February 2, 2010
The Coquille STEP Board meeting of February 2, 2010 was called to order at 6:30 p.m. Board Members in attendance were: Steve Pennington, Toby Hatzenpillar, Willie Shorb, Larry Richey, Paul Merz, and Rich Fish.
President Steve Pennington called the meeting to order and stated that he would be following his meeting agenda. This would help us stay on track unless we felt there was a need to discuss an item only at the board level. Steve asked each member to consider writing pieces to be included in the monthly newsletter. Next we discussed Facebook and how it may be utilized. He pointed out that the info entered into Facebook may not be accurate although referenced materials needed to be accurate.
Each item on the agenda was touched upon briefly as follows, facebook, guides, participation, fishing rules, Gravel-DEQ, restoration for steelhead, and traps. No other items were discussed although Steve wants members to write about their historic experiences for the benefit of all future fishermen. He pointed out the importance of maintaining a historical reference for the future.
General Meeting was called to order at 7:00PM
Jen Feloa, ODFW, was the guest speaker and spoke on the N. fork of the Coquille river tributaries LW (large wood) Project. This is a large wood project for instream enhancement to improve rearing habitat. All historical practices were considered while approaching this project. Goals included LW volume, wood pieces, increasing total pool area and frequency of changes in the stream. Partners included in the project included BLM, CWSA and others. Focus was concentrated on area’s that could be repaired first and then getting landowner’s to buy into plan. Grants were then applied for and Permits obtained. In the winter, habitat surveys are done in preparation for the spring work. Contractors are then notified of the work that needs to be done. A follow-up pre-habitat survey is completed in the summer. Reports are then completed and send to the funding sources. A guide for placing large wood in streams is followed to achieve the maximum benefit. In-water work rules are followed. Conifers are the preferred wood to be placed in the streams as hardwoods break down too fast. There were 14 miles of instream wood placement within the Coquille/Coos river estuaries in 2008. This project was given an award (2010) for its accomplishments.
Minutes of the January meeting were read, corrections made and report approved with corrections. Treasurer’s report was presented for two periods from 1/1/2008 thru 12/31/2009. There is a negative cash flow during this period. Steve asked volunteers to the BASA meeting that is coming up in March. Treasurers report was accepted as presented.
George Johnson spoke to Gary (ODFW) about allowing fishermen to keep some wild steelhead due to the fact that a significant number of them are caught, released and then die in a lot of cases. Gary said this was being reviewed although the population is not considered a healthy population in the Coquille system. Gary said that ODFW could not of itself make a regulation change. If they even attempted to do so there would be an outcry from the public that would stop it cold.
Gary was next asked about upcoming rule changes for 2011. 2009 numbers showed an increase in the fish population from the prior years. They expect there to be a Coho fishery in 2010 as long as the predictions are over 15,000. Gary and Chris will be collecting broodstock tomorrow at La Verne Park. Need a couple of volunteers.
Steve asked for a steelhead report. Don hooked 9 this past week, no keepers. Tom hasn’t hooked any fish. George Johnson caught 11, one keeper. No one had an accurate number of fishing hours recorded but all commented that there had been a significant number of hours spent fishing.
Steve spent some time showing different rig setups for steelhead fishing. Steve wants each of us to write something on the web site regarding fishing in this area, historical or current issues.
Web page address is: www.coquilleriverstep.org.
Willie suggested that we collect our own brood stock and get our hatch box program resurrected.
The meeting was adjourned at 9 p.m.
Rich Fish
Secretary