Rob DeHarpport’s outdoor report: Enjoy the Fourth but help the fish, beware of algae, be safe with fire

By ROB DeHARPPORT/For The Herald — The recent heatwave has created a need for the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife to enact emergency fishing regulations on some waters — essentially asking fishermen to fish early and late in the day to assure the survival of our fisheries in certain areas.

“There is a tough summer and early fall ahead for fish, and we want to take steps to help them survive,” said Shaun Clements, ODFW deputy administrator for inland fisheries. “We appreciate anglers following the regulations and being flexible with their plans to help fish this year.”

“This doesn’t mean that all fishing has to stop,” continued Clements. “Except for the Nehalem River, fishing will remain open the morning and early afternoon hours when water temperatures are cooler for fish and people. There are many great fishing opportunities in high lakes, for warm-water fish like, bass, walleye or crappie, and in lakes and reservoirs stocked with hatchery rainbow trout — though stocking plans may change due to the drought so remember to check the Recreation Report, not the online schedule, for the latest. Google: https:myodfw.com/recreation-report/fishing-report/ for more details.

While we all continue to seek a cool area, lake or stream to beat the continued hot weather, be advised that the annual blue/green algae is in bloom at some lakes and ponds. Currently, Lava Lake is affected as it was the past few years. Odell Lake has also produced the “pea soup” colored conditions annually, usually in July or August. The Deschutes National Forest has issued an alert to keep your kids and pets out of Lava Lake at this time.

Algae blooms are normal. Several bodies of water on our forest regularly get blooms in the summer. They can be bright green, blue-green, white or brown in color. Unfortunately, you can’t tell if an algae bloom is toxic just by looking at it; if you come across areas of thick algae, take precautions by avoiding water contact.

Harmful Algae Blooms (HABs), aka cyanobacteria blooms, aka blue-green algae, can produce toxins or poisons that can cause serious illness or death in pets, livestock, wildlife and humans. Please use common sense and take precautions. For more, go to Oregon Health Authority (OHA): https://bit.ly/3xYYF0T

Check out the “Alerts & Notices” tab on the Forest Service website to stay up-to-date on blooms: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/deschutes/alerts-notices

When in doubt, stay out!

Fishing is good at many locations, including Paulina Lake, Diamond and many other high lakes, rivers and creeks. Salmon season has started at the coast, a great place to escape the heat. Get out and explore new waters whenever possible.

Please remember many of these areas and lakes impacted by the algae blooms offer a great “base camp” and opportunities to explore other trails streams and nearby lakes. Often these warnings create a fear and people avoid the resorts and campgrounds at these lakes. It also creates an opportunity to camp in uncrowded campgrounds as well as exploring nearby places not affected by the algae blooms.

Typically the “bloom” clears up at Odell in a week or two. As for eating the fish you may catch in a lake during a bloom, read the Oregon Health Authority guidelines. The fish are edible and safe to eat WITH the proper care after harvest.

The heatwave brings us lots to digest and learn, not to mention fire safety. It’s critically important to keep within current fire restriction rules throughout our forests. Don’t be the one who carelessly burns down our cherished forests! Save your fireworks for New Year’s Eve this year; they have no place whatsoever in or near our forests.

Currently, there are three terrible fires in northern California on the Shasta- Trinity National Forest as well as several throughout Oregon. A couple of days ago the City of Redmond dodged a bullet as firefighters stopped a potentially catastrophic fire at the very edge of the city. We saw more than enough similar destruction in our state last fall in to last several lifetimes.

Despite the algae, fire danger and severe heat, we who live, work and play within the Highway 58 corridor are fortunate to live in one of the most beautiful areas anywhere. The options are endless to enjoy that beauty and to recreate and relax. If we all use common sense and awareness we will pass this on to our future generations to enjoy just as we do.

So stay cool, keep your lines tight, have fun and stay safe and celebrate our country and our freedoms with friends and family this Fourth of July.

Rob DeHarpport, former mayor of Westfir, moved to the Crescent Lake community in 2015 shortly after retiring from a 31-year career in the trucking industry.