly Beach Litter Patrol & Mike Rosica continued to keep us current with Litter Patrols up on Big Creek. Then there was the wonderful Off-Campus Tour of “Foulweather Trawl” >< Located down on the North End of the Marine Terminal >><< We were hosted by the “Trawl Princess” >> Sara Skamser << She is also known as “The Net Lady” & she runs this most interesting business that builds & repairs nets for large & small Commercial Fishermen. We had the pleasure of spending considerable time with her as she took us thru the complete design & construction process, which involves Blending this Ancient Craft with New High Tech Materials to produce these Sophisticated Commercial Fishing Nets. Well Done to First Lady Barb Dudley for the Great Photo Album she produced which captured the highlights of our Tour. Did I mention Bob Abbott’s recent Trip to Hawaii >< You really need to get all of the details, the next time you see him !!! Now >< Let’s Lurch into August >>>>>

AUGUST starts off with a BANG >><< on the 4^th Let’s All take a Moment & Hug Somebody in the US Coast Guard >!!!< Well that may be a little Over The Moon, but the 4^th is Officially USCG APPRECIATION DAY. Living as we do so Close to the Ocean & it’s Many Moods, we all know how much it means to have such dedicated individuals ready to Risk their Lives in order to Save the Lives of Coastal Visitors &Our Sport / Commercial Fishermen. It is most fitting that we acknowledge their many contributions to us all >>(October will be our USCG Station Visit Month). The Premier Event this Month will be our 5^th Anniversary FC Birthday Party Luncheon. As you know, between the hours of 11 AM & 1PM on the 19^th, we will be Hosting, for all Club Members, Spouses & Special Friends a Good Old Fashion BBQ Rib, Potato Salad, Rolls & Birthday Cake Luncheon >>Please be sure to RSVP with Wayne & Frank<< This 5 Year Anniversary Event is a “Don’t Miss Event” >< In addition we will be presenting Dean Fleck & Walter Chuck with Certificates of Appreciation for the work they recently did with the 2009 Oregon TUNA Classic >>> We will also be giving our Dear Friend James Ray a “Wing Dinger” of a “Send Off” as he prepares to join his wife in a New Alaska Life Adventure. Like I said >><< You don’t want to miss out on the Fun & Wayde Dudley’s World Famous Ribs ……. Let’s also close out the month & pull together, with Beach Mistress Ellie, at 9 AM on the 27^th for another successful Beverly Beach Litter Patrol. We have one more scheduled for the 24^th of September. That will close out our Summer Patrol Program. Please continue to Remember the Good People we currently have on our Angel List >>>>>>>

In closing, let me leave you with this thought. There are 2 Days in Every Week about which we should Never Worry >>They are << Yesterday & Tomorrow >>> Think about this, “Yesterday is History & Tomorrow is a Mystery >< Today is a Gift” >>> As you read this, Please Enjoy Every Moment of Your Day ……….

Well, that’s the Top of the News as it Looks from Here …… Hope to See You On The Water >>>>>>>> THE HOOK

ON THE WATER FOR JULY ( 2009 )

2009-06-29T16:51:00.000-07:00

ON THE WATER FOR JULY ( 2009 )

Hi Folks >< Let’ see what we have collected in the Tackle Box this Month >> ?? << FLASH >< Scientists have recently recalibrated the Age of the Earth & determined that we are actually 2.3 Billion Years Old … That’s a Billion more than the last calculation >> Whew !! That was a Close Call !~!~! How’bout that HUMMER (AKA .. Tough Horse in Chinese) >< Yep a Chinese Heavy Equipment Co. bought this Bad Boy from GM, which will make them the 1^st Chinese Company to sell cars in the US of A !! Then there is the Puppy Mill Bill, which if passed will be Really Good News for all of Oregon’s Puppies !!! Have you heard about the Devil’s Lake “Solar Bee” Controversy ?? It seems, that these “Bees” are floating electromechanical devices that are supposed to gobble up the Green Slime that is so prevalent in Devils Lake >>> The downside is >< They are very ugly & very expensive >< Stay Tuned !! Lurching Right Along >< CONGRATULATIONS are in order for The HILLS >< We are reliably informed that Wayne’s Daughter, Heather, was recently married to a fine fellow by the name of James Miller >>> There are some Great Wedding PIX on the WALL showing “Pa Hill” giving the Bride Away >< With his Shot Gun !~! Sure sounds like it was a “Hum-Dinger” of a Wedding & we Wish the Miller’s our Very Best. Looks like the Yachats Bear Lady’s Idea of Feeding Bears was not to well received by the Judge !!! It seems like Bernie Madoff also had some similar Bad Luck with a Judge >> He got 150 Years !! ( You have probably figured out, that neither of these 2 Folks are LVH FC Members !!) Are you aware, that we have a “Bullet Deficit” >??< Yep, this could be Good News for the Bears > but < Actually, it’s just a good example of what unfounded fear can do … Not to worry, perhaps the LVH Posse can learn how to use Bows or Sling Shots !!! Oregon Dept. of Forestry is predicting this year to be a Big Fire Year … Watch out for & report all Lightning Strikes. Did you see the positive results, reported in the News Times, regarding the dramatic reductions achieved in the amount of bacterial discharge going into Nye Beach? This reflects very positively on our Newport City Engineer, Lee Ritzman & his Staff. I am sorry to report, that our Good Friends, Matt & Debbie Matheney moved over to Eugene … Matt was a Good Guy & very fine Club Member. We wish them both the Very Best. On a brighter note >< our Pal, Charles Burke seems to be doing a lot better ... Att’a Boy Charles !!! YEA !! Score One for all of the Metolius River Watershed Fans > It is now considered an “Area of Statewide Critical Concern” < but > I do think this whole development process, in the future, should be handled in a more evenhanded manner. If the recently released Global Warming Report doesn’t do it for you >!!< Try this OSU Study regarding the Reproductive Survivability Fitness of Hatchery verses Wild Steelhead & Salmon. It seems that this recent study shows conclusively, that these Hatchery Fish have significantly Poorer Reproductive Survivability Rates. The real significance of these findings clearly demonstrates that Hatcheries may not be the Future Sustainability Panacea we thought they were. In closing, let’s Keep Our Fingers Crossed, this month, for a Positive Newport >< NOAA Home Port Selection >< This decision will be made sometime, in August …… How’bout a brief June Look Back >>>>

JUNE started off with a Bang !! This was the 4^th Year of the Big Creek Kids Fishing Day Event. As you know this is a jointly sponsored ODFW / ANWS Event. Our Club along with the CCFF & many others provide “Boots On the Ground” support for this effort. In spite of the inclement weather, the event was well attended by our Coastal Children & their Families. It is unfortunate, that the ANWS Event Coordinator did not see fit to recognize the supportive efforts of ODFW, our Fishing Clubs & the many Other Volunteer Contributors, whose combined efforts make this event possible. Suffice to say >< Please accept Our Sincere Thanks for a Job Well Done to All of You wonderful “Boots On the Ground” Volunteers !!!! Moving on >< Ellie LeMaster, our Beach Mistress, pulled off a Fun Beverly Beach Litter Patrol & she proposes that we do another on the 16^th of July. At our Mid-month meeting, we were delighted to Welcome Phil Reed’s Pal, Steve Lichtenberger, as our June Guest Speaker. Steve provided a wonderful Introduction to the Art of Fly Fishing (AKA, Lint Flicking !!). We want to Thank Phil for bringing Steve to our FC Gathering & Steve for a Job Well Done. I don’t want to let the moment pass without recognizing the contributions made by all of the Big Creek “Critter Litter Basket Weavers & Installers” … We Got-R-Done on the 18^th by installing Baskets at all of the 15 B.C. Bag Stations. Our Pal Mike Rosica continues to make Weekly Runs “Up the Creek” to monitor & change out the bags as needed. We would be Hard Pressed to keep up with the Litter Volume without Mike’s Dedicated Support. ( I want to mention the very Nice Compliments we recently received from Lee Ritzman, the Newport City Engineer & Steve Stewart, the Water Treatment Plant Supervisor, regarding their appreciation of our ongoing B.C. Litter Patrols.) I hope you have been following all of the Sturgeon Fishing Action being reported by Wayde Dudley’s Super Narratives & PIX >>> Well here is another Hot Tip >>> You need to get the Full Scoop on the Recent Tillamook Adventures of Phil, Bill & Frank !~!~! Now, let’s see what July has in store for us >>>>

JULY has a nice tempo <> Summer Time Slow <> which is just Great …….. We lead off this month with a “Double Do-Rah” Breakfast, that will involve the presentation of 2 ODFW Certificates of Appreciation to our Friends, Virginia Tardaewether & Parker Ogburn. This will be followed, on the 16^th, by another Beverly Beach Litter Patrol under the Leadership of Ellie LeMaster >><< Then on the 23rd, we have a very Special Tour & Visit with the “Net Lady” (Sara Skamser) down at the Newport Marine Terminal Buildings. Sara & her skilled staff make, by hand, the Big & Expensive Trawler Nets used by the Commercial Fishing Fleet. We have Dean Fleck to Thank for arranging this visit with Sara & her Company, Foul Weather Trawl. Next time you are down at Englund Marine, give Dean an Att’a Boy for his continued support of our Fishing Club !!!

In closing, let me leave you with this thought, “Anything is possible, if you don’t know what you are talking about.” There’s a Message in there someplace, but Dog Gone if I can figure it out !~!~!

Well, that’s the Top of the News as it Looks from Here …… Hope to See You On the Water >>>>>>> THE HOOK

ON THE WATER FOR JUNE ( 2009 )

2009-05-31T17:53:00.001-07:00

ON THE WATER FOR JUNE ( 2009 )

Hello Friends, let’s see what we have collected in the Tackle Box this month >>??<< Looks like “Generous” Motors & Chrysler are going the way of our Analog TV Sets >< The 1^st is the Big Day for the “Car Guys” & the 12^th Cooks our TV Goose !~!~! June is also the Month that our Cell Phone Numbers Go Public & you know what that means <> Spam Calls <> If you call this Toll Free # (888) 382-1222, you can Block your Phone from these nasty callers. On a Brighter Note >> It’s looking like we may have 2 Pilot Program “Marine Reserve” Sites on our coast ( Otter Rock & Red Fish Rocks, near Port Orford) ….. The House passed this Bill to the State Senate for final action >< This could be a very good 1^st Step in our ongoing Ocean Sustainability Management Program. There is also some Potential Good News regarding the Port of Newport having a Real Good Shot at being selected as NOAA’s Pacific Home Port >>!!!<< Keep your “Fingers Crossed” >> August is Decision Month !! I would also like to mention some Good Sustainability Work going on in Netarts Bay, in Tillamook County. This involves a lot of Very Hard Work by OSU Staff & The Nature Conservancy to try to reestablish our “Native Oregon Oysters” >< These Good Folks have “Seeded” over 10 Acres of Netarts Bay & the Baby Oysters seem to be thriving >< On ward … Let me give our Good Friend, Tom McAdams (USCG Master Chief, Ret.) our CONGRATULATIONS on recently receiving his long over due, SURFMAN Certificate …. BRAVO ZULU … TOM !!!! Let us also WELCOME >< Chief Warrant Officer Phil Jackson & his Family to our Newport Community. Phil is the New Commanding Officer of the USCG Motor Life Boat Station, Newport, OR. >< Don’t forget about our Annual SEAFEST Celebration coming up on the weekend of June 27th. We are also informed by our City Engineer, Lee Ritzman, that we should begin to see construction activity on the upgrade of our Water Treatment Plant, beginning in early 2010 >< Lee also reassures us that Fishing at the Big Creek Reservoir Complex will be allowed to continue. Our ongoing LVH FC Litter Patrols on “The Creek” have contributed greatly to the positive outcome of that decision. We will close The Tackle Box on a Very Positive Note >< Our Local Commercial Salmon Fisherman have just been informed that they will soon begin to see some of the Federal Disaster Relief Funds. We will continue to hold them close …….. Let’s Glide into May >>>>>>>

Let’s just Hit the MAY Highlights >>>>> We started the month off with a BANG >>!!<< Bud Roark & Wayde Dudley WON the “All Expense Paid” (I use the term loosely !!) TILLAMOOK SALMON FISHING TRIP with River Guide, Phil Reed. ( I was just, informed by Phil, that the Tillamook Trip will have to be rescheduled due to some Serious Boat Trailer Problems.) We will also be able to look forward to some Great TILLAMOOK STURGEON Fishing Stories >< Compliments of River Guide, Ryan Minor & his clients Wayne Hill, Frank Stout, Brian Hudson & his Uncle Johnny. (These 2 Fishing Trips could be the “Stuff” of another FC Video !!!) Speaking of “Up Coast” Fishing, It’s “Good to have Hank Bryson” back with us >< We are sorry to hear about the Rough Weather off the Mouth of the Columbia River, which made the Opening of the Commercial Fishing Season difficult & unproductive ….Moving on >< Thanks to Lee Fries for representing the Club at the recent successful “Old Pioneer Cemetery” Clean Up Project. This was followed by another Successful ECKMAN LAKE Kids Fishing Day. It seems that these wonderful Community Children’s Events are self sustaining, but of course that is not the complete picture. It takes a lot of Time & Hard Work by a lot of very Generous People to make these events possible <>Suffice to Say<> LVH FC is very proud to cooperatively stand with our Waldport, CCFF & ANWS Friends to make these kinds of Community Programs happen. By now, you all have heard about our “Critter Basket” Experiment up on Big Creek. As you recall, we were having Coyote & Raccoon Problems with them tearing the bottoms out of our SOLV Bags >< Well, the “CB’s” have been in operation a little over 2 weeks & By Golly I think we may be on to something … Let’s give it at least a month before we “Toot our Horn” !!! Then there occurred an Event that, we can say without any equivocation was a “Resounding Success” >> The LVH 2^nd Time Around Sale << Thanks Again to the Dudley’s & a lot of very generous Donors & Buyers & Sellers for making this Sales Event the most successful LVH FC Fund Raiser we have ever conducted. THANK YOU ONE & ALL for your many contributions. Once again, allow me to recognize the Masterful Renewable Wave Energy Presentation made by, our Special Visitor, the Director of the Hatfield Marine Science Center, Mr George Boehlert. We are honored & very fortunate that George could find time in his busy schedule to speak with us. Moving on … We did it again >< Yes this will be the 3rd year, that we celebrate Graduating another ODFW Aquatic Angler Program Class from the Newport Middle School. After all of the dust settled we sent a “Dozen” New Minted Responsible Anglers out into Oregon’s Fisheries. Well Done is in order for Brian Hudson & his Merry Band of AAP Instructors. We should gratefully acknowledge the limited financial assistance provided by LVH FC Coffee Fund, which helps us to personalize the AA Program for our Students. Hey >!!< Let’s don’t forget that some of us actually caught some FISH this month >><< Yep, The W2’s (Wayne & Wayde) + Lee Fries went out On the Blue Water to assist ODFW with some Black Rock Fish Tagging >> That resulted in 178 Fish, 1 Whale & a Barf Bag !!! Lurching on … I hope you saw the recent PIC of Mac Andrew >< 2 Nice Bows & a Cool Hat >I am forced to tell you< There is currently an ongoing investigation, by his Other Fishing Club (CCFF), due to some grave concerns they have regarding the type of BAIT that Mac used to catch these Nice Bows. I’ll attempt to keep you apprised of how this plays out. On to other matters >>>> Let’s continue to keep Casey Deckard & Shutter Bug (Charles Burke) on our Angel List … Both of our Friends are in a slow recovery mode, but appear to be making good progress. We also want to continue to hold Linda & Lou Reed close. Then let’s congratulate Mr & Mrs Derek Wilson on the Birth of their Dandy New Son FINN !!! Isn’t that a Cool Name ?? I just gott’a close out May, by mentioning the Great Photo Album Work being done by Barb Dudley in her ongoing coverage of our Many Club Activities. Bless You 1^st Lady !!! On Tooooooo June >>>>>

THE JUNE ACTIVITY TEMPO APPEARS TO BE >> S L O W I N G << DOWN a bit >>>>>>> Most of the Early Part of the Month is compressed with Planning & Preparation for our Cooperative Big Creek Kids Fishing Day Event, which involves working closely with our ODFW, ANWS & CCFF Friends to provide a Safe & Positive Fishing Experience for our Coastal Families & their Children. This will occur at the Upper Big Creek Reservoir & the Actual Event will Run from 9 AM to 2 PM >< Saturday the 6^th of June 2009. I am sure you all are familiar with the recent BLAST calling for “LVH FC Boots on the Ground” >< If you can help us in any way, we sure would appreciate it & I am sure when you see the face of some of the Children when they catch their 1^st Fish … You will know why we continue to do this each year. Thank You In Advance. Also >< Mark your calendars for Steve Lichtenberger’s “Fly Fishing 101” Presentation on the 18^th & don’t miss the opportunity to get your Aerobic Exercise with The Beach Mistress ( Ellie LeMaster) when we do our June 25^th Beverly Beach Litter Patrol. >><< Keep an Eye “On the Days” >> FLAG & FATHERS << Both Deserve Recognition !!

In closing, I would like to Reflect on the recent Passing of One of Our LVH Neighbors >> MILT SADUSKY << Milt was not a Member of our FC. He was just a Guy who, along with his Wife Carol, lived in LVH. The Thing is, I would see Milt, most every day, out walking. I had some vague understanding that he was living with some very serious health problems, but the Thing about him was, you could almost set your clock as to when he would slowly walk by your home. The other Thing you might notice about Milt was that when ever you saw him or stopped to talk with him, he always had a Positive Attitude, a Kind Word & a Loving Smile. The Thing was that you always seemed to feel better after your brief visit with Milt. >< Several Days Ago >< It dawned on me, that I had not seen Milt recently >< Then I saw the Note, in the Club House ……… Milt was Gone……….

The Thing is that I am the poorer for never taking the time to get to know Milt better. Sharing my sadness with you is my way of trying to communicate my delight in the brief interactions I had with Milt. It is also my pledge to him to be more open with the people that I meet in this life time >>> Good On You, Milt ………….

Well, that’s the Top of the News as it Looks from Here …….. Hope to See You On the Water >>>>>>>> THE HOOK

ON THE WATER FOR MAY (2009)

2009-04-30T15:18:00.001-07:00

ON THE WATER FOR MAY ( 2009 )

H1 N1 Flu Virus = PANDEMIC IMMINENT >><< Holy Jumping Baldy !!!! >>> When I opened the Tackle Box to see what we had collected this month, this Flu Pandemic Issue was the 1^st Thing to Jump Out !!! There is a little Good News, in that, this Bad Boy does not seem to have raised it’s ugly head in our state. Some additional Good News is that we have Meds to treat this Swine Flu & most folks who have gotten it, seem to be recovering without too many serious side effects. However, it looks like the Days of Kissing, Handshaking, GI Joe’s, Pontiacs, & Chrysler are going into the Memory Bank !! Now, if we can just get some Sustainability Mitigation on the use of Commercial Gill Netting for Salmon, on the Mouth of the Columbia River, we’ll be a step closer to home. The controversy continues over development Issues in the Metolius River Watershed, but there may be some room for compromise, with the various groups trying to find some middle ground. I should mention that the Dam Valsetz (Proposed Water Supply) Issue continues to “Rattle Around” >< Our friend, JAMES RAY will be representing ODFW & attending a meeting this month, regarding this issue, & we will look to him for some Meeting Feedback. Just In >><< Keep an eye out for the visiting “Killer Whales” >< Yes, they seem to visit the Depoe Bay Area each year, about this time, with a Culinary Interest in Seals, Sea Lions & Baby Gray Whales. Let me also mention, RYAN MINOR’s Sturgeon Fishing Offer & Please keep our Pal HANK BRYSON in your Good Thoughts. He is On the Blue Water, some where North of Cape Falcon, participating in the Opening of the Commercial Salmon Season (Good Luck to you, Hank). On a sour note, the Chinook Season for our Coastal Area looks “Grim” … Regulations will be forthcoming by the 1^st of May & we have 2 Ambassadors (PHIL REED & RYAN MINOR) attending an ODFW Meeting, which is intended to gather Inputs from Professional Fishermen ….. Our 2 Guys, will give us the scoop on how the meeting went down & we’ll share it with you when we get it. On a Brighter Note >< ELECTRIC BILL caught & released a Beautiful Steelie on the Siletz >< Then there was the Beautiful “Big Creek” Rainbow caught by BERNIE COOPERSTEIN >< Plus, our CCFF Pals had a Fun Saltwater Perch Fishing Adventure ++ They even made the News Times. Did I mention, the successful Day of Rock Fish Tagging recently experienced by Surveyor Dudley + Some Great PIX & How’bout Jerry Gibson’s quick recovery from his recent Ladder Fall Injuries >>>>> Att’a Boys All Around !!! Let’s Lurch on, for a Look at April >>>>>

APRIL ACTIVITIES >><< WOW, what a month >>> Let’s begin with a Warm Welcome to our 3 New Members: KIM ANDREWS, CANDY GARRISON & LARRY CRISLER >&< LEE FRIES as our New Special Projects Officer >< We are delighted to have you be a part of our fun organization >< Our strength results from folks like you, who get involved & participate in our many activities. Speaking of Contributing >< It was our pleasure to recognize “The Creek Meister” > DAVE DINSMOOR < with a Certificate of Appreciation for the significant contributions he made to our FC, over the last 3 years. As you leave our FC Board < Dave > Please know there will only ever be 1 Creek Meister !!! Moving on, let’s recognize another successful 3rd year of SMOLT Planting at Camp Palmer Creek. It happened, because of the hard work & dedication of a wonderful bunch of SMOLTERS >(Make sure your get Matt’s Recipe for his World Famous Salsa)< All of you who contributed & stood watch at the Beaver/Duck Ponds deserve the many compliments our FC has received from our friends at the ODFW. It is this same High Degree of Commitment represented by the Production of our FC’s 1^st Video > FISHING FOREVER < This endeavor, over the period of a year, involved significant investment of Time & Treasure by 3 very dedicated men ( WAYDE DUDLEY, MAC ANDREW & PETER VINCE). it was our pleasure > on Premier Night < to recognize them with Certificates of Appreciation for their very creative team effort. We continue to receive glowing compliments regarding their work. Speaking of successful endeavors >< Let’s touch upon >> Schooner Creek Trap: Special Thanks to the 3 Trap Teams & to the DUDLEY’s for making the “Last Trap Run” on the 13^th >< MIKE ROSICA continues to do Weekly Big Creek Litter Patrols >< The Newport Middle School Responsible Angler Program continues to run on schedule, with graduation, for the Class of 2009, set for the 21^st of May >< Our Annual Oyster Farm Pilgrimage was fun for all attendees >< Well Done to GINGER STOUT & BARB DUDLEY for hosting a Book Reading (Salt in our Blood) by our friend MICHELE LONGO EDER. Just a reminder >< The 1^st of April Marks the Opening of our Salmon Derby Season, which will run thru 30 November … Chinook & Coho Salmon are Derby Entry Eligible. Let’s leap into May >>>>>>>>

By this time, I am sure you all have seen the MAY Activity Schedule ><< Allow me to just High-Light a couple of Points >< You must Attend the Breakfast Meeting to be a part of the WAYNE, FRANK & PHIL REED Tillamook Fishing Trip Raffle for 2 Lucky Anglers. This trip is really designed for Serious Anglers !! Take a second look at the Pioneer Cemetery Project, it could be fun (Cemetery Alert: Bob Abbott just told me about another Old Cemetery located on the hill up in back of Yaquina Head Light) … More to come on this adventure ??

>>>> MOTHERS DAY<<<< Please make it a Very Special Day for someone !!!

Watch for more BLAST information on the Eckman Lake Kids Fishing Weekend set for the 16^th. You don’t want to miss the Renewable Wave Energy Program Presentation on the 21^st, provided by the Director of the Hatfield Marine Science Center >> George Boehlert >><< Then on the 23^rd is our Fun LVH 2^nd Time Around Sale >>> Please let Wayde Dudley know of any Good Stuff you may have to Stock our FC Sales Center >< Thanks in advance & we’ll be looking for you to stop By & Buy !! I want to Mention & Thank You Guys who volunteered to cover the Siletz Trap this month & to you Big Fish Hill for keeping our Ox Out of the Ditch……….

In closing, I like to do something a little different this month. Bob Abbott occasionally gives me a magazine >< REMINISCE >< This fun epistle contains all kinds of PIX & Information that all of us Oldies but Goodies would recognize. To that end, some of you know, I was born in 1940 & it just so happens that the Mag. he gave me had a section entitled, Time Capsule 1940 >>Here are a few 1940 Prices of Stuff that will be familiar to many of you<< (2 Dr Plymouth Sdn, $739) >< (Mans Tweed Suit, $25) >< (Roast Beef, 29 cents per lb.) >< (1^st Class Stamp, 3 cents) >Last, but not least< (Gasoline, 18 cents a Gallon) >< I am sure some of you have Better Price Recollections than a Mere 1940 Kid, but there you have it for what is worth !!!

Well, that’s the Top of the News as it Looks from Here ……. Hope to See You On the Water >>>>> THE HOOK

ON THE WATER FOR APRIL ( 2009 )

2009-03-30T13:06:00.001-07:00

ON THE WATER FOR APRIL ( 2009 )

Hi Pard >>> Here we are EOM March & it’s time to see what we have collected in the Old Tackle Box >>>>>>

Did you hear about the mysterious disease that is killing Sand Shrimp?? Yep & that’s a Big Deal because these little fellows are the Bottom of the Food Chain for lot’s of Bigger Stuff living in our Oceans. Speaking of problems, It may be a really Good Thing that Frank Stout recently caught a Dandy Sturgeon in the Yaquina River, because it is being reported that the Bonneville Sea Lions are now “Dining” on the Sturgeon living in the Columbia River. Up to this point, they have never shown any great interest in the Sturgeon. By the way, did you hear about the recent beaching of a Fin Whale down at the Devils Elbow … They dug a BIG HOLE & buried that Bad Boy right there. How’bout the Great “State Berry” Debate >< How will this all turn out ?? Will the Marion Berry over run the ubiquitous Raspberry >< Stay Tuned ?? Tax our Beer !!!! Just Wait a Cotton Pick’ in Minute >maybe< Deregulate Power Bait or Green Woolly Buggers, but NOT our BEER !!!! Yep, you heard it right >< Good Old Bittler Brothers Sports Store closed up shop on 1 March 2009. That ranks right up there with the Oregon Trail Museum, in Oregon City, closing its doors. Then we learned of Paul Harvey’s Passing. Paul was 90 years old & had a Radio Presence for over 58 years. I suppose, it’s only us Old Geezers who will remember Paul, but even so, lets say to him >> GOOD DAY, PAUL <<>> I guess all of this means that, “The Times, They are a Changing,” even so, it’s kind of sad. Hay, I learned that about $13.3 Million Bucks, of Fed. Stimulus Money will be going to help complete the HWY 20 Construction Project. I sure hope that may help a bunch of folks, in our area, who could use the work. Well, we again Blessed the Fleet this year & we also Blessed 5 New ODFW Aquatic Angler Instructors ( Ellie LeMaster, Larry Dale, Lee Fries, Jack Maitlen & John Sanchez ) Congrats to all of them >&< That brings our AAP Instructor Team, which is led by Brian Hudson, up to 15 Strong !!!! Some additional Really Good News >> Congress recently approved the “Wilderness Bill,” which will result in the largest expansion of Oregon’s Protected Lands in 25 years. That means over 200 K Acres of Land, which includes our beloved MT. HOOD, will be protected for our grandchildren. Just a positive word about a recent CERT Event coordinated by our FC Pal, Ron Thomas > OREGON SHAKES < This was a seminar regarding the dynamics of Earth Quakes & Tsunamis. We also learned about some simple preparations, we all can do, to make these kinds of cataclysmic events less traumatic. Here’s one for all of you “Car Gear Heads” …… Watch for the New 2009 Chevy Corvette ( ZR1 ) ….. They are only going to build 1700 of these 638 HP Bad Boys at a cost of $120 K a Copy >> Oh Well << So much for Reducing our Carbon Foot Print !!!!! On that Note >< Let’s Lurch On to a quick look at ……….

MARCH FC Activities & Stuff >><< I would like to begin by recognizing, that March is WOMENS HISTORY MONTH & we are very proud of the Many Contributions our 10 Ladies of “The Club” make to our Fishing Club. Allow me to acknowledge at least 2 of our Foremost Ladies: First Lady ( BARB DUDLEY) is our exemplary Public Affairs Officer. In that capacity, she has always been, & continues to be, there at our many Club Activities, Events & Functions to provide Outstanding Photo Coverage, in the form of PIX for our Club House WALL & Online Photo Albums, for us all to enjoy. We are also very pleased with the recent addition of our Beach Mistress ( ELLIE LeMASTER ). Ellie has agreed to take on the Coordination of our Quarterly Beverly Beach Patrols. In that capacity, she successfully integrated our FC Efforts with the SOLV Organizations, Oregon Beach Clean-up Weekend, conducted on 28 March 2009. We very pleased to recognize Barb & Ellie for all that they do & for being such Outstanding Roll Models for All of Our Ladies of The Club. A positive word is also in order, for the terrific work Hank Bryson & Walter Chuck continue to do for us as our Information Ambassadors. These 2 Men Act as our Eyes & Ears regarding important outside Stewardship & Sustainability Activities, that do not always appear “On our Radar” …… Specifically, Hank recently attended the Annual Salmon Industry Group Meeting & provided us with a very professional Summary of the Meeting Highlights. I should also acknowledge, that Hank is the only Club Fisherman, that was not deterred by to “Crappy Weather” on our St. Patrick’s Day Fish Along at Big Creek > As Kipling said, Hank, “You are a better man than I > Gongidin” !!! Speaking of Good Men >< Let me Applaud the Hospitality Extended to the many Club Members who enjoyed our recent visit with “Knife Craftsman Extraordinaire” >> JOE ROSICIA << Thanks JOE for opening your shop to us, making this a most enjoyable & informative morning. Special Acknowledgement is also in order, for your son Mike … For his Ongoing Good Work, Checking & Changing the many SOLV Bags up on the Big Creek Reservoir Complex. I cannot allow the moment to pass, without trying to quelling a Vicious Rumor that our Good Pal, Jerry Gibson fell off of a ladder while Changing a Light Bulb >< No, I am not making this up & Sad as it may be >< The Vicious Rumor is Painfully True. The Good News is that Jerry’s Gimping About with a Bum Left Ankle & Foot. He tells me he will give us all of the Grim Details at our upcoming Breakfast Meeting. Let’s close March, with a SPECIAL THANKS to all of the Intrepid FISH TRAPPERS >< We could not continue do this Important Stewardship Work without your dedicated Involvement. The definition of Busy is next month ……….

Have you seen the APRIL Activity Schedule ???? Boys Howdy >< There are 9 Activities & that’s not counting a Corvallis Dr. Appointment, 2 Trap Runs, a Hair Cut & probably something “Dog Gone” Important that I forgot !!!

Let’s just Hit the High Spots >> Check out the recent BLASTS regarding the >>> 2009 Salmon Derby Guidelines >>> 2009 Responsible Angler Program begins at Newport Middle School >>> SMOLT Planting at Camp Palmer Creek >>>Fin Clipping >>> Michele’s Book Reading >>> Video Premier Showing of FISHING FOREVER >>> Our Annual Pilgrimage to the Yaquina Bay Oyster Farm & I didn’t even mention the beginnings of preparations for the (May) Eckman Lake & (June) Big Creek Kids Fishing Day Events. This 2nd Quarter has always been a Very Busy Time >< The Good News is that this time of year is the Trip Wire for Spring & Summer !!! Stay with us >< We guarantee you will have a Fun Ride & we will be most appreciative of your involvement.

In closing, I’ll leave you with this thought, from a Guy by the Name of Pat McManus, “The 2 Best Times to Fish are when it’s Rainin’ & when It’s Not” ……. I think Pat would make a Good LVH FC Member !!!!!

Well, that’s the Top of the news as it Looks from Here …. Hope to See You On The Water >>>>>>> THE HOOK

FW: ON THE WATER FOR MARCH 92009)

2009-03-03T08:15:00.001-08:00

ON THE WATER FOR MARCH ( 2009 )

Hi Pard >><< Boys Howdy, but these 28 Day Months kind of sneak up on you !!!

TACKLE BOX STUFF >< Let’s see what kind of “Odds & Ends” tidbits we have collected for this month……. Well look’ie here >< We have a New Member of the LVH FC K9 Corps. She is a 2 yr. old Weimaraner & her name is SADIE FURGASON. She’s a Real Beauty & is slowly getting Electric Bill Trained >< Say Hi to them, if you see them out & about. Of course, you know about CHRIKI >< You say you never heard about Chriki ?? Well this is Oregon’s answer to the Pennsylvania’s Punxsutawney Phil. You see we Oregonians use a Hedgehog to do our Weather Forecasting & Old Chriki is not real optimistic about us having an Early Spring. I have it on “Shaky Authority” that a Sea Otter was sighted cavorting off of the Wale Watchers Station in Depoe Bay … let me know if you can improve on this sighting information. Speaking of sightings, I have it on “Good Authority” that Brother Mike Samples Is back from the Sample’s Caribbean Cruise Adventure & I am sure he would be delighted to regale you with some of the highlights. You might also want to talk with Jerry Gibson about the Gibson’s Hawaii Escape. THANKS for all of your Well Wishes, Mary & I had a Great 42^nd Wedding Anniversary. Hooray >< Our State turned 150 this month, but we Dodged the Analog TV Switch Over, not to worry, they’ll GET us again on 12 June !! Speaking of being GOT >< Did I mention, it’s coming up on TAX TIME again. UGH !! Moving on … Looks like this year is forecast to be another DISMAL Chinook Salmon Run …Ouch >< That sure is a “Knicker Ripper” of our good Newport Commercial Fishermen Friends. Then there is the ongoing controversy over the proposed development, in close proximity, to one of the States Treasures known as the METOLIUS RIVER Watershed. Speaking of concerns, etc. the US Navy stirred up a Lot of Dust (Sonar is the Big Issue) over its proposed Expanded Training Area Activities off of our coast. They will be holding more Public Hearings to put some of the Public Dust Down. Did I mention, the Steelers Won Super Bowl 43. Just as an aside >< If you are a Sea Lion & are visiting the Bonneville Dam Area >< You may want to get your Butt Out of There “on or before” Monday Morning !!!!! (P>S> Feel Free to send me Tidbits that you may want me to consider putting in the TACKLE BOX)

Let’s take a quick look at some FEBRUARY Highlights >>>> We have a New FC Member MATT MATHENEY & I’ll be Danged, if didn’t win the, Phil Reed, Guided Siletz River Fishing Trip Drawing >Then< Hold to your hat, this story gets better >>> While on the River with Phil & Electric Bill, I’ll be Danged, if he didn’t Catch a 15 lb Native Steelhead >>> Of course, we are very Happy for Matt & we WELCOME him to the Club, but I’ll be Danged !!!! We had a very informative GM Meeting, with a Special Presentation provided by our Good Friend & Fellow Club Member RYAN MINER. Ryan is the proprietor of the Coastal Pro Guide Service, out of Seal Rock & “Steelheading Made Easy” was his presentation topic, which was a Very Big Hit with all of the Meeting Attendees (Thanks Again Ryan). Brian Hudson hosted a meeting of several ODFW Aquatic Angler Instructors at his lovely new home, in Florence. The meeting was intended to help us prepare for our 2009 Responsible Angler Program at the Newport Middle School. Then there was the Salmon Industry Group Fisheries Meeting, which was held here in Newport >< We will be getting some meeting feedback from our 2 Meeting Ambassadors, Hank Bryson & Walter Chuck. A BIG HIGHLIGHT this month was the terrific TILLAMOOK ROAD TRIP >><< I sure hope you have had an opportunity to see First Lady Dudley’s Slide Show of the trip. It was worth Driving in the Snow & the 120 mile round trip. The Wilson River Canyon, in Snow, was Spectacular & the Forest Service Museum was Outstanding, followed by a Fun Lunch at the Cheese Factory >< Suffice to say WELL DONE to the “W2’s” (Wayde & Wayne). The whole trip, start to finish, was a HOOT !!!

Well, what say we slide into MARCH >>>> You don’t want to miss the Breakfast Meeting, our 2 Ambassadors (Hank & Walt) will give us some Salmon Industry Meeting Feedback. Also >< Feel free to take me up on my Big Creek (St. Patrick’s Day) Fishing Morning Invitation, on the 17^th. This will be just 1 day after ODFW Stocked the Reservoirs >5800 Fish Total< should be Fun Fishing. Followed by >< A visit with JOE ROSICA <<>> 19 March <<>> Joe is our LVH Resident Knife Craftsman & he has agreed to open his shop to us. I believe you will enjoy Joe’s many WWII Bomber Stories & have a much greater appreciation of his Skill as a Knife Craftsman. Keep an Eye Out for a possible MARCH ROAD TRIP BLAST >< Wagon Master Dudley is cooking up a plan, which we will surprise you with < IF > he can work out the details !!! On 31 March, our Beach Mistress (aka Ellie LeMaster) will take us down to Beverly Beach to conduct our 1^st Quarter Litter Patrol >< These are always fun events with some Good Aerobics & Good Stewardship of our Ocean Beaches. Thanks in advance Ellie, for You & Bob Abbott “Leading the Charge” on this fine / fun Quarterly Effort.

In closing, I’ll leave you with this excerpt from The Laws of Reality >< “The Chances of an open-faced Jelly Sandwich landing facedown on a floor covering are directly correlated to the Newness & Cost of the Carpet” >><< Don’t you wonder what would happen if the Sandwich had Peanut Butter on it ??? (I know >< It’s time He Gets Out of the Cabin more often !!)

Well, that’s the Top of the News as it Looks from Here …. Hope to See You On The Water >>>> THE HOOK

SPEAKING INVITATION ( 21 MAY 2009 )

2009-02-03T11:04:00.001-08:00

SPEAKING IVITATION TOPIC >< WAVE ENERGY PROGRAM ( 9 AM on 21 May 2009 )

Hello Mr. Boehlert >><< By way of introduction, my name is John Spangler & today I had the good fortune of speaking with your assistant, Ms. Candace Rogers. She suggested that I might use this Email as a way of opening a dialogue with you regarding my interest in your exciting New Renewable Wave Energy Program.

Specifically, as the President of the Longview Hills Fishing Club, of Newport, it is my intent to extend an invitation to you, on behalf our FC Membership, to be our Guest Speaker at our 9 AM > 21 May 2009 < General Membership Meeting. Ms. Rogers tells me you have a very professional Power Point Presentation that provides an excellent overview of this New & Exciting Wave Energy Program. Our visibility on this renewable energy resource is limited to what we can glean from media sources & it is our hope that you could better amplify our understanding of this new technology.

To give you some background on who we are >><< The Longview Hills Fishing Club operates out of the “Over 55” Community of Longview Hills, which can be found as you head North, on the Coast Hwy., just out of Newport. We are located up on the hill due East of the Yaquina Head Light House. Our 65 Members are comprised of mixed genders & we are primarily Sport Anglers. We try to hold our meetings to about an hour, so your visit, with us, should not encumber your day too badly. I am sure you would be warmly received at our Club House, which is a very user friendly speaking venue & we provide some of the Best Coffee on the Oregon Coast.

Suffice to say, I hope your trip to Europe is going well & that I have given you enough information to at least entice you to consider our Humble Speaking Invitation ……. In any event, allow me to compliment Ms. Rogers on her very professional telephone manner. She represents HMSC & your Office very well. JCS

ON THE WATER FOR FEBRUARY (2009)

2009-01-31T17:39:00.001-08:00

ON THE WATER FOR FEBRUARY ( 2009 )

Did you feel it Pard ??? ……… Yes, they added 1 second to 2008, just as she went out the door !!!! Why you ask > because < Just like the Economy, the Earth is Slowing Down >< Now there’s a bunch of scientific reasons for that, but the thing that I find reassuring is that I don’t feel so bad about slowing down a little myself. Then there’s the “Late California Pelicans” … Those Bad Boys & Girls slowed down so much, that they missed their queue to Head South & it is costing many of them their lives. How’bout a shot of Good News >< 200,000 Acres of Mount Hood Wilderness got saved for our future Oregon Grandchildren by a recently passed Bill, which has been stalled in the US Senate for a year. Did I mention, that we now have a New President ?? Then there is that “Damn Valsetz” Issue >< Yes, it’s still alive & we need to Keep an Eye on the Polk County Water Storage Study that is being conducted.

To get us into a brief look back on JANUARY >><> MIRACLE ON THE HUDSON << Now, I don’t know where you were or what you were doing when Flight 1549 went down in the Hudson River, but I hope when you saw the PIX of all of those folks getting out of the plane, standing on the wings & ultimately being rescued … It moved you to realize that there must be something much bigger than we can understand. I guess that’s what MIRACLES are all about >>>>>>> Moving along …….

We did some Good Stuff this month >< JERRY GIBSON was the Big Door Prize Winner at our Breakfast Meeting ….. He gets to spend a Day of Steelhead Fishing on the Siletz with Professional River Guide, PHIL REED. I should also mention, that PHIL was our 2008 Salmon Derby Winner (Congrats again Phil) !!! Mid-month, a bunch of Stalwart Club Members got involved with our Good Central Coast Fly Fisher Friends by working with them & ODFW to do a fun Riparian Project that involved planting over 40 trees, resulting in the Habitat Restoration of a small stream in the Seal Rock Area. I should also mention, that in addition to the project being a Big Success, we capped off the day with a great Hot Lunch of Burger’s & Brat’s, done by Chef Butch Minich at his Fly Shop !!! I apologize for getting our wires crossed & not holding our Community Drugs Presentation. However, the Camaraderie Practice was Great & I’ll work with TOM SIMPSON to see if we can get this “Re-Loaded” for our 17 September, General Membership Meeting. Thanks again to Brother HANK BRYSON for covering all of the Siletz Trap Duty for the month. You may have noticed from the Trap Reports, that the water levels seem to be dropping & of course that results in Fish Counts going down. I am not sure what that all means, but I suspect it’s not good !! Lurching Right Along >>>>>>>>

FEBRUARY 14^th marks OREGONS 150 BIRTHDAY >&< 2009 is our SESQUICENTENNIAL YEAR !!!

**** Now, that’s something to “Toot Your Horn” about Pard >><< Of course we have a couple of things to look forward to before that happens >><< 1^st off, we need to work our way thru Super Bowl “43” …. Easy on the Nachos & I am predicting a Big Win for my PITTSBURG STEELERS (I have to root for them, in as much as I was Born & Bred in Pennsylvania) >&< You realize, that if they loose, I will have to eat a “Little Crow” from my CARDINAL FRIENDS but that’s the risk you take when you “Take a Stand” !!! Don’t miss this months Breakfast Meeting, we will again be doing a Door Prize Drawing for another Siletz Fishing Trip with GUIDE PHIL. Another RED LETTER DAY will be on the 11^th of February >><< That’s our 42^nd Wedding Anniversary >><< Yes Mary & I have gone down the Road Together for 42 years & I Love her as much as when we started & I would like to predict a Bunch More Wonderful Years Together. ( I was going to take us to the Kernville Steak House, but sadly it had to close. If anybody has any Good Celebratory Dinner Places, Please let me know.) That brings us to 14 February >><< It’s hard to believe that our State is 150 Years Young !! There will be lot’s of Fun “Sesquicentennial” Stuff going on this year >< We will be involved in several Children’s Fishing Day Activities & Rumor has that our FC Video will come on line ++ If all goes well, we would like to propose Celebrating our Clubs 5^th Birthday & Oregon’s 150^th by doing a Barbecue Ribs Lunch, for All of our Members, at our 20 August Club House Meeting. Allow me to encourage you to attend our upcoming 19 February Meeting, which will feature RYAN MINER presenting his “Hands On” presentation of WINTER STEELHEAD FISHING TECHNIQUES >< This is a great opportunity to get invaluable information from a Professional River Guide. A NEW ITEM >< I am very pleased to announce that ELLIE LeMASTER has agreed to begin coordinating our Quarterly Beverly Beach Litter Patrols. She will be working with Bob Abbott & several of our Club members to get us down on the beach at least once a quarter. Stay Tuned for a BLAST that will give more specific Beach Patrol Information regarding a February Patrol Event. A HEADS UP ITEM >< I believe I failed to mention, that on the 17^th, all of our Local TV Stations will be switching to Digital Signals !!! I sure hope you are Not Left in the Dark by this TV Signal Transition…..

In closing & in honor of our 150 Years as a State, allow me to share with you a poem written by Kim Stafford >< SITKA SONG ><

Vagabond Salmon, Home again to Your Native Stream ……...

Leave your Bones among the Stones & Travel in your Dream ……..

Well, that’s the Top of the News as it Looks from Here ……. Hope to See You On The Water >>> THE HOOK

ON THE WATER FOR JANUARY (2009)

2008-12-31T18:16:00.001-08:00

ON THE WATER FOR JANUARY (2009)

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU ALL >> & << GOOD NIGHT to our Oregon College Football Games………

Yes Pard, our 2 Oregon College Teams each won their respective 2008 Bowl Games >> The DUCKS beat the OKALAHOMA COWBOYS ( 42 to 31 ) & the BEAVES yawned the PITT PANTHERS ( 3 to Zip >< The most exciting part of this game was the last 11 seconds !! ) What to do now ?? Well there is always Fly Tying, Winter Steelhead Fishing, Whale Watching or Pacific Decadal Oscillation (Got’cha on that one didn’t I ??) P.D.O. is the “Good News” we have been hearing about, off of our coast, which involves the “Up Welling’ of cold nutrient rich water. The Scientists all seem to think this will do “Really Good Stuff” for all of our Ocean Fish & Bird Species. Boys Howdy >><>> We need all of the P.D.O. we can get !!!

Hope you all had a good DECEMBER Holiday Season. We have finished getting our Home Christmas Lights & Decorations all put away for next year. (Have you noticed how fast it seems to come around ??) In any event, it was really fun to have our son Mark with us & in spite of the bad weather, he was able to get out of Eugene & back to San Francisco in one piece. (Unfortunately, we were not able to do a Trap Run this year). As always, we had several fun Holiday Club Events >> A Great Breakfast Meeting & Our Annual Christmas Gathering. We Roasted & Recognized MIKE SAMPLES, with a Git-R-Done Trophy, for his ongoing work supporting our Schooner Fish Trap & It was our pleasure to Toast & Honor BRIAN HUDSON as the Winner of our 2008 Joe Longo Award. Let me take a moment to also acknowledge BUTCH MINICH, who won the 2008 CCFF Chuck Scott Award. Congratulations are in order to all of these Fine Men & All of the Lucky Door Prize Winners. (Thanks Again to Bill & Betty Hanus for the Door Prizes & Jacky Thomas & her friends for the Lovely Christmas Club House Decorations). Moving right along >><< It is always a delight to acknowledge a New Club Member, so please join me in Welcoming ELIE LaMASTER. I would also like to suggest that we keep the following folks on our Angel List >> Lou & Linda Reed >> Chief McAdams >> Bob Breakfield & Frank Stout’s Mother. Now let’s lurch on to the NEW YEAR ………

JANUARY starts with a BANG >><< At our (9 AM, 8 Jan.) Breakfast Meeting >< We will be anointing PHIL REED as the Winner of our 2008 Salmon Derby & KEVIN McCARTHY will get to be “The Keeper” of the Smallest Salmon Caught Mascot until next year !!! In addition, BUD ROARK & DEAN FLECK will get Salmon Pins for their ball caps. We will also be doing a Door Prize Drawing that will result in one of our Lucky Members Winning a Day of Steelhead Fishing, on the Siletz River, with Phil Reed >><< This fun meeting will be followed on the 22^nd of Jan. with a Very Special Community Service Meeting, presented by one of our own, Sargent TOM SIMPSON. Tom’s topic will be “Drugs In our Community.” We recognize this is a bit of a reach from our usual “Fish’n Club Material” but we believe you will find this meeting very informative. We may also be visited by a colleague of Tom’s >< Officer T.J. ERIKESEN & his New Drug Searching Dog EYAN (So you better come to this meeting CLEAN !!!) ……..

I suppose we could risk getting quite maudlin about the year about to end, what with all of the various calamities occurring around the world & within our own country. Be that as it may, I remain excited & very positive about the prospect of Inaugurating a New President & the resilience of the Wonderful American People that make our Country so Very Special. I have the same positive feelings about what 2009 holds for our Humble Fishing Club & all of its Wonderful Members. As you all may have surmised, my perspective tends to be, that the “GLASS IS ALWAYS HALF FULL” >><< You have to be a little careful with that kind of perspective >< It can sometimes get you “5 yards Short of Common Sense” !!~!!! but it sure helps when your Rubber Pants are Leaking & the Fish just don’t seem to like any Fly you are putting On the Water !!!!

In closing, perhaps the Old Adage of “Either We all Hang Together or We’ll All Hang Separate” may be a pretty good way for us to go into this New Year. I sincerely wish each & everyone of YOU the Very Best of the New Year & lets not worry about the Stuff we cannot control, but do what we can to “Hang Together” & enjoy the Blessings of Each Day & Each Other ……… GOOD ON YOU ALL & HAPPY NEW YEAR

Well, that’s the Top of the News as it Looks from Here ………. Hope to See you On The Water >>> THE HOOK

FW: ON THE WATER FOR DECEMBER (2008)

2008-11-30T07:46:00.001-08:00

ON THE WATER FOR DECEMBER (2008)

OK >> SPORTSFANS >< IT’S RIVALRY WEEKEND >&< THAT MEANS >< OREGON “CIVIL WAR” FOOTBALL >&< THE WINNER IS >>>> (I am holding the Press, until I find out) >>> ( DUCKS >> 65 ) >><< ( BEAVERS >> 38 ) FINAL !!!!! GO DUCKS !!!

Well, now that we have that Exciting Event taken care of for another year, we can get on with NOVEMBER “Fish’in Club Bid’ness” & Other Stuff !!! This has been a very busy month, what with a Bunch of SPECIAL DAYS >> Election, Veterans, Thanksgiving & Then there were some other IMPORTANT DAYS like>> CERT Helo, Schooner Creek Bridge Retro-Fit, Aquatic Angler Program Meeting, Salmon Derby Ends, New 2009 Club Officers & the Newport International Pier Tour …….. I may have missed a day or two in there some place, but you get the idea >&< I didn’t even mention that we have a “Sort of Deal’ on New Commercial Ground Fish Regulations, a “Definite Maybe” on 2 Oregon Coastal Marine Reserves, a “Possible Death Sentence” on “Maybe 85” Salmon Eating Sea Lions on the Columbia River & on a more positive Columbia River Note, Sonar shows that the Celilo Falls, which were inundated, in 1957 by the Dalles Dam, are still Falling, albeit under water……Talk about Information Over Load !!!!

Let’s touch upon a couple of Nov. Issues >>><< Hope You All had a nice “Turkey Day” & Hope You All saw First Lady’s “Bridge Repair” Pix Album ….. This was a really fun & constructive project. We had the pleasure of recognizing BUTCH MINICH for Rounding Up All of the Construction Materials at NO COST to ODFW >><< Butch insists, that we mention, that it took a WHOLE BUNCH of Fine Folks, representing CCFF, ANWS & LVH who “Pitched In” to make this “Combined Fishing Club Project” turn out so well. As to the AAP Meeting, held at ODFW Headquarters in Salem, Brian Hudson continues to be our Coastal Program Leader. To that end, for our 3ed year, the Newport Middle School has, again, invited us to run this Outstanding Oregon Youth Fishing / Sewardship Program. As previously mentioned, our 2008 Salmon Derby Ends at Midnight, 30 November …… Right now it’s “Looking Good” for Brother Phil Reed … BUT … It’s not over “Till the Fat lady Sings”!! Lurching right along, you can find the 2009 Roster of New Officers posted on the Fishing Club WALL in the Club House. On behalf of all of the Officers who have agreed to serve again for 2009, we very much appreciate your votes, which make our new term of office official ….. Let me mention a Friend of Our Club who is having a Tough “Health” Time right now >< Please put Chief Tom McAdams on your Angel List >>&<< It is with Great Sadness, that I mention the recent loss of 2 Fishermen on the Tillamook Bar…….. I sure hope you were able to make the NITP Tour. Barb’s PIX will give you some idea of what we saw & the magnitude of this very important Port of Newport / Yaquina Bay Project. What we came away from this tour with, is a strong affirmation that the people charged with the responsibility to accomplish this project really know what they are doing. Their actions, every step of the way, are based on Good Science & Engineering Principles & they have the very best interest of our Beloved Yaquina Bay & Subsequent Generations right up there at “The Top of their Priority List” …………

Let’s slide on into DECEMBER >><> Do I put up the Outside Christmas Lights or Not ?? By the time my column “Hits the Street”, you can drive by my home & see what my decision turned out to be !!! What I do not have any equivocation about, are the Fun Holiday Events we have planned for this month. Specifically, the Winner of the 2008 Salmon Derby will be announced at our Breakfast Meeting & the BIGGIE of the MONTH will be our 18 Dec. CHRISTMAS PARTY >><< There will be lots of Goodies to Enjoy & Best of All, we will be able to Honor & “Roast” our good friend BRIAN HUDSON as our 2008 JOE LONGO AWARD WINNER. Prior to putting Brian through “The Hoops” we will recognize a Member of our Club who always manages to “Stay Just Under the Radar” but is always there when we need a “Good Hand” ….. Don’t miss the Christmas Party to find out who this “Mystery Member” is !!! And then there is Christmas Day >><< If all goes well 1 of our sons, Mark, will be with us & he has already indicated a strong interest in “Hooking Up” with one of the Siletz Trap Teams to make a Trap Run. As we get closer, I’ll try to set this up for Mark & I to go along with the Lead Team Trapper.

In closing, Mary & I have decided, that we are not going to send Christmas Cards this year >><< So allow us to extend, from our Home to Yours, our Warmest Holiday Greetings to Each & Everyone of You >>&<< May the True Spirit of the Holiday Season Bless Us All.

Well, that’s the Top of the News as it Looks from Here …. Hope to See You On The Water …….. THE HOOK

ON THE WATER FOR NOVEMBER (2008)

2008-10-31T21:15:00.001-07:00

ON THE WATER FOR NOVEMBER (2008)

HAPPY HALLOWEEN & BOO !!! I am glad that’s over with Pard & I am not real sad to bring OCTOBER to a close either !!! As I look over my Monthly Planner, I see only 10 days out of the 31 that my Shirt Tail was not Flapping in the Breeze ……. Let’s just Hit the High Spots for the month >>>>

U-DA-MAN seemed to be the “Kick Start” for this months activities & once again our Fishing Club & it’s Outstanding Members were right there when the “Bell Rang” …. “You Betch’a” this years >> 7^th Annual Salmon Tournament << was a BIG Success. Somewhere in all of this Hustle & Bustle, we saw a Cool News Times Article that recognized (one of our own) TOM SIMPSON, in his role as a Newport Police Officer, for saving a man’s life as a result of his timely action. How’bout some additional Good News …. We are delighted to WELCOME >> JACK & GRETTA PRINCE << As our 2 Newest Club Members. I also want to mention, that we have a couple of guys who could use a “Good Word” the next time you see them >> They are >><< Alaska Breakfield & Shutter Bug Burke >><< Bob has a Bum Right Wing & Charles has a Bum/Bum !! Stumbling right along >><< It’s too bad the weather closed in on us, requiring us to Scrub the Road Trip to Mary’s Peak. We’ll continue to watch for a “Good Day to reschedule, as we continue to go down stream. You probably noticed that a Bunch of Stalwart Members went in & got the Schooner Creek Fish Trap Access Road & Trap “Open for ODFW Business” … Earlier, I neglected to acknowledge, how helpful MIKE SAMPLES was to the Trap Repairs. Some of our tools became inadequate & he drove home & brought in some Really Cool Battery Operated Craftsman Tools. Some of us had Varying Degrees of AVARICE for his Tools >>BUT<< Mike kept a real “Close Eye” on his Tools & got most of them back in his truck !! Special Viewing Note >> Hope you saw the GREAT JOB First Lady did with the Schooner Creek PIX Album. Frank Stout’s “Team Steelhead” actually began Trap Servicing on the 27^th >&< Frank Reports No Fish YET !! … He says they are waiting for The Rains to Begin before they will move up stream >>> If you are so inclined, please contact Wayne Hill >>> He will be happy to “Hook You Up” with one of our Trap Teams. I’d like to take a moment, to give Att’a Boys to Mike Rosica & Larry Dale for helping with Bag Changes on Big Creek. I know The Creek Meister Appreciates the Help & Thanks to All, The Creek is really looking Good. !!! On the 30^th, we closed the month with a very well attended meeting featuring an Outstanding Guest Speaker >><< Mr. DON MANN, the General Manager for the Port of Newport, gave us a most informative presentation on the history & current status of the New International Terminal Project. I should mention, Don was assisted, with his presentation, by his “Side Kick & General Renaissance Man” >> Mr. DEAN FLECK << Who also did a “Passable Job” >>>>>

All in All >< October was a very busy, interesting & successful month & Thanks Again to ALL of our Fine Members who made it so …...........

Now let’s look at what NOVEMBER has to offer >><< On the 6^th we will gather for our Monthly Breakfast Meeting. Then on the 13^th we will be going back into Schooner Creek to do some retrofit work on the Access Bridge to the Fish Trap. BUTCH MINICH has been doing “Yeoman Service” by gathering all of the Construction Materials, in the form of donations, from our various Local Building Supply Facilities. WELL DONE Butch !!!

I want to emphasize, the General Membership Meeting scheduled for the 20^th >><< As the Monthly Schedule indicates, this may well be one of the Most Important Meetings you can attend all year >>> PLEASE make every effort to attend this Important Decision Point Meeting. Let me also remind you, that EOM November will close out our 2008 Salmon Derby …. We have had Several Anglers report their Chinook Catches to Wayde Dudley, but it will come down to Midnight of the 30^th to determine who this Years Winner will be ….. So stay tuned !!!!

In closing, let me leave you with this thought, compliments of Muhammad Ali, “Service to Others is the Rent We Pay for Your Room Here on Earth.” That thought always Humbles Me………….

Well that’s the Top of the News as it looks from here …. Hope to see You On The Water ……… THE HOOK

ON THE WATER FOR OCTOBER (2008)

2008-09-30T17:02:00.001-07:00

ON THE WATER FOR OCTOBER (2008)

Well Pard >><< Have I have got some Tails to Tell …. Wait till you hear about “Incident 1056” >> “The End of Felt” >> Adventures on “The F/V Christy Belle” & a New Book by our Honorary Member & Special Friend, Michele Longo Eder >>><<< First off, let’s take a quick look a some of our SEPTEMBER Activities.

We started off the month with a Very Well Attended Breakfast Meeting >><< I am pleased to tell you, that Bob & Marilyn Breakfield are back from Alaska & they regaled us with some great fishing stories (A couple of them were TRUE !!). Unfortunately, we were not able to follow the Breakfast with our planned Special Posse Gathering due to the Dry “High Fire Danger” Conditions prevalent at the Shooting Quarry. “Sheriff Dudley” will reschedule this event after we get some rain to reduce the Fire Danger. Special Thanks, Bill Lackner, for keeping us informed of the new 2009 ODFW Regulations regarding allowing all fishermen to keep 2 Cut’s a Day. I am sad to reflect, that we lost our good friend Dick (Papa Pickle) Garvey & we may want to keep Lou Reed, Linda’s husband, on our Angel List. On the upside, Jack & Ginny Scherer paid us a short visit & several of our Club Members joined them for an evening Buffet Dinner at the Chinook Winds Casino. I hope you have seen the great photos, provided by First Lady (Barb) Dudley, of the recent ODFW Stream Enhancement Operations up on Big Elk Creek. Wayde, Barb & Larry Dale represented our Club as Road Guards for the Heavy Lift Helicopters, which were placing whole Dug Fir Trees into the stream to provide improved Salmon Habitat. It should be noted, that the funds to do this expensive operation were provide by the U-DA-MAN Group. Speaking of U-DA-MAN Activities, we are again working with this Fine Group to support this years Seventh Annual Salmon Tournament, which will be held, on 12 October, 2008, right here in our own Yaquina Bay. Speaking of SALMON >>> Have you seen the PIC of the Salmon that Phil Reed recently caught up on Tillamook Bay …. That Hog weighted in at 44 lbs !!!! At the moment, Phil is the lead contender in our 2008 Salmon Derby, which will end at midnight on 30 November, 2008. I also want to recognize the Good “Litter Patrol” Work Mike Rosica continues to do for us up on Big Creek. Let me close the Month, with a word about the Outstanding Presentation provide to our Club by JOHN SANCHEZ. John gave us a most interesting & informative look at the Life Cycle of Salmon. I am also very pleased to WELCOME our 2 Newest Club Members >><< JOHN SANCHEZ & JACK PRINCE !!! These 2 fellows, I am sure will be great additions to our 60+ ranks ………

OCTOBER holds the prospect of being a very Busy, Interesting & Action Packed Month. We will be involved with several support functions leading up to the actual U-DA-MAN Tournament scheduled for 12 October, 2008. Watch for BLASTS that will provide you with more information on how to help us with these support efforts. I would like to focus on 2 additional October High Light Events >><< ROAD TRIP & PICNIC up to MARY’S PEAK LOOK OUT >>>>> This is a “Don’t Miss” Adventure, which will begin with the Wagon Master, Wayde Dudley, Circling Up the Wagons at the LVH Club House, about 9 AM on 16 October. >>>>> Then there will be the Presentation regarding the Current Status & Future Plans for the NEW INTERNATIONAL TERMINAL PROJECT for Yaquina Bay. This briefing will be provided by DON MANN, the Manager of the Port of Newport, at 9 AM on 30 October at the LVH Club House. We will be opening this presentation to all of our LVH Friends & Neighbors, so you may want to come early to get a good seat for this most informative Power Point Presentation.

Now let me explain, Incident 1056 >>> As you may remember, I spent the last week wearing my Rubber Pants Fishing up on the Metolius River. Suffice to say, the Fishing left a great deal to be desired & it was “D… Cold” !!! Be that as it may, let’s go back to “Incident 1056” >><< About mid week, this started out as a “Simple 30 Acre Controlled Burn” …….. Then the wind came up & the next thing you know the fire raced to 256 Acres !!!! I hate it when that happens. At any rate, this ultimately required over 500 Firefighters, several Helos + Fixed Wing Aircraft & Several Dozers. It was now a very Smokey Camp Sherman with over half of the Lower River Closed to Fishing. We “Pulled Freight” a day early & got home safely Sunday Afternoon. GO DUCKS !!! Reeling right along>>>>> I just read that by 2011, if all goes as planned, we are encouraged to do away with our Felt Soled Wading Boots, because it is shown that they are a perfect transportation vector for the Invasive Species known as Didymo or “Rock Snot” …. This should be some Good News for your Fly Shop Butch !!! >>>>> I sincerely hope you had a chance to read Wayde Dudley’s write up regarding his recent Experience & Adventure, as a working Deck Hand, aboard Hank Bryson Boat the F/V CHRISTY BELLE ….. It sounds like Hank is quite a Good “Hash Slinger” & he really cuts a fine picture in his “Red Rubber Pants” !!!!!!! >>>>> Now for some Intellectual Stuff …. One of our Honorary Club Members & a Very Special Friend, Michele Logo Eder, recently published a wonderful & poignant book entitled, SALT IN OUR BLOOD: The Memoir of a Fisherman’s Wife. It took great courage for Michele to write this book & I highly recommend it to all of you. You can find the book at several book stores in town or just go down to Englund Marine & buy a copy……..

In closing, let me leave you with this thought, which was sent to me by my Dear Friend, Bud Roark >><< Some Wisdom provided by Students in the 1^st Grade >><< “An idle mind is the best way to relax” ….. Since I am 68 today, I think I’ll do just that !!!!!!!!!

Well, that’s the Top of the News as it looks from here …. Hope to see You On the Water ………. THE HOOK

ON THE WATER FOR SEPTEMBER (2008)

2008-08-31T11:48:00.001-07:00

ON THE WATER FOR SEPTEMBER (2008)

Hello Pard >><< Come on in & set a spell. As I look out my office window at the Dreary Drizzle & Fog, I can hear the Weather Channel on our TV tell us about Hurricane Gustav …….. That Bad Boy is sure going to cause trouble for folks on the Gulf Coast >><< Maybe our Pacific Coast Weather is not so bad after all !!!!!!! We probably ought to put these GC Folks on our Angel List ………

We had several Fun AUGUST Activities worthy of mention ….. Hope you were able to attend our Combined Coastal Fishing Clubs Picnic held at Ona Beach & Hosted by our Good Northwest Steelheader Friends. Then there was our Birthday Bash, which celebrated our 4^th Year as a Fishing Club. We were also very pleased to have Virginia Tardaeweather representing the Mid-Coast Watershed Council as our guest speaker at “The Bash.” In addition >>>>>>>

*** The Creek Meister pulled off another very successful Litter Patrol on Big Creek …. Big Fish gets credit for finding a large Metal Bunk Bed & we could not have got the job done so successfully without the help of a lot of Good Club Members +++ The “Pick’em Up” Trucks provided by Frank Stout & Wayde Dudley. By the way >><< In the course of doing this L.P. Job … Frank told us a TRUE STORY about a time, in his misspent youth, when he had a “Run In” with a ‘Peacock’ >><< Now, I know that sounds a little implausible, but the next time you see Frank … You have got to have him tell you the PEACOCK STORY !!!!!! Rambling Right Along >>>>>

*** Wayde, Bill & I put in another ODFW Monofilament Line Recycling Station up near where Palmer Creek flows into the Siletz. While we were at it, we went ahead & got GPS Coordinates on all 9 of the MRS’s placed by our Club. I should mention a Special Thanks to Kevin McCarthy (K&M Construction) for providing the new pressure treated 4x4 post for this job & several others that we previously put in. Some additional Good News >><< You may see our Good Friend Vern Charles “Zipping” around on his New Left Knee ….. Ask him to do the “Motor Home Shuffle” for you !!!

On to some Fish’in Stuff >>>>>>>

*** On the 23ed, I went down to Beaver Creek & joined our CCFF Friends for a “Cuts on the Beaver” Fish-Along >>&<< got “Skunked” … BUT I had a great morning with my Fish’in Buds & some really great “Brotts by Butch” !!!! On the 30th, I had the pleasure of going out on Yaquina Bay with a really fine Salmon Fisherman >< Tom Simpson >< Captained his Boat ( The Spoiled Daddy ) & provided Crab Pots & Salmon Gear, which made for a really fun day for Big Fish & me. Tom & Wayne did all of the Heavy Lifting by dropping 6 Crab Pots & then we “Pulled Hearing” up river near the Oyster Farm. We caught a lot of weeds & the guys think perhaps the fish have just not moved up river yet (At least we were not Combat Fishing & the Weather was Superb !!). About 2 PM, we pulled our Salmon Gear & went down river to begin pulling our “Pots” which were set just, off channel, in the Jetty …… Well, when we got to Pot #3 >><< It simply did not want to break free of the bottom, which was about 40 feet of water. Tom & Wayne, using a lot of “Minnesota Steam,” worked that “Pot Problem” for about 10 minutes. Finally it broke free & what they found was that we had hooked up to a “Large Anchor” which unfortunately fell off just as they got the Pot up to the side of the boat. Suffice to say, we pulled the remaining pots & it was not the best day we ever had Crabbing. However, as We All said, any Day on the Water is BETTER than a Day at Work ….. A Really BIG Thanks to “Captain” Tom for making this such a Special Day for us !!!!!!!

SEPTEMBER is upon us >><< Does that mean SUMMER came & went ??? In an attempt to mitigate the aforementioned Slanderous Summer Statement we are going to attempt to KICK September off with a BANG >><< Following our Breakfast Meeting on the 4^th, Wayde “Sheriff” Dudley is calling for a GATHERING OF THE LVH FC POSSE !!!!!!! See the advance Posse Gathering BLAST for Ammo & Shooting details.

*** In addition, our General Membership Meeting is a don’t miss event … John Sanchez will be doing his “Life Cycle of Salmon” Presentation & John really knows his stuff. You are encouraged to take our CCFF friends up on their invitation to join them, on the 20^th, for their Annual FC Picnic at Ona Beach ….. I am sure this will be a Fun Event. Some exciting future personal plans >>>>>

*** I am looking forward to spending the last week of this month, wearing my Rubber Pants, up on the Metolius River. In addition to just fishing “The M” …. I hope to take my Pontoon Boat & fish some of the High Lakes in the area >><< I’ll let you know how this all turns out !!!!!!!

In closing, I’ll leave you with this thought, sent to me by my friend Ben Davi. “If you lend someone $20 & never see that person again, it was probably worth it” >><< Don’t you just know someone like that ?????

P>>S>> I will turn 68 on 30 September >>&<< I really don’t know how that happened so quickly !!! ……..

Well, that’s the Top of the News as it looks from here …. Hope to see You On the Water ………… THE HOOK

ON THE WATER FOR AUGUST (2008)

2008-07-27T17:45:00.001-07:00

ON THE WATER FOR AUGUST (2008)

What can I say Pard >><< JULY was not the best month the Club has ever had …….. We had to scrub the Yaquina Bay Crabbing Event due to lack of interest + we had a tough time filling our Fish Trapping Slots & attendance at our Breakfast & Club House Meetings averaged about 12 to 15 members. There was some Good News >>><<< The Weather was really nice & Best Of All, Bev Winebrenner & Mac Andrews are on the Mend !!!! We will take our Blessing where we can & chalk up the rest to the “Summer Time Slows” … Which may turn out to be a Blessing in Disguise, by allowing us to pause & reflect on Past & Future Club Operations, as we rapidly approach EOY 2008 ………

If you look at the Club’s Meeting & Event Schedule for AUGUST >>><<< It’s clear that we have some fun stuff on the “Front Burner” for this month ………

Our Salmon Derby Opens + A Breakfast Meeting + A Picnic at Ona Beach + Our 4^th Year Birthday Bash + Our Quarterly Beverly Beach Litter Patrol + A Fish -A- Long at Beaver Creek & for those of you who enjoy doing so, Fish Trapping .…><…. Now that’s not a bad menu to choose from !!!! Beyond all of these fun activities …………

The topic that I think we should also focus on this month is the ATTENDANCE DEFICIT DISORDER SURVEY …….. We want to encourage all Club Members to take the time to reflect on YOUR involvement in OUR Fishing Club’s Operations & Activities. Returning this important survey will provide us with a Base Line of information from which we can plan for 2009 Club Operations. We will collate all of your confidential responses into a meaningful format & share that data with the entire Membership sometime during the month of September.

All organizations, periodically, need to pause & take stock of their Leadership & the Direction the organization is headed. In the case of our Fishing Club, we are fortunate to have an Ethos Statement, which can help us as a guiding set of principles. Beyond that, much like our Democracy, it is imperative that ALL MEMBERS stay Engaged in the Organizational Process. If that engagement is lost, the well being of an organization can be threatened.

Your Fishing Club remains a very strong Social & Community Resource with a sterling reputation within our wonderful Coastal Community. It is now appropriate for us, to use this time, to take stock of where we are & where we hope to take our Club. There are many things we can do, such as change some of our Policy Positions and / or make Leadership Changes. Your Survey Responses will help us with a better understanding of those Policy Issues that we may want to keep & those that possibly should be changed. As to the Club’s Leadership, you may recall, that All Club Officers will tender their resignations in November & the Membership can, at that time, make decisions about who they wish to elect as their New 2009 Club Officers. Not to worry, our LVH Fishing Club has very bright future ahead …………

In closing, I’ll leave you with this thought, sent to me by Linda Reed. As I get older, questions like this haunt me >><< “Why do you ‘put your 2 cents in’ …. But it’s only a ‘penny for your thoughts’ ?? Where’s that extra penny going to” ???

Well that’s the Top of the News as it looks from here…. Hope to See You On the Water ……… THE HOOK

ON THE WATER FOR JULY (2008)

2008-06-29T18:19:00.001-07:00

ON THE WATER FOR JULY (2008)

Well, here we are Pard with JUNE behind us >>&<< July just about to Catch the Shirt Tail of Summer & It’s sure moving right along !! Would you believe, we had our first 3 Coho Salmon in the Siletz Fish Trap with lots of Summer Run Steelies moving up the river !!! June has been a Month of Highs & Lows ……… Losing the COACH was a Hard Lick to Take >> & << We have a Bunch of Our Good Folks on the Angel List >>Bev Winebrenner, Mac Andrews, Dick Garvey, Lou & Linda Reed & there is probably somebody I missed << That’s what happens when you get to be a Dull Hook !! On a much brighter note >>> Welcome Aboard to our Newest Member JOHN HALL & it sure was great to see Mike Samples, Doc Smith & Mike Rosica at our Last Breakfast Meeting.

We do have some additional GOOD WORD that ODFW will allow a Limited Sport Salmon Season in our Coastal Area & Phil Reed is reporting that he has been able to Boat several Chinook Salmon out of the Tillamook Bay. Hank Bryson is up in Astoria with his boat & what with Boat Problems & Tough Fishing Conditions this has not exactly been a Red Letter Fishing Cycle for him, but these 2 men are fine Professional Fishermen & we wish them well……..I hope you all have been following the Claming Information we have been receiving from our Good Friend & Member Bill Lackner … THE CLAM GUY … Thanks Bill for keeping us in the Clam Loop !!!

It is worth a moment for us to reflect on 3 FC June Event High Lights >> Another Successful Big Creek Kids Fishing Day. This was our 3ed year teaming up with our ANWS & CCFF Friends to make this a Special Day for our Coastal Children. Of course, we enjoyed on Annual Pilgrimage to visit the US Coast Guard Station here in Newport. As always they were most hospitable to us. I am sure, by now, you all have read about our recent “Rip Roaring Road Trip” to the Ghost Town of Valsetz >> but << Did I tell you about the SOME FOR BUSHES !!!! Well as you can imagine our trip took us into a very remote area which did not provide for … how to be delicate about this … the challenges of finding Gender Specific Bathroom Facilities. I raised my concerns, regarding this issue, with our Wagon Master (Wayde Dudley) & he told me not to worry …… All we need to do is find SOME FOR BOYS BUSHES & SOME FOR GIRLS BUSHES !!! >> << Lo & Behold, we found the Necessary Bushes & had a really Great Road Trip & have begun considering new adventure destinations >><< Please let us know if YOU have trip suggestions.

A quick look at JULY suggests a little slower pace …….. However, the Yaquina Bay Crabbing Trip is a New FC Event, that we hope you all will find exciting & enjoyable. I think you will also find our General Membership Meeting Guest Speaker, Charlie Plybon, representing the Surfrider Foundation, to be very informative & interesting. His topic regarding Water Quality Issues in and around Newport should stimulate a constructive information exchange. We will continue to follow Water Quality Issues with next months Guest Speaker, Virginia Tardaeweather, representing the Mid-Coast Watershed Council. Just as an aside, several of us ODFW Aquatic Angler Instructors will be covering an ODFW Booth at the up coming Lincoln County Fair scheduled for 18 thru 20 July, 2008 >><< Please stop by & say Hello !!!

Let me give you some quick insight into a FC Video that we are producing. It will provide the viewer with insight into what is involved in Servicing a Fish Trap. Most of the shooting was done at the Siletz Fish Trap with some footage at Schooner Creek. Wayde Dudley is the “Executive Producer” of this very innovative piece. He has been working with Newport Middle School Media Students & a lot of his FC & ODFW colleagues who have been doing Actor, Staff & Dish Washer Duties………Stay Tuned >><< We really think this will be a very worthwhile piece of work ……..

In closing, let me leave you with this Old Joke about, “the Little Ant who was Confused because all of his Uncles were Ants” !!! There’s a message in there someplace … Good Luck finding it ………..

Well, that’s the Top of the News as it looks from here, Hope to See You On the Water ……….. THE HOOK

ON THE WATER FOR JUNE (2008)

2008-05-30T20:37:00.001-07:00

ON THE WATER FOR JUNE (2008)

MAY >><< Turned out to be one of those really successful & rewarding times >>>>>> Dean Fleck & Mike Pettis did us proud with another great Annual Yaquina Bay Commercial Boat Tour followed by our terrific Aquatic Angler Graduation of 15 students, that comprised our Class of 2008. Then we worked with our CCFF Waldport Friends & enjoyed another successful Annual First Baptist Church Kids Fishing Derby at Eckman Lake. Then it was on to our fun local LVH Community 2^nd Time Around Sale & would you believe, that through the hard work & generosity of our Club Members & Friends of our Club we realized a profit of $ 543.05 !!! Boys Howdy, don’t you wonder where that “Nickel” came from, be that as it may, we Thank You All & our Coffee Fund will remain solvent for another year.

I am pleased to report that we had 2 New Members join our ranks >> WELCOME << Roger Wilson & Lee Fries. These fellows really know their P’s & Q’s when it comes to Fish’in !!! Welcome again guys …. We a very glad to have you with us. By the way >>>>> Think Good Thoughts for our Fish’in Club Pal Hank Bryson >><< Hank is Banging Around somewhere off the Mouth of the Columbia River …. Good Fishing & Smooth Seas !!!!

Now, on a more serious note >><< Our Good Friend “Coach (aka Rod) McCready” is really having a difficult time of it. Please continue to keep The Coach & Lee Anne on your Angel List………..

Let’s take a look at what JUNE has to offer >>>>>>>>> WELL, if you look at our June Meeting & Event Schedule, it won’t take you long to see that we are going to be “Busy Ducks/Beavers” this month ……… So I will direct your attention to the June Schedule of Events for all of the finer details….………

Let me take a moment, to recognize 2 really Great Guys who have been “Toiling Hard in the Vineyard” >>&<< They are >> Mike Rosicia for all of his Big Creek Litter Patrolling & Electric Bill for keeping our, 1 day a week, Siletz Trapping Schedule alive & well …. I also want to again Thank the Dudley’s for allowing us to use their drive way, which contributed greatly to the success we enjoyed with this years 2^nd Time Around Sale.

Clearly this month, we will be focused on helping, our fellow member & friend, Brian Hudson & his Mid Coast Northwest Steelheaders Chapter, conduct another successful Annual Newport Big Creek Kids Fishing Day on Saturday, the 7^th of June 2008. I would also like to inform you, that Frank Stout has agreed to be Brian’s New Chapter Treasurer …. Congrats Frank & Good on You Brian !!!

You might also want to consider joining us for the Rip Roaring Valsetz Road Adventure scheduled for the 22nd …. This should really be a fun expedition back into “Them Thar Hills” ……… Did I mention, that I am going Fishing at Olalla Lake tomorrow (the 31^st) with my CCFF Colleagues >><< This will be my “Maiden Voyage” On the Water with my New Float Boat >< Wish me Luck & I’ll let you know how it turns out ……..

In closing, let me leave you with this thought, “A truly happy person is one who can enjoy the scenery on a detour” !!!!

Well, that’s the Top of the News as it looks from here, Hope to see you On the Water …………… THE HOOK

ON THE WATER FOR MAY (2008)

2008-04-29T18:20:00.001-07:00

ON THE WATER FOR MAY (2008)

Hello Pard >><< Pull up a seat & Hold on to You Hat …. I have been so busy, this month; I could hardly Hit My Rear End with Both Hands !!!

I know many of you found APRIL to be the same, what with Important CERT Training, NPD Volunteer Training, Aquatic Angler Sessions, Meals On Wheels, Big Fish’s Birthday, Steelhead Smolt Planting, a Great Oyster Farm Tour & I Don’t Know What All ???

Now …. I didn’t even mention such stuff as Gas Prices Heading Stratospheric, New Zealand Mud Snails in Devils Lake, Brian Hudson as the New President of the Mid Coast Chapter of the Northwest Steelheaders, the Valsetz Dam Issue, the Salmon/Sea Lion Controversy, proposed increased fees for our Fishing Licenses, proposed improvements to our Tired Old Water Treatment Plant & Porta-Potty’s ……… This last issue came up, at the recent CERT Breakfast, when Jeannine Roederer & I got to talking about the New Spiffy Camping Trailer She & Tom recently purchased. >><< I’ll get to the P>P> Matter in a little bit !!!!

I want you all to know, I am hearing good things about Mary Roark’s recovery progress & Bud seems to be holding up well through it all. It is good to see Dick Garvey Stumping Around & Kay is her usual lovely self. I am a little worried, that I have not seen or heard from our Good Friend Charles Burke in a while >>>>> HELLO …. SHUTTER BUG …. ARE YOU STILL OUT THERE ????

What do you mean, what’s the scoop on the Porta-Potty’s ?? Just keep Your Shirt On …. I told you I’d get to that, but 1^st lets see what’s under the Rocks for MAY !!!

Boys Howdy >><< This looks like another “Skid Chaser” of a Month Ahead …… We will be Graduating our 2^nd Class of 14 Responsible Anglers from the Newport Middle School, Mike Pettis & Dean Fleck are again hosting a VIP Club Tour of the various Newport Commercial Fishing Boats, then we have the Kids Fishing Day at Eckman lake, followed by our Annual Fund Raiser held, in conjunction with the LVH 2^nd Time Around Sale.

Of course there is always some surprise that pops up during the month to make things really exciting. Please don’t forget that Electric Bill needs your help with the On Going Siletz Trap Servicing Schedule. OK, Now it’s Time to Talk Turkey about Porta- Potty’s ………….

In the course of our earlier CERT Breakfast Conversation, Jeannine explained to me, that a “Quality P.P.” was a very valuable part of the Entire Out-Door Recreational Experience. Suffice to say, it would contribute greatly to the civility of the entire endeavor. I think you are able to take my meaning !!! In addition, She & Tom gave me a wonderful brochure that extolled the many virtues of their New Recreational Vehicle.

Alas, the brochure did not speak to the acquisition of a Quality P.P. >><< Ergo, I turned to the trusty Internet & what I found was a most helpful Web Site, that I would like to share with you all…….

I think you will find the information contained on this Web Site valuable, even if you are not an RV’er >>>(www.bumperdumper.com)<<<

In closing, Let me leave you with this thought, “Feed a Hungry Man a Fish & He will be Fed for a Day >< Teach a Man How to Fish & if left to his own devices, He will Fish Out the Very Water You Taught Him On” !!!!!!!!

Well, that’s the Top of the News as it Looks from here, Hope to See You On The Water ………………. THE HOOK

ON THE WATYER FOR APRIL (2008)

2008-03-31T17:30:00.000-07:00

ON THE WATER FOR APRIL (2008)

Hi Pard >><< Remember when I closed last months column with a line about, “Beware the Ides of March” ?? Well, we sure got some really sad hard March News. First, we learned of Dick Billingham losing his lovely wife Lois, then it was the dire predications for a severely limited Chinook Salmon Fishing Season, and now it’s “Colony Collapse Disorder”…. This is a very serious, but poorly understood, disease that is attacking our Honey Bee Populations >><< No Bees to pollinate our agricultural crops …could result in… Very poor crop yields !!! My Great Grandmother used to say, “Bad/Sad Things come in 3’s” …. Boys Howdy, I sure hope she was right ……… We can’t do much about the Salmon or the Bees but the next time you see Dick, please give him a “Kind Word” & maybe even a Hug !! ….. I am sure he would appreciate your doing that. Also, it would be a good thing if we kept Bud Roark’s wife Mary in our prayers today, the 31^st. She is undergoing some very serious cardiac surgery, please remember them both. On a happier note >><< You all know Mike Rosiga is a Good Guy to call if you need some yard work done, but did you know his Dad, Joe, makes custom knives & will “at No Charge” sharpen any LVH Neighbors Knives >><< All you need to do is contact Mike & he will pick up & return some really sharp knives. We tried it & Joe does a much better job than I ever was able to do on Mary’s kitchen knives!!

The high-light of MARCH >><< had to be the Georgia Pacific Toledo Plant Tour !!!! 16 Club Members braved the challenges of walking “The Plant” & All said the Tour was a Hum Dinger !!!!! It is also important to note, that we are very pleased to Welcome DEREK WILSON, a Senior ODFW Biologist, as our newest Honorary Member & Special Friend of the Club. The weather continued to be “Iffy” & ultimately forced The General (AKA Brian Hudson) made the call to scrub our Olalla Lake Fish Along on the 25^th. Our Good Friends with the Central Coast Fly Fishers proceeded with their O.L. FAL on 29^th, which turned out to be a Weather Challenged, but exciting No Fish Day !!! I heard some murmurings about actually seeing Golfers out on the Olalla Links, in the same miserable weather as the Fisherman >><< Golfers just seem a little unclear on the concept …. Don’t you think ??!!??

Lot’s of Good APRIL Fishing Club Stuff will be happening ……. We will be coming to the 3 April, Breakfast Meeting armed with the very latest information gleaned from our 2^nd Quarter ODFW/Coastal Fishing Club Coordination Meeting. Once again, working closely with ODFW, we will again be Planting 50 thousand Steelhead Smolt in the Palmer Creek Beaver Pounds. Wayde Dudley will be giving us the Volunteer Requirements for this 22 April Event.

Preceding the Palmer Creek Event will be our Annual Pilgrimage, on the 17^th, to the YAQUINA BAY OYSTER FARM …….. This tour is back by popular demand & has the added attraction of actually doing some Oyster Tasting …. Many of you know, I never met an Oyster that I liked, Ergo Sum >>>> Big Fish Hill is, here with, bequeathed my Oyster Tasting Proxy !!!!

Keep an eye out for the Oregon Public Broadcasting TV Program, “The Silent Invasion,” which will air at 8 PM on the 22^nd. It is an extremely well done documentary dealing with what is happening across our country, as it relates to terrestrial & aquatic INVASIVE SPECIES.

In closing, Big Fish Hill recently sent me a list, which outlines the PERKS OF BEING OVER 50 >><< Several caught my eye & made me chuckle. Allow me to share just one with you ……… “At this age, your joints are a more accurate weather forecaster than the National Weather Service !!!

Well that’s the top of the news as it looks from here, Hope to See You On The Water …………… THE HOOK

ON THE WATER FOR MARCH (2008)

2008-02-29T18:02:00.000-08:00

ON THE WATER FOR MARCH (2008)

Holy Toledo, but the Month of February seemed to go by quick !!!!

Don’t you agree Pard >><< Maybe it’s the “Leap Year Syndrome” ??? It just seems like, right off the bat, a Bunch of Members went to the Eugene Sportsman Show >>> Followed by, us having Breakfast & enjoying Casey Deckard & Dean Fleck’s Presentations >>> Followed by, a successful 5 Station Installation of ODFW Monofilament Line Recycling Stations >>> Followed by, recognizing Charlie Currey as our most Senior Member >>> Followed by, Chief Tom Mc Adams giving us “The Willies” about Hypothermia >>> Followed by, a Fun “Fish Along” at Big Creek >>> Followed by a very successful Beverly Beach Patrol >>> Followed by, The ODFW Rock Fish Tagging Program …… Did I mention, WALTER CHUCK has joined us as our Newest Club Member …. Welcome Walter >>> Congrats, to the Giants on winning Super Bowl “42” >>> Mary & I celebrated our 41^st Wedding Anniversary >>> It seems Dick Garvey broke his leg ……… The question now is ??? …….What’s up with “Papa Pickle” ???

Well Pard, you know this all happened because a lot of great folks got involved in all of these various Club Events & Activities. I suppose you heard about Frank Stout’s proposal for All Club Members to kick-In some Big Bucks to the Coffee Fund, which would allow the Club to buy a “Very Spiffy” & “Very Expensive” Fishing Boat. This proposal is still “Tabled” …. It may never see the light of day, but you got to hand it to Frank & Big Fish, they have got their priorities straight !!!! Wayde Dudley was the Ram Rod on the “Post Hole Gangs” Mono Line Station Installation. I need to mention the Gracious Hospitality extended to all of the “Post Hole Gang” by Don & Jean Larsen, who inviting all of us to have Coffee & Cookies at their home, before we went out on the Installation Trail …. Special Thanks to the Larsen’s !!! A Great 90^th Birthday Party was held for The Editor (Aka Charlie Currey). Marilyn & Bob Breakfield were instrumental in making that happen along with some help from our friend Donna Pierce ….. Special Thanks to you all. I want to give Brian Hudson & Butch Minich …. Atta Boys …. for their efforts to make our 1^st Big Creek FAL a Fun Event >>> Special Thanks to you Butch for bringing your Boats !!!! (The only guy to catch any fish (2) was Kevin MacCarthy >><<< Some place in Lincoln County) !!! Our recent successful Beach Patrol has some mystique attached, regarding rumors of a Risqué Photo reportedly taken of Coach MacCready …. I don’t have all of the details, but perhaps The First Lady and/or Big Fish might be good information sources !!!! Have you heard of “THE 6 ROCKERS” …. These 6 Club Members (Wayne, Frank, Wayde, Kevin, Brian, Mike) have signed up to be ODFW ROCK FISH TAGGERS !!!! This entails going out “On the Blue Water” all day catching & tagging Rock Fish off of our coast ….. It may not be for the Faint of Heart, but they all seem to think it’s a “Barrel of Fun” & If you contact Wayne Hill, there are still Open Slots available, on the charter boat, for additional ROCKERS !!!!!

BEWARE THE IDES OF MARCH I am a little apprehensive about making any activity predictions about March, after such a busy FEB.

As You All can see from the recently published Monthly Event Schedule, we have our fun Monthly Breakfast to look forward too ++ The General (Aka, Brian Hudson) has us set up for our 2^nd FAL at Olalla Lake. Trap Servicing will continue >>> Thanks to Wayne Hill’s Scheduling & All of You Intrepid Trappers being involved.

The BIGGIE this month will be our Special Club Tour of the Georgia Pacific Paper Plant located in Toledo. You All need to be aware of the Date/ Time Change of this Special Event >>>> ( 9 AM at the Club House On the 27^th of March) <<<< We all need to let Wayne Hill know of our confirmed intentions to attend this fun Special Tour ……… Don’t Miss This One !!!!!!!!!

Inclosing, allow me to say, as it relates to Mary & I celebrating our recent 41^st Wedding Anniversary >><< We both have agreed to renegotiate our contract for another year !!!! As it relates to Papa Pickle (Aka, Dick Garvey) ….. Dick, we will keep you & Bev in our “Good Thoughts” & look forward to your safe return to LVH & our Club Activities. Cogitate on this ……….. “Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here, We May as Well Dance” !!!!!!!!

Well that’s the top of the news as it looks from here, Hope to See You On the Water …………… THE HOOK

ON THE WATER FOR FEBRUARY (2008)

2008-01-30T16:48:00.000-08:00

ON THE WATER FOR FEBRUARY (2008)

Hello Pard, it’s good to see you …. Come on in, sit down & help yourself to a cup of coffee & get warm. JANUARY has sure been a tricky weather month … First it Rained >> Then Blew >> Then it Freiz >> Then it Snew !!!!! I am still trying to get warm after viewing First Lady Dudley’s PIX of a recent, in the snow, Schooner Creek Trap Run. Don’t you know, the start of the month was so bad, that General Hudson had to cancel our first scheduledFish Along at Big Creek Res. We are going to try & reschedule it for next month, but I wouldn’t hold your breath !!!!

We did have a fun Breakfast Meeting, which resulted in Kevin McCarthy & Dave Dinsmoor being anointed as our “Salmon Catcher Champs” for 2007. We also anointed Linda Reed as our 1^st New Club Member for 2008 … Welcome aboard Linda !!! Our January guest speaker, Phil Hager, gave us a bunch of good/scary information about waterborne Invasive Species that can be found throughout our state & some things we can all do slow these Bad Boys down.

Special Thanks to Hank Bryson & All of You Stalwart Fish Trappers for keeping our trap servicing operations going. Our friends at ODFW sure appreciate you all getting out there with them on those cold mornings. Your reports seem to indicate that fish action has slowed down … probably the cold temperatures have something to do with the low migratory fish counts ??

There is “1” early positive sign of Spring >><< ODFW has begun it’s Rainbow Trout Stocking Program for 2008. We will be publishing the schedule for our local waters in the Clubs Monthly Meeting & Event Schedule. Hope you fine this helpful >><< Speaking of helpful, Mike Rosiga has been pitching in to help the Creek Mister Dinsmoor with SOLV Bag Servicing on Big Creek (Thanks a Bunch Mike) …. The guys tell me, that the Big Challenge they are facing with the bags is not with the Anglers, but with the Raccoons that are tearing the bottoms out of the bags to get at the trash goodies !!! >><< We are very receptive to any Good Ideas you may have to mitigate this problem >><<

Help yourself to some more coffee & let’s take a look at what FEBRUARY has in store for our Club Members …… On the 1^st of Feb….. You don’t want to miss our Annual Shop Along at the Eugene Boat & Sportsman’s Show. I could not go last year, but several of the guys who went said it was a really fun day & so we are planning on making a run over there again this year …. Yes you can still get in a car pool, but you better get in touch with Big Fish … PRONTO !!!!

We got some recent Good News … Casey Deckard is back in harness after conducting a big ODFW study regarding our Off Shore Tuna Fisheries. He will be attending our breakfast meeting to give us the highlights of his study findings. We will continue working closely with Casey on Fish Trap Servicing & he will also be involved in a Special ODFW “Monofilament Line Recycling Station” Project that Surveyor Dudley will be coordinating with Casey. The Surveyor will be coming out with more information regarding this Special Project & how all Club Members can get involved in the Building & Installation of these valuable MLR Stations, which are intended to help keep used/abandoned mono line out of the environment.

It seemed like a Perfect Fit, what with it being so cold, for us to get some good information on HYPOTHERMIA …. Several of our members recommended a Guest Speaker who “Really Knows His Stuff” regarding this topic >><< Chief Tom Mc Adams is a retired USCG Master Chief who has spent his career rescuing boaters who have pushed their luck a bit to far & ended up in the cold waters off of our coast. Chief Mc Adams is a very dynamic speaker who tells it like it is …his is the kind of information that You Can Take to the Bank + It could just Save Your Life some day !!!

Weather permitting; we will be conducting our 1st Beverly Beach Litter Patrol, for 2008, at 11 AM on 28 February. It is our commitment to Oregon Shores to conduct a minimum of 1 Beach Litter Patrol each Quarter. If passed experience is any indication, this is a fun way to get some great exercise, on our 1 mile of beach, with a bunch of Club Members. You would be surprised at the amount & kind of stuff we find on our patrols.

In closing, let me give you a Web Site that will allow you to stay current on the Marine Reserves Issue:

(www.seagrant.oregonstate.edu/outreach/reserve.html)

This site is being mastered by on organization called SEA GRANT & they will be holding outreach meetings to gather feedback from Coastal Communities, Commercial / Sport Anglers & All Citizens who have a Stake in the ultimate designation of the Governors Plans for Oregon Coastal Marine Reserves. Sea Grant will solicit, compile & present all of the feedback they collect to the Oregon Policy Advisory Council. OPAC is the body that will ultimately report & make recommendations to the Governor regarding the number & designation of Marine Reserve Sites off of our coast. All of this activity needs to be accomplished by EOM April …. There is an effort to try & slow down this process, but that remains to be seen. Hence, it is important that we all stay informed. (See a current proposed site posted on THE WALL in the Club House) If this is done right, it may very well have great value for our grandchildren … If it turns into another hasty, cobbled government program …. It may very well look like a CAMEL !!!! It seems to me, with Marine Reserves >><< We either ALL Hang Together or We will ALL Hang Separate !!!!

Well …. That’s the Top of the News as it looks from here >><< Hope to see you “On the Water” ……….. THE HOOK

ON THE WATER FOR JANUARY (2008)

2007-12-31T19:25:00.001-08:00

ON THE WATER FOR JANUARY (2008)

BEWARE OF >> S A D << I’ll explain that a bit later, but right now I want to tell you, I am feeling really good about what the new year holds for our Fishing Club. Of course, I am the eternal optimist & That is a GOOD THING to be … if you are FISHERMAN or LADY !!!

DECEMBER has been a great month for me >><< My New England Patriots went 16 & 0 … now on to the Super Bowl >>> The DUCKS won there Bowl Game today, with South Florida & things are looking up for next year >>> We sent a Trap Clearing Crew up to Schooner Creek to clear a BIG blow down that fell right on top of the trap…then, a bit later, we joined a Tree Planting Crew on the South Fork of Schooner Creek >>> Mary & I had a really nice Christmas & we finally got all of our decorations (inside & out) put up >>> We had a great Club Christmas Party with Electric Bill winning this years Joe Longo Award >>> I had a wonderful day, today, at the Schooner Creek Trap. Electric Bill, Big Fish & I found 2 beautiful Steelhead in the trap. When Bill tried to net them, they displayed what Tom Roederer best describes as the TYLENOL TANGO !!! The next time you see Tom … have him explain what that means !!! >>> Did I mention, that I got a very nice note from Jack Scherer & he wanted me to pass along his very best wishes to all Club Members for 2008 >>>

That brings us to JANUARY & THE NEW YEAR……….(2008)

It looks like Kevin McCarthy will be our 2007 Salmon Derby Winner with Dave Dinsmoor pulling in a tight 2^nd……. Both of these “Lucky Guys” will also win a great day of guided “Steelhead Fishing” … Compliments of our own Club Member & Professional River Guide >><< Ryan Miner !!! Ryan is also offering all Club members a special $85 dollar rate, for a full day of Steelhead Fishing … That is half the price of the regular non-member rate !!! Also of note >><< General Hudson has been busy putting together another Aquatic Angler Program, which will run at the Newport Middle School, April, May & June of this year.

We will also be welcoming, PHIL HAGER as our guest speaker this month. Phil will be talking with us about Invasive Aquatic Species >><< These Bad Boys will make your hair stand up !!! Big Fish & All of the Trap Team Captains & Crews will continue with Schooner Creek Trap Servicing. Hank Bryson gets a Super A’tta Boy for all of the support he has shown working with Roger to service the Siletz River Trap !!!! I sincerely hope YOU ALL realize how critical your support is to keeping this vital ODFW Fishery Sustainability Operation Running………Without your support >><< It might not be able to continue !!!!! Thanks a Bunch >><< To ALL of Our Club Fish Trappers !!!!!!!

As advertised, let’s spend a moment discussing S A D ….. Seasonal Affected Disorder !!! What this really means is, that living where we do, low sun light conditions can cause us to get “DOWN in the DUMPS”………When that happens, we can become a Real Pain in the Butt to those around us & we can feel like a Big Sack of Dirt !!!!! My recommendation to beat S A D … Is to behave your way out of this disorder >><< What better way to do that, than to attend a Fishing Club Meeting !!!!!!!! I really do want to encourage all of you to help us increase our meeting attendance for 2008 >><< So, to that End … When you are getting ready to attend a Club Meeting, take a moment & remind a friend to also attend >< HAPPY NEW YEAR !!!!!!

In closing ….. Let me leave you with this SENILITY PRAYER >>> Grant me the senility to forget the people I never liked anyway >>> The good fortune to run into the ones I do >> & << The eyesight to tell the difference !!!!!!!!

Well …… That’s the Top of the News as it looks from here >><< Hope to see you “On the Water” …….. THE HOOK

ON THE WATYER FOR DECEMBER (2007)

2007-11-30T14:52:00.001-08:00

ON THE WATER FOR DECEMBER ( 2007 )

As the year draws to a close, it always puts me in a reflective frame of mind >><< even when the guy on the radio is telling me to “Put Rocks in My Pockets” because this weekend is going to bring us a “Rip Snort’er” of a Storm. I have been getting things ready for the Weather Event & reflecting on Saturdays Big Annual Civil War Football Game.

Then I found an article on the Sports Page of today’s (11/30/07) Oregonian about Big Fish Hill’s Son…Brandon >><< What you will see is Brandon & a Friend standing on a burned out Iraqi Tank with their respective Ducks & Beavers Flags on display. Now it doesn’t take much to put life in perspective, storms included, when you see 2 fine young men like these 2 guys “Doing Good & Avoiding Evil” in Iraq. I am sure they would happily trade places with us in a “Philadelphia Minute” !!! …….. So I want to dedicate this column to All of our young Men & Women, serving in our Armed Forces, who will not be home with us for the Storm, the Football Game or the Christmas Season……...Let’s continue to keep them in our prayers.

Now let’s take a quick look at NOVEMBER………..We are honored & pleased to announce that you all supported the re-election of all of the Current Club Officers for another year of service to all of you fine Club Members. Special recognition goes out to all of the Fish Trappers servicing the Siletz & Schooner Creek Traps. You may have heard we found our 1^st Coho Salmon in the Schooner Creek Trap just a couple of days ago…That’s a good sign that the fish are starting to move. Sure hope you had a nice Thanksgiving….We finished up the last of the Turkey just yesterday…….None too soon !!!

DECEMBER brings its own baggage……..The “Trick” is to avoid getting caught up in the Consumer Vortex & stay focused on the Human Aspects of the Holiday Season………Remind me to tell you about a really nice lady, Mrs. Audrey McCall before I close the column.

As I mentioned earlier, the 1^st of the month is the “Civil War” Football Game….Then comes our Fun Breakfast Meeting followed by some Habitat (Tree Planting) Enhancement on Schooner Creek. Our 2007 Salmon Derby will be closing this month & Surveyor Dudley’s Fish Catch Records show only 6 Salmon caught this season. Dave Dinsmoor caught 1 & Kevin McCarthy caught the other 5 fish. We will present the Salmon Club Winner for 2007 at our 3 January 2008 Breakfast Meeting…..Right now it’s looking like another McCarthy Year !!!

Then we celebrate our Annual Christmas Party >><< This year we are pleased to recognize Electric Bill Furgason as our 2007 Joe Longo Award Recipient. We have invited Joe’s Daughter, Mrs. Michele Longo Eder, to join us again to present this year’s award. Please join us for this fun Social EOY Event & give Electric Bill your personal “Att’a Boy” for all of his many contributions to our Fishing Club this year. Kathy will also be with us & she deserves an “Att’a Girl” for being such a Wonderful Lady & Fisherman’s Wife to Bill…..Some additional Good news…...We are holding out hope that Jeannine (aka, 2 Hip Roederer) will be able to join us for our Christmas Party……She is doing “Just Dandy” after her 2^nd Hip Surgery, maybe our prayers did some good !!!

In closing…….I am sure you all remember Gov. Tom McCall……..He’s the man who had made it possible for us all to walk freely on our Beautiful Ocean Beaches. Well, Old Tom was blessed to have a very fine Lady in his life…….None other than his Wife, Mrs. Audrey McCall. Tom passed several years ago & I am sad to tell you Audrey, at the wonderful age of 92 years young, has also recently passed. God Bless you both……

It makes you appreciate what a few good folks can do to make things a little better for us all……If we look around among our good neighbors, here in Longview Hills, you can find similar people……Why, I can count at least 5 folks without even trying too hard. That kind of gets us into the True Spirit of the Holiday Season.

Mary & I want to wish each of you a Very Happy Holiday Season & a Wonderful New Year >><< We cherish all of the Blessings we enjoy being surrounded by Good Caring Family, Friends & Neighbors like You All……..Not just at Christmas, but All Year Long……..

Well……..That’s the Top of the News as it looks from here >><< Hope to see you “On the Water”……… THE HOOK

ON THE WATER FOR NOVEMBER (2007)

2007-10-31T18:11:00.001-07:00

ON THE WATER FOR NOVEMBER (2007)

Hello to my fellow Piscatorial Practitioners >><>>>>>

Remember this Date, 17 February, 2009 ……. That’s the date that your Old Analog TV will no longer work without a converter box !!!

12 October, 1962 ……. That’s the date of the Great Columbus Day Storm, which generated winds as high as 138 MPH here in Newport !!!

La Nina ……. Yep, the Weather Guys tell us we are in for a very WET WINTER …. So far so good, except it sure has slowed down the fishing !!!

Now that you are all puffed up with that good information, I am here to tell you OCTOBER has been a slow Salmon Fishing Month. Kevin McCarthy & Dave Dinsmoor are the only 2 guys in our Clubs Fishing Derby who have caught any large fish & they had to work hard to do that !!

Even the recent successful 2007 U-DA-MAN Salmon Tournament was a hard working fishing event, with only 25 fish caught…. By the way, Kevin won 3ed Place & 200 Bucks….. he was generous enough to give all of his winnings to various charities …. We are happy to acknowledge the receipt of 50 Bucks for our 2008 Aquatic Angler Program >> Thanks Kevin !!!

This has been a very busy month for us doing a lot of ODFW Support Activities, which involved providing Helicopter Road Blocks, rebuilding of the Schooner Creek Fish Ladder & lot’s of Siletz Fish Trapping + Preparing for another active Schooner Creek Fish Trapping Season.

I am still getting Good Reports about Electric Bill & he is looking forward to assuming his role as Team Captain of the Team Chinook Trappers. I hope you have noticed the New Addition to our Fishing Club Site…… Surveyor Dudley has been posting all of our Trap Reports & they make interesting reading…… He has also begun collecting data regarding all types of fish being caught by Club Members….. Special Thanks to the Surveyor for his efforts.

NOVEMBER looks to be a busy month. What with increased Fish Trap Activity & a lot of Year End Club Business to complete……. All of the Clubs Officers will be standing down & nominations for 2008 Club Officers will presented at our Breakfast Meeting. We will also be closing out nominations for our 2007 Joe Long Award Recipient…. So please continue to give us your inputs.

Fish Trap Activities >><< We will need all of the Fish Trappers we can muster, as we go into the Fall/Winter Fish Runs >><< This is really a unique & fun experience >><< contact Wayne Hill if you would like to do a “Tag Along” with one of the Trapper Teams….. I am sure they would be happy to have you join them & remember to bring your camera !!!

Just a small plug for one of our own…. Mike Rosiga (574-0955)…. Mike is now working here in LVH doing Yard Maintenance & Other Good Outside the House Stuff that can save you a Lot of Hard Work ….. Give him a call >> << He is also a very good fisherman !!!

In Closing…….. I am sure you all know that << 4 November is the End of Daylight Saving Time >> Fall Back << I suppose this has some validity, but I have got to tell you….. Changing all of our clocks becomes a “Real Pain in the Butt” !!! I wonder if the fish really give a Hoot … Maybe, it will have some positive impact on our DUCKS verses THE SUN DEVILS Football game coming up on Saturday !!!!

(Compliments of Larry the Cable Guy) >><< OKAY….SO WHAT’S THE SPEED OF DARK ???

Well………That’s the top of the news as it looks from here >><< Hope to see you “On the Water.” THE HOOK

ON THE WATER FOR OCTOBER (2007)

2007-09-30T14:20:00.000-07:00

ON THE WATER FOR OCTOBER (2007)

Yes >> 9/30/40<< today is my Birthday…….67 Big Ones !!! So…I am going to give myself a treat & keep this month’s column short & sweet !!!

SEPTEMBER got our Salmon Fishing Derby off with a Bang !! Creek Meister Dinsmoor is “On the Board” with a nice 28 lb Salmon. Surveyor Dudley did a great Job with his presentation of “Household Gun Safety”….. In fact, he did such a good job that I came home from his presentation & cleaned my gun…….Remember >><< Always treat any gun you meet as if it LOADED…until you know other wise !!! We completed the rebuild of the ODFW Schooner Creek Fish Ladder……Special Thanks to a wonderful group on men who completed that TOUGH JOB on time & under budget !!! WELCOME to our newest Club Member >> Lois Billingham << Not to worry Dick, we still think you are a great guy !!!

OCTOBER will continue to be an active Salmon Fishing Month (See the Monthly Schedule). In addition, our Club will be actively involved in supporting the Annual U-DA-MAN Fishing Tournament. Funds raised as a result of this fun event go toward supporting ODFW Salmon Enhancement Programs in Yaquina Bay. At our G.M. Meeting (18 Oct.)…..We will have a most interesting guest speaker (Ms Stephanie Payne) who will be familiarizing us with various “Nasty” Invasive Plants in our Coastal Area. Big Fish Hill will soon begin putting together our winter Schooner Creek Fish Trap Teams. We will also begin doing some planning for our Aquatic Angler Program for 2007/8.

Early returns indicate that things are going along well for Electric Bill Furgason………I still think it would be a good idea to continue…“GOOD THOUGHTS”…about him for the next several weeks & don’t forget Kathy too !!! Jeannine…..We are really tickled to see you doing so well.

In Closing, as many of you have told me, these Birthdays continue to come around pretty fast. All in All…I have been truly blessed with a Wonderful Lady, a bunch of Fine Sons, more than a handful of Damn Good Friends & Good Health >><< Now you can’t hardly beat that with a stick……Of course, The DUCKS beating CAL would have been nice too !!!

Well……..That’s the top of the news as it looks from here >><< Hope to see you “On the Water.” THE HOOK

ON THE WATER FOR SEPTEMBER (2007)

2007-08-28T13:43:00.000-07:00

ON THE WATER FOR SEPTEMBER (2007)

Did You see it last night ??? Well, it was something to behold, about 2:30 AM……..A Hand Much Greater than ours…turned the Full Moon Dark !!! Now that was a humbling thing to see. Every once in a while, I think that it’s good for us all to see & feel that kind of power. It makes us realize >>> We all put our pants on “One leg at a Time !!!

I would also like to sort through a “Bunch of Stuff that has been collecting in the pockets of my Fishing Vest, but 1^st lets take a quick look at August…..

Seems like the Summer is fleeting by….We had a Great 3ed Birthday Celebration, even though a lot of members have been away and/or on the road. There was a good day refurbishing the Schooner Creek Fish Trap & Thanks to Big Fish Hill, the Siletz Trappers continue to “Do Good & Avoid Evil” !!! All in All, it was a very pleasant month, with Ryan Miner providing a fine “Salmon is the Game” Presentation & then he joined our Club as its Newest Member…..Welcome Aboard Ryan !!!

Now, September promises to be a “Rip Snorter” >><< Take a look at the Activity Schedule posted on THE WALL & you will see it’s time to kick-off our 2^nd Annual Salmon Derby (You don’t want to miss that). Then Surveyor Dudley will be giving us a, 1^st time, Household Gun Safety Presentation, which is a fine Public Service to all of our Club Members & our LVH Neighbors.

Pard……Have you ever noticed how much STUFF seems to creep into the Pockets of our Fishing Vests ??? There must be a message in that…,.Let’s see if we can find it:

This is a Factoid I found >>> 3,365…Length in Miles of the Nation’s Longest Road (US 20, from Boston to Newport, OR)…Think about that, the next time you drive thru Eddyville !!! Then there is the New Wave Electric Energy Equipment Moorings that have been placed off of Yaquina Head Light (Last week). This is the 1^st step in placing this New Energy Technology anywhere in the country. The ODFW has a New Director, Roy Elicker. He is joined by a New Deputy, Curt Melcher. Both of these men bring a lot of experience to their jobs. We will try to support them by continuing to work with our great Local ODFW Biologists & Coastal Fishing Clubs to further the Sustainability of our Oregon Fisheries. Another Factoid >>> La Nina … This year it will be the strongest it has been since Feb. 2000. What that tends to mean for us, is that we can expect a very wet & cold winter. Our departing Snow Birds will love this forecast !!!…….Speaking of “The Birds”…….Editor Currey gave me some PIX & News Articles received from, none other than, Bob & Marilyn Breakfield. They are having a “Big Time” in Alaska & make us feel inadequate with PIX of Big Red Salmon & How’bout >> a 356 lb Halibut caught in the Gulf of Alaska……The Guy that caught this Monster said, “I don’t know how we got it in the boat”….. He won 5000 Bucks for his efforts, but I am not sure I would have wanted to be in the boat with that “Bad Boy !!! Just to let you know, we are discussing an idea, put forth by Wayne Hill, of holding a combined Annual Fishing Club Picnic for next year. This would involve our Club Joining forces with our ANWS & CCFF friends… We’ll let you know how that develops. Then there is the ongoing concern regarding the Klamath River Basin Issues (Sustainability of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water Quality & the attendant Economic/Ecological Implications). Perhaps the “Best Case” results rest with the “Klamath Settlement Group”….. Comprised of 26 entities representing Native Americans, Farmers, Anglers & various Conservation Groups. Watch for their Final Report due to hit the streets sometime in November. We also need to “Keep an Eye” on our…SMR’s…What’s an SMR you ask ?? Well, consider it a Train coming down the Track & WE need to Get On or get Run Over !!!! STATE MARINE RESERVES involve a proposal by the Governor to create…SMR’s… NO FISH ZONES…along our Oregon Coast. The Port of Newport has approached the Newport City Council to sign on with them to support a resolution, which will attempt to SLOW DOWN this strong POLITICAL TRAIN by encouraging the Governors Oregon Policy Advisory Council to do a more through job of studying the balance between the economic & fishing implications of where these SMR’s are ultimately designated. I would encourage our City Council to join with the Port People on this one. Another Factoid >>> VIEWSHED….This is a new legal term that means we all have a right to the view we have out of our homes. The problem with this concept (VIEWSHED) is that it has never been clearly defined !!! As I look off of my deck, I am watching Big Machines pull Humongus Trees out of the ground like they were rags in the wind. The reality is that 33 acres of ground, off of the SE Corner of LVH, is being prepared for future home development. Yes….This causes me some anxiety about my Viewshed, but then I realize that all of our LVH Ground must have looked like the land currently being “Redesigned” !!!

The MESSAGE in all of this Fishing Vest Stuff may just be…..It’s Good to Clean Out Your Vest once in a while !!!!

GOOD PEOPLE THOUGHTS >><< Special Thanks to Lois Billingham for helping Bob Abbott get to & from his Eye Surgery next week. Keep Electric Bill Furgason in your thoughts…..This is going to be a important medical month for him. We are pleased to know Jeannine Roederer is doing so well with her new hip….Att’a Girl Jeannine !!!

In closing, let me leave you with a bit of wisdom from Larry The Cable Guy, Inside every Older Person is a Younger Person wondering, “What the _______ happened” ????

Well…….That’s the Top of the news as it looks from Here >><< Hope to see You “On the Water.” THE HOOK