MY LETTER TO ODFW COMMISSION ON REGULATION CHANGES ON THE DESCHUTES RIVER

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:

Re:  Proposed Changes to Regulations on the Size of Fish that can be kept on the Lower Deschutes River

My name is Brian Silvey and I have been a professional guide and outfitter on the Deschutes River for 30+ years.  I am writing to express my opposition to the proposed changes in ‘catch and keep’ Regulations. 

The Lower Deschutes river trout population below Shears Falls has improved over the years due to protection of the slot limit of 10-13 inch and stream work. Promoting the harvest of 8 inch minimum length will drain already stressed resources, including the unintentional killing of juvenile steelhead that are also about that size as they head to the ocean in the spring and intentionally destroy generations of preservation and enhancement efforts.  We need to keep protecting these fish and improve the regulations in a way to ensure they survive for many generations to come. The Deschutes is one of the best trout fisheries we have in the state of Oregon, we should be protecting these fish, not harvesting them. 

In my professional and personal opinion the Deschutes River should be a CATCH and RELEASE river, which would simplify the Regulations and promote a stronger Steelhead and Trout fishery, thus increase revenue for the ODFW and the State. One of Oregon’s top license sellers for trout and steelhead fishing during the summer, if you want more License Sales protect the Lower Deschutes by making it CATCH AND RELEASE.

People travel from all over the world to experience the unique Wild Trout and Steelhead fisheries on the Deschutes River.  We should be protecting this incredible resource, not intentionally destroying it.

THANK YOU

BRIAN SILVEY

IF you love the Deschutes like I do please write to ODFW Commisson and tell them to protect the Deschutes.

Send email to : odfw.commission@state.or.us

SANDY RIVER FLYFISHING PHOTOS

     

RIVER LEVELS IN OREGON

The Rivers around the Portland Area did not go up as much as other rivers especially the Southern Oregon Rivers.
The Sandy and Clackamas are up but still very fishable from what I thought was going to happen with this big storm we were suppose to get.
The Rogue is still at FLOOD STAGE and Peaked around 100,000 CFS.
The Lower Umpqua also hit 100,000 CFS, that is a lot of water.
Since we don't have much of a Snow pack on MT HOOD there is nothing to melt with the warm rain.
I cancelled some trips because of the forecast for rain and high water, just goes to show we have all this info at our finger tips and still can be wrong on predicting fishing conditions.

SANDY RIVER FLY FISHING PHOTOS

  

     


 

SANDY RIVER FLYFISHING REPORT

Was out last week with some success, we landed one nice wild fish with a few other grabs.
The funny part is the fish we landed decided to grab the fly when I was trying to stretch my clients mono shooting line. I knew he was in a good spot but he was having trouble casting because the shooting line looked like a giant spring. All I felt was a little tap and thought it was a rock until I let go of his line the fish came tight. I guess you never know when it will happen so always be ready, even if your guide is messing with your line.