Because your holding a 7wt swinging steelhead flies. or a trout set up.

It is a fishing license, not a catching license. If you are fishing, no matter if you catch something or not or if you release what you catch, you need the license because you are fishing.

When an officer checks you for your license, you may not have any fish in your possession but you still need the license.

RIGHT.

As far as the original question, Gene's last point is really all you need to know. It's a fishing license not a catching license. Even the tag.

Yes, I understand. I just don't think I should need a fishing license, AND a fishing license, just to catch and release. Seems like a pretty obvious racket. Thanks for the feedback.

If you really want to experience some sphincter stretching, check out the British Columbia licensing requirements for steelhead catch & release fishing on class rated waters. Ouch!

Yup. I was there about 5 years ago and the blue ribbon water cost me $21/day. I fished the Elk and got about 2 hours of great fishing before a thunderstorm upstream blew up the water. I suspect it's more now.

On a similar note, this subject has come up for waters in Oregon to be considered for a similar blue ribbon status, and extra fees. Would we as anglers support this? In state folks would get a break but would still cost more. I'm still pondering whether this is a good idea or not.

'Cator

I don't think Oregon has any "Blue Ribbon" fisheries, or if they do, they are danged few. The ODF&W doesn't manage for fisheries that really could be considered Blue Ribbon. They primarily manage for consumption.

If you are fishing in a river that has both catchable trout and Steelhead you can certainly fish without a Steelhead tag. The mcKenzie is an example. If I fish with my fly rod and catch and release a Steelhead I haven't violated the law as long as I have an angling license.

The excess steelhead from Leaburg Hatchery have a numbered tag. The hatchery people record the numbers from all steelhead hauled to lakes. OSP can easily check with the hatchery staff for a steelhead from leaburg hauled to a lake.

Most hatchery programs are not supported by the general fund. Trout programs in particular are usually supported by federal funding. All trout from Leaburg and Willamette hatchery are 100% federally funded. (Army Corps of Engineers).

I was thinking of the excess hatchery steelhead they dump in Olalla Lake outside of Toledo. Do you know if those are marked?
It was in regards to those steelhead that I queried the office in Corvallis and received the odd answer.

If the excess steelhead are marked, then problem solved. However, the person I spoke with at the Corvallis office gave me no indication that the excess steelhead (I assume from the Alsea hatchery) were marked.

Plus, if the money for the hatchery programs does not come from Oregon, why the apparent push by the ODF&W to sell Oregon fishing licenses by creating "increased fishing opportunities"... meaning, catch and kill?

Glad you have showed up. I'm sure there are a lot of questions in regards to the ODF&W hatchery program that the WF members would like to ask.

Gene,

I retired from ODFW last year. Before retiring I managed Leaburg hatchery for over 11 years. I don't officially represent ODFW in any capacity, but I am pretty familiar with hatchery programs in general. I can't speak specifically about all hatchery programs but I do know that in general about 70% of hatchery funding comes from the feds. In the case of Leaburg Hatchery the funding is 100% COE funding as mitigation for Willamette system dams. License sales support some of the coastal hatcheries and a few other programs across the state but for the most part it's federal funding.

I know that other hatcheries stock excess steelhead in a variety of lakes, but I am only directly familiar with the program at Leaburg. All the steelhead are tagged with a specific number and for the most part recycled to the McKenzie River. late in the year, about November, tagged steelhead are hauled to Junction City Pond. OSP is always aware when we haul steelhead to JC Pond so there is never an issue there.

In any event, my facts and opinions are my own and do not represent ODFW,

Tim

So, you are telling me that I can fish the McKenzie with a spey rod, swinging leeches or some such with sink tip, and not get busted for fishing w/o the Salmon/Steelhead tag??

Also, can you give me an example of a river without a catchable trout population, where steelhead fishing takes place.

Thanks.

Sandy River