Op-Ed Contributor - Think Like a Fish - NYTimes.com

Op-Ed Contributor - Think Like a Fish - NYTimes.com: "UNLUCKY fishermen are all alike: We don’t know how to see. My friend Jud has outfished me in all but one or two of the hundred times we’ve gone to the ocean and bay beaches and kettle ponds on Cape Cod. By both study and exercise, he knows the culture of striped bass better than I know my own nose. But to call him “lucky” would begrudge him a talent that I have never seen in anyone else and that lives underneath skill or knowledge."

LVH FC Meeting & Event Schedule for JULY (2009)

LONGVIEW HILLS FISHING CLUB

 

MEETING & EVENT SCHEDULE FOR >>>>> JULY         ( 2009 )

 

2   July      Thursday     MONTHLY BREAKFAST MEETING >>>>      (9 AM at the Agate Beach Golf Course Restaurant.)

 

This will be another “Double Do-Rah” >!!< What we hope to do is have 2 Special Guests join us for our usual Fun Breakfast. I think you may remember meeting them previously. In any event >< Virginia Tardaewether & Parker Ogburn have been extremely contributory to the success we have enjoyed with our ongoing Newport Middle School Aquatic Angler Program. To that end, Brian Hudson & I would like to present each of them with an ODFW Certificate of Appreciation for their Many Generous Contributions, which greatly contributed to the Graduation of the AAP Class of 2009. 

 

4   July      Saturday     INDEPENDENCE DAY >><< FLY THE FLAG & Burn Some Burgers / Dogs with some Friends !!~!~!

 

7   July      Tuesday     3ed QUARTER ODFW VOLUNTEER COORDINATION MEETING   (9 AM at the ODFW Newport Office)

 

As you may recall, these quarterly meetings involve the Leadership of the 3 Coastal Fishing Clubs (CCFF, LVH FC & ANWS) convening with ODFW Staff to look over the Volunteer Challenges & Resources required to meet the various Stewardship & Sustainability Projects before us during this quarter.             (We will also be holding our Q3 FC Board Meeting >>JULY<< Date / Time to be determined.)

 

HEADS UP >> for a << SCHEDULE FLIP !~!~!

 

16  July    Thursday     BEVERLY BEACH LITTER PATROL        ( 9 AM All Hands Muster at the Club House)

 

As we did last month >< We will again conduct a Beach Patrol under the “Guiding Hand” of our Beach Mistress (aka Ellie LeMaster). After our 9 AM Muster, we will Car Pool down to the Beach ….. Remember to Wear Sturdy Shoes & Bring your Gloves >< (We will provide Litter Bags.)

 

23  July    Thursday     GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING / OFF CAMPUS TOUR >>>>  ( 9 AM Meet at the LVH Club House)

 

Our Off Campus Tour this month will involve a Very Special Visit, with the “Net Lady” (Sara Skamser), down at the Newport Marine Terminal. <!> Special Thanks to our Good Friend Dean Fleck for setting this visit up for us <!> Sara is the proprietor of the very unique “Foul Weather Trawl” Company >><< Sara & her Staff practice the “Almost Lost Art” of making, by hand, the Big & Expensive Nets used by Commercial Fisherman all over the world. This is a very special opportunity for us to meet “The Net Lady” & see how these Huge Nets are constructed by her skilled staff.  We will all convene at the Club House at 9 AM & Form Car Pools to arrive down to her Manufacturing Facility, by 10 AM. You don’t want to miss this one & be sure to bring your camera !!! 

 

SUMMER IS HERE >< ENJOY THE GOOD WEATHER WITH YOUR FRIENDS & MAYBE EVEN DO SOME FISHING !!~!        THE HOOK

 

 

 

 

Bryan, Frank and Wayde went back to the lower Columbia River to make another assault on the famed white sturgeon of that region. We had been on that section of river with our friend, colleague and coastal famous guide, Ryan Miner. We being good students and quick to grasp new techniques felt we were prepared to pursue sturgeon on our own. A trip was planned and reservations made. We set off Monday, June 22, afternoon with Frank's truck & camp trailer. Brian also had is truck and boat. Frank had made arrangements for camping at the Lewis & Clark RV & Golf Resort in south Astoria. A new park and not fully developed yet but clean and comfortable.

The golf course was also new and unique in that it is maintained without the use of chemicals. Apparently they have not discovered a natural way to control dandelions. The course had many close cropped plants. The greens were made of some space-age synthetic that was slow slick one had to be careful walking on them. A putted ball could easily have rolled 2 blocks if the greens had been big enough. It was still good to be able to play golf mere feet from our campsite.
Our usual grilled steak dinner was eaten Monday night and we turned in early. No campfires in this park.

Up at 0345, cold breakfast and off to Hammond Marina to launch the boat. We picked up some anchovies for bait and were in the water near 0500. Big tide exchange Monday night with a high near 9 feet and a low of -2. This created some strong current in the river and was a shock when we exited the marina into the main river. The current was rushing past and created eddies and small whirlpools at the mouth of the harbor. We crossed to the area we had fished 2 weeks before and started to set-up in 14 feet of water. We tossed out the anchor and prepared to fish. The boat just moved downstream at a good clip as the anchor would not hold us. Brian had another anchor so we put them together, moved back upstream and tossed them out. Same result, boat swiftly moving downstream. After a discussion Brian said we needed a bigger anchor so back to the Hammond Marina. An anchor was selected that was designed to hold a 25 to 30 foot boat so it was felt that securing Brian's 18 foot boat should work. I might mention that the weight of anchors increases exponentially with design requirements. Back across the river and yes, this anchor held us. It would seem appropriate to say here that a professional guide staying in our RV park said that evening that often when there is a swift current one has to move to shallower water to fish until the current lessens. It seems sturgeon don't like swift current either and your anchor will hold you.
We fished till noon on the south side of the river then went to the north side and above the Astoria-Megler Bridge to a good spot the guide in camp told us about. I guess it was not much of a secret as at least 100 boats were in the vicinity. We fished for a few hours but did not hook any sturgeon. Frank landed an 8 inch sculpin and that was all we caught. We saw a fire number of fish caught on other boats. Hamburgers that night and early bed.

Wednesday we got up later so the river current would not be as strong when we launched. Breakfast in a restaurant and in the water around 0700. We fished the south side of the river again. The wind started picking up so we moved nearer the shore by Young's Bay. No sturgeon were hooked and by noon the wind was blowing hard so we called it a day. Frank caught another sculpin. We broke camp and headed south to Newport arriving around 5. It was a fun trip and we are already talking about other trips for the ugliest fish in the world.

Wayde

FW: Thursday Litter Patrol Reminder

WE GOT-R-DONE >>>>> Today !!!!!

25    June      Thursday      BEVERLY BEACH LITTER PATROL     ( 9 AM Muster at the Club House )  We will carpool from there.

Ellie “The Beach Mistress” LeMaster is calling on us to run Special Beach Litter Patrols for the months of June, July & August. This is to Compensate for the High Summer Beach Visitor Use.

Yes Sir >< 10 Stalwart Club Members turned out in the Fog & Gloom to support Ellie & they were rewarded with Sunshine by the time we “Hit the Beach” >>>> (Talk with the various Team Members about the “Special Ceremony”… which was conducted at the Half Way Meeting Point !!)  

*** We collected 150 lbs of Trash & about 200 lbs of Rope >< All of that compliments of the following LVH FC Beach Patrollers >>>>>>>

THE NORTH TEAM comprised of >><< THE BEACH MISTRESS & her pal BEV GARVEY + THE HALLS & THE DUDLEYS.

THE SOUTH TEAM comprised of >><< FRANK STOUT + ROGER WILSON + BOB ABBOTT & Me.

Thanks to All hands >< It was a Fun “Stewardship” Morning & We will do it again (same time, same place) on the 23ed of July ………

THE HOOK

 

Meeting June 18, 2009

Our June 18th meeting at the Clubhouse started with Roger telling us a funny story about the fish that deserved to be caught.

John showed a sample of the "Critter Baskets" made and installed by several members of the LVH Fishing Club to prevent the animals from tearing the SOLV bags open and spreading garbage around.

Bob and Ellie looking at some fishing photos being passed around of the sturgeon trip Brian, Frank and Wayde took the week before.

Phil telling some stories on and introducing his friend and fellow fly fisherman, Steve Lichtenberger.

Steve demonstrating a great training tool and showing some different casts.

Here Steve explains about different fish line.

As always when fishermen (especially old fishermen) get together there are many stories. Anyone with more questions for Steve, or wanting to check out his website, can go to nwffo@flyshopnw.com.

This has to be the world's smallest hook. Do you think it would be worth it to catch the fish that might be interested in this?

All in all, it was a great meeting. Special thanks to Kim Andrew for bringing the delicious banana bread, it was truly appreciated.

FW: You will never see this again!!! come august watch for it

Just in from Hank Bryson >><< This is worth a moment of your time >> Check it out >< You will never see it again !!!        THE HOOK

 

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Excellent once in a forever type of photo op. >>>>>>>>>

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BIG CREEK CRITTER BASKETS >>>>>> 18 June 2009

 

 

ONE MORE TIME >> BIG CREEK << CRITTER BASKETS !~!~!              WE GOT-R-DONE TODAY >>>>>>>>> ( 18 June 2009 )

 

Hello to All >< As you know we have had some success with the original 10 CB’s recently constructed. That’s the Good News >< The Bad News was that the Animals reverted to the 4 remaining Unprotected SOLV Bag Sites …... To that end >>>>>>>>

 

We acquired additional wire & enlisted the aid of our World Famous LVH FC Basket Weavers to make 5 Additional Protective Wire Baskets.

 

They did & today we installed them. This now provides protection for all of our 15 Big Creek SOLV Bag Sites. We also did a complete Big Creek Litter Patrol, which resulted in pulling 14 SOLV Bags back to the Water Plant Dumpster. It’s worthy of Note >><< That Several Fishermen, we met today, were Very Complimentary of our Critter Baskets & our ongoing B.C. Litter Patrol Efforts.

 

Allow me to recognize the Weavers & Pickers involved in today’s “Up the Creek” effort >>>>>>

 

Weavers >>>> Bud Roark > Wayde Dudley > Bill Furgason > Mike Rosica & Frank Stout

 

Pickers >>>>> Wayne Hill > Frank Stout > Bill Furgason & Me 

**** It’s important to note >< Wayne & Frank get the “Odoriferous Award” … Ask them about this Dubious Award >!!!< I am sure they will be Very Happy to Explain !~!~!

 

Special Thanks to All of You >< For your Generous Contribution of Time & Skill, which makes it possible for our Club to accomplish this kind of worthwhile ongoing Big Creek Stewardship Project …………  THE HOOK

 

 

 

 

FW: T Bay

WOW >< Just In from Captain Phil Reed >>>>     THE HOOK

 

-----Original Message-----
From: Phil Reed

 

Subject: Fw: T Bay

 

Check out what we hooked while fishing for spring Chinook at Tillamook Bay

yesterday, we were pulling spinners at the mouth of the Wilson River, when

one of the clients snagged this 5 1/2 foot white sturgeon, the big guy sure

took us for a ride, after a couple picutures we put the bid bad beasty back

in the bay and off he went.  Never know what you will hook while fishing

Tillamook, as for the Chinook, its still one of the worst season I ever seen

up there, I will need to get hold of Wade and make somekind of plan for

there trip, thanks Phil

 

NICE CUT >< FW: 15 inches

Just In from our Pal >><< Casey >>>>> This conclusively proves Casey is feel much better & he “Can Catch Fish” > !!! < However >< It does kind of make you wonder what Role his Son & Daughter might have Played in the Catching of this Nice Cut ????          THE HOOK

 

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From: Casey Deckard [mailto:casey.j.deckard@state.or.us]
Sent: Wednesday, June 10, 2009 5:00 PM
To: John Spangler
Subject: FW: 15 inches

 

John-

Caught this beautiful 15” sea run at Beaver Cr. last weekend. 

 

Casey

 

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FW: Fishing Day

GREAT PIX FROM BIG CREEK FISHING DAY   (6 June 09)

 

Thanks for the send Ron >< This is what makes “Kids Day on The Creek” so Special ………….. THE HOOK

 

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From: Ron Thomas [mailto:teckron@gmail.com]

Subject: Fwd: Fishing Day

 

Hello guys and gal,

Nicole Mangum sent these pictures to me. I was kidding them when they were waiting for the bus at Safeway... Thought you might enjoy them.

Free fishing day!!  We caught 6 total fish. Mitch caught one that was a 5 pounder (or close to it).  Jessi was pretty grossed out by the whacking of the fish on the head and the blood.  But she actually found a stick and hit a poor fish on the head. Mitch wanted to 'Bam' the fish, too. We saw a deer and several Osprey's diving in the water and retreiving a fish.  It was a beautiful, cloudy day for fishing!

 

--Nicole

FW: Kids Fishing Day event at Big Creek Reservoir near Newport

Just In from John Sanchez (CCFF President) >>>>>> It’s Really Great to be associated with such fine people …….. THE HOOK

 

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From: John Sanchez [mailto:jallensanchez@gmail.com]
Sent: Saturday, June 06, 2009 9:57 PM
Subject: Kids Fishing Day event at Big Creek Reservoir near Newport

 

I want to give a Job Well Done to our crew that helped out today at the Kids Fishing Day event at Big Creek Reservoir in cooperation with NW Steelheaders, Longview Hills Fishing Club, ODFW, and may other partners.  The Central Coast Fly Fishers was represented on this cold and wet day by Jack Maitlen, Butch Minich, (Sue joined them for lunch) Matt Spangler, Bud Roark, Wally Flanagan, and Mac Andrews.  There was a large turnout; over 150 happy kids.  It is volunteers that make events like this possible for the kids.
There were many happy kids today all across the State.  I was helping out at an event South of Florence at Cleawox Lake.  Your effort really makes a difference in the lives of these kids.  The Big Creek event is on of the largest events in the State.  Thanks again.
            john

BIG CREEK KIDS FISHING DAY (6 June 09)

4^th Annual >< BIG CREEK KIDS “FREE” FISHING DAY           ( 6 JUNE 09)

 

What an Auspicious Day this was Today & 65 years ago < D-Day 1944 > Allied Military Forces Landed on the Beaches of Normandy ……  That’s the way it felt at “O Dark 30” this morning, in the Wet & Foggy Weather, when we (Frank Stout, Larry Dale, Bill Furgason & I) loaded all of the Rods, Tackle & Power Bait onto Franks Truck for transport to the Upper B.C. Reservoir Fishing Venue………

 

The Question was >> Before the Landing & this Event >> What kind of Day will this bring ?? >>>>> History tells us, that the Heroics Displayed during the Landing & Subsequently, were responsible for the Freeing of Europe & Bringing an End to WW II.

 

It was this same kind of Tenacity & Dedication that resulted in providing, in spite of the adverse weather, a Very Rewarding & Fun Day for All of the, approximately 250, Coastal Children & their Families, who attended this ODFW / ANWS Partnership Event.

 

To successfully accomplish a Community Event of this magnitude, requires the Cooperation of Many People & Organizations >><< Suffice to say, Well Done & Thank You to all of our LVH FC Members who contributed & worked cooperatively with our ODFW, ANWS & CCFF Friends to make such a Noble Investment in the Children of our Coastal Community……….

 

THANK YOU AGAIN & GOOD ON YOU ALL ………….  THE HOOK