It's rare to see a dam removed from a river, let alone two. The Rogue River has had two dams removed in the past few years, the Rogue now runs free 157 miles from Lost Creek dam to the pacific.

Bear Creek and it's tributaries are major spawning and rearing habitat for the Rogue's salmon and steelhead. The pics below follow Lone Pine Creek, a trib. to Bear Creek.

Lone Pine Creek then crosses under Biddle Rd and continues into a concrete canal through the Medford International Airport.

Lone Pine Creek then is piped underneath Hwy 62(4 lanes) and a bowling alley parking lot.

Above the bowling alley, Lone Pine enters an undeveloped lot. The Creek snakes through this peice of land, as creeks do.

And the fish are there. Through two miles of ditch, canal, pipe, chain-link, concrete, and grates. Wild coho and steelhead smolt are there.

Currently there is a proposed riparian corridor expansion for 7.16 miles of fish bearing creeks throughout the city of Medford. Including Lone Pine Creek. All of the creeks in the proposed plan are used by salmon or steelhead. While this won't take out concrete canals and underground pipes, it will protect the creeks from future decimation. A step in the right direction.

This post is a call to the fishing residents of Medford, or if you know somebody who does. At the past hearing there were only of few of us. We need a lot more voices for the fish.

Thursday - May 26th, 2011

5:30 pm

Medford City Council Chambers

City Hall, 411 W. 8th St

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to call or email.

Rich

It's been a strange one. During prime-time for coastal fishing we saw very little rain, in turn for inland fisheries in March we got drenched. Adjusting your tactics to these conditions was a must. We got to fish some seriously large flies which is always fun, and really small ones too, that can be effective in low water.

We never had one of those magic days, but this is swinging for winter steelhead. Magic number days are reserved for summer steelheading. You got to want it in the winter, you have to want it bad. They don't come easy, unless your name is Beth.

As steelheaders we can fall into a rut, wanting it real bad and thinking too much. We forget about the fishing part. We can definitely fish good water, fish it well and fish a lot of it but, at the end of the day we can't make them bite. Just fish and let it happen.

Keep your corn in the water.

So for me another winter season has come to a close. Spring brings new life and the promise of summer steelhead, can't wait. Time for tying flies, bbq'n, cold beers with good friends. Maybe some trout fishing, maybe.

A parting vid of a coastal steelhead where he should be, in front of a big rock.

[vimeo http://vimeo.com/22167807]

Big thanks to those that came fishing me,

Rich