Fall Chinook Salmon Trap

Wednesday morning October 17 the call came in to our office from Tom Sutton, a volunteer member of the Umpqua Fisherman's Association. "Good morning Jeff, were going to take fish out today at 9 am." His call was in reference to the annual fish trap located at the Happy Valley Launch Ramp on the South Umpqua River. The intent of the trap is to collect adult fall Chinook for brood stock purposes. The trap, itself was placed in the river just a week prior and is part of S.T.E.P.

In Oregon, S.T.E.P. (Salmon Trout Enhancement Program) was established by local fisherman in co-operation with Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife during the early 1980s.

The goal established by local fishing groups is to improve the fish numbers in Oregon's rivers allowing future generations of anglers the opportunity to enjoy one of the state's finest natural resources. By utilizing donated budgets, equipment and manpower various groups state wide stand out in this noble effort. In Douglas County the Umpqua Fisherman's Association takes the lime light. With this project involving habitat restoration, fish rearing, community involvement and awareness, Oregon's Rivers today are showing the fruits of these much appreciated efforts.

From about September 15th to November 30th the south Umpqua is closed to ALL ANGLING! The reasoning according to ODFW officials is to allow the returning salmon to spawn undisturbed. "The South Umpqua is usually very low this time of year and most of the spawn takes place in the river and not the tributaries," says Mari Brick of ODFW. "It's just simpler for law officials to enforce a NO ANGLING rule than a SPECIES SPECIFIC rule. Plus it's better for the spawning fish. Any one is still welcome to observe the fish just don't carry any fishing tackle with you when you do! And please stay out of the water avoiding stepping on the REDS."

The Umpqua Fisherman's Association has been trapping fall Chinook for years from the Happy Valley location. Once netted the adult fish are transported to the Rock Creek Hatchery where the eggs and sperm are mixed. The fertilized eggs are then re-distributed to hatch box locations up the tributaries of the South Umpqua. This is where the Umpqua Fisherman's Association efforts continue.

All of their hatch box locations were built by volunteer man power and donated materials. Here the organization carefully monitors the eggs as they incubate and hatch out. They will carefully remove dead eggs and dead fry to avoid any diseases that may infest the boxes. After feeding and caring for the new fish next spring as in springs past 300 thousand pre-smolt are expected to be released into the tributaries thus helping our salmon population to grow. These fish plus the natural spawn fish should return to complete their life cycle as their parents in about 4 years. Mean while The Umpqua Fisherman's Association will be there each fall at Happy Valley helping the salmon population.

A positive comment from this reporter: My home in Dillard for 20 plus years is on the South Umpqua. The visible numbers of returning fall Chinook is incredible and I believe mainly due to the Story above. I give honors to the Umpqua Fisherman's Association, ODFW, and countless other volunteers for giving Mother Nature what I call a defibulator paddle jump start each year for the past two decades. My hat is off and waving thank you!

If you're interested in joining the Umpqua Fisherman's Association, let us steer you to Laura Jackson at the ODFW Office in Roseburg, 541-440-3353.