As important as fishing are the efforts underway to save and protect Pacific Northwest salmon and steelhead. Sadly, our wild steelhead and salmon have been disappearing for the last decade. Most runs throughout Oregon and Washington are at record lows, with some sub-species being in danger of becoming extinct.

Fish hatcheries are not the answer to this problem. Wild fish are different than hatchery fish because as in any gene pool found in nature, diversity is a key component of healthy populations.

Another serious problem that fish face is a habitat that for the most part results from human activities, such as improper timber harvest, over-development, unsupervised grazing of livestock, mining and other practices that destroy the natural balance of watersheds and riverine systems.

Clark-Skamania Flyfishers works hand-in-hand with individuals and other organizations to restore habitat so that magnificent Northwest native fish can flourish.