Tualatin Valley Chapter Spring Chinook Tournament Recap
July 28, 2026
Advocacy Begins With You:
Building Relationships That Strengthen Our Voice for Fish and Fishing
The 2026 election season is underway, and elected officials and candidates are listening to constituents about the issues that matter most in their communities. For the Association of Northwest Steelheaders, this is an important opportunity to make sure that the voices of anglers, conservationists and outdoor enthusiasts are part of that conversation.
Some of the Steelheaders' most important legislative successes have come because members made their values and priorities known to elected officials.
We can be even more effective if we build a broad network of members who are willing to speak up when it matters.
You don't need to be a professional advocate. You don't need to know every detail of a bill. And you don't need to agree with your elected officials on every issue.
Effective advocacy starts with relationships
During the interim between legislative sessions, direct conversations with constituents can be particularly valuable to elected officials. While professional advocates and lobbyists are a constant presence in the Capitol, legislators also want to hear directly from the people they represent.
That is where each of us can make a difference.
Do you care about hatchery funding? Salmon and steelhead recovery? Public access to rivers and streams? Healthy fisheries and opportunities for recreational anglers? Let your elected representatives know. Your personal experience and perspective can help policymakers better understand how natural resource decisions affect communities across Oregon and Washington.
Start by Making Contact
One of the easiest ways to become a more effective advocate is simply to establish a relationship with your elected representatives.
Contact their offices and ask to be added to their constituent mailing lists.
Find your elected officials:
- Oregon: Find Your Legislator
- Washington: Find Your Legislator
- Federal: Find Your Legislator
Most legislators regularly share information about community meetings, town halls, legislative updates and other opportunities to engage. These events provide an opportunity to introduce yourself, learn more about your representatives' priorities and share your perspective as an angler and constituent. We encourage Steelheaders members to watch for opportunities to meet with elected officials and agency representatives in their own communities. A community event, town hall, public meeting, open house or informal gathering can be an excellent place to start a conversation.
Start by introducing yourself
Attend a community event. Sign up for your legislators' newsletters. Ask questions. Tell them why healthy salmon and steelhead populations, hatcheries, habitat, public access and recreational fishing matter to you and your community.
Then stay in touch.
The months leading up to an election are an especially good time to establish these relationships. Many community and legislative events are free and open to constituents, providing opportunities to meet elected officials in a less formal setting.
If more Steelheaders members build these relationships in their own communities, our organization will have greater visibility, better access to information about emerging policy proposals and—most importantly—a stronger network of anglers prepared to participate in the public process.
Our goal is not simply to show up when we need something. It is to establish relationships before we need to ask for something.
As opportunities arise, members may also have opportunities to attend events alongside Steelheaders representatives. So don't be surprised if you are invited to put on your Steelheaders gear and join us at a community event or policy gathering.
Advocacy Happens Beyond the Capitol
Building relationships does not always require a trip to Salem or Olympia.
Recently, I attended the dedication of a new park in my community and had the opportunity to visit with several public officials, including Congresswoman Andrea Salinas, a longtime colleague from the conservation community. On another occasion, I attended a reception with state Senate leaders and had an opportunity to discuss the status of salmon and hatcheries. All of these opportunities were open to the public or constituents.
Over time, developing relationships and participating in these types of events has opened the door to additional valuable opportunities to share the Steelheaders' perspective, learn what policymakers are hearing from their constituents and identify issues that may be important to our members.
The 2027 Legislative Session Will Matter
There is growing recognition among natural-resource and outdoor-recreation advocates that the 2027 legislative session could be particularly important for anglers, hunters and other outdoor interests.
Natural-resource budgets are facing significant pressure, while important policy and regulatory decisions will continue to shape the future of fisheries and recreational opportunities. We also need to pay close attention to the administrative rulemaking process, where agencies often develop the rules that put legislation into practice.
Recent discussions in Oregon about constitutional protections for hunting and fishing rights are another reminder that issues important to anglers can increasingly become part of the broader public policy conversation.
The Steelheaders will continue to monitor these developments and provide members with information about issues affecting fish, fishing and access to the outdoors. Our role is to ensure that anglers have a voice in those discussions regardless of political party.
The first step in advocacy is simply making contact
Let's make sure policymakers hear from the people who fish these waters, care about these resources and want to see healthy fisheries and meaningful fishing opportunities for generations to come.
Sincerely,
Bob Oleson
VP of Government Affairs
Norm Ritchie
Immediate Past President
