Steelheaders President Jeff Hernandez with a beauty of a rainbow caught on his home water, the Deschutes River. Check out the action on Jeff's YouTube! |
Steelheaders Receive Awards from ODFW |
Members LeRoy Schultz and Tom VanderPlaat recognized for many years of volunteer work. |
Long time Steelheader leaders, board members and chapter volunteers Leroy Schultz and Tom VanderPlaat were recognized at the Salmon and Trout Advisory Council(STAC) meeting in April for their outstanding contributions to the Fish Eggs to Fry Program. Congratulations LeRoy and Tom!! Below are the nomination summaries provided by STAC:
LeRoy Schultz is a retired educator who has been a dedicated volunteer with the Fish Eggs to Fry Program for decades and has been involved with the program longer than the vast majority (if not all) of STEP Biologists. From helping teachers set up their tanks, to organizing volunteers for egg delivery from his chapter of the Association of Northwest Steelheaders, to revolutionizing the way we prepare eggs for transport from hatchery to classroom, to responding to urgent tank equipment breakdowns at a moment’s notice and more, LeRoy has been vital to the success of the program. LeRoy helped develop the Fish Eggs to Fry manual for teachers and the equipment setup and operations manual. His dependability, organization, knowledge, and kindness are self-evident, and he has clearly had a positive impact on a great many teachers and students involved with the program over the years.
Tom VanderPlaat, a previous STAC member and current R&E board member, has been an invaluable volunteer for Fish Eggs to Fry and other STEP activities in the Lower Willamette District and beyond. The last couple of years, having taken the reins as education lead of the Tualatin Valley (TV) Chapter of the Association of Northwest Steelheaders (from rockstar volunteer LeRoy Schultz), Tom has led efforts to coordinate Fish Eggs to Fry volunteers for egg delivery, provide schools with equipment assistance, support fry release field trips (made possible by his connection with Clean Water Services), apply for grant funding, and more recently partnering with Portland Community College’s – HVAC program to tackle broken chillers from around the state. Furthermore, the TV Chapter created additional cloth salmon anatomy dissection models to be used for outreach and education events. Tom, together with LeRoy’s help, has been instrumental in furthering STEP’s mission (especially in Washington County) and with the aim of getting more kids to care about and love salmon and trout.
Get Involved in Fish Eggs to Fry
The program continues to grow with a record 173 classrooms participated in fall salmon rearing in 2024 in the greater Portland-Metro region! The Salmon and Trout Enhancement Program(STEP) is looking for more volunteers. If you are interested in supporting this amazing program, you can register with Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife using the link below. You can also learn more about the program at the Steelheaders web page.
|
Use the link below to register with ODFW and the Fish Eggs to Fry program: |
Legislative Update: OR Legislature Reaches The Half Way Mark |
Steelheaders Advocating for Hatchery Funding, Combatting Invasive Species and Protecting Public Access to Waterways. |
By Bob Oleson
Vice President of Government Affairs
This legislative session has provided anglers with great opportunities to move our policy priorities forward, while also presenting challenges and risks.
The word on everyone’s mind this session is funding. With uncertainty at the federal level around wildlife conservation funding making its way to states, the Steelheaders and our fellow angler advocacy groups have come together to advocate for Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife(ODFW) and robust funding for priority programs, like addressing the $200M backlog in maintenance at our hatcheries and combatting invasive species with resources that they have control over.
If you’re looking to get more involved, use this one pager to learn more about our priority bills this session. Click on the bill links for more detailed information, including if hearings have been scheduled: Check out the bills.
As more opportunities arise to make your voice heard this legislative session, the Steelheaders will be sending out action alerts with talking points and guidance on how to get involved.
Here are additional updates on our priority legislation this session:
ODFW Budget
Early in April, a public hearing was held on the proposed ODFW 2025-2027 budget, which included increasing funding by $9M from general fund, license fees, federal funds, and other sources. Nearly a hundred members of the Steelheaders, Coastal Conservation Alliance, Trout Unlimited and other advocacy groups showed up to voice our support for the budget and ODFW’S requested policy option package(POP) that would further fund hatcheries, law enforcement, biologists, the antipoaching program and fish monitoring activities. There are several important policy bills with a budget component we are working to have included in the final state budget, one example is HB 2773–5. We have partnered with Rep Paul Evans on this effort to greatly improve urban fishing opportunities for kids and others. If enacted the bill would create a fund supporting communities developing or enhancing urban fishing opportunities identified by ODFW.
Hatchery Maintenance and Research Funding
On April 18th, a hearing was held by the Ways and Means Capitol Construction subcommittee on dozens of major bonding requests in less than two hours. Included in this was SB 5505, which would provide $20M towards capitol construction bonds to address the hatchery maintenance backlog. The hearing was such a whirlwind that Agency representatives like Deputy Director Shaun Clements were given exactly two minutes to testify and were then promptly cut off. There was essentially no public testimony allowed.
Prior to the hearing, the Steelheaders sent out a call to action for members to submit written testimony. Given the structure of the hearing and lack of in person testimony, we are so thankful to those who submitted comments directly to the Ways and Means Committee members. We had nearly 360 letters submitted in total! Legislators notice when there is this kind of a movement, and it is imperative that we keep up this level of engagement.
Additionally, I completed visits to all 30 Ways and Means Committee members to emphasize the importance of funding our hatcheries.
River Navigability and Access
Earlier in April, there was a very long work session on SB 74, a bill intended to expedite navigability declarations, which in turn should increase angler access to various stretches of rivers and streams. Following the Department of State Land’s Director and her staff, I was the only other person who gave in person testimony supporting this bill. For over 30 years our organization, more than any other, has been identified with asserting state/public ownership of important waterways. I am optimistic this bill will continue to move forward, but it will need the support of our members to make sure the legislators know how important it is to us.
Invasive Species
Over 10 years ago the state began to get seriously involved with the anticipated aquatic invasive species problem after NW Steelheaders and Trout Unlimited successfully pushed hard for a law addressing this problem.
In April, I attended the multi-agency report to a budget subcommittee regarding the status of the war on aquatic invasive species. Informally led by ODFW, each biennium millions of dollars and dozens of people are now targeting this ticking time bomb in our state. A third dangerous mussel has now been detected- more money with a formal organization are being requested so the expected crisis can be mitigated.
As this request moves forward, the Steelheaders will continue to stay engaged and keep our members up to date.
If you want to get more involved in legislative advocacy, you can always reach out to me at boboleson@hotmail.com. |
Another Plunking Clinic Success! |
|
|
The NW Steelheaders, in partnership with Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, organized a clinic for new anglers who wanted to learn the basics of “plunking”. |
Plunking is a bank fishing technique: You toss your gear out and put your rod in a holder or against a forked stick and wait for a bite. For those without a boat, it can be a great way to target salmon and steelhead in big water. This is the second time we’ve hosted this clinic, and it quickly sold out! Given the immense interest, we hope to do another clinic next year in the spring so stay tuned.
This year’s clinic was attended by 40 people, and the registration included a year’s membership to the Steelheaders. We are so thrilled and thankful to all of the new members who signed up. |
You’re invited to the 2025 Hall of Fame Banquet and Auction! |
Mark your calendars for November 15 |
Please join us on Saturday November 15th, at our Banquet and Auction event from 6 to 9 P.M. at the Gray Gables Estate in Milwaukie: 3009 SE Chestnut St, Portland, OR 97267.
Note: This year we're using a new system (Auctria) for tickets, registration and auction items. If you're experiencing any issues, please contact James Adkins at james@pathfindercommunications.org You can also use this link to submit donated prize items for the auction, raffle and games. |
2025 NOMINATIONS FOR HALL OF FAME |
We can't have an awards night without nominees! |
The Hall of Fame banquet is an opportunity to recognize the amazing volunteers who have given so much to our community, the local chapters that lead the Associations education, access and conservation projects and additional advocates and friends of the Steelheaders. Use this link to submit your nominations for this years award recipients. |
UPCOMING STEELHEADERS EVENTS |
We encourage members to attend any of these awesome events from around the Steelheaders' community. |
|
|
May 8th and 9th
Huddleston Pond Fishing Event for Sherwood Middle School– Volunteers needed!
10am to 2pm each day
Pacific Plywood Log Pond, NE Yamhill St, Willamina, OR 97396
The Tualatin Valley Chapter is partnering with Sherwood Middle School to teach students how to fish! Volunteers are needed to help first-timers learn how to tie leaders, rig their rod, bait their hooks and untangle lines. This is a very fun and rewarding event.
To sign up to volunteer or if you have questions reach out to firefighter2137@gmail.com. May 15th
Free Family Fishing day with Tualatin Hills Parks and Recreation– volunteers needed!
8:15am – 2:15pm
SW Huntington Avenue, just south of Butner Road, Portland, 9722 Calling all anglers! Volunteer at this fun, family-oriented event. The event is expected to introduce fishing to approximately 100 families of diverse backgrounds to fishing!
THPRD is look for volunteers to provide assistance setting up for the event, greeting event attendees, assisting with fishing activities, and cleaning up after the event.
Sign up using this link: One-Day Events | THPRD. Scroll down to find the event. May 28 - 30
Camp Tadmor Outdoor School 2025 – Volunteers needed!
Camp Tadmor 43943 McDowell Creek Dr, Lebanon, OR 97355
South Santiam Watershed Council is requesting support from the Mid Valley chapter to help teach new anglers at Camp Tadmor, an annual Outdoor School in Sweet Home. Mid Valley chapter members provide fishing poles, bait, and expertise to teach new anglers to enjoy the sport. Contact Bob Weiler bobweiler51@comcast.net to sign up to join in the fun.
June 7
I'm Hooked Family Fishing Day at Hagg Lake
Bring the whole family for a fun-filled and free day of fishing at Henry Hagg Lake. Community mentors will help guide your child and family in the art of fishing, nature, health, and wellness and instill a love and passion to enjoy for years to come! Register here.
Volunteers needed including boat captains. Contact jeff.hernandezpdx@gmail.com |
|
|
Want to get more involved in the Steelheaders? Click here for more details on chapter meeting locations and events.
Upcoming Meetings
Mid-Valley Chapter - Wednesday, May 7 @ 7 pm Columbia River Chapter - Tuesday, May 13 @ 6:30 pm McLoughlin Chapter - Tuesday, May 13 @ 7 pm
Tualatin Valley Chapter - Tuesday, May 13 @ 7 pm Salem Chapter - Tuesday, May 20 @ 7 pm Sandy River Chapter - Thursday, June 5 @ 7 pm Emerald Empire Chapter - Thursday, June 5 @ 6:30 pm |
ARE YOU A FRED MEYER'S SHOPPER? |
Link your rewards card to support the Northwest Steelheaders.
Once you link your Fred Meyer Shoppers Card to the Steelheaders in the Community Rewards Program, any transactions moving forward will be applied to the program, at no added cost to you.
All you have to do is create or log into your digital Fred Meyer's account and link to the Steelheaders in the Community Rewards Program. Use the button below to get started.
Every time you shop, Freddy's will donate to the Steelheaders. |
|
|
Follow us if you don't already! |
Association of Northwest Steelheaders
P.O. Box 55400
Portland, OR 97238
United States |
If you believe you received this message in error or wish to no longer receive email from us, please (Unsubscribing is not supported in previews). |
|
|
|
