Keep'em Wet

Keepemwet started by Bryan Huskey 5 years ago when he was asked by a local fly club to give a presentation about his trout photography. He outlined anglers' responsibility to be good stewards of the resource and to handle catch & release fish with exceptional care, especially when additional time is taken to photograph fish. He called this portion of his presentation "Keep 'em Wet" that has transended into the hashtag #keepemwet. 

This winter, Native Fish Society  launched the “Keep ‘Em Wet” campaign to increase angler awareness about the negative effects of air exposure to wild fish.

"Don’t take us wrong,  I'm not saying we are purest, we’ve all taken fish out of the water to snap a photo, Native Fish Society staff members included.  But the more we learn about  handling fish we love the more healthy wild fish there will be to catch. 

As an outfitters Marty and I have have practised catch and release techniques from early on, teaching sports how to properly handle fish and how to minimize air exposure when taking photos.   

Even when anglers are taking precautionary measures, like crushing the barb, prolonged air exposure can make it difficult for fish to recover and there are delayed negative effects that may not be apparent even if the fish seems fine when it swims away.

Studies have shown that the longer a fish is exposed to air after exhausting exercise the higher their mortality rates are (Ferguson and Tufts, 1992; Gale et al, 2011).  Even 30 seconds of air exposure reduces a trout’s ability to recover and can provide a significant additional stress even when catch and release fishing (Ferguson and Tufts, 1992).

So, let’s get creative with the way we photograph our wild fish by keeping them wet and in the water.  Here's a few recommendations.  Till May 31st 2015, NFS will be holding a photo contest for the best picture of a wild, native fish from the Pacific Northwest with at minimum its gills in the water."

1. Keep the mouth, gill plates in the water cradling the backside of the fish or hand right under the pectoral fin, not squeezing the fish and  hold the tail with the other hand firmly. 

Wild 2013 photo by Marty Sheppard

2. Hold the tail firmly and lay the fish flat covering the gill plate. 

Winter Buck 2011 by Mia Sheppard

3. If you do feel inclined to take a photo of the fish out the water, quickly lift  for a second or two and then submerge the fish back. If you see there is no water dripping off the fish or its mouth is wide open gasping for air, it's been out of the water way to long. 

How to Enter the Photo Contest

To enter, email your photograph to mark@nativefishsociety.org and we will post it to our Instagram, Twitter and Facebook accounts with the hashtag #keepemwet. The top three photos with the most likes combined will win prizes!

Prizes for the Top Three Finalists

The first place winner will receive a brand new Gary Anderson Custom 12’0” 7wt Spey Rod donated by NFS Board Treasurer Peter Tronquet.  Our two runners up will get to choose between a day of steelhead fishing with Washougal River Steward Steve Lent on the Sandy River and a day of trout fishing with Willamette Valley Regional Coordinator Kyle Smith on the McKenzie River.

The three winning photographs will be published in the Summer 2015 issue of Strong Runs. Let the contest begin, good luck, and Keep Em’ Wet!

- See more at: http://nativefishsociety.org/index.php/conservation/keep-em-wet-campaign-photo-contest/#sthash.GhezXHJO.dpuf

Clean Up the Trask

Here's a great volunteer opportunity for June 28th. 

Please RSVP to customerservice@adventuresacrossor.com

Adventures Across Oregon

Sponsor a Protester!

Must say this is cleaver! 

With Sandy river hatchery plants cut by half, stray rates below 10%, wild broodstock programs suspended and a precedent setting federal court ruling, the Three Rivers Sportman’s Alliance (a pro-hatchery “political action committee”) is planning to protest the NFS upcoming Annual Benefit Banquet and Auction April 11th.  

In response, Native Fish Society supporters and members have asked to provide an opportunity to raise additional support for wild fish by donating per protester. 

If you'd like to sponsor a protester please email tracy@nativefishsociety.org with your name, the amount you would like to donate per protester and your phone number. Thank you for all your support for wild, native fish!

Carp-ocalypse

Carp tournament in Banks Lake, WA.

Join Native Fish Society for some Fly Fishing in the sun and help our Native Fish at the same time.

Sign Up Online ~ Entry Fee is a Minimum Donation of $25 to the Native Fish Society

• Individual and Team competition
• Awesome Prizes including Rods, Reels, and more!
• Categories for all skill levels
• Tailgate Party Saturday night
• Family Friendly

Carp caught by Jet Ski Master Brian Silvey, photo taken by LCO Executive Director Martin

NFS River Stewards

Pat Dunham River Steward for the Lower John Day

Every year a group of dedicated wild fish advocates and River Stewards for Native Fish Society gather to talk about river projects, wild fish, and of course spend time fishing and eating good food. It was great to soak up the sun, play in the water with Tegan, hear about accomplishments and projects other river stewards had going and just relax.

Rob Sims Lower Deschutes River Steward Sporting Patagonia.

Spencer Miles NFS River Steward drooling at Bill Bakke's summer Steelhead flies.

The chosen fly

Tegan taking a nap while we listen to Kathryn Kostow, (ODFW) talk about ecological risk of hatchery.

Mitch going for the delicious grub and cookies!

Native Fish Society Banquet

Call the baby sitter and buy your tickets to the funniest fly-fishing social event in Oregon on April 9th, 2011, and support a non-profit, that promotes health rivers and wild fish.

Register here for the Native Fish Society Banquet.

See ya there!

NFS River Steward Retreat

THis weekend was the Native Fish Society river Stewards retreat. Administrators from ODFW, NMFS, PGE, and dedicated long time NFS members gave the stewards valuable information on conservation and recovery issues for native fish. Some of the issues discussed where about watershed management, hatchery harvest and how to be make a positive statement for the preservation of native fish. This retreat both inspired and motivated me, to not be so timid in speak out to our representatives and agency on whats important to me, the preservation of wild fish.

Bill Bakke said, "Changing management from one of depletion to one of stewardship depends on us. By organizing folks in each watershed to protect it and the fish it supports, the concept of stewardship is established. People will protect what they know and cherish."

NMFS assistant regional administrator Rob Walton giving the stewards some great information for the conservation of Wild fish.

"Feed them and they will come." Tom Derry quote.

Peter pouring the Rye.

River Steward for the Nooksack, Chris Johnson checking out Peters "reject flies."

Dinner!

We had a great weekend. Thank you Russ and Tom for putting this together. To become a river steward check out NFS.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E534WNZgPwA

Native Fish Society T-Shirts

Limited Edition Native Fish Society T-Shirts.

There will be only 150 men's shirts available and around 25 shirts specifically cut for women.

The shirts were designed by Laundry Studios / Meat is Good for You, Inc. and are done on organic ringspun cotton with a quality screenprint job. They will sell for $25 each, with every cent of the proceeds going the NFS. Our goal is to sell out at the Sandy River Spey Clave, but those who cannot attend and would still like a shirt can contact Fran Taylor at http://us.mc552.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=fran@molalla.net.