tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9916808290769676622024-03-05T02:24:19.964-08:00Dean Finnerty's Fishing and HuntingTip's, Pic's, Tactics and Tales from Southern Oregon's great outdoorsDean Finnerty's fishing and huntinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17462370134093072162noreply@blogger.comBlogger158125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-991680829076967662.post-24064772539293165842016-06-02T23:38:00.001-07:002016-06-02T23:38:22.694-07:00Upper Willamette hazardous boating! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The same root wads eats another boat!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaaAtvKo6M_-P3VjT83efvz09qkIGiLzArnrsEJngm00_HLx3lZc73dCm4jwFNh8-Xsg45WJ-BzaiQVDk-kHgH_Y5s0ESm28FtZ4GFHKdrChW4P2bU5j65AvR2D7KKJoVYXBr5LVjH-kA/s1600/IMG_7376.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaaAtvKo6M_-P3VjT83efvz09qkIGiLzArnrsEJngm00_HLx3lZc73dCm4jwFNh8-Xsg45WJ-BzaiQVDk-kHgH_Y5s0ESm28FtZ4GFHKdrChW4P2bU5j65AvR2D7KKJoVYXBr5LVjH-kA/s320/IMG_7376.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
My last post was about a friends unfortunate boating accident on the upper Willamette and our efforts at recovering his boat safely. Yesterday, I found out about another boat that had gone down in exactly the same really nasty spot and the owner asked for our help in recovering his boat. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ5Lf3oRuHJdjpReYkfVyUbLVuKllK2wmTsQIZqOlRHeZfPbIrpknZLyD2NuSNh8vrPBzTtd_2WemQ2CoZm4Y_5wN8qAVqhQxeCiZN5pp2NXzrBN_a-_7CFwmdtugxwheytlxruOYv28k/s1600/IMG_7380.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ5Lf3oRuHJdjpReYkfVyUbLVuKllK2wmTsQIZqOlRHeZfPbIrpknZLyD2NuSNh8vrPBzTtd_2WemQ2CoZm4Y_5wN8qAVqhQxeCiZN5pp2NXzrBN_a-_7CFwmdtugxwheytlxruOYv28k/s320/IMG_7380.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
My son, Colby, and I met the unfortunate fellow who had endured a horrible accident (nobody was injured thank goodness) at the downstream take out and we ran upriver to find his boat pinned in nearly the exact spot as my buddy's boat from a little over a week ago. Because this boat was hung up more downstream of the root wad than my friends boat, I needed to find another spot to begin the extrication process. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I used the same technique of securing the boat to the root wad with a short piece of rope and then using my pulley's and come-a-longs to begin carefully pulling the boat free. I noticed a length of 5/16th inch stainless steel cable run through the port side of the boat and tied to a root on the stump. I asked the boats owner if he had secured the boat to the stump with the cable. He said that he hadn't and had no idea who put the cable on his boat? I later discovered that this 100' length of cable ran from the boat to the tree on the right side of the channel in the below photo. Had I chosen to run my power boat down that channel, I would have sunk my boat on the submerged cable and possibly had a tragic ending to this story. Luckily, I chose to run the narrow channel to the right of the mid-stream tree. It appeared to us, that someone else with a power boat had come to the scene over the past several days and attempted to recover (unsuccessfully) this fellows boat. Who knows what their intent was, but the fact that the LEFT THAT CABLE SUBMERGED ACROSS THE CHANNEL IN A VERY DANGEROUS SPOT, PUT OTHER LIVES AT RISK! If you're going to go out and try and recover sunken boats in heavy, dangerous currents with lots of hazards, don't make matters worse by leaving behind submerged cables!!! </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDzrUVqx-f4y1McQIelqnvpZuh30H0g475dXBCxctickpiu-Vxg76K0R0cjYIs59AkqTzuSBMhzqsgwRwz-betnlDR7eXdYb91vt9nn3ai1j-b_lvP69yYRXuJPReZB2slHZxVZo4y4W4/s1600/IMG_7382.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDzrUVqx-f4y1McQIelqnvpZuh30H0g475dXBCxctickpiu-Vxg76K0R0cjYIs59AkqTzuSBMhzqsgwRwz-betnlDR7eXdYb91vt9nn3ai1j-b_lvP69yYRXuJPReZB2slHZxVZo4y4W4/s320/IMG_7382.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
After we got the boat pulled off the root wad, it simply swung around under the force of the current and came to rest on the bottom, downstream of the obstruction.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisyOuqZSktq7wN3GpjSs8Xtr4KzDQeguEUY3XmLFtV557nr_JstfqobIQMGy7lW1kMdveYEnCsz92DZx4UdSwA33Mij0dhggow9J0qw1P1477YxTljv080Y6cpa4XqMOZ_m5WegZBArWU/s1600/IMG_7392.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisyOuqZSktq7wN3GpjSs8Xtr4KzDQeguEUY3XmLFtV557nr_JstfqobIQMGy7lW1kMdveYEnCsz92DZx4UdSwA33Mij0dhggow9J0qw1P1477YxTljv080Y6cpa4XqMOZ_m5WegZBArWU/s320/IMG_7392.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Its an odd feeling standing on the bottom of a drift boat full of water!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHGFDO6Z_hE15txq7fv3Q8C_Ygw4ku_pZSKQDy7faIk_DzrytRDrkNWUyOK9hNOMcmoFt6BQPjZ5EbHcewu_gpoN0ovRsenDOSglCtAZthFhMXFT0bWbk0bhwa62_qpNAtAssOOUCYiig/s1600/IMG_7394.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHGFDO6Z_hE15txq7fv3Q8C_Ygw4ku_pZSKQDy7faIk_DzrytRDrkNWUyOK9hNOMcmoFt6BQPjZ5EbHcewu_gpoN0ovRsenDOSglCtAZthFhMXFT0bWbk0bhwa62_qpNAtAssOOUCYiig/s320/IMG_7394.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Once we got the boat off the root wad, I used my power boat to pull the sunken drift boat onto a shallow gravel bar. That was actually the most difficult and dangerous part of this recovery. Once it was in water shallower than its sides, we simply used buckets and a hand-bilge to get the water out and get it floating again. There was no real damage to this boat. It had a few minor scratches and dents and lost some of its seats, flooring and oars. I have a set of oars on my powerboat so we put them in this boats oar-locks and we were ready to head down to the take out.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGZTBEQgs7dFXPclHJmq9ZLML4lTdhVPqloXZLntlRP-e2xdf3j1u7Cut9Ypyj3Uf5ttL74zagutLJ0iPyEHaIo3wo4FkcuzQ-HG8XDtcw1UCSp_m3FzHhJHI7BrBy6fD_3aopozHKPt8/s1600/IMG_7397.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGZTBEQgs7dFXPclHJmq9ZLML4lTdhVPqloXZLntlRP-e2xdf3j1u7Cut9Ypyj3Uf5ttL74zagutLJ0iPyEHaIo3wo4FkcuzQ-HG8XDtcw1UCSp_m3FzHhJHI7BrBy6fD_3aopozHKPt8/s320/IMG_7397.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Back on the water!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimENSH7lBWjOxSn3HBxc83yv9tfMe_0h6VJlTCqu2Ys6wSNqoMxQ6GNuphYX94AziEc-a2OgU4TARSHvjxy1DVwDIA437EoEjrmZ6QphFwGCmRT_Ev66NvfOlNgwgPjMJzZ8OL394TdiQ/s1600/IMG_7401.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimENSH7lBWjOxSn3HBxc83yv9tfMe_0h6VJlTCqu2Ys6wSNqoMxQ6GNuphYX94AziEc-a2OgU4TARSHvjxy1DVwDIA437EoEjrmZ6QphFwGCmRT_Ev66NvfOlNgwgPjMJzZ8OL394TdiQ/s320/IMG_7401.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Back on the trailer!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
There have been five boats sunk in the past couple weeks on the upper Willamette. So far, no one has been injured (Thankfully). There is another boat (similar to my old red, white and black Clackacraft) sunken above the Jasper Bridge. I've not heard from anyone on this accident, but just be aware there are some VERY REAL hazards to safe boating on the upper Willamette about a mile below the Pengra boat launch. These tress and root wads are located near the bottom end of the island near the old steam shovel that has fallen in the river. The one root wad has been there for years. A new tree and root wad is in the main channel creating a very hazardous situation. PLEASE USE CAUTION! Wear your life jackets and scout this section out carefully before trying to run your boat through there.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Easy mends, Dean </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />Dean Finnerty's fishing and huntinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17462370134093072162noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-991680829076967662.post-89226621268840884502016-05-24T15:02:00.001-07:002016-05-24T15:02:19.150-07:00Inches and Seconds<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
For years I've said "life changes in inches and seconds" and my good friend, Todd Hirano learned that the hard way this past week on a float trip in his driftboat on the upper Willamette. Every year, winter rains and changing flow regimes from the dams on the upper river make changes to the river. New channels, braids around islands and large cottonwoods fall into the river creating big hazards to boaters. Luckily, Todd and his fishing partner weren't injured and thanks to another driftboater that came along, Todd and his friend were safely plucked from the massive mid-channel log and root wad that held his aluminum driftboat hostage, pinned on its side - with the raging waters keeping it locked there all weekend. When I got the call from Todd about the accident, he sounded a little shook-up (who wouldn't be!) but thankful that no one was hurt. I agreed to bring my power boat, some rope, come-a-longs, pulley's, power saws and anything else I could think of that might be helpful getting his boat recovered. Todd also recruited fellow Willamette river guide, Ty Holloway to join us.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji8U1J3z6VIPtuCQETz7iCtaUfL-ujtdEgUlYTyLreysTOET04Wm0qVqdAmcOoV7xZsy_3VMYkhjB1JWcETqLRk52GH0x1l-4aAQwywtzmNwNnUREvnGZIhl7QBporuwrLKAy0ib9eEqE/s1600/assess.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji8U1J3z6VIPtuCQETz7iCtaUfL-ujtdEgUlYTyLreysTOET04Wm0qVqdAmcOoV7xZsy_3VMYkhjB1JWcETqLRk52GH0x1l-4aAQwywtzmNwNnUREvnGZIhl7QBporuwrLKAy0ib9eEqE/s320/assess.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Ty (on the left) and Todd assessing our strategy for getting the boat back from the waters of the upper Willamette. The boat is laying on its side, pinned by the heavy current against the root-wad and log in the upper portion of this photo. The log in this photo has been moved and swung downstream from the rootwad so this channel is opened up a bit. Still a VERY dangerous place below the Pengra boat launch. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHj8X5L9biRgx9G0hmhswd5DvWTOVuhtD-UBag3oDi9ku6mKbvVcVggPIA5T77KA0f11z9aMPBnWOKji0uIvOtl-KhVMeKSy-KUk_S7my3rXoH8Swm_xACSoUBzbL8gjHfL8I1kHUuvUk/s1600/sunk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHj8X5L9biRgx9G0hmhswd5DvWTOVuhtD-UBag3oDi9ku6mKbvVcVggPIA5T77KA0f11z9aMPBnWOKji0uIvOtl-KhVMeKSy-KUk_S7my3rXoH8Swm_xACSoUBzbL8gjHfL8I1kHUuvUk/s320/sunk.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This is the boat, looking down on it while standing on the root wad. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi7TFCwuJV6uqXCEi6Yakz39GTD9gz5up3g0126rzE1hl4op1gbyqWvrgLoBhu0INAZknZzTFNKAQ_L1i75bc7F7G1JHi3nrnmaAhyphenhyphenHO3fi6m8td31975Z4fPaVgjhYWxqJPAFTWXsRFo/s1600/first+line.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi7TFCwuJV6uqXCEi6Yakz39GTD9gz5up3g0126rzE1hl4op1gbyqWvrgLoBhu0INAZknZzTFNKAQ_L1i75bc7F7G1JHi3nrnmaAhyphenhyphenHO3fi6m8td31975Z4fPaVgjhYWxqJPAFTWXsRFo/s320/first+line.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Ty attaches the first rope to the bottom bow ring.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAMx2hb_i9GFQFu5imVezfR4ORJL0qhLo0Sxm_HQgGZ1m5T-M_g1MqyzheGutLfj1pkZIUjVl9_4Yn8JOltq1dI6J_r743fxNAvVELr7llTfOIr-Ey-lfsuLv4Sg0qQRjgVUzdnWvzk8c/s1600/second+line.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAMx2hb_i9GFQFu5imVezfR4ORJL0qhLo0Sxm_HQgGZ1m5T-M_g1MqyzheGutLfj1pkZIUjVl9_4Yn8JOltq1dI6J_r743fxNAvVELr7llTfOIr-Ey-lfsuLv4Sg0qQRjgVUzdnWvzk8c/s320/second+line.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We discovered that one line and come-a-long was no match for the current, so we set a second line to the lower bow ring and used one of my large pulley's to increase the pull of the second come-a-long.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
In the above photo, you can see water cascading over the log that ran underwater back to the lower end of the island. This log became very problematic for us as we continued to try and drag the boat away from the massive obstruction. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgEVbkuEOBS4JmFmUGypfymRxSUKgQZ7VX2UjYydNxuXMMJ40wuJXjp-Zzw5ArVrkxPLyFSSsB2ibnu2bayXgjZAEF61Kw6LdO-O5UbiIcmi6pC5xY9TTTIZuO_kTGcD_MUuV0FxT47KQ/s1600/come+a+long.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgEVbkuEOBS4JmFmUGypfymRxSUKgQZ7VX2UjYydNxuXMMJ40wuJXjp-Zzw5ArVrkxPLyFSSsB2ibnu2bayXgjZAEF61Kw6LdO-O5UbiIcmi6pC5xY9TTTIZuO_kTGcD_MUuV0FxT47KQ/s320/come+a+long.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We would crank on one come-a-long until we ran out of cable. Then we would release the first come-a-long and pull out all the cable, re-attached the rope and pull in all that cable and repeat the process, each time gaining a few inches on the boat. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAGaZzAXsnpTJFjsDEsrFhPQoe_jPQK1pRjfKmtti4T23ZcMVDGfH7VLL-60YqFAu4Zw28meZKwJ8MuzZQ05524x8soOvc-U-OobF__3p0puxCaFsHxTbAD48gXRgQ3WCAiv0SE1Xh7yw/s1600/after+the+log.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAGaZzAXsnpTJFjsDEsrFhPQoe_jPQK1pRjfKmtti4T23ZcMVDGfH7VLL-60YqFAu4Zw28meZKwJ8MuzZQ05524x8soOvc-U-OobF__3p0puxCaFsHxTbAD48gXRgQ3WCAiv0SE1Xh7yw/s320/after+the+log.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
At one point, we noticed we weren't able to move the boat another inch. We hoped back in my powerboat and ran out to the root wad to figure out what was going on. We discovered a large limb at the base of the log running underwater was preventing the boat from any movement. We were stuck. We weighed our options and kicked around some ideas. We could use a portion of rope to keep the boat tied securely to the root wad until the Corps of Engineers lowered the flows on the river, likely to happen in the coming weeks and give it another try in less powerful current. We could perhaps cut the log on the end of the island and use the combined force of the current and our powerboats to pull the log and root wad out of the way... Since it involved using chainsaws and powerboats... and not having to wait, that was the obvious "new" strategy. Like all guys, if we can blow it up, cut logs with a power saw or drag something with a motorized vehicle of some sort, that's always our preference. This plan included several of these fundamental impulses. We're dudes..Duh! </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi19z_xbPNTyDsOjFXu2MjFj2DWnRrjxfEq33KIUfxbhbw8ErrA8pFO1-MAsHV0XJk2ki9tYdaiEMAWQynaiGEOktJslPABj4JNhpFC-5A7mK7jlO0stfZa8KfP2A5_wYNMoZyhuSyPF3U/s1600/keep+cranking.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi19z_xbPNTyDsOjFXu2MjFj2DWnRrjxfEq33KIUfxbhbw8ErrA8pFO1-MAsHV0XJk2ki9tYdaiEMAWQynaiGEOktJslPABj4JNhpFC-5A7mK7jlO0stfZa8KfP2A5_wYNMoZyhuSyPF3U/s320/keep+cranking.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Once this log was cut (just below where Todd is working) and moved (pivoted) downstream and out of the channel and driftboats way, the war was over! A few more minutes of cranking by Todd and...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYr2qz8zJfHScfNJ7BbcpxoVA5DRTwNMunckwleukJhLquLC5eGuODpX5Sm6U7wCPs77hU47su-qyQp5wZjOQmYnJt-FtcFJLzkSjw5MdcZXemhyphenhyphenzSFma-2ksxQ9vn1JTSlcFE9xDatRs/s1600/almost.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYr2qz8zJfHScfNJ7BbcpxoVA5DRTwNMunckwleukJhLquLC5eGuODpX5Sm6U7wCPs77hU47su-qyQp5wZjOQmYnJt-FtcFJLzkSjw5MdcZXemhyphenhyphenzSFma-2ksxQ9vn1JTSlcFE9xDatRs/s320/almost.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div align="center">
The boat really started to move towards us.</div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfX1HMl4cwZ7dyCK-8BJQIzMAubnFMm03xnzEg6lqvJ6TL4OM4D7Q3ZX1qC9PlBvTmORMvd8q0Q1NGKk1hc8IyAuOSsu09WWw9dAWokpfzRrsZQoqljI066cBgc_lWzCFByK1YMLaHvEw/s1600/freedom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfX1HMl4cwZ7dyCK-8BJQIzMAubnFMm03xnzEg6lqvJ6TL4OM4D7Q3ZX1qC9PlBvTmORMvd8q0Q1NGKk1hc8IyAuOSsu09WWw9dAWokpfzRrsZQoqljI066cBgc_lWzCFByK1YMLaHvEw/s320/freedom.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Freedom!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJe3-ZzQ4kihhaY9w-rAK77QGsSa7CzbY6_2gzRybAFrqn9G2PHnY1vt3jpOs1fusV1EhZ8QflBn63PTAKxtRwIYQ-hPSyTHuHfbzFzpkDkxiUCEfpdpcU5zoKCgGUPJxWH1N9NdsWr7E/s1600/swinging+in.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJe3-ZzQ4kihhaY9w-rAK77QGsSa7CzbY6_2gzRybAFrqn9G2PHnY1vt3jpOs1fusV1EhZ8QflBn63PTAKxtRwIYQ-hPSyTHuHfbzFzpkDkxiUCEfpdpcU5zoKCgGUPJxWH1N9NdsWr7E/s320/swinging+in.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div align="center">
Once the boat was free of the root wad and log, we were actually able to pull it around on the current by hand. It was amazingly easy to move even full of water until we brought it up on the end of the island. It was still sunk and full of water that we had to get out of it. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6WAzzvndvIGHh753K7p7AvGrkfGmIdQYKeCz__e5LYKo2OLsDVwliY-NVbywRJrdWmQwX3BtVuajM8puHa38JH9C7DOv4tr3yXWxnOCE07T4qNIXOL1CYtNqHmu2ydLfc0u3FQZpxVB4/s1600/got+a+bucket.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6WAzzvndvIGHh753K7p7AvGrkfGmIdQYKeCz__e5LYKo2OLsDVwliY-NVbywRJrdWmQwX3BtVuajM8puHa38JH9C7DOv4tr3yXWxnOCE07T4qNIXOL1CYtNqHmu2ydLfc0u3FQZpxVB4/s320/got+a+bucket.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Anyone got a bucket? </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMVUOJLhQdqrlmuJBb773wCVBJlX8Ei0IKTXRh4PRwuKGGPtUkVd_quEj7siC2dcyiluVGEhoI-0XXZh3wRDyr3AQIKl8-9LZ8dCtNbEY8zT66jqPQbLaPNHD_sW368Sk0fqyiJYhYn6g/s1600/power+boats.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMVUOJLhQdqrlmuJBb773wCVBJlX8Ei0IKTXRh4PRwuKGGPtUkVd_quEj7siC2dcyiluVGEhoI-0XXZh3wRDyr3AQIKl8-9LZ8dCtNbEY8zT66jqPQbLaPNHD_sW368Sk0fqyiJYhYn6g/s320/power+boats.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
So what we did is attach a line to the bow of Todd's boat, ran the line through my pulley that was attached to a big log up the bank. We attached the other end of the rope to Ty's boat. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyIdKbJWxnzx__suvz2AL54K7cLAKwxzrBb0qg7eJoglGqS1BJzBqIEc1vt0kZckQS2jb4grJ0Q_mbn6l7yNFdN5ZgMjpq41KdM-xk5FlV2zOMwEdU5ScR4UJceKBn2OJPP5wKrhqvIx8/s1600/add+water.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyIdKbJWxnzx__suvz2AL54K7cLAKwxzrBb0qg7eJoglGqS1BJzBqIEc1vt0kZckQS2jb4grJ0Q_mbn6l7yNFdN5ZgMjpq41KdM-xk5FlV2zOMwEdU5ScR4UJceKBn2OJPP5wKrhqvIx8/s320/add+water.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB6MHeMG0X7JpqFMrzsCgzMXn1QS_qg0rutRsarlIgA9Afdt_qelzgaCiZyjHiXYLSCiOXFmafPqKIYsr-YWVOBXTMoGhsxwC7BCuM9pYy0I6CqhsWbmUTk_KRfuOt4KPeKRqqocTQRe0/s1600/pull.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB6MHeMG0X7JpqFMrzsCgzMXn1QS_qg0rutRsarlIgA9Afdt_qelzgaCiZyjHiXYLSCiOXFmafPqKIYsr-YWVOBXTMoGhsxwC7BCuM9pYy0I6CqhsWbmUTk_KRfuOt4KPeKRqqocTQRe0/s320/pull.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
PULL!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhem5RmfRD1Lnska35-i_SCDjn0XmsHU1wrCbiEfUjbM5_xMlCDswydRI3aT-1N1PANQ-Xf5cpqwexR3BoSKqi1MY-z07kZJ8A0xINeFJ82ydsZgWAkl7fXo4qQonBhgynrs4EB_K2xl_Q/s1600/arise.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhem5RmfRD1Lnska35-i_SCDjn0XmsHU1wrCbiEfUjbM5_xMlCDswydRI3aT-1N1PANQ-Xf5cpqwexR3BoSKqi1MY-z07kZJ8A0xINeFJ82ydsZgWAkl7fXo4qQonBhgynrs4EB_K2xl_Q/s320/arise.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We drug the boat up the bank until the sides were out of the water and used buckets to remove the rest of the water.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_7dIVIEhCcA8ceeNZ1eLu_yzPbLt9_CPOEtQ7IduG760ZMoQ3IWNuv42Ihd6TFbu6bQh8yDyyu_elju_9QlRsDc_k6RZq8Vh1d57AqgZAj3pXotQaUmFJi6zX9SHTU1_LBq4I5RouMwc/s1600/got+it.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_7dIVIEhCcA8ceeNZ1eLu_yzPbLt9_CPOEtQ7IduG760ZMoQ3IWNuv42Ihd6TFbu6bQh8yDyyu_elju_9QlRsDc_k6RZq8Vh1d57AqgZAj3pXotQaUmFJi6zX9SHTU1_LBq4I5RouMwc/s400/got+it.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Recovered!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitcU7E4oVOAZ5xtlvaxSdu-VQ5PycxsDfgsYRx3T9IJHgSdRztOIiMCCZQv8gbjGHezAsfCW04Z7xwwvx7DjFrWgNIK97QR8UK18F1WXflmMhMF6VAR66oNiTCdb3wfWUyJS_u8yexHa4/s1600/happy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitcU7E4oVOAZ5xtlvaxSdu-VQ5PycxsDfgsYRx3T9IJHgSdRztOIiMCCZQv8gbjGHezAsfCW04Z7xwwvx7DjFrWgNIK97QR8UK18F1WXflmMhMF6VAR66oNiTCdb3wfWUyJS_u8yexHa4/s400/happy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
A very happy dry-line steelheader is back on the water! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The boat survived fine. It received some scratches in the paint and one broken oar. The only gear lost was a bench seat and a few life jackets.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Be careful out there! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<div align="center">
</div>
Dean Finnerty's fishing and huntinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17462370134093072162noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-991680829076967662.post-85948337084168621722016-05-15T20:03:00.003-07:002016-05-15T20:03:55.248-07:00A "True" fish story... I'm not kidding! I have witnesses...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1ep8JWZ3yeARqoJFJFNK4hj8IRiNRdeuIpJ1UFh7krbUvIpwUdyVms5rx2pwl8V7zbShUiOWF-_4GkJnNbnIyIA3SXJY7qX0bB6URakTgNMxV6EoCp8eazXCIjVneAFuAj6ENmb1vQDw/s1600/FullSizeRender+copy+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1ep8JWZ3yeARqoJFJFNK4hj8IRiNRdeuIpJ1UFh7krbUvIpwUdyVms5rx2pwl8V7zbShUiOWF-_4GkJnNbnIyIA3SXJY7qX0bB6URakTgNMxV6EoCp8eazXCIjVneAFuAj6ENmb1vQDw/s320/FullSizeRender+copy+2.jpg" width="309" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I caught this fish yesterday, only because of...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbTiE2HxLhaYniMMbMzceizSsspOGwnOOtAP71XQd82Kt_gAWohEMUMshdx2tWEdhYxcnlqUaO_n99ZQ3PBYJPWBsl67jXVOe_V5c8eI3_n6XZjdAkxUIvfzdX3Ii0KhYRfb9-oc3Q7z4/s1600/FullSizeRender%255B1%255D+copy+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbTiE2HxLhaYniMMbMzceizSsspOGwnOOtAP71XQd82Kt_gAWohEMUMshdx2tWEdhYxcnlqUaO_n99ZQ3PBYJPWBsl67jXVOe_V5c8eI3_n6XZjdAkxUIvfzdX3Ii0KhYRfb9-oc3Q7z4/s320/FullSizeRender%255B1%255D+copy+3.jpg" width="310" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
this family. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I met Randy Johnson (the guy holding the fish) and his family a couple of spring Chinook seasons ago. They're a great bunch of guys who take their hunting and fishing damned seriously. They catch a lot of fish, shoot a lot of elk and a lot of ducks and geese. My kind of people! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Yesterday, Kyle and I were working on the Willy's and Kyle's CJ-7, when Randy shot me a text message inviting me down to his boat and crew - to fish and hang out a bit. I grabbed a rod and hopped in my boat and headed down river.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I set anchor and slid up next to Randy's boat, jumped in and got caught up on all the local river gossip, fishing reports, upcoming plans for this fall's hunting and fishing - and all the other great things we share in common. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I was having trouble keeping my spinner blade spinning in the lower flows, so Randy handed me a smaller, lighter blade and suggested I give it try. I put his spinner on and put it out behind my boat and noted that it was working great. I put the rod in the holder and returned to our conversation. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
A short time later, Randy exclaimed "HEY, you got a fish on!" I turned around and saw my rod nearly being jerked out of the rod holder! I reached down and grabbed the rod like I'd done countless times before, and as I started to come up tight on the fish, it turned hard in the current and with a violent head shake, ripped the rod out of my grip! I watched in what looked like SLOOOW MOTION as the rod sailed several feet off the back of my boat and splashed into the waters of the Umpqua River. I immediately went from total elation from hooking a fish to "AW DAMN!, I REALLY LIKED THAT ROD AND REEL!" That was one of the worst sights I've ever seen, my expensive (and favorite!) salmon rod splashing into the water five feet behind my boat and racing down stream at the speed of sound, as a spring Chinook headed back to the ocean with Randy's spinner in its mouth and my rod attached by a leash of 50 lb. "tuff-line". </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
"Well Hell!" I thought. That was that! I finally hooked a springer that I was going to get to fight and keep for my family (as a guide, I RARELY get to fight a fish, let alone get one for my family) and now the unthinkable has happened...I hooked a fish and not only lost it, but also my rod! This fish, if its not able to throw the spinner will surely perish. "YOU SUCK!" my mind screamed! I was so embarrassed. I felt awful for the fish I've doomed. I felt like a such a total idiot. I've heard of this happening to others, (twice already this season) but I've never had it happen to me, until now. Well, there was that time ten or so years ago, when a customer had a fall Chinook strip him of my rod and reel down in the bay. That happens. You feel bad for the customer, the fish, bummed you lost an expensive rod and reel, but until now, that was all I really felt. I always carry extra rods and reels, so if this happens we can keep fishing. This was different. I'm a GUIDE for crying out loud!, this doesn't happen to me! Before I could lick my wounds and assuage my destroyed ego another second, Garrett Johnson shouts "Dean, we can get that rod and fish back! toss your anchor and lets go get it!" Garrett leaps across from his dad's boat and lands in my boat with a solid thud with his rod in hand. I stare at him in disbelief, but reluctantly start my motor and began backing down towards the rapids. HOW are we EVER going to get that rod back? its gone forever and so is that fish! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Less than a hundred yards below us, is a fairly formidable set of rapids. That was the last known destination of my rod and the fish. No way are we EVER going to see either again, EVER! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Undeterred, Garret is shouting directions to me "head over that way, I know that fish is going over there". I move that way for a bit, then Garrett's dad, Randy shouts directions for another search pattern, closer to the main channel. Randy is thinking like I am, that fish headed straight back down the rapids and both are gone forever. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Not Garrett, he's self assured and full of confidence. I admit I'm an idiot and embarrassed and sorry for loosing their spinner, and he says "no way, we'll get that rod and fish back, head over that way!" </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I follow his directions and move to the north side of the river, directly ahead of the rapids. Its all over in my mind. I've likely killed a magnificent fish for no good reason other than my own bumbling ineptness, I deserve to loose a great rod and reel. I just hope the fish was fortunate enough to pull away from the spinner and continue on its journey a little wiser for the encounter with this dork!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Like he knew he was going to see the rod any second, never a doubt in his mind, Garrett points and screams "there it is, there's your rod!" Sure enough, tip pointed down stream towards the rapids in five feet of water, I see my rod laying solidly in amongst the ledge rock - 20 yards above the start of the rapids. Garrett has already made a cast with his rod and drug the spinner across the area roughly at the rip of my sunken rod. I see the bend start to form in his rod as he reels and lifts - and I begin to see my rod lift off the bottom, as I start to spin the bow of my power boat away from the head of the rapids. For a moment it looks like I'll at least get my rod back, when suddenly it begins to slip back into the current. I quickly reach down and barely grab my rod tip, before it slips back under the surface. Garrett is all grins as we "high five" each other for the unbelievable good luck and fortune of not only finding the rod, but actually being able to get it hooked with another rod and dragging it off the bottom and back into my hands! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We were all laughing, hootin' and hollering about finding the rod and getting it back, Garrett and I in my boat (with my dog Molly barking in the background because of all the excitement) but also Randy, Tyson and Garrett's young son Hoyt, we were all screaming and yelling and laughing hysterically about what just happened. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I started to reel in the line and when it came up tight, I first thought the spinner had just hung up on a ledge at the head of the rapids, but then I felt weight that began to move! unbelievably the Chinook was still on! Neither Garrett or I could hardly believe the fish was still there. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Honestly, the poor thing had little fight left after dragging my rod to the top of the rapids where it hung up in the ledge rock. I simply brought the fish to the side of the boat and then realized, I didn't even have the presence of mind to throw a net in when I came down to visit the Johnson's! NO NET!!! I shouted to Garrett, as I started to drive my boat towards their boat (and net) so that we could finally, once and for all put this poor fish out of its miserable encounter with me! Garrett never missed a beat, he simply reached down, grabbed the leader and hoisted the 12 pound springer over the side of my boat and let it land gently in the bottom.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Unbelievable! If there hadn't been witnesses, I would have NEVER told this story! I simply would have drove my boat home and shared this amazing fish with my family, maybe mentioning a great battle, that I caught it on a spinner loaned to me by Randy and his family, not a word of what actually happened. But there it is! this is how I came to land my only fish of the 2016 spring Chinook season (so far) Yes, others have caught fish in my boat this season, this was just MY first, and if I get another takedown on my rod between now and the end of the season in early June, I hope its not as stressful as this one was. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Thank you Johnson family for a memory of a lifetime!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Dean Finnerty's fishing and huntinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17462370134093072162noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-991680829076967662.post-9337403121534654832016-03-09T08:38:00.001-08:002016-03-09T08:38:49.261-08:00Spring Chinook trips / $150 per person & Cabela's presentations<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwS7H1hlYzMeB74UY2AdTqziZT-5ohLDKVK8UETCISm75F85rvEDSflWgZiJQ-lyMeerzY48qJ513TMTF1m8PMDnw4S1uuxBzTcWWhXJuccWW4Uf1cp-EbCw9cdjkRMRfARsAqWPosKgM/s1600/spring+chinook.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwS7H1hlYzMeB74UY2AdTqziZT-5ohLDKVK8UETCISm75F85rvEDSflWgZiJQ-lyMeerzY48qJ513TMTF1m8PMDnw4S1uuxBzTcWWhXJuccWW4Uf1cp-EbCw9cdjkRMRfARsAqWPosKgM/s320/spring+chinook.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipSMBTnT7-EOOzA8Nfslm1yYxidymn1lgZMRo0fQZKVx6AySp-ZaQ8X0ggk6Ao9yKFA0hof9seL6y5zP2nAwDQzYvTR20GSf2YyhZ7ntHDoq3pimVw3bIMrKJoBIGgjmsmbygIaKECs08/s1600/mavs+fish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipSMBTnT7-EOOzA8Nfslm1yYxidymn1lgZMRo0fQZKVx6AySp-ZaQ8X0ggk6Ao9yKFA0hof9seL6y5zP2nAwDQzYvTR20GSf2YyhZ7ntHDoq3pimVw3bIMrKJoBIGgjmsmbygIaKECs08/s320/mavs+fish.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Its been a tough winter steelhead season for some of my guides because of all the rain and high/muddy water we've had this year. Its caused more cancellations than days on the water. So a few of them have asked me to give folks an incentive to book spring Chinook trips in the coming weeks. For now, we're rolling prices back to the 1990's on our spring Chinook trips on the Umpqua only. So for $150 per person (2 person max) you get a full, 8 hours of spring Chinook fishing on one of the worlds best spring Chinook rivers. This does not include food/beverage or lic./tags, but all your tackle will be provided.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
At these rates, my guides will have few openings left so you better book now!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Also, if you're in Springfield, Oregon this Saturday (March 12th) or in Tualatin, Oregon this Sunday (March 13th) I'll be giving presentations at Cabela's on fighting large fish on a fly rod both days at 2:30 p.m. Stop by and say hi! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Then on April 16th I'll be back at the Cabela's in Tualatin and the next day at Cabela's in Springfield to give a presentation on Spring Chinook tactics. All of these presentations are free of charge and will hopefully give you some information to help make your days on the water more successful. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="center">
</div>
Dean Finnerty's fishing and huntinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17462370134093072162noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-991680829076967662.post-8807110121314427712016-02-12T10:03:00.001-08:002016-02-12T10:03:05.247-08:00Winter Steelhead Stampede<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I love winter steelhead season. I especially like chasing winter steelhead after my duck/goose season has ended. From now, until the first spring Chinook start to arrive in my backyard, I can totally focus and concentrate on getting my clients, family and friends (and myself!) into the greatest game fish that swims! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpZP-890x16DdRe7PboFoKDxtsP-tStmEv0iHtaAcnsSBNEl7EbuIo-Vz6fwOhoQbg-rJ4Vw2eh51B8pbdnURzUgR1hGQeuCt4Y1cNFdp0w6Z8duBrPtnLjEKcFyPxo85JPgfsRInoF8I/s1600/robs+winter+fish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpZP-890x16DdRe7PboFoKDxtsP-tStmEv0iHtaAcnsSBNEl7EbuIo-Vz6fwOhoQbg-rJ4Vw2eh51B8pbdnURzUgR1hGQeuCt4Y1cNFdp0w6Z8duBrPtnLjEKcFyPxo85JPgfsRInoF8I/s320/robs+winter+fish.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Watertime Outfitters guide, Rob Crandell with a beautiful winter steelhead he caught while out with me last week. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Some folks at ODFW recently told me that we have some very strong runs of winter steelhead up and down the coast right now. High water kept many anglers from fishing through most of December and January so lots of fresh winter steelhead have been able to make their way into the stretches of water that I typically fish with the swung fly. Its going to be a great February and March! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The past few weeks have given us multiple fish days so grab your gear and lets GO! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I have openings so give me a shout.</div>
<br />Dean Finnerty's fishing and huntinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17462370134093072162noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-991680829076967662.post-55811735142926340282015-11-26T10:49:00.004-08:002015-11-26T10:52:39.856-08:00The worlds best winter steelhead swing fishery... STARTS NOW!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4I3pDy_77_IOCJuXLDDYphXzGYwVrOqBMtoSbMyPm3r9I2Z0DvhnldY18dYlaHLR1_lwzr85dSfWqsL3btdqxUVu5J-FIFWzy5wSMjp-KVYz98C9L_ex5jjVYph46rYEMIXyhBW1iBoo/s1600/k8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4I3pDy_77_IOCJuXLDDYphXzGYwVrOqBMtoSbMyPm3r9I2Z0DvhnldY18dYlaHLR1_lwzr85dSfWqsL3btdqxUVu5J-FIFWzy5wSMjp-KVYz98C9L_ex5jjVYph46rYEMIXyhBW1iBoo/s320/k8.jpg" width="214" /></a></div>
<br />
<div align="center">
When we get low flows (like we have now) the lower Umpqua offers the BEST winter steelhead spey fishing...ANYWHERE! Not guide hyperbole. Just stating a fact. The fishing starts now and will last until the river raises to its normal winter flows. We don't get this opportunity every year. Long range forecasts are predicting great fly water flows through the 1st week of December. These are "forecasts" and trying to forecast northwest weather is less accurate than reading tea leaves or palms, but the river is fishable today and there are winter steelhead in my back yard!</div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjojX7B-HrOcjQ6GJ2LT7C80c-bhvoB_TvNdO9h63LYRpyrJ3zK6C9Ca3CLFoHSbnsCaDFmXMNLWOzF0dn51QCI0vv6wO9DAmkoulP4hAz9r7I4ml1Ve4OrSRXwsVErgYcOdGEEoKNbIAg/s1600/k8s+umpqua+native.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjojX7B-HrOcjQ6GJ2LT7C80c-bhvoB_TvNdO9h63LYRpyrJ3zK6C9Ca3CLFoHSbnsCaDFmXMNLWOzF0dn51QCI0vv6wO9DAmkoulP4hAz9r7I4ml1Ve4OrSRXwsVErgYcOdGEEoKNbIAg/s320/k8s+umpqua+native.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div align="center">
The Umpqua winter run is predicted to approach or exceed 30,000 fish. They start pouring into the lower river (my backyard) after Thanksgiving. When we have low flows, we have some of the best spey water to fish anywhere. Multiple hook-ups a day are common and these fish are fresh, bright and aggressive! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh90D-m2xHq3dTd_FDZ7a3tiGEpeEzouEcz0CRmYNdlFbQ5c284ZzP4v6A63exAlJgo2qt97uBI4HmWQon8dMoaQO2vGkd3kYESwijEw8IkGsOSbIvbWyrlwX3iY0rlPiMgRhJleapGcTg/s1600/DSC_0107.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh90D-m2xHq3dTd_FDZ7a3tiGEpeEzouEcz0CRmYNdlFbQ5c284ZzP4v6A63exAlJgo2qt97uBI4HmWQon8dMoaQO2vGkd3kYESwijEw8IkGsOSbIvbWyrlwX3iY0rlPiMgRhJleapGcTg/s320/DSC_0107.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqWCj2qF91MRADpNpj9J0vLNlV8LTkthn5Q6CyaCdMvQMaRJRsl9eSowAJqKquc54_gyn1wgB6u8wTzlCc5GG7AdcITQmIp_BfCBwBq-24vFA9FgGf8LXm5XWppQI7Wo6_rRxvVHRbCgY/s1600/DSC_0058.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqWCj2qF91MRADpNpj9J0vLNlV8LTkthn5Q6CyaCdMvQMaRJRsl9eSowAJqKquc54_gyn1wgB6u8wTzlCc5GG7AdcITQmIp_BfCBwBq-24vFA9FgGf8LXm5XWppQI7Wo6_rRxvVHRbCgY/s320/DSC_0058.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMvI0AiKzbfnVENdMXLloR6J2C0EDtTOIK7LpWXkNYhg4ETR5xeDVHUrOt8PNRktU7BqBUUj0-o7FNqZHWtjoRsfZ99cj0NdjB8peZ68FT-N8UyEQYQCjIK3xyzz7gGG0nV2P0soOe2yc/s1600/DSC_0038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMvI0AiKzbfnVENdMXLloR6J2C0EDtTOIK7LpWXkNYhg4ETR5xeDVHUrOt8PNRktU7BqBUUj0-o7FNqZHWtjoRsfZ99cj0NdjB8peZ68FT-N8UyEQYQCjIK3xyzz7gGG0nV2P0soOe2yc/s320/DSC_0038.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We use my power boat to access the different runs I fish. Some of the runs we fish from the boat on a special anchor system that I use that allows you to "step down" through the run. Other runs we get out of the boat and wade fish. I don't use indicators, its all swing fishing, mostly with tips and spey rods. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I'll be hitting it hard in the coming days and weeks (if flows permit).</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I have openings, so if you're interested get a hold of me fast! This opportunity won't last and it may not come around again for years.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<br />Dean Finnerty's fishing and huntinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17462370134093072162noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-991680829076967662.post-65126389644114000762015-11-16T10:05:00.000-08:002015-11-16T10:05:08.476-08:00Intermission on the South Coast<div align="center">
I just returned from two solid weeks of fall Chinook fly fishing on the south coast. The season is off to a great start and I wanted to share some images before I head back down later in the week. This fishery will last until the holiday season so grab your favorite fly rod, intermediate fly line and a fist full of clousers!</div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5LW1wbYc0jDFef5J-r9mVw9i3UoNDgQLowwXABL6gsX0FNYhTZd4aXaf3x7GWn-wD-Y7kDzmEywrFH6uZB9l5GjgnJ4Dw5r5KSUwSDMZUkNfsq_b4CGW2zrkZ9cp4yUK1CWkyMrQObrY/s1600/IMGP4310.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5LW1wbYc0jDFef5J-r9mVw9i3UoNDgQLowwXABL6gsX0FNYhTZd4aXaf3x7GWn-wD-Y7kDzmEywrFH6uZB9l5GjgnJ4Dw5r5KSUwSDMZUkNfsq_b4CGW2zrkZ9cp4yUK1CWkyMrQObrY/s320/IMGP4310.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This pool had at least 200 Chinook waiting for some rain to raise the river. Several of them were in the 30 lb. range and one monster was way into the 40 lb. class!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUhNa7AA4yIMAL74ugMAo8owziLUGkFGu7yWUl2scg1u5zbZu3wzLnM_iN6QQdyp76yvlF4FnK5d6AjEKEc4nDHD5fkXzCpprBD2QOSFroOZB4qhGqZy4fzx64LODyuCJwH-vaENRloKI/s1600/IMGP4424.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUhNa7AA4yIMAL74ugMAo8owziLUGkFGu7yWUl2scg1u5zbZu3wzLnM_iN6QQdyp76yvlF4FnK5d6AjEKEc4nDHD5fkXzCpprBD2QOSFroOZB4qhGqZy4fzx64LODyuCJwH-vaENRloKI/s320/IMGP4424.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This was a fish from that pool.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
(photo credit: Don Roberts)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0fEh-6faeSl-SQOdnpyO-ja1PAqDNudyvMrYdYP6KbP9mjSTMPIt4D5ylEHCOCotdwUCovwitDGrxogBCqQp07VsWUDGOiaOSbAd6t7C3J8tIT0QW9vBO1MZGAspnZX_vCkptUav3quc/s1600/IMGP4250.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0fEh-6faeSl-SQOdnpyO-ja1PAqDNudyvMrYdYP6KbP9mjSTMPIt4D5ylEHCOCotdwUCovwitDGrxogBCqQp07VsWUDGOiaOSbAd6t7C3J8tIT0QW9vBO1MZGAspnZX_vCkptUav3quc/s320/IMGP4250.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt6Ed5mmtKNTPNzqbWzoMbk76IQF0tnnPvfuTohiCGhzFBrSmRVIW9JPmvQZhN-iQeuFJhclmqJFc2cuAJ8ojL3kzzR34-VdlDmOdfYoI0vO3QV9-P7IiJLaFWT55Y4Ju_LvQxQryTRNM/s1600/my+willys+at+the+bluffs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt6Ed5mmtKNTPNzqbWzoMbk76IQF0tnnPvfuTohiCGhzFBrSmRVIW9JPmvQZhN-iQeuFJhclmqJFc2cuAJ8ojL3kzzR34-VdlDmOdfYoI0vO3QV9-P7IiJLaFWT55Y4Ju_LvQxQryTRNM/s320/my+willys+at+the+bluffs.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The "fish truck" was a great new addition to my program on the south coast.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxNWYc-gnjfpxKtmESxEq9oGWtkweLr9p-4pknN5C3XhTGaXpYKu5DBVKfh5f8w1cekkNT4lxO7-78eTLdLZz6bvU9mRL3dthTXIcG0PdjeqhVFXZ9QOHS44xYcdrVx7WYzfJOb1O1Xco/s1600/my+fish1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxNWYc-gnjfpxKtmESxEq9oGWtkweLr9p-4pknN5C3XhTGaXpYKu5DBVKfh5f8w1cekkNT4lxO7-78eTLdLZz6bvU9mRL3dthTXIcG0PdjeqhVFXZ9QOHS44xYcdrVx7WYzfJOb1O1Xco/s320/my+fish1.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I've got a duck hunt to do and then I'll be headed for the south coast for some more fall Chinook fishing! Stay tuned for more updates. </div>
<div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="center">
</div>
Dean Finnerty's fishing and huntinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17462370134093072162noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-991680829076967662.post-22576473805369784912015-10-20T12:17:00.000-07:002015-10-20T12:17:14.647-07:00South Coast Fall Chinook on the FLY!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX4HncjkyOFbZxeU8J9vhQkuAvSStIXoPICl-CzPaw3Qjp1lMByR-k9ddxaS7J7MqBIGs7A6RtPwfqwwXVROrJ-JYhB9P4VvSvWMes07fxWeWO1uksjoLtPoOaB0HF5SKc9u8uj4aRsGQ/s1600/chromer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX4HncjkyOFbZxeU8J9vhQkuAvSStIXoPICl-CzPaw3Qjp1lMByR-k9ddxaS7J7MqBIGs7A6RtPwfqwwXVROrJ-JYhB9P4VvSvWMes07fxWeWO1uksjoLtPoOaB0HF5SKc9u8uj4aRsGQ/s320/chromer.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Russ Schnitzer with a chunk of chrome!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I just had a last minute opening for the very best fall Chinook fly fishing action in the lower 48 on Oregon's south coast. The open dates are November 1st thru the 4th and the weekend of November 7th /8th. You'll stay in a private cabin overlooking the best salmon fly fishing water and will enjoy access to great salmon pools on a private ranch. Last year my guests and I hooked over 75 fall Chinook up to 30 lbs. during our two week stay at the ranch.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGnGGxZav9-baP6tuBA1R-uGghO44CHVE163jeN3AVzsMYr41MXZFjlJDWXkMNJtV1Y0WsHlgj2fYy3_Z08iIgeiEbQvb1LkfBuABLdnt5hKpHXilKAHLk_wZQ1BGowY91GcyTCscpnuY/s1600/chinook+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGnGGxZav9-baP6tuBA1R-uGghO44CHVE163jeN3AVzsMYr41MXZFjlJDWXkMNJtV1Y0WsHlgj2fYy3_Z08iIgeiEbQvb1LkfBuABLdnt5hKpHXilKAHLk_wZQ1BGowY91GcyTCscpnuY/s320/chinook+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGROvWOy6ccjCp9gkqxkqJDD-iRXcder5md0r_hputeDbDyzOBGQU4oWGn1kCFGJPkeJMtOwu5IpeI1AbO4beK1-AUC991HqCLZwbQHLqxuCNjnNAGb1FzN17FonpQKG0y6mz5QoNBKa8/s1600/chinook.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGROvWOy6ccjCp9gkqxkqJDD-iRXcder5md0r_hputeDbDyzOBGQU4oWGn1kCFGJPkeJMtOwu5IpeI1AbO4beK1-AUC991HqCLZwbQHLqxuCNjnNAGb1FzN17FonpQKG0y6mz5QoNBKa8/s320/chinook.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div align="center">
The cost is $350/day for the guide (covers one or two anglers) and $200/night for the accommodations (full kitchen, bath, shower, sleeps four)</div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="center">
Get a hold of me ASAP if your interested or need additional information. </div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSvxHfdqouqNofbxafAqY0wLCTf4SVHfvTywLioeSbcL0aTlcaU_zCMBzi_9gs1xhi7tRTZiMpsO-kfH4YIN7eU86fGjTBKH2KHYStP2HmRK2cozA0yZgr6c94TkNZeve5MCeAKBZnHJg/s1600/fall+chinook+flies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSvxHfdqouqNofbxafAqY0wLCTf4SVHfvTywLioeSbcL0aTlcaU_zCMBzi_9gs1xhi7tRTZiMpsO-kfH4YIN7eU86fGjTBKH2KHYStP2HmRK2cozA0yZgr6c94TkNZeve5MCeAKBZnHJg/s320/fall+chinook+flies.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Dean (541) 214-0642</div>
<br />Dean Finnerty's fishing and huntinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17462370134093072162noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-991680829076967662.post-122996039156839512015-10-14T08:16:00.003-07:002015-10-14T08:16:58.698-07:00Just add water<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipTTAKEcMcF47_j7NrRRDkOPBNrQjZTJYZp0ukOxnmZJ_5tTcc4Gf6dKGYUJPaRmeLFUNjAP8upgUMyswAC_cA3BuWtzXnciw57ptWmrOVt1f0GStwtf2iGyycxS58lJ8WVggoBaAPf-Y/s1600/IMG_6047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="104" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipTTAKEcMcF47_j7NrRRDkOPBNrQjZTJYZp0ukOxnmZJ_5tTcc4Gf6dKGYUJPaRmeLFUNjAP8upgUMyswAC_cA3BuWtzXnciw57ptWmrOVt1f0GStwtf2iGyycxS58lJ8WVggoBaAPf-Y/s320/IMG_6047.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This is how my duck hunting pond looks now.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdn6NBISzl3kHDGwf34CTtbqeNhtENFCSmVbnhBmt2wNf81TRUBvAsXbvWHx40CeeOY2quQuEpoFAFA3UqmkILAvLUkfLxjDJANRCaxXPeeLcyvyalT-BsxTI60Ssc94bLSkYHN07KCGU/s1600/blue+bird.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdn6NBISzl3kHDGwf34CTtbqeNhtENFCSmVbnhBmt2wNf81TRUBvAsXbvWHx40CeeOY2quQuEpoFAFA3UqmkILAvLUkfLxjDJANRCaxXPeeLcyvyalT-BsxTI60Ssc94bLSkYHN07KCGU/s320/blue+bird.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This is how it looks flooded on a cold, clear winter day.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Just add water!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The VERY best duck hunting in the Willamette Valley occurs at this very spot every fall/winter. This year the long, hot summer has produced one of the heaviest yields of millet I've ever seen.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibjvvdNQglnm-aFupg0-PaDfdXRPqn82SGKBeAsLa7KT_eagx95fdoU3HZqE6DD4tCgLtGNUku3BhW7iQb44tyT59GPmjPyfxouq8sCMlwlL4DT_PPbYajCYOB9q-429pE9LrUw7ablZo/s1600/duck+food.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibjvvdNQglnm-aFupg0-PaDfdXRPqn82SGKBeAsLa7KT_eagx95fdoU3HZqE6DD4tCgLtGNUku3BhW7iQb44tyT59GPmjPyfxouq8sCMlwlL4DT_PPbYajCYOB9q-429pE9LrUw7ablZo/s320/duck+food.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The yield is so heavy and the vegetation so thick, I kind of feel a little sorry for my retriever "Molly". When this is flooded in the coming days, its going to create a formidable mat of vegetation that will be a little hard to swim through when going after downed birds. But I know she won't complain! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCn13oGM4FBHUswK9EZVLtLmtuBsms9EHIvESFLYtqR11NrJboPSC1x3ZjrdI_VV109JE4G0roR-ZXw3xW_TKS35cPwgW2_WtJnCF4PKkYs9mH8WZTGMQANHQkjMrhikxqrh5cr1bGxdY/s1600/molly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCn13oGM4FBHUswK9EZVLtLmtuBsms9EHIvESFLYtqR11NrJboPSC1x3ZjrdI_VV109JE4G0roR-ZXw3xW_TKS35cPwgW2_WtJnCF4PKkYs9mH8WZTGMQANHQkjMrhikxqrh5cr1bGxdY/s320/molly.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I launched a handful of bumpers for her in the heavy cover and she accurately marked and successfully found all but one, but a simple hand signal brought her nose close enough and she made that tough retrieve too! She's ready for her third duck season. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn9yu-NYmONRhLwLZOv_uBcjOeG19xjc9tBuN76CJDCI6AIS90yrHlhA0LLmdKxSqLJwcTZkl1g_USBPV2myN3IjGi-ZsAf02I8sAg2O1HasMDynjXjjUC43YYp3p40T0tfBMwvTWY7VU/s1600/client.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn9yu-NYmONRhLwLZOv_uBcjOeG19xjc9tBuN76CJDCI6AIS90yrHlhA0LLmdKxSqLJwcTZkl1g_USBPV2myN3IjGi-ZsAf02I8sAg2O1HasMDynjXjjUC43YYp3p40T0tfBMwvTWY7VU/s320/client.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div align="center">
Molly helped me get this first time duck hunter a near limit her second year.</div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYrbc8rSAM9CH7ANohsqEltv4JMMTFN1N9GLDTWNfTI500g-cCCzGwSIAG99yafuhoy0HFY2GRGWEy_1npbj76IZJUrgm0bbXocIokw79did0etZZA1CEH_dud_5AniSD_yJlJrvP5TpI/s1600/molly+and+mom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYrbc8rSAM9CH7ANohsqEltv4JMMTFN1N9GLDTWNfTI500g-cCCzGwSIAG99yafuhoy0HFY2GRGWEy_1npbj76IZJUrgm0bbXocIokw79did0etZZA1CEH_dud_5AniSD_yJlJrvP5TpI/s320/molly+and+mom.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Molly made this retrieve while her mom "Gema" looked on.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4kQAEROA7F8Z7A8oXq0bqIIe0ElzWhgqRSzi_kXY8K2ojCeH26wh397e8knxYKCRABFrtF4gQrGcW-ODmXVnXxfw-ZuTAx4102tZT0K5ATuoKlt4w3F7wlf3lq4kIoUylu2c9Kl1RXh8/s1600/molly+and+gema.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4kQAEROA7F8Z7A8oXq0bqIIe0ElzWhgqRSzi_kXY8K2ojCeH26wh397e8knxYKCRABFrtF4gQrGcW-ODmXVnXxfw-ZuTAx4102tZT0K5ATuoKlt4w3F7wlf3lq4kIoUylu2c9Kl1RXh8/s320/molly+and+gema.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Gema told Molly to sit up straight and stop slouching!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We also have an improvement to our pit blinds. A roof has been added and with all the native vegetation surrounding it, we'll be completely invisible to incoming mallards, teal, pintail and widgeon. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiICdjebhUsOqcvn0NSxjb_iZ5hBdtKNeRU9I9AA4nx5uZKa6jtjycvG042jcRTOaH9Ygw8JoL8nAYI1zU7VwRT1Lb1448Gg_cdWOBD2Q5WJsXKEsPk4fzUGsTyfSx2AxEHQNP0wmZLK08/s1600/frozen+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiICdjebhUsOqcvn0NSxjb_iZ5hBdtKNeRU9I9AA4nx5uZKa6jtjycvG042jcRTOaH9Ygw8JoL8nAYI1zU7VwRT1Lb1448Gg_cdWOBD2Q5WJsXKEsPk4fzUGsTyfSx2AxEHQNP0wmZLK08/s320/frozen+2.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="center">
A great "duck shoot" really begins at the end of the last season. Leaving enough Sudan grass, wild rice, millet, buck wheat, smart weed and other high quality duck feed in your flooded ponds for returning (north bound) birds is crucial. The birds need this nutrition to feed on as they head back to their summer range. It will also help reinforce in the birds that your area is a place to return on their way south the following season. </div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheyOe8ewupNzuUdzxOJMQ4eOHnyl6E-ATuQV0nSI8PXzh7fBwUuiHy_NGYfPu1jjd61lRUHeOYoN_cF4OToj7eUaM6YzKNXE9b5IzPioABzT-VM2NMi__3HftD9PiY4DAsxgkzzK1GN8E/s1600/frozen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheyOe8ewupNzuUdzxOJMQ4eOHnyl6E-ATuQV0nSI8PXzh7fBwUuiHy_NGYfPu1jjd61lRUHeOYoN_cF4OToj7eUaM6YzKNXE9b5IzPioABzT-VM2NMi__3HftD9PiY4DAsxgkzzK1GN8E/s320/frozen.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="center">
There are already a lot of birds making use of our "refuge" pond. The last two storm fronts that blew through recently moved birds down from Alaska and Canada and they're joining our local birds in the valley. I've seen large flocks of Cacklers all ready and I've heard the specks at night, working their way south. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhVQjW6mlSoK8JEbUXPx0H918_rX23pJzGJt6Mzn-4Jtlwlt_8Uly0HMdMACHgpxSlvHGqz7b1qdN2Mt_E_73XfShmcLN_xcUFY2xrm0OYZhys7pL2TQXqqvLclnvSGIUv6MsktnbVdUM/s1600/fully+flooded.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhVQjW6mlSoK8JEbUXPx0H918_rX23pJzGJt6Mzn-4Jtlwlt_8Uly0HMdMACHgpxSlvHGqz7b1qdN2Mt_E_73XfShmcLN_xcUFY2xrm0OYZhys7pL2TQXqqvLclnvSGIUv6MsktnbVdUM/s320/fully+flooded.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="center">
The pumps will work over-time to "just add water" to get our well planted ponds flooded in time for this weekends opener and I think its going to be a duck and goose season to remember. </div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="center">
I have some dates open for those wanting to book one of the best duck/goose hunts in the valley or down on the coast, but you'll have to get a hold of me fast, because I'll soon be booked solid again this year. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="center">
</div>
Dean Finnerty's fishing and huntinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17462370134093072162noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-991680829076967662.post-15993793963590621882015-09-14T09:02:00.000-07:002015-09-14T09:02:10.174-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinDYLq8R8brjKH_hg6Fkv3wvAVKyoV3EKnZWKXryXx2Z8-ODMK02GmWAIE7vW66Swahkc5h_VTyKJfqaWMl5GdBBkysiHyBkE10Iaqx98IilKtV1uDZ2vpS3TOPBECdnRGzvf1o9o4Gyw/s1600/FullSizeRender.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="147" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinDYLq8R8brjKH_hg6Fkv3wvAVKyoV3EKnZWKXryXx2Z8-ODMK02GmWAIE7vW66Swahkc5h_VTyKJfqaWMl5GdBBkysiHyBkE10Iaqx98IilKtV1uDZ2vpS3TOPBECdnRGzvf1o9o4Gyw/s320/FullSizeRender.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div align="center">
Fall Chinook and Coho are in the bay and estuary on the lower Umpqua now. I'm offering trips with fly and conventional tackle now thru Thanksgiving. All of these trips are out of my power boat and I can comfortably accommodate two anglers at a time. Swinging flies for Chinook is done on anchor. When targeting the Coho, we drift along with the tide near shore and on shallow flats. If chasing salmon on flies isn't for you, then trolling with bait on conventional tackle gets the job done for Chinook. When targeting Coho we use spinning tackle with plugs or spinners and cast and retrieve as the boat drifts on the tide in the shallow flats near Gardiner or up by Dean's Creek Elk Refuge.</div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="center">
Give me a call if you're interested or have questions.</div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="center">
Summer steelhead season on the North Umpqua will last until the first big fall storm raises the river and the tribs, allowing the steelhead to enter their spawning/over-wintering areas.</div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="center">
In October I have several seminars scheduled. These seminars will be held at a variety of locations. One will be at Cabela's in Tualatin where I'll discuss techniques and tactics for beginning duck hunters. I'll cover decoys, calling and other topics that will be helpful for hunters heading to the marshes, rivers and bays this winter.</div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="center">
I'll also be at Royal Treatment Fly Shop in West Linn to discuss fall fly fishing tactics and techniques for late summer steelhead. </div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="center">
And then I'll be doing a program on fly fishing for fall salmon at the McKenzie Fly Fishers club meeting.</div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="center">
Stay tuned for details as we get closer to those programs.</div>
Dean Finnerty's fishing and huntinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17462370134093072162noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-991680829076967662.post-38605534025737923792015-06-18T17:59:00.002-07:002015-06-18T17:59:30.376-07:00Smallmouth time on the Umpqua<div style="text-align: center;">
I'm still waiting for fishable numbers of summer steelhead to enter the North Umpqua fly water and the upper Willamette. Based on the very poor numbers of fish so far over the falls at Oregon City, I'm doubtful that this is going to be a good season on the "Town-run". I've already heard of fish though on the North Umpqua. I usually don't start guiding in the fly water until after July 1st.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The really low flows and super warm water on the lower Umpqua though is producing the usual "100 fish days" which are keeping us pretty busy. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Next week I'll be doing a seminar on Umpqua River smallmouth bass fly fishing techniques at the Cascade Family Fly Fishers June meeting. If you're a member come by and check it out. Hopefully everyone will come away with some new techniques and learn how my guides and I rack up huge numbers everyday we're on the lower river. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIPu7i1CSod1xH57eYowOxfYkvFf6F5H86qMsD66A4qttrnkcv-11LBoHzQKkSj3LaJp8W6frmwZZoq8td-EnAV8c4tGQasK2-ViT_K308CQ_d-1XDg_y50Ga9tNTufYsImLwqbZDNdA8/s1600/isis+angler.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="277" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIPu7i1CSod1xH57eYowOxfYkvFf6F5H86qMsD66A4qttrnkcv-11LBoHzQKkSj3LaJp8W6frmwZZoq8td-EnAV8c4tGQasK2-ViT_K308CQ_d-1XDg_y50Ga9tNTufYsImLwqbZDNdA8/s320/isis+angler.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEalUbRNMm2URH3acMYecMUNBbdEKzE5W07jh8MIDx2ViXgSLk9kwC-_EKUBoFPQi_6goRErAtzc4e03ULlt_3MU8wH1HUAi6jN4odTHipZWXk-hILuGuTDQehENxi9vZbSf-QEJ-VLfo/s1600/macro+bass.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEalUbRNMm2URH3acMYecMUNBbdEKzE5W07jh8MIDx2ViXgSLk9kwC-_EKUBoFPQi_6goRErAtzc4e03ULlt_3MU8wH1HUAi6jN4odTHipZWXk-hILuGuTDQehENxi9vZbSf-QEJ-VLfo/s320/macro+bass.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjakYnZN883OZqLjD0vwxIswYLqqKZNrQHTwsWHT93Zy6PueOJ5hbG3x_RYzZMT2Yve0h8P64831cFEkovI8aDIldiFT4Q9iri0K1yKKj2wD73S0tyC39qg7dOAUvU-s6oVkienQudly4/s1600/clouser+close+up.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjakYnZN883OZqLjD0vwxIswYLqqKZNrQHTwsWHT93Zy6PueOJ5hbG3x_RYzZMT2Yve0h8P64831cFEkovI8aDIldiFT4Q9iri0K1yKKj2wD73S0tyC39qg7dOAUvU-s6oVkienQudly4/s320/clouser+close+up.jpg" width="273" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Umpqua smallmouth fishing is a true world class fishery that will last well into August. Don't miss out this summer on one of the best fisheries Oregon has to offer! </div>
Dean Finnerty's fishing and huntinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17462370134093072162noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-991680829076967662.post-44598486523651193412015-04-02T13:53:00.001-07:002015-04-02T14:14:50.672-07:00Elk River Salmon Emphasis Area<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dygVZr80xSEEJrW4W0rV0Evj0fMcakv8svKXf0MHCyHZmBf0I_h3Q82x7b8bMqFHzTR7frNNeWhr0DfhE5MLw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Southwest Oregon's Elk River hosts a run a fly eating fall Chinook each November and December. Its an economic "life blood" for dozens of guides, hotels, restaurants and many other businesses in Port Orford and cash-strapped Curry County.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The north side of the river is well protected with two wilderness areas, the Grassy Knob Wilderness and the Copper Salmon Wilderness area. It's the south side of the river that needs additional protection for these amazing salmon. Some 28,000 acres are currently managed by the USFS under the administrative rules of the Northwest Forest Plan.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We're simply seeking the permanence of those protections in the form of legislation brought by congress. Oregon's delegation recognizes the importance of Elk River to Oregonians and the amazing citizens of SW Oregon will see this through. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This short video tells the story.</div>
Dean Finnerty's fishing and huntinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17462370134093072162noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-991680829076967662.post-44397061838593772152015-03-31T19:58:00.000-07:002015-03-31T19:58:27.347-07:00Backyard water<div align="center">
When I sit on the river bank behind my cabin on the lower Umpqua, I often wonder about the fish passing by on their way upriver.</div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTTynzsIubZAju7VC9x8wQNSDBROj6w9FOf8at0oBIfX09TNOF2aWqnOXuDVLHbRM5UzT3LsHRPLMY6vswYVLQrT1fvLVn_kyRKH4NIi0y4j_FY2unhiTPT8J1dNstOQa5u-jWKOHuolw/s1600/DSC_0372.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTTynzsIubZAju7VC9x8wQNSDBROj6w9FOf8at0oBIfX09TNOF2aWqnOXuDVLHbRM5UzT3LsHRPLMY6vswYVLQrT1fvLVn_kyRKH4NIi0y4j_FY2unhiTPT8J1dNstOQa5u-jWKOHuolw/s1600/DSC_0372.JPG" height="214" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The distance in a straight line from where I'm standing to the other side of the river is about 190 yards. The depth of the water under my boat is about three feet deep. The deepest part of the river here is on the far bank where it gets about thirteen feet deep.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
My son's and I have SCUBA dived all of the water out in front of the cabin. We know what the bottom structure looks like. Its mostly large cobble with a basalt ledge on the far side with a few very large boulders where white sturgeon take up residence out of the current and where the smallmouth bass congregate in the warm summer flows. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiezCdhFFp4K-YtHwxyJ-GJqaYVYZjZfudIUprbKvEpEMi-IDJk5bxKdhTqUrdE_5Kh8t1zopxP_lhMdXGJlzGhoyFc3jjg4LO0mPvOu5VG2lL1-QCMu-1VQUIL1LTh8ixi-5l25v04DLY/s1600/DSC_0375.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiezCdhFFp4K-YtHwxyJ-GJqaYVYZjZfudIUprbKvEpEMi-IDJk5bxKdhTqUrdE_5Kh8t1zopxP_lhMdXGJlzGhoyFc3jjg4LO0mPvOu5VG2lL1-QCMu-1VQUIL1LTh8ixi-5l25v04DLY/s1600/DSC_0375.JPG" height="214" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The upper tidal reaches of the Umpqua end just down and around the corner from our cabin. 20 miles down river, the town of Reedsport plays host to a great fall salmon fishery. Fall Chinook and Coho (Silver Salmon) by the thousands are targeted by sport fishermen trolling bait and hardware in the estuary. The fish that make their way past the hundreds of boats plying these waters eventually arrive in the waters behind our place. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEp3h02To04Dk_9ub6_RuyL7WTkLBebsppg13Ea7DPJGFYpJ-pgLjjS_Xlei_ZQDvjL8r3-BtmIzI7vk1a3KrIod9m7P4FO03wNxdJtT70VTkl6FxXf8OS8EIyXTmbKDiKVcNXmVaMfeo/s1600/DSC_0009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEp3h02To04Dk_9ub6_RuyL7WTkLBebsppg13Ea7DPJGFYpJ-pgLjjS_Xlei_ZQDvjL8r3-BtmIzI7vk1a3KrIod9m7P4FO03wNxdJtT70VTkl6FxXf8OS8EIyXTmbKDiKVcNXmVaMfeo/s1600/DSC_0009.JPG" height="214" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The winter steelhead that go past our place are so bright that their chrome scales reflect the low light of the leaden gray skies of December and January as if direct - July sunlight flashes from their sides. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The point to all of this is the daily wonder I feel when I think of all the fish that silently slide by, invisible to me on their upstream migration. These magnificent world traveler's head upriver, Fall Chinook, Spring Chinook, Coho, Winter Steelhead and Summer Steelhead. Many of the steelhead will eventually find the confluence of the North Umpqua and choose to follow its flows many more miles upstream. Some will eat a properly presented fly being fished by friends and colleagues in pools like the "Boat", "Williams Creek", "Susan Creek" or "Circle H Smooth's". </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Some of these fish will travel even further up-river to pools like "Charcoal Point" or "Upper Boulder". By now the steelhead have made their way more than 120 miles above the water gliding past my cabin. Yet every fish we see spawning on these upper river gravel tailout's, or bring to hand after eating our swung flies has swam past my cabin. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The idea that EVERY steelhead that my friends like Frank Moore, David Wong, Kurt Brickner, Todd Hirano, Craig Coover, Keith Tymchuck, Tony Torrence, or brothers Clay and Ty Holloway have caught in the upper basin - has swam within two hundred yards of me while I'm on the lower river. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Sometimes its just a little hard to get my brain around. That's all. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Dean Finnerty's fishing and huntinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17462370134093072162noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-991680829076967662.post-50645732916101638402015-03-11T09:21:00.001-07:002015-03-11T09:24:21.836-07:00Wild Steelheaders Unite!<div style="text-align: center;">
If you haven't checked out the website for Trout Unlimited's Wild Steelhead Initiative or signed the credo, check it out at the below link. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0LBdJ4HCc8i8ZA6jTAtzKJAVC9sLapw9trEOgW1CbA23eO3ySdooDalBPpfkkSsFVAsy8y_XNo0PUemxAvvG5IJnF5byP6zkQi40jkKKRETMncetvshpNRn-dvpTvzAagEhHYvoNRX0g/s1600/north+umpqua,+summer+fish,+chuck,+john+088.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0LBdJ4HCc8i8ZA6jTAtzKJAVC9sLapw9trEOgW1CbA23eO3ySdooDalBPpfkkSsFVAsy8y_XNo0PUemxAvvG5IJnF5byP6zkQi40jkKKRETMncetvshpNRn-dvpTvzAagEhHYvoNRX0g/s1600/north+umpqua,+summer+fish,+chuck,+john+088.JPG" height="214" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
AND BE STEELHEADED! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.wildsteelheaders.org/take-the-pledge.html">http://www.wildsteelheaders.org/take-the-pledge.html</a></div>
Dean Finnerty's fishing and huntinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17462370134093072162noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-991680829076967662.post-43641649134288862702015-01-26T19:24:00.001-08:002015-01-26T19:24:35.658-08:00Three Elk Meadow, a Wyoming blog worth following<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSy4JAgg12DyT-E1GMEkbeJowg-lA6dK7zqu8EnVHmlnTz599rS4ZLFWaMR5ihET2VtipSR8P-QgP1WjY02_jpsttpxvHOShU68c1mjXjz2Ai2RIm-VwptTD7fNis3BF_qAwem2M78CB4/s1600/TU-GRRiver-0927-0302.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSy4JAgg12DyT-E1GMEkbeJowg-lA6dK7zqu8EnVHmlnTz599rS4ZLFWaMR5ihET2VtipSR8P-QgP1WjY02_jpsttpxvHOShU68c1mjXjz2Ai2RIm-VwptTD7fNis3BF_qAwem2M78CB4/s1600/TU-GRRiver-0927-0302.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
Walt Gasson on his home turf<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidMczMOxSZ35OX7kmIzrHPNpQxbCzZiv9R2vOErqiemAyNGniCL6OBlREEc5hYUS-ENWRpsSEpkImBtM3naEF7qw4tQRGkmAraToim120J_RUSizYRATjY9-Y1evouPM981W8R3SKlPoM/s1600/walt+012615.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidMczMOxSZ35OX7kmIzrHPNpQxbCzZiv9R2vOErqiemAyNGniCL6OBlREEc5hYUS-ENWRpsSEpkImBtM3naEF7qw4tQRGkmAraToim120J_RUSizYRATjY9-Y1evouPM981W8R3SKlPoM/s1600/walt+012615.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
Roots.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://threeelkmeadow.blogspot.com/">http://threeelkme</a><a href="http://threeelkmeadow.blogspot.com/">adow.blogspot.com/</a><br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
A colleague with Trout Unlimited has a new blog that strikes such a strong chord with my family and I, that we wanted to share it with you. Walt and his family's roots run deep in Wyoming. They could just as easily be our roots here in Oregon. The folks who hold our values as close to their hearts as we do, will enjoy the posts at this excellent blog. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Enjoy!</div>
Dean Finnerty's fishing and huntinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17462370134093072162noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-991680829076967662.post-52997956351404677752015-01-18T21:00:00.000-08:002015-01-18T21:00:13.143-08:00River booty<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3N1kclVNCBtV1NJzphunguW6hMEFXTUeA5N2mQt3wTPGQ6QiO5Uk9K3cML8-fl-RG0VKWs2fy36hfd8d5GBCRrUpSjIl1ehRSiHkCNVFKE3-gQZa4iKPNJaWsdSe3F8hixiBdx_geBIY/s1600/IMG_4380.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3N1kclVNCBtV1NJzphunguW6hMEFXTUeA5N2mQt3wTPGQ6QiO5Uk9K3cML8-fl-RG0VKWs2fy36hfd8d5GBCRrUpSjIl1ehRSiHkCNVFKE3-gQZa4iKPNJaWsdSe3F8hixiBdx_geBIY/s1600/IMG_4380.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Over the past week or two, things had settled down nicely. The river dropped into fishable levels and the steelhead responded to our swung flies. Three one day, one fish the next. Nothing red hot, but at least fish were there and willing. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Then the rains returned. The river turned the color of coffee with too much creamer and went high...again!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Since last months high water I've become a bit of a pirate. I've found more river booty than I ever remember. Length of stairs to make traversing the steep bank to my dock a little more friendly. Check. Four gas cans (all with at least a little gas), 50' length of rope, bungee cords, blue plastic tarps, fishing tackle, tip of a fishing rod (X's 2). Check. Big knots of mono from many years of side drifting rigs probing fishy looking seams getting hung in the same spot. The high water from last month uprooted these wads of gear and left them in streamside willows. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT3kxYL5mAoWfm3eMchpvHHn-egdWlRUepya6Rbmu7YQ9IXTb7Q-z_HQzjzbvn-heyB_VCNvde0yaP0BPQsXjexprs0l5zr8Wa-Uw4RaM0asAi5QREWympQu1SYoB80yIRCx1YkFkk5Qc/s1600/IMG_4384.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT3kxYL5mAoWfm3eMchpvHHn-egdWlRUepya6Rbmu7YQ9IXTb7Q-z_HQzjzbvn-heyB_VCNvde0yaP0BPQsXjexprs0l5zr8Wa-Uw4RaM0asAi5QREWympQu1SYoB80yIRCx1YkFkk5Qc/s1600/IMG_4384.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdDTCHV4q50tKuJ0q5HX55yvi0iw8gndUY1V-xPZjL4q0jzoATDikkAnN_BHvSvtnoIH7WvnrYnvVhFoR4CXOdPu9NCOaJ5VHh2dgzN01flqQoJIBziMIaauO79oXYR0TDBSrbHoNSXYA/s1600/IMG_4386_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdDTCHV4q50tKuJ0q5HX55yvi0iw8gndUY1V-xPZjL4q0jzoATDikkAnN_BHvSvtnoIH7WvnrYnvVhFoR4CXOdPu9NCOaJ5VHh2dgzN01flqQoJIBziMIaauO79oXYR0TDBSrbHoNSXYA/s1600/IMG_4386_2.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
20 minutes with a good pair of scissors in the shop as the rain came down, revealed a bunch of tackle that I'll likely never make use of, but at least the wad of bird tangling mono is forever off the river.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So with the river running impossibly high and muddy, Hunter and I decided to go see what we could find. Not a shotgun or fly rod in sight. Just a couple of pirates on the high seas looking for treasure and adventure.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Not 15 minutes away from the boat launch we found more chunks of "boat dock styrofoam" hung in log jams and shore side weeds than we could fit in our ships hold. We came upon a larger vessel than ours, hung on anchor along the side of Steamboat Island. A little further down the bank we came upon a small row boat. I spied a third vessel in a painfully awkward list further down the island? This nearly sunk boat came complete with the first human we'd seen since leaving Reedsport. This fellow looked damned cold, damned wet, damned thirsty and very damned hungry. He waved us towards him and his ill fated vessel. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
First mate "Bug" and I cautiously approached and learned that this poor fellow had spent a long, cold, wet night upon this "salvaged" vessel. Apparently, the previous months high water had torn this old boat from its moorings, leaving it heaved, high and dry on Steamboat Island. This fellow pirate had learned of the vessels fate and had come to retrieve her, only to find himself in last nights storm, without a vessel that he could get underway. A long, cold, wet, hungry night and part of a day until we came along. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We ferried the man back to the boat launch where his vehicle awaited him and headed seaward once again in search of booty and adventure.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
A short while later we came upon a neighbors dock that had also been torn from its moorings during the storm and high flows. We made fast a line to the dock and towed it back to its place along the shore.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggGYAl5RJwGnmU4FLAR_YX1WsTk_mgdzq39mg9x9AhkYU00E5VJJhEn3MabbRykqQYmtrVkNYnvS3zzW0eTXASbM8dUrAEvQlty_w7lbyKpNEVu97ehv_NGw37Ybmz1u_A6SGGeosjUQQ/s1600/IMG_4391_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggGYAl5RJwGnmU4FLAR_YX1WsTk_mgdzq39mg9x9AhkYU00E5VJJhEn3MabbRykqQYmtrVkNYnvS3zzW0eTXASbM8dUrAEvQlty_w7lbyKpNEVu97ehv_NGw37Ybmz1u_A6SGGeosjUQQ/s1600/IMG_4391_2.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHi6jdco__o-PpKHSjq5AoHL6RdDIubfZJmddIA1fqeO0Z0c8F3L7FdGq3808O-BVJmhieaYlvZReUefs-gbqjChKQw_hvWQi63JhmQfY5RnbFwKyFGPL17IUPzI1q5LLDJw7UBtSAU1Y/s1600/IMG_4396.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHi6jdco__o-PpKHSjq5AoHL6RdDIubfZJmddIA1fqeO0Z0c8F3L7FdGq3808O-BVJmhieaYlvZReUefs-gbqjChKQw_hvWQi63JhmQfY5RnbFwKyFGPL17IUPzI1q5LLDJw7UBtSAU1Y/s1600/IMG_4396.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgigJ9mTDWcJP2mzhdq_-WpeB98hcPQeOwc4mNj6a63A1BLy64bT1nQIK2ytDpgONEyfvXOkQReksmwH6dHBKqaYicVC_Y0YdDqqMDF0Cj8giO8luXlc2BYO5Xw_VVkIdZ9HC67oWqvbPw/s1600/IMG_4399.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgigJ9mTDWcJP2mzhdq_-WpeB98hcPQeOwc4mNj6a63A1BLy64bT1nQIK2ytDpgONEyfvXOkQReksmwH6dHBKqaYicVC_Y0YdDqqMDF0Cj8giO8luXlc2BYO5Xw_VVkIdZ9HC67oWqvbPw/s1600/IMG_4399.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We left the dock secured with a length of rope. No note. No mentioned of our efforts to any neighbor. We just took off like the pirates we are in search of more adventure.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I really would prefer to be swinging flies with Bug, searching our favorite winter steelhead runs. But if Ma Nature chooses big muddy water instead of good, decent "steelhead green" flows for our home river, spending the day on the high sea's searching for treasure and being on the water with my son is okay too! I just want to be on the water.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Dean Finnerty's fishing and huntinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17462370134093072162noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-991680829076967662.post-69585479694496614822015-01-15T17:55:00.001-08:002015-01-15T17:55:51.877-08:00Class is in session<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXSllAbYuRRWdP1073FLIBPUpT7Sz-Kn_A3H6erh4kibJcGEOG_5Ers3LZQ_61y_a7FSu-Ind7lmgWFYWPOx-ouK0hWsms4pBJYaM30Coz-wBUQ1naOKnrXv130C8dFzbqBY-0yaFzUr8/s1600/IMG_4373.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXSllAbYuRRWdP1073FLIBPUpT7Sz-Kn_A3H6erh4kibJcGEOG_5Ers3LZQ_61y_a7FSu-Ind7lmgWFYWPOx-ouK0hWsms4pBJYaM30Coz-wBUQ1naOKnrXv130C8dFzbqBY-0yaFzUr8/s1600/IMG_4373.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This male went air-born eight times!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilN2Ghhk1E839-X_7_1Fe9j6-idho9jg24D7FfuDSTioBpIQsFUUosp9QaM2FbulWjMs9hYAbjTTHrtCnkLCreuURGRm9UIv3H4W9LVisdZKAP20ZNy15ChYjgnWKjFboeOQuQPR3-I4E/s1600/IMG_4377.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilN2Ghhk1E839-X_7_1Fe9j6-idho9jg24D7FfuDSTioBpIQsFUUosp9QaM2FbulWjMs9hYAbjTTHrtCnkLCreuURGRm9UIv3H4W9LVisdZKAP20ZNy15ChYjgnWKjFboeOQuQPR3-I4E/s1600/IMG_4377.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
David with one so bright it hurt your eyes!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I enjoy learning. I especially enjoy learning about important issues that have a direct impact on my quality of life and for me, quality of life is directly related to rivers. So when my boss told me to get ahold of David Moryc from American Rivers and take him fishing so I could learn about mining issues in Oregon, I listened. My 8th grade english teacher Ms. Covey, probably wished I listened to her as well as I listen to my Montana cowboy boss! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
For David Moryc, the classroom for today was...a river of course! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I learned all about mining issues in Oregon and we each got to swing flies for some winter chrome.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Like I said, I enjoy learning!</div>
<br />Dean Finnerty's fishing and huntinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17462370134093072162noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-991680829076967662.post-16080886500615353172015-01-13T15:59:00.001-08:002015-01-13T16:05:15.629-08:00O.P.<div style="text-align: center;">
My friend and TU colleague, John McMillan (see "role models" from Dec. 18th, 2014) sent along these images from a day he spent chasing winter fish on the Olympic Peninsula recently. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXR02hyDd_qyYRQoSOKWQeY5zktz7BF56JoIqhL3vyvrW-ParyIfCmT2luPvF8LI2zXpJsRZV61_0oifpZsot9qCaJ2w13HQC9wI7kgN5nnky45EpqllW6wT7OB8o-4sMjmYG5OgGdnoI/s1600/buck+stlhd+2xt%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXR02hyDd_qyYRQoSOKWQeY5zktz7BF56JoIqhL3vyvrW-ParyIfCmT2luPvF8LI2zXpJsRZV61_0oifpZsot9qCaJ2w13HQC9wI7kgN5nnky45EpqllW6wT7OB8o-4sMjmYG5OgGdnoI/s1600/buck+stlhd+2xt%5B1%5D.JPG" height="217" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd7qO2-CV-4kGLLD2udsbs0alHa3c87RtP1RU8I3lHCN5yxqDa43a7PSy-zGhg6yrCXWK271DCzpmOnplmqhfVZH84xjSXa4EVFMgZKbMpB2Mkaso6-NSoLATnxeL-iNMxsB833-5GHuE/s1600/john+with+buck+stlhd+3+sm%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd7qO2-CV-4kGLLD2udsbs0alHa3c87RtP1RU8I3lHCN5yxqDa43a7PSy-zGhg6yrCXWK271DCzpmOnplmqhfVZH84xjSXa4EVFMgZKbMpB2Mkaso6-NSoLATnxeL-iNMxsB833-5GHuE/s1600/john+with+buck+stlhd+3+sm%5B1%5D.JPG" height="222" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This is what John said about the brute "Here is a large male I got with Rob [Masonis] a week ago, about 38" and 22" in girth. Nice fish, but water was 38F so it did not fight at all." </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Based on the size of this fish, if it were me, I'd count that as a blessing John!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Dean Finnerty's fishing and huntinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17462370134093072162noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-991680829076967662.post-71667654905706889272015-01-12T08:06:00.001-08:002015-01-12T08:06:42.107-08:00A River Between Us goes public. <div style="text-align: center;">I met Jason two fall chinook seasons ago when he and Joel LaFollette came down to the south coast to fish with me. Over the course of a few days of fishing together, I learned of this amazing conservation effort for the Klamath River. Its an epic story of bringing folks together from very divergent interests and just getting them to talk to one another. Over the course of four years, the people of this community came together for the good of all. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC-Du8EOlOLURx78Rt_i2SWkPyIKcJnomqncqbQfHz-eGWWknItvRB5bss5eB6O_DIGyA6E8YwP3VA-hnvQvICHC06qhWTq8xpXgKBgliu8PI7J6JU5qa53sVVxACrcIiz0sMGhF7h32I/s1600/Unknown-1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC-Du8EOlOLURx78Rt_i2SWkPyIKcJnomqncqbQfHz-eGWWknItvRB5bss5eB6O_DIGyA6E8YwP3VA-hnvQvICHC06qhWTq8xpXgKBgliu8PI7J6JU5qa53sVVxACrcIiz0sMGhF7h32I/s1600/Unknown-1.jpeg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Jason with one of the chinook he caught.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/tjKLJWTZsYA" width="480"></iframe><br /><br />
<br /><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Jason sent along an e-mail to me yesterday, letting me know that this project - that he's devoted the last four years of his life to, is going public so that everyone can know what the people of the Klamath basin are doing for each other, the river and the salmon. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Well done Jason! </div>Dean Finnerty's fishing and huntinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17462370134093072162noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-991680829076967662.post-6323955102913303932015-01-04T18:06:00.000-08:002015-01-04T18:06:18.473-08:00Bug<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-8lcdVe32D2eJrahaGS9yQhO4CHUEjlaXD4NyniThgEJW-nf45LUmgLly9jv2zEy0bH-KB7Ler9hXItIFOwxLex6RxFDHMPBjm2oOXGpEEvmlMVJW_qZioF7SbqWURHNYHlifJtc7rB8/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-8lcdVe32D2eJrahaGS9yQhO4CHUEjlaXD4NyniThgEJW-nf45LUmgLly9jv2zEy0bH-KB7Ler9hXItIFOwxLex6RxFDHMPBjm2oOXGpEEvmlMVJW_qZioF7SbqWURHNYHlifJtc7rB8/s1600/images.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This was "bug", my youngest son with his first steelhead on the fly, a summer fish on the upper Willamette when he was 10.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPoUg37glSK7r3gdQjEZMjyANNrjzHY0wgaYAqK-uJvA23vyGj70k61CmefeY0ulLN5hCXaMNDYIndspwfj76roJ91AQDnmGKr81RyF2GDJXH__pCEHVRz9I_bHbs1bMoD1O0Klv-XXWM/s1600/images-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPoUg37glSK7r3gdQjEZMjyANNrjzHY0wgaYAqK-uJvA23vyGj70k61CmefeY0ulLN5hCXaMNDYIndspwfj76roJ91AQDnmGKr81RyF2GDJXH__pCEHVRz9I_bHbs1bMoD1O0Klv-XXWM/s1600/images-1.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
By the next summer he was a "veteran" steelheader with a spey rod.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiknXy-Ki_J2kCDf9z1K_9xkVAKhV5mutyGmNyCuvMxSqnaKoIsW3eAWToPy0I24pjfdKVcr5gHkT99es_ksi-ZOrUMmIeG3_ibfRUSOaLVa94Erf5AHshxDEuRToANDpB9UN4NhwECDM8/s1600/IMG_4321_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiknXy-Ki_J2kCDf9z1K_9xkVAKhV5mutyGmNyCuvMxSqnaKoIsW3eAWToPy0I24pjfdKVcr5gHkT99es_ksi-ZOrUMmIeG3_ibfRUSOaLVa94Erf5AHshxDEuRToANDpB9UN4NhwECDM8/s1600/IMG_4321_2.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Now at 17, he's grown into a helluva steelheader.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr5BjOgiRS3L1NDUJp73XDZ7LOGNOazxU2hfe6rk3JW0rRuUi6iZ36uyvZ_96kUtOwkhf2EW57lXOrpd5qckhzctgkv22HsqHEJVbEciOWE5W4-PDIPMizXpbFX3nhvLJFJd4j6mmNgsA/s1600/IMG_4332.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr5BjOgiRS3L1NDUJp73XDZ7LOGNOazxU2hfe6rk3JW0rRuUi6iZ36uyvZ_96kUtOwkhf2EW57lXOrpd5qckhzctgkv22HsqHEJVbEciOWE5W4-PDIPMizXpbFX3nhvLJFJd4j6mmNgsA/s1600/IMG_4332.jpg" height="246" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
He chose to harvest this 34 1/2" X 17" hatchery fish after an epic battle that took him down through three runs! Now if I can just teach him how row the boat!</div>
<br />Dean Finnerty's fishing and huntinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17462370134093072162noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-991680829076967662.post-149964441972725012015-01-03T19:29:00.000-08:002015-01-03T19:29:23.307-08:002015 models<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUpi91A77tE952cZV5YAzFlAJXFOICrfhLjnpxzydGpRuU2CEIzR8w9He8sIUZBVo2wcztYDCRdAr8hg8MkuDpgEyPzrTVd4TSYJCsxX5CqpDKhgoV2vC4YRofMKFRF7vPNMXLaWQzvt4/s1600/IMG_4310.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUpi91A77tE952cZV5YAzFlAJXFOICrfhLjnpxzydGpRuU2CEIzR8w9He8sIUZBVo2wcztYDCRdAr8hg8MkuDpgEyPzrTVd4TSYJCsxX5CqpDKhgoV2vC4YRofMKFRF7vPNMXLaWQzvt4/s1600/IMG_4310.jpg" height="320" width="272" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I spent a great day yesterday with first time clients, Evan C. and his son Jim and Jim's college friend, Dillion. We fished one of my favorite coastal rivers and ended the day with five gorgeous winter chromers! Most of the fish came to either purple or blue rabbit strip leech patterns. When flows get clear and cold like they've been the past few days, its tough to beat those colors.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
One of my son's joined me today to chase winter fish on the Umpqua. Flows are still a bit high, but they are very fishable. Even though we hooked two fish, I felt that given the time of year, the water flow and overall conditions, we should have had a few more fish...? I'm really starting to wonder where our Umpqua winter steelhead run is. I've seen late runs, but NEVER this late. I'm starting to wonder if the past several years of low flows in December and the incredible numbers of fish caught side-drifting in the lower river is catching up with us? Hopefully the fish are just late! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />Dean Finnerty's fishing and huntinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17462370134093072162noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-991680829076967662.post-72616426756364292482014-12-31T14:53:00.000-08:002014-12-31T14:55:00.962-08:00End of a great year!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7YGKColMfrABX6qnubr9gNJ5qdmFgStvUygIqQOdNnGu-iNrs8fo4P9uUgmOLmGrydkMqG9HCkKVLJz7LrHk1FU6NL3UNRhj3YDUnVH_gBXk4GXaQ-cJntgL3niZD3ayZBn-5OCCNiSw/s1600/IMG_4273.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7YGKColMfrABX6qnubr9gNJ5qdmFgStvUygIqQOdNnGu-iNrs8fo4P9uUgmOLmGrydkMqG9HCkKVLJz7LrHk1FU6NL3UNRhj3YDUnVH_gBXk4GXaQ-cJntgL3niZD3ayZBn-5OCCNiSw/s1600/IMG_4273.jpg" height="301" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Molly and I ended 2014 spending the day duck hunting. It was a cold, clear day in the valley. Few birds flew, but the numerous Teal hanging out in the valley gave us a chance to shoot a limit of my favorite eating duck. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
2014 was one of the best years of my life. Personally and professionally it was an amazing game changer. A new home on the banks of the Umpqua and my new career with Trout Unlimited were certainly a part of the great year we've had.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Spending time on the water and in the field with some of the best people I know also added to the great year that was 2014.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I can't wait to see what 2015 has in store for me, my family, friends and great clients!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Have a safe and happy new year!</div>
<br />Dean Finnerty's fishing and huntinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17462370134093072162noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-991680829076967662.post-79461684241902759812014-12-27T17:09:00.000-08:002014-12-27T17:09:02.889-08:00End of the Run<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3KoOJzUDrXAQa3VDIv2O1nZhgxBf8KOuvjYmbqFxYCSBEZ4GGTsMg_tZOMrp_PmM_A1S8xz8wD0yPOvRoGBXTPVfCRBqrf0haiAxoCYY6N_aIhqPVtd33ROxYOCgamlbr0GuPnQEGyhI/s1600/IMG_4136.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3KoOJzUDrXAQa3VDIv2O1nZhgxBf8KOuvjYmbqFxYCSBEZ4GGTsMg_tZOMrp_PmM_A1S8xz8wD0yPOvRoGBXTPVfCRBqrf0haiAxoCYY6N_aIhqPVtd33ROxYOCgamlbr0GuPnQEGyhI/s1600/IMG_4136.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Many of our south coast rivers received a great return of coho salmon this past fall. Today I took a few hours to look around a favorite "no-name" winter steelhead stream that had finally come into fishable shape, checking out new runs looking for a grab from a winter steelhead.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-vhuvd8ohUFKajwEi25b1iKxxPXTuxbDiudFQ3NIiSY0TwCdNUX05ViUegoQI252uhFENRc2Ampxe808EFfqGotl8SG883HGMSfaFP4HrNlHlTvg3dbiOVcHMhD6ZG-sxNqrChj48RTI/s1600/IMG_4138.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-vhuvd8ohUFKajwEi25b1iKxxPXTuxbDiudFQ3NIiSY0TwCdNUX05ViUegoQI252uhFENRc2Ampxe808EFfqGotl8SG883HGMSfaFP4HrNlHlTvg3dbiOVcHMhD6ZG-sxNqrChj48RTI/s1600/IMG_4138.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
While working down river, swinging some of my favorite winter steelhead patterns, Molly and I came upon one dead coho after another. They were hanging from every stream side willow and piled up in every log jam we came upon. Molly was in "hog heaven" with all this "low hanging fruit" munching on every fetid, smelly, stinking dead coho carcass she came upon. I can't even imagine what sort of delectable culinary delight these rotting salmon must smell like to the sensitive olfactory senses of a great hunting dog like Molly. I know for my nearly, non-functioning snozaola, I was struggling to keep my breakfast down in several runs. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimsSX_jCFfnhDTGHcLjjespROXa2rzmGXmGg7AyFejZ53LvOCFtxRknVk6nV2JiVU6qw-5F_SYuEvS-esgsI7f8UFnKocATA_dcSNKWNRiRWCfUEuQ-E5N4nYMRE7hA5LxNB5cW369zL8/s1600/IMG_4152_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimsSX_jCFfnhDTGHcLjjespROXa2rzmGXmGg7AyFejZ53LvOCFtxRknVk6nV2JiVU6qw-5F_SYuEvS-esgsI7f8UFnKocATA_dcSNKWNRiRWCfUEuQ-E5N4nYMRE7hA5LxNB5cW369zL8/s1600/IMG_4152_2.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
In a sweet looking bucket on the far side of the stream, I made a few probing pitches with a favorite winter steelhead bug when I felt the fly come to a stop. A moment later, weight began to build on my spey twig followed by a bright flash of red just under the surface in this little bucket. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuPoCEgn7J_ifRdpnAbyUoq1437LsK4t0UE7JqFUjJ_WnR-i64EfvziGQLHGH1Tk-5cCSHsfH78_Z8woB5mr419OYrcm1PkKbuTDoo5FQvGuIlOFEilxa5WS8nsk4XzWRRREz-tGgqFXQ/s1600/IMG_4146_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuPoCEgn7J_ifRdpnAbyUoq1437LsK4t0UE7JqFUjJ_WnR-i64EfvziGQLHGH1Tk-5cCSHsfH78_Z8woB5mr419OYrcm1PkKbuTDoo5FQvGuIlOFEilxa5WS8nsk4XzWRRREz-tGgqFXQ/s1600/IMG_4146_2.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I guiltily brought this old warrior to hand as quick as my gear would allow, fly hung solidly in the top of his tongue. Seems like a lifetime ago, but actually it would have only been September when this buck would have sported chrome sides down in the estuary and I would have loved to have had him grab my fly. Today I only felt sadness as another run comes to an end. </div>
Dean Finnerty's fishing and huntinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17462370134093072162noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-991680829076967662.post-59811843628975622112014-12-18T20:34:00.000-08:002014-12-18T20:34:00.107-08:00Role Models <div style="text-align: center;">
Throughout my life I've been very blessed with the role models I've had. My dad and my grandpa were the first to have a huge impact on me and the man I wanted to be when I grew up. Later, men like James R. Tharp, Frank Moore and Harry Lemire would further provide a model for who I wanted to be like. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
There were other's too. Men I never met in person, but read about and admired. Men like like Syd Glasso, Walt Johnson, Trey Combs and Bill McMillan.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Life is strange with twists and turns that no one could imagine. So when I agreed to guide a couple of gracious anglers who made large donations to TU's wild steelhead initiative this past November on the south coast for fall chinook, it was a little surprising that another angler with a great reputation would be joining me to help out on the trip. TU had recently hired none other than John McMillan (Bill's son) as our science director for the steelhead initiative and John would be joining us on the trip. I knew only of John by his reputation as a world class scientist and innovator of fish observation techniques and steelhead fly fishing MONSTER!. I couldn't wait to meet him and share some of my favorite fall chinook fly runs with him.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
He arrived ahead of our guests and he and I hit it off like peas and carrots. Generous, polite, gracious, intelligent, articulate and one helluva great fishermen. Everything I had heard about him was right as rain. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibM53Brcrsm-VV7MgmDVqw7hYOuJJjMpd1kQRrElDoWM6x68AgU0ofUNsquu9MLasZqVvpu7P4jb0bscUGqVfY6P0GslaeAW44F7DLAeczZ95ThT7Bgx_BO7fkLi_hQ7KU1B_uL8KjH00/s1600/IMG_3805.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibM53Brcrsm-VV7MgmDVqw7hYOuJJjMpd1kQRrElDoWM6x68AgU0ofUNsquu9MLasZqVvpu7P4jb0bscUGqVfY6P0GslaeAW44F7DLAeczZ95ThT7Bgx_BO7fkLi_hQ7KU1B_uL8KjH00/s1600/IMG_3805.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
John with a south coast fall king.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Legends are made in the most unintended ways sometimes. On one cool November afternoon during this trip, John hooked a decent fall chinook that immediately dove into a huge brush pile across the river. Try as he might to extricate this beast from the brush, this fish was having none of it, simply burrowing in even further making it unlikely that John would ever see his spey head again. John was having none of that! When John handed his rod to one of our guests and began heading up the bank for privacy, it occurred to me what plan had been hatched. I implored John to abandon such foolishness, adding that I had literally dozens of other suitable heads that he could have back at the cabin. I told John that this is what gets folks to read about oneself in local newspapers. Undeterred by my offers or admonishments, John reappeared from the streamside brush wearing only his boxer shorts as he hurriedly crossed the gravel bank and plunged into the icy waters. A quick swim across the river to the brush pile and several minutes exploring the depths with his toes allowed John the ability to reacquire his spey line and begin the process of getting it back. Our other guest joined us on the bank to watch the spectacle unfold. As a way of cheering John on, the guest offered "if you get your line back and land the fish, there's a hundred dollar bill in it for you". Over the next five or more minutes John did his very best to earn that $100 bill, but was only able to manage getting his beloved spey head back. Legendary.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
On the last night of our trip, John quietly departed the cabin we were using as our salmon camp at 2:00 a.m. with a very long drive ahead of him. He was determined to make it over to the John Day early enough the following day to hike in three or four miles and camp for a couple of days. He was dying to fish his favorite steelhead river before heading back home to Washington. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The other day John and I had to meet in Portland for work. Gracious and giving as ever, John presented me with three gifts. The first, a book he co-authored with his father "May the Rivers Never Sleep"</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9thevaP1-ico2Ht4_pDr74zmqaCEcd_-doew_0gxWYCAU5CmmtCRQm-rD4TNg0swnU-VcxX5og8PGDfrfBRA_7cfZ3F2Xa1JheVQSwXpF6YomCHVsmOtJfD-SBLBwwb_2pURhJNecQys/s1600/IMG_4027.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9thevaP1-ico2Ht4_pDr74zmqaCEcd_-doew_0gxWYCAU5CmmtCRQm-rD4TNg0swnU-VcxX5og8PGDfrfBRA_7cfZ3F2Xa1JheVQSwXpF6YomCHVsmOtJfD-SBLBwwb_2pURhJNecQys/s1600/IMG_4027.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
An amazing book detailing our northwest rivers, the fish we love and observations made through the seasons by John and his dad. Amazing imagery and heart felt stories of these two men who have devoted their lives to our rivers. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5L1G_kgstD_SA3plhR9tvm9J9V2JZlmV-jHsIdD6agQX5KzfObqGB6d_9i9ZHaZzA745t4OTPiFh_LSx-OpqS0mx7i0ViOlTKqO7akojxYOPs7M0zDnrJ3BKNngnbGRyTqtibb5T7JIQ/s1600/IMG_4028.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5L1G_kgstD_SA3plhR9tvm9J9V2JZlmV-jHsIdD6agQX5KzfObqGB6d_9i9ZHaZzA745t4OTPiFh_LSx-OpqS0mx7i0ViOlTKqO7akojxYOPs7M0zDnrJ3BKNngnbGRyTqtibb5T7JIQ/s1600/IMG_4028.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The second was a poster created from an image John captured while diving a Washington Steelhead stream. This poster will find its way into a frame and will adorn a wall in our cabin on the Umpqua for the rest of my days. John and I share a love of donning fin's, mask, snorkel and wet suit and slipping into our favorite salmon and steelhead streams to observe. I admit though that my interest lies in finding steelhead lies that can be covered with a fly, while John is more interested in learning more about the fish he's devoted his life to protect. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The third gift was a simple paper box containing a variety of John's fall chinook flies. His generous way of helping me restock some of my fall chinook fly boxes from the loss of flies to brush piles during our trip. Truth be told, none of these flies will likely ever be used to catch fall chinook. Nope, these flies will end up in shadow boxes with other flies tied by other role models.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Dean Finnerty's fishing and huntinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17462370134093072162noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-991680829076967662.post-20619475059947688432014-12-15T21:06:00.000-08:002014-12-15T21:06:19.345-08:00Ghosts of Christmas Past<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh3D9CWl1P16ntbA5GwGkK_cgaNksOdkvDjXP1Nlgq_PgKJBD4440XpkM4P31tJAJJnDEIg-uQkuBVwnL7yUQIfqqrk6fBYJS-jnYy_gPSXHHGmCEoD_pvxbhpKh2TQx2au9Y9HaMQ0-Q/s1600/DSC_0044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh3D9CWl1P16ntbA5GwGkK_cgaNksOdkvDjXP1Nlgq_PgKJBD4440XpkM4P31tJAJJnDEIg-uQkuBVwnL7yUQIfqqrk6fBYJS-jnYy_gPSXHHGmCEoD_pvxbhpKh2TQx2au9Y9HaMQ0-Q/s1600/DSC_0044.JPG" height="214" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Its been awhile since I've posted to this blog. A variety of reasons really. My work with TU has kept me busy. I've enjoyed every minute of it too! Great work, great people and partners and its work that is so important for the rivers and fish I live to love. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Our new home on the lower Umpqua has taken a fair amount of my time the past few months as well. Now that we've got most of that done and can just enjoy the place, you'll likely see more posts from there. We've scuba dived the whole river in front of the place. We've chased fall bear and elk during archery season in the hills and canyons surrounding it. The boys caught tons of smallmouth bass out front before the cold high water came in September. Fall Chinook and Coho have slid by, unmolested by yours truly or any of my family, friends or guests, in spite of more than just a few casts with spinners from our dock. The winter steelhead started showing up around Thanksgiving like they always do on the lower Umpqua, but this years rains and high, muddy water hasn't lent itself to swinging flies. Kind of a bummer for me and my buddies, but its also nice to know that the beating the fish have taken from the hordes of anglers plying the low water we've had the past two years didn't happen again this year. Maybe this winter there will be a few more wild steelhead in the North Umpqua fly water. Something else to blog about in the coming months I suspect. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDGr_rk5lGI5FZRXsuvtXmV-GsGF2cS8wl76qED_bUDzsQ_KPLKQb2YmgW6nFyz9gdm2Bb51_xu0w6jo2zXoFZJTnBcrCQpm00UYYvHnTPftd4lSJvOgviqnm3_iyFoczxFGbjOVWL2E8/s1600/DSC_0080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDGr_rk5lGI5FZRXsuvtXmV-GsGF2cS8wl76qED_bUDzsQ_KPLKQb2YmgW6nFyz9gdm2Bb51_xu0w6jo2zXoFZJTnBcrCQpm00UYYvHnTPftd4lSJvOgviqnm3_iyFoczxFGbjOVWL2E8/s1600/DSC_0080.JPG" height="214" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Winter steelhead hold a special place in my heart. They're TOUGH! Not only in terms of just plain old grit, they're tough to catch, especially on flies. The past 15 or so years has changed the game and leveled the field quite a bit with our advances in gear...rods and lines particularly, but in fly design and tying materials. But even with these advances, they're still damned tough! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Step, cast, mend, swing. Step, cast, mend, swing. Step, cast, mend, swing. Hour after freezing hour. The lines swing stops at some point, sometimes days into it. Slow steady weight transmits up the fly line, into the rod and your numb hand...followed by that sweet sound. The sound of your click-pawl antique Hardy reel as line melts from the reel and backing leaves the guides. GREAT STUFF! and once experienced, tough to walk away from. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzNt1q6mPrfM8Fzhfaf7D9EpN-oZ4d6Pz9lQyDOzfIxbcDdtyz-448txTV4lmOBgtCYRJptsoEDF3zGBKfTGNNsZF5cYzcO22slL4Ux6E7fzKT9Pkh5WIu_xahzubrF4n_Mdt0b_R4eO0/s1600/DSC_0094.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzNt1q6mPrfM8Fzhfaf7D9EpN-oZ4d6Pz9lQyDOzfIxbcDdtyz-448txTV4lmOBgtCYRJptsoEDF3zGBKfTGNNsZF5cYzcO22slL4Ux6E7fzKT9Pkh5WIu_xahzubrF4n_Mdt0b_R4eO0/s1600/DSC_0094.JPG" height="214" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Until the flows recede a bit and/or the winter fish start showing up in fishable numbers in some of my coastal streams I'm content to hang around the house, get my TU work done and do a little bird hunting. I have a friend from Montana who corrects me every time I call ducks and geese "birds". </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
In Montana where he lives I guess a "bird" is some little feathery creature that hides in the brush until your uppity English pooch sniffs the smelly little bird up and stands there "pointing", another word for "telling" you "hey here's one, here's one boss". Then you simply dismount from your trusty steed and flush the bird for dispatching with your high dollar over and under 20 gauge. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I point out to him that the "birds" me and my sons and buddies hunt require a little more effort to bring to hand. We often plant and flood ponds to provide quality feed and roost area for our birds each spring. Then in the fall we construct blinds that allow us to hide from the wary eyes of our prey. We intelligently place realistic decoys (sometimes hundreds of them!) in a manner that accurately depicts what these "birds" look like when relaxed and social and feeding/resting. Then when the birds fly by we use all manner of gadgets and gizmo's to clinch the deal. Calls, jerk strings, spinner dekes all further the illusion that all is calm, all is bright... finally, after ALL of that effort, we might actually get a chance to bring the bird to hand with camo painted 10 or more likely 12 gauge pump or semi-auto shotguns. And IF we don't blunder and miss (happens way more often than I willing to admit) our poor old trust worthy "working mans dogs" like labs and Chesapeake bay retrievers finally get a chance to do the deed that they live for, retrieving! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI-fPsfJZg2rRCMTvphJhqLGtyKHLpEhEg-onUjE10LUHhodl_j5Wyqx7YwKm88SAmqe1GGj-2BoO2ZwqKtsVuVao2bu42aEioNCZs0vewqe_1hesMGCBLnKNHewJoZRWnT2KvPlCcGgE/s1600/DSC_0236.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI-fPsfJZg2rRCMTvphJhqLGtyKHLpEhEg-onUjE10LUHhodl_j5Wyqx7YwKm88SAmqe1GGj-2BoO2ZwqKtsVuVao2bu42aEioNCZs0vewqe_1hesMGCBLnKNHewJoZRWnT2KvPlCcGgE/s1600/DSC_0236.JPG" height="214" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Merry Christmas to you and yours and here's to a great New Year!</div>
Dean Finnerty's fishing and huntinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17462370134093072162noreply@blogger.com0