North Creek Aquatic Passage Restoration

With multiple partners, the Bluebacks helped the restoration of North Creek such that anadromous fish could once again access 12 miles of spawning habitat. The Chapter helped by conducting eDNA surveys of North Creek waters before removal of the original culvert and after construction of the new larger culvert to allow fish passage. Measurements detected an upswing in key anadromous fish levels above the new culvert indicating that different salmonids were able to enter the upper reaches of the stream. We also planted willows and other native trees in areas disturbed by the heavy machinery during the redesign project. Blueback partners: MidCoast Watersheds Council, Native Fish Society, Oregon Dept of Fish and Wildlife, Oregon Dept of Transportation, US Forest Service

Blueback support: Trout Unlimited Embrace-A-Stream Grant

Outreach and Education

The Bluebacks are committed to helping communities learn about salmonids and their habitat in the Mid-Willamette Valley.  We host snorkel surveys on area rivers (e.g., North Fork Siletz) to teach citizens about steelhead that inhabit cold water refugia by getting into the water with the fish during summers.  Members of our Chapter teach elementary school students about salmon and their habitat during the annual Linn-Benton Salmon Watch.  We host information tables at local events like Annual Corvallis Sustainability Coalition Sustainability Fair (an organization of which we are a member organization); the NW Fly Tier and Fly Fishing Expo in Albany, OR; at our annual fundraising event and showing of the Flyfishing Film Festival (F3T); invited speakers at meetings of the Oregon State University Fish and Wildlife Club, members of which have started a TU Five Rivers Club at the university; and at information tables at the Corvallis Farmers Market. 

River Cleanups

Since 2015, the Bluebacks have conducted river cleanups on the South Santiam River in the central Willamette Valley together with SOLVE (https://www.solveoregon.org).  Each October and June, our flotilla launches and covers a 3-mile stretch of river adjacent the Sweet Home, Oregon.  An informal competition reigns as we vie to find the best trash to rescue from the river.  Astroturf, gold balls, junction boxes, floatation devices, bathing suits (?!), and tires are major prizes.  One alluring grocery cart, partially filled with cobbles has been seen each year but remains unperturbed as if welded to the river bed.  Each year (twice) we try for it!  In 2023, we joined forces with the local chapter of Project Healing Waters (https://projecthealingwaters.org) to clean the river.  

River Restoration and Steelhead Redd Surveys

 Since the Bluebacks were established, we’ve conducted surveys of our home waters to scout the presence of anadromous fish returning to spawn.  In January 2021, our team was trained by Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW), to spot, flag, and record the presence of redds scooped in the riverbed by steelhead as they spawn.  In 2021, the Bluebacks performed 18 surveys that involved 10 volunteers and 154 hours of volunteer time.  We walked the Upper Luckiamute River on six weekends from January until May and observed 59 redds.  We’ve continued these surveys since.  The results can be used by the Luckiamute Watershed Council and ODFW to understand the effectiveness of the stream restoration undertaken by the watershed council.   

Trout Unlimited Youth Camp Volunteers

“That’ll fish!” I hear Kellen say to the boy who has just reached his fly into the pond, wishing for a passing trout.  Nearby, Alec is helping another young angler tie a fly onto the tippet and explaining to the boy tactics for attracting fish.  Chloe sits with her new best friend watching as the 10-year-old pulls a succession of eager bluegills from the water. Altogether, four Bluebacks helped with the Summer 2024 Clackamas River Chapter Youth Camp which is 10-years running and going strong.  The Bluebacks participated in the four-day camp for children for the first time in 2024 helping to teach the kids about rivers, riparian zones, aquatic invertebrates, sustaining river habitats, and, of course, fishing. This is an important part of the Bluebacks commitment to education.