While we all are in awe of the recent flooding on Oregon's North Coast. Tillamook, Nehalem and many low areas recieved major water damage with homes, RV's, boats, equipment, personal belongings, pets and animals all have been lost.
No doubt fishing is the farthest thing for many peoples mind while friends, families and neighbors have such loses.
So before you even think about fishing make sure your neighbors etc. are no longer in need of help. Once you can see your way clear make sure you just do not go and put in your favorite stream without doing some home work.
Many stream now have drasticly changed. Many logs have moved through and we do not know what effects they have made. It is possable on many small streams that you can have blockages.
So float with a few other boats. Take a chain saw for each boat. Make sure you have cell of VHF radios, check the various boat take outs and put ins. make sure someone not on the trip has your float plan. Wear PFD at all times until you complete the drift and know of the dangers.
Do not float with sideways or with oars floating. Slowly read all water and look for major changes that will show themselves once water falls, take photos and lots of notes.
It may seem that it is alot of extra work when you can just go fishing. But I can tell you that everything has changes and with the proper work and study you will not only be able to make the safe floats your looking for but also improve your fishing success and the time it takes to find the holding, staging and moving water for both Salmon and Steelhead.
Val Perry
Perry's Fishing Adventures
fishingwithval@msn.comwww.fishingwithval.com866-738-6991