Chuck Bonks

We still have a few shirts left - get em before they're gone.

Bug Launcher Classic BBQ and Casting Challenge

Have some fun casting a line, eat some BBQ and meet some folks at the Bug Launcher Classic. Test your skills at twelve stations on and near the North Umpqua River, each with targets at three skill levels. 36 opportunities to challenge and tune your casting skills.

Not only are you guaranteed a good time but there will be raffles and prizes and better yet.....100% of the proceeds will got to benefit The Wild Steelhead Coalition.

Where: The Reel McCoys’ Place, 9624 South bank Dr. Roseburg, OR
When: Saturday, July 21, 2012  - 9:00 – 5:00

Donation of cash or check (any amount) goes to Wild Steelhead Coalition.

Recommended Equipment: Single handed rod, tapered leader to 2X, yarn fly only (provided), and a sense of humor.

RSVP with Mike or Jan
541-677-0100
mikemccoy@dcwisp.net

More fish giving goodness from Patagonia

Patagonia recently announced a gift of $20,000 to the Save Our Wild Salmon Coalition in recognition of their 20 years uniting people for salmon, rivers, and jobs.

From Save Our Wild Salmon:

For 14 years, Patagonia, its stores and its people have supported our work to save that wild salmon and steelhead that Northwest communities and watersheds depend on - with mobilization, publicity, creative design, product donations, event sponsorship, training, contact with three administrations, seven Congresses, and seven governors - as well as linking us into their own conservation initiatives and championing us to fellow businesses.  And funding,usually at the times we most needed it.

Save Our Wild Salmon executive director Pat Ford thanks Patagonia for their many years of support in this Cleanest Line post.

Patagonia also recently announced a $10,000 grant for the Wild Steelhead Coalition in recognition of their efforts to restore the return of wild steelhead to the rivers of the Pacific Northwest.

New Chum Shirt: Bonk Hatchery Fish (Limited Stock)

Hot off the press. We did a limited run on this so get a few before they're gone. Portion of proceeds will be donated to Wild Steelhead Coalition. Art logo by Eric Christensen, who is donating his portion to the Native Fish Society.

BUY NOW

New life emerges as Elwha dams come down

A WILD steelhead sighting on the Elwha above the old Elwha dam site. 

Scientists last week discovered the first wild, adult male steelhead — at least 35 inches long — arriving to spawn in the Little River, a tributary upstream from the old Elwha Dam site, where the river now flows free.

LINK (via: The Seattle Times)

If it was not for the efforts of the Wild Steelhead Coalition, the Conservation Angler and the Federation of Fly Fishers Steelhead Committee that wild fish would be getting busy with Chambers Creek hatchery stock.

Good news regarding Elwha River wild steelhead!

Non-native hatchery steelhead will not be released into the Elwha River and its tributaries this year, say four conservation groups that earlier this month filed suit against federal agencies and officials of the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe (in their official capacities) for releases of hatchery fish into the Elwha.  The groups announced today that they have reached an agreement with the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe (LEKT), where the four groups agreed not to seek a preliminary injunction against the LEKT’s release of hatchery-raised “Chambers Creek” steelhead, and the LEKT agreed not to release those fish this year.  Normally, the fish would have likely been released sometime in April.

LINK (Via: The Wild Steelhead Coalition)

The agreement does not apply to possible releases in future years so the fight may not yet be over. For now score one for wild steelhead and the groups that led the charge against this short sighted strategy.