Dodging rain and hailstorms blowing through on the morning of June 15, the Nestucca Anglers celebrated by hosting their 25th Annual Salmon Fin Clip Day.
The Rhoades Pond Rearing facility is operated by the dedicated volunteers from Nestucca Anglers Association that raise and release around 100,000 fall run Chinook Salmon annually. The salmon fry had their adipose fin removed to indicate they are hatchery fish and will be released by the ODFW Cedar Creek Hatchery staff later this summer.
Fin clippers ranged from the young to seniors working elbow to elbow at the clip table, clipping each fish one at a time before they were returned to the rearing pond. Volunteers came from as far away as Astoria, Portland and Salem to participate in the family event. Each participant received a commemorative T-Shirt and raffle tickets. A BBQ lunch was provided to all. All youngsters received a fishing pole or backpack full of surprises.
A silent auction was held and the record setting proceeds generated will help with operational costs to run the facility.
Nestucca Anglers Association President Ron Byrd said, “This annual event could not take place without the hundreds of volunteer hours spent raising these Chinook Salmon” and he thanked all who participated.
District 9 State Representative from Coos Bay, Boomer Wright praised the volunteers and sponsors saying, “The State of Oregon should be proud of volunteer efforts and critical support for programs like this.”
Earlier this spring Tillamook Anglers Association celebrated their 30th Annual Salmon Fin Clip Day at the Whiskey Creek Volunteer Hatchery at Netarts Bay.
Tillamook Anglers raise 120,000 spring run Chinook Salmon annually that are released to the Trask River by ODFW staff from the Task River Fish Hatchery.
Over 250 volunteers comprised of students young and old, family members and friends from the north coast and as far away as Salem and Multnomah participated in the annual tradition this year. Clippers went through about 20,000 fish per hour. A BBQ lunch was provided for all. Raffles and silent auction items helped provide proceeds to assist with annual operating costs to raise the fish.
Tillamook Anglers Association President Jim Skaar thanked all volunteers that showed up and thanked members for the countless volunteer hours given to make the Whiskey Creek Volunteer Hatchery successful.
Volunteers at both Whiskey Creek Hatchery and Rhoades Rearing Pond work alongside ODFW staff from Trask River and Cedar Creek hatcheries in the spring and fall to spawn returning Chinook Salmon runs for their boodstock programs. Fertilized eggs are brought to the Whiskey Creek egg house to be hatched in January and reared in protected tanks. Rhoades Rearing Pond receives already hatched fry to be grown in a large newly renovated covered concrete pond.
Volunteer feeders work daily at both locations throughout the spring and summer to monitor stream water quality, temperature and oxygen levels and feed the salmon fry hourly. It takes thousands of volunteer hours to raise these fish. Both groups rely completely on their member volunteers and public donations that are critical to successfully operating these facilities.
Tillamook Anglers consists of about 700 members and their Whiskey Creek Hatchery is open daily 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. for viewing and tours. They are located on Netarts Bay Rd south of Netarts.
Nestucca Anglers consists of about 400 members and their Rhoades Rearing Pond is located 5.5 miles south of Hebo on Hwy 22 and is open daily for fish viewing.
Anyone interested in joining Tillamook Anglers Association or the Nestucca Anglers Association, donating to these valuable causes or volunteering should contact either organization on their Facebook page or their websites.
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