Posts by Kirk Blaine

SAVE THE DATE: Third Annual Umpqua Bass Bash

Join us on Saturday, June 22 as Native Fish Society hosts our third annual Umpqua Bass Bash! After two great years, NFS looks to expand the event to allow more folks to come for a fun-filled...

The Derelict Dam that needs to go

Now that the dust has settled from the disastrous repairs at Winchester Dam, I wanted to give an update on what happened and where conservation advocates go from here. I was at the dam site...

Press Release: Survey Shows Only 17 Wild Spring Chinook Salmon observed in Oregon’s South Umpqua River

For Immediate Release, October 23, 2023Contact:Meg Townsend, Center for Biological Diversity, (971) 717-6409, mtownsend@biologicaldiversity.orgStanley Petrowski, Umpqua Watersheds, (541) 825-3070,...

ODFW seek fines of $27.6 million for unlawful killing of Pacific Lamprey

State issues one of the largest claims of its kindKirk Blaine - kirk@nativefishsociety.org - 307- 299-7834Douglas County, Oregon - On Friday, October 6, 2023, ODFW filed a complaint with the...

Agencies extend Winchester Dam’s harmful shutdown of North Umpqua salmon and steelhead migration

Beginning August 7th, Winchester Water Control District started repairs on their privately owned dam. A dam that is delaying and harming fish for the sole purpose of private recreation. It’s been...

Extensive Tire Mats Used in Winchester Dam Repairs Sparks Fears of Toxics-Driven Fish Kill

Over a week ago, Winchester Water Control District started repairs on their privately owned dam. A dam that is delaying and harming fish for the sole purpose of private recreation. It’s been...

Winchester Dam Repairs Spark Massive Pacific Lamprey Kill

On Monday, August 7th, Winchester Water Control District started repairs to the derelict Winchester Dam on the North Umpqua River. Since the start of construction, NFS Southern Oregon Coordinator...

Winchester Dam Repairs Begin Despite Permitting Irregularities, Collapsing Summer Steelhead Run, and Fears of Another Fish Kill

2023 Repair at Dam First Since Botched 2018 Attempt Caused Fish Kill and Polluted Drinking Water Supply for 37,000 PeopleWinchester, OR ­– On Monday August 7th, the fish ladder at Winchester Dam on...

A Bashing Good Time

Last Saturday, June 24th, 2023, close to 45 people gathered together on the mainstem Umpqua River for the second annual Umpqua Bass Bash! Anglers from all over the state participated in the event...

A Beautiful Evening Celebrating Southern Oregon’s Wild Fish & Homewaters

On Thursday, June 8th, Native Fish Society hosted our first-ever Homewaters: South by Northwest celebration of southern Oregon’s homewaters and native fish at Valley View Winery in the Applegate...

Home Waters: SxNW

Join Native Fish Society, in partnership with Valley View Winery, Fly Water Travel, and the Ashland Fly Shop, on Thursday, June 8, from 5:30-8:30pm for Home Waters: South by Northwest - a...

SAVE THE DATE: Second Annual Umpqua Bass Bash!

Join us Saturday, June 24th, as Native Fish Society hosts our second annual Umpqua Bass Bash! Hosted on the Umpqua River at Tyee Campground, this event will help remove Smallmouth Bass from the...

The Struggle Continues in Northern California

On Thursday, November 17, 2022, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission announced the final step approving the removal of the four lower Klamath River Dams, starting the largest dam removal...

Say NO to commercial jet boats on Upper Rogue River

Over the past four years, commercial jet boats have been operating under a special use temporary permit on the upper Rogue River. This December, Oregon State Parks is considering approving a...

Present generations, speak up for the River Democracy Act

This letter was initially published in the Roseburg News-Review on November 20, 2022. South Umpqua River Steward Bob Hoehne shares his passion for protecting and conserving the future of our Oregon...

Volunteers step-up for Habitat Restoration

North Umpqua River, OR — On Saturday, November 5th, over 20 volunteers from the Steamboaters, National Forest Foundation, Native Fish Society, and other non-profit organizations gathered together...

North Umpqua River Tree Planting

Here is some content On November 5th, join Native Fish Society, the North Umpqua Coalition, National Forest Foundation, and the Umpqua National Forest for a tree planting to restore stream shade, create cover for...

Southern Oregon Chapter Gathering

Are you excited to join a community of folks working together to restore wild native fish? Would you like to engage with like-minded people advocating for free flowing rivers?In March, Liz Perkin,...