Crooked River Tragedy Poem by Ray Lucero

My wife Laureen and I planned our trip well ahead. I was taking her to Crooked River near Prineville, OR. I had wanted to take Laureen there for a very long time. Our goal was to go before the 4th of July vacationers and to ensure we found a good campsite. We arrived on the 29th of June. It was a warm day with cloudless skies and temperature in the mid 80's (a perfect day) .

We found an excellent campsite overlooking the river. A good size Juniper towered over the camp picnic table, providing adequate shade. We leveled the trailer and set up camp.

Anxious to wet a line I rigged my favorite fly rod. I walked a short distance to the river where there were boulders with riffles just below them. I tied on a black nymph. It took a few casts to get the feel of the rod and line. I'd not been fly fishing since the previous summer, but it did not take long to get back the casting and fly presentation.

Although there were a lot of insects flying about, I did not see trout rising to take them.

After a dozen casts with no takers I tied on a tie-down caddis. Same thing no strikes!

I worked my way down the river casting to what looked like promising water, stopping every half hour or so to change fly patterns. I gave up after a couple of hours. In previous years I'd hooked and released several fish in a few hours.

On the way back to the travel trailer I encountered "Glen" the camp host. We exchanged pleasantries. During the conversation I asked how the fishing was lately?

He replied "It's been very slow". About then a red pick up truck pulled up. A fellow in his early 70's got out of the truck and approached us. He said "Hi Glen remember me I came by a few days ago". Glen acknowledged the man. The three of chatted for a short time. After a few minutes I asked the visitor "Do you live nearby? " "Oh yes, and I've been fishing this river for better than 50 years." I asked "Have you caught any fish lately." His answer was, short and curt. "There aren't any fish"!

Taken aback I asked "What do you mean? "

"Regulated water flow from the nearby dam was too low last winter and too high this summer. The low water brought disease and high water flushed them away! There used to be thousands of fish per mile of water. After a disastrous winter and summer the last count was 75 fish in 3 miles of water. Essentially in an attempt to increase water flow to encourage steelhead movement, they have killed off the native Red Band/Red Side trout. Whitefish another native fish has also vanished. Sadly the last count at Pelton Dam (downstream from Crooked River) , only 3 Steelhead returned this season. In a subsequent inquiry with "Fish and Game" I asked if there were any plans to stock Crooked River. The Fish and Game official answered "No…Crooked River is wild fish habitat."

What was once a thriving and pristine river full of fish is now a river devoid of native fish."

After the conversation I walked back to our campsite and told Laureen that I was going to pack up my fishing gear. "Why" she asked? Looking dejected and upset I answered… "No fish I will explain later".

We left for home the next day. I knew in my heart I'd never return to fish the Crooked River. I would have to find comfort in memories past…

ROTMS