Fish with JD

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Oregon takes a stand against lining (“flossing”)

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Do salmon really bite these? Really?

Oregon fisheries managers recently enacted regulations on a couple popular salmon streams that ban the ever-popular angling “method” of lining to protect fish stocks. On sections of the Trask and Three Rivers, leader length restrictions, as well as some fly and bobber fishing-only regulations will be in place this season.

These gear restrictions are necessary, according to Chris Knutsen, district fish biologist for ODFW’s North Coast Watershed, to discourage the illegal practice of “snagging” or “flossing” fish that concentrate in these areas. Flossing is the practice of drifting line into the gaping mouth of a fish holding in the river current. Large hooks attached to the leader easily hook the fish on the outside of the jaw. ODFW biologists and Oregon State Police have noticed an increase in these illegal fishing practices, which reduces the number of fish available to anglers who are following the rules.

“These snaggers have been aggressive and have displaced legitimate anglers,” said Knutsen. “It is important that we maximize opportunities for law-abiding anglers, and that’s what these gear restrictions are designed to do.”

For more on Oregon’s battle against snagging, click here

For specific changes to the regulations: ODFW

Starting ’em out right!

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You know me…I’m always a sucker for a good kid fishing pic! So, it was impossible for me not to post this photo of super cute Alexandra Martin, 7, of Brookings, OR, and her first-ever king salmon, a 15-pounder. Alexandra caught the fish Sept. 18 on the Coquille River on the Oregon Coast while fishing with her father, guide Andy Martin of Wild Rivers Fishing.

And that, my friends, is how you get yourself a fishing buddy for life! Good job Alex & Andy!

Why we love Oregon (Reason #472): Bait Vending Machines!

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Now, if they only sold beer...



Our pal, T-Rex just got home from a road trip in Oregon, where he found what just may be the world’s coolest invention…the vending machine bait shop!

T-Rex said he fund the little bugger late at night in a dark parking lot (we didn’t ask) near the Willamette River and was stoked to find it better stocked than a lot of big shops.

“The contents included: cured sand shrimp in both orange and pink and tubs of roe, too,” he says.” It was red bait but looked better than most stuff you find in tackle shops. There was also a good stock of lead terminal tackle. They had plenty of Gamakastu hooks, mainline and leader material (no flouro). There were jars of Pautzke’s Ball o’ Fire, night crawlers, and even insect repellent! I’ve never seen anything like this in my life!” Click here to read more…

The Feb. 2010 Hawg of the Month

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Yep, we figured that was a tough fish to beat!


It was a close battle between two epic 20 plus pound steelhead, but in the end, Dave Pitts and his buddy with the Giant Oregon Steelie took the popular vote and will now be entered into the Hawg of the Year finals in December.

Here’s a look at the final results…Click here to read more…

Road Trip: Oregon Coast Steelhead!

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Just got back from a week-long roadie in Northwestern Oregon, where Big Fred, Riles and I met up with our boy Nick “The Sultan of Steelies” Amato, Editor of Salmon Trout Steelheader Magazine and all-around cool cat. We focused on some of the smaller, less traveled streams on the Oregon coast. Here’s what we found…