Beginnings
I started fishing at an early age, probably 5 or 6 years of age. While growing up in the northwest on the Alsea River, I had the privilege of fishing on close relatives' properties when once you had permission you were good for future fishing as long as you abided by the rules. Everybody had to know the pecking order with the relatives: Grandparents, women and children first of the imme
diate family. I hooked my first steelhead above the town of Alsea across from Ermey Walters property and never landed the fish but had several other hook-ups on different dates. Now Ermy is known in the northwest as one of the best fisherman for salmon and steelhead you will find. Folks would pine to visit to fish with him. More about Ermey later. While moving around a bit, I got to watch a fisherman on the Wind River in Washington when I was age 7- to 12-years old hook and catch summer steelhead with spinners. It was a site to behold as he would visit about the time of day and how to present the spinner. Although I never caught any on the Wind river, I never got tired of watching him. Back to the Alsea. We moved back and settled in at a place called Tidewater, Oregon, and about a quarter mile from our house was a place called Cozey Cove which is still in business. We had a boat and would go and fly fish for the sea run cut throat trout. What a hoot. This was the ages of 12 to 18. As I got more involved with sports there was less time to fish, but every free chance I would take advantage of it. I landed my first steelhead at the top of the Hellyan on the Alsea at age 14 way too long in my eyes. I'll never forget Stubby Thissell telling me to cast to a specific spot in the river because the steelhead would come out of the heavy water and rest there. Oh, by the way, it took me three tries before I hit the spot. When I did, the 11 pound steelhead hit it like a Mack truck. As I continued on with fishing, there was not a fish I didn't want to catch from flounder in the Yaquina River to the legends in the fall on the Willson River, Tillamook, Oregon. Fast forward a bit. After High school I was accepted to Pacific University and received a scholarship and aid to play baseball. Well it took some time to balance school, homework, social life, baseball, and fishing. Some how I was able to make it work. Once settled in, I was able to learn the fisheries in the Tillamook rivers, catching spring chinook, steelhead, fall chinook, and some summer stealhead. After graduating from Pacific, I landed my first teaching job in McMinnville, Oregon. The dedication to position took away a lot of free- and fishing-time. It was a one year position for the job with the previous teacher coming back. The next year, I landed a teaching position in Scappoosse, Oregon, where there was the Columbia River in my back yard. Needless to say, I was able to learn sturgeon fishing, shad fishing, and salmon fishing there. The move south
After four years, my wife and I moved to Eugene. We have been here for 23 years. In the mean time, I learned the rivers and fisheries by trial and error. Personally, I think it makes sense to learn on your own. The best experience is your own. Everybody is different on how to approach philosophies, fishing and otherwise. I got my guides license 12 years ago, and I'm glad I fished and learned the rivers and techniques beforehand. I had the privilege of fishing with two of the best fisherman in Oregon or maybe the northwest: Ermey Walters, steelhead, and Jim Wilson, arguably the best bobber fisherman on the Alsea river for fall chinook. It was a treat to watch them and of course join them on several trips. They had a couple of things in common in that they loved to fish, share their knowledge, and most importantly have fun. I have also had the privelege of being invited to fish the Umpqua Fishing Derby from 2007-2012. This invite only event.The Umpqua Fishery Enhancement Derby is a non-profit organization that provides funding for fish enhancement projects in the Umpqua Basin. All monies are raised from the annual 3 day derby. I have already been invite back for January 2013. What I learned from Jim and Ermey I have tried to incorporate into a day on the river with the people that I take:
Good bait, good gear, a clean boat and most importantly always have fun...everything else will take care of itself. Jim Martin, a.k.a. Harmless. Professional Organizations
mgalogoMember of McKenzie River Guides Association
jmgs_slide_432px_013I was recently accepted as a member of the Mckenzie River Guides Association. The McKenzie River Guides Association has provided outstanding recreational services to those who visit the McKenzie River Valley. Its members not only provide fishing and whitewater rafting trips, but they also work closely with the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife and other conservation groups to help preserve and enhance the river's recreational resources. nwsteelheadersMember of Northwest Steelheaders
Help conserve fish. Educate children and adults. Meet other anglers and find out about some great new places to go fishing. Join a chapter--or join as a member at large. The Northwest Steelheaders rely on dedicated volunteers to do a wide variety of projects. From rehabilitating stream habitat, to conducting angler education fishing clinics, or each years Kids Fishing Day in June, it all works because of people just like you. We'll find a project that suits your skills and interests. The Association of Northwest Steelheaders is a 501-c3 non-profit (tax deductible) organization. If you'd like to support the organization's on-going stream restoration or angler education projects, your contribution will be gladly accepted. Donated items will be used to support these efforts or sold at our annual auction. CCA_LogoMember of Coastal Conservation Association - Pacific Northwest
The CCA-PNW is an advocacy group for salmon, steelhead, and our other Northwest fish. Our job is to give voice to this precious resource that cannot defend itself against destruction. Coastal Conservation Association (CCA) is a non-profit organization comprised of 17 coastal state chapters spanning the Gulf of Mexico, Atlantic and Pacific coasts. CCA's strength is drawn from the tens of thousands of recreational saltwater anglers who make up its membership. From South Texas to the upper reaches of Maine, CCA's grassroots influence is felt through state capitals, U.S. Congress and, most importantly, in the conservation and restoration of our coastal marine resources. CCA has been active in virtually every national fisheries debate since 1984 and has participated productively in state and federal fisheries management issues for longer than two decades. CCA continues to operate as a three-tiered organization, affecting issues on the local, state and national levels. CCA's unmatched breadth and depth of volunteer involvement has made it the largest marine conservation group of its kind. Its grassroots network and unique combination of membership, fundraising and advocacy have enacted positive change on all levels of coastal marine conservation and management. When called into action, the impact of CCA's grassroots machine is unparalleled.
