Rick, Leah and Kate attended the annual Salmon and Trout Enhancement Program (STEP) picnic at Tugman Park and had a great time. There was food, sun and lots of fun with friends. Leah enjoys picnics just as much as her dad and had just as much fun. Kate enjoyed learning so much about the salmon and what is being done to restore the fish to the rivers. 

STEP was founded in 1981 as a program of the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) that was designed to achieve recovery and sustainability of the state’s Native Salmon and Trout. Their main job is to bring the salmon and trout populations back to our area. 

One of the problems that has held us back from full salmon recovery is the distinction of “wild” fish and hatchery fish. The debate here is whether human intervention is sustainable and whether it is proper to interfere in the process of filling our rivers with salmon again by humans. 

 Rick Goche has a plan. He wants to amend the Wild Fish Policy. 

First off, there is no genetic difference between the native fish and the hatchery fish. Second, Rick would match appropriate stock to the streams where the fish are released. Any fish that is not fed by humans and released as a fry and returns to the river to spawn should be included as a “wild” fish. “This is how we will bring fish back to the region,” says Rick. “Volunteer STEP programs are an inexpensive and practical way to implement the unfed fry release program.” 

Rick spoke to the group at the picnic and sent out a strong message. “When elected I will work to ‘open the tap’ to allow STEP programs access to whatever eggs they need to bring salmon back. We need to recognize salmon restoration not just as a natural resource project but as the economic development it should be.”