July 31, 2020

Newest Salmon “Recovery” Plan is Built to Flop

To save the endangered populations of salmon and steelhead in the Columbia and Snake rivers, the Oregon District Court tasked federal agencies with developing a comprehensive, fish-friendly plan for operating the Columbia River Hydrosystem. Just like the past five plans they've produced, this “new” plan resembles previous plans that failed to restore fish runs or pass legal scrutiny. Unfortunately for sport fishers, this new plan won't recover salmon or fishing opportunities.
August 14, 2020

The Fish That Unites Us: Centering Indigenous Perspectives of Salmon in Fisheries Management

The relationship between northwest Tribes and salmon is significant—so significant, in fact, that many groups refer to themselves as “Wy-Kan-Ush-Pum” or “Salmon People.” Historically, the Columbia River basin supported one of the most abundant salmon returns in the world, providing Indigenous communities with a reliable, year-round source of protein. Now, the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde are able to harvest 15 salmon.
September 8, 2020

An Open Letter to Washington Fish and Wildlife Commissioner Dave Graybill

Washington Fish and Wildlife Commissioner Graybill, we ask that you oppose the proposed policy that seeks to cut sport fishing allocationwhile allowing increased non-treaty gillnetting on the mainstem Columbia. Instead, keep fighting for the fish and for the entire recreational angling community.
September 9, 2020

Eugene Register-Guard: A failure to save the salmon

In the newest biological opinion, which the court provided an additional five years to be developed, we see another suite of measures that lack the strength to turn around the demise of the salmon and orcas. The agencies have proposed another suite of measures that jeopardize the salmon that are the heart of the promises in the Native American treaties. As the plight of the salmon grows more and more dire, more drastic measures will be required to recover salmon because the delay and obfuscation process has used up much of our lead time. Now, we have to take strong action to recover salmon, including decommissioning the four lower Snake River Dams and increasing spill at the remaining dams on the mainstem Columbia River.
September 10, 2020

Oregonian: Willamette fish score a victory

September 10, 2020

Albany Democrat Herald: A failure to save the salmon

Bill Kremers is a charter lifetime member of the Association. Since joining the Steelheaders, he has served in a variety of positions at both the chapter and Association level, including four years as the Association president. On July 30, 2020, the Albany Democrat Herald published an opinion piece from Bill Kremers regarding Representative DeFazios' Moving Forward Act. It is copied below for reference.
September 16, 2020

Washington Favors Commercial Gill Nets over Anglers in New Columbia River Salmon Fisheries Policy

In a devastating blow to the Columbia River sportfishing community last Friday, 9/11, the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission voted 5-4 to amend their Columbia River salmon fisheries management policy and reinstate gill nets on the lower mainstem Columbia River.
September 17, 2020

Wildfires Burn and Endanger Oregon Fish Hatcheries

Wildfires are tearing through the western United States, incinerating public lands, wildlife habitat, and towns in their path. Over 1.7 million acres have burned in Oregon and Washington alone, and while rain is predicted to bring some relief over the coming days, the fires have already destroyed critical infrastructure supporting our salmon and steelhead populations. Several Oregon fish hatcheries are in areas that were burned or evacuated. The Rock Creek Hatchery on the North Umpqua River sustained the most severe damage.