Feature
     An Oregon Coast Wildlife Refuge Trail

Siletz Bay National Wildlife Refuge in Oregon consists of some of the most scenic estuarine habitat along the Pacific Coast Scenic Byway. On either side of Highway 101, starched skeleton trees jut forth from the estuary and are reminiscent of a time when the salt marsh was diked to provide pasture for dairy cows. Red-tailed hawks, bald eagles, and other raptors can often be seen roosting at the top of these snags and a variety of estuarine dependant birds including great blue heron, great egret and many species of waterfowl can be seen foraging in the tidally influenced waters.

Siletz Bay National Wildlife Refuge was established to protect salt marsh, brackish marsh, tidal sloughs, mudflats, and coniferous and deciduous forestland. The refuge provides nursery grounds for coho and chinook salmon, steelhead and cutthroat trout. The primary ecological goal for the refuge is to allow the salt marsh to return to its natural tidally influenced state.

A 100-acre tidal marsh restoration project was completed on Millport Slough through a partnership between the USFWS, Ducks Unlimited and the Confederated Tribes of the Siletz Indians. The restoration involved breaching 220 feet of dike, removing two dikes totaling 9,300 feet and filling 1,200 feet of artificial ditches. Large woody debris was placed in the marsh to improve habitat for anadromous fish.

This summer the US Fish and Wildlife Service will offer guided paddling trips in the Siletz Bay National Wildlife Refuge. On these outings visitors will spend about two hours paddling through the heart of Siletz Bay NWR as they learn about the natural history of some of the plants, wading birds, waterfowl, and other wildlife that inhabit the estuary. Participants must provide their own canoe or kayak for each trip and must dress appropriately for paddling in all weather conditions. Water and snacks are encouraged. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service can provide binoculars and field guides to use during the trip if needed. Space & parking is limited and you must call ahead to make a reservation. The tours will take place at the following dates and times:

Wednesday, June 16, 4:30 – 6:30 PM
Thursday, July 1, 4:30 – 6:30 PM
Friday, July 2, 5:00 – 7:00 PM
Friday, July 16, 4:30 – 6:30 PM
Saturday, July 17, 5:30 – 7:30 PM
Sunday, July 18, 6:00 – 8:00 PM
Sunday, August 1, 4:30 – 6:30 PM
Monday, August 2, 5:30 – 7:30 PM
Tuesday, August 3, 7:00 – 9:00 AM
Sunday, August 15, 4:40 – 6:40 PM
Monday, August 16, 5:30 – 7:30 PM

Participants will meet at the Siletz Moorage (82 Siletz Hwy, Lincoln City, OR 97367) at the time listed for the date (note: launching is included in the times above). From Lincoln City go south on Highway 101, just before crossing the Siletz River bridge, turn left (east) onto the Siletz hwy and follow until reaching the Siletz Moorage on the right (south). From Newport go north on Highway 101, cross the Siletz River bridge and make the first right (east) onto the Siletz hwy and follow until reaching the Siletz Moorage on the right (south). For further information or to make a reservation please see the Oregon Coast NWR Complex website: www.fws.gov/oregoncoast or contact Cheryl Horton directly by phone at 541-270-5606 or via email at cheryl_horton@fws.gov.

Wet Exits
Melissa has attended a few kayaking skills sessions and has been practicing wet exits. During one class she got hung up by a spray skirt that didn’t release. Read about her experience on the blog. You should count on glitches like that happening and practice until you feel confident you can deal with any departure from the usual routine.

I don’t like doing wet exits but I do them in every season of the year and in every kind of kayak. They’re sometimes awkward and sometimes cold. Sometimes the spray skirt gets stuck and sometimes I have to sort my knees out to get through a keyhole cockpit opening. After years of doing wet exits they now have one thing in common: they’re all boring. That’s the way I’d like to keep them. If there comes a time when I capsize unexpectedly, getting knocked over may come as a surprise, but being upside down in the water will be quite familiar. I know I’ve got more than enough time and air to get out of the boat if that's what I have to do. Time tends to expand when you take the sense of urgency out of it.

To catch up on Melissa’s progress and for some tips on sea kayaking basics check out our Getting Started blog.

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• Crossing the Tasman Sea: An interview with James Castrission
• Newfoundland: Among the islands and inlets of the island’s northeast coast you’ll find history, geology and an opportunity to wander among drifting icebergs.
• The Gulf of Alaska: An Alaskan couple paddles an overlooked stretch of coast that lies between two popular kayaking destinations.
• Safety: A group of guides exploring new routes along the coast of Costa Rica get caught up in a sudden and powerful north wind.
• Gear review: A look at the Ultralight, a new electric motor from Torqeedo designed specifically for kayaks.
• Kayak Reviews:
            - Oceanspirit by Tahe Kayaks
            - Looksha Elite by Necky Kayaks

When I was a child, my dad and I fished with hand lines off the side of a boat owned by the Heath brothers, a pair of Gloucester fisherman. Dad and I leisurely jigged for fish while the brothers hauled in a seine net off Egg Rock filled with Atlantic mackerel. I remember the net's contents—beautiful blue, black mackerel spilling onto the deck of the boat.

The Heath brothers don't go out anymore, but Egg Rock is still a good place for fishing. Kayak anglers launch from the beach about a mile away and head toward the rock. I enjoy seeing them launch in the surf, their boats rigged with rods, tackle and nets. If the weather is rough they may stay close to the rocky shore or venturing off to the next cove, but when conditions allow they are always drawn to Egg Rock to drop their lines in the water there, just as I did when I was standing at my father’s side.

Kayak Fishing, the Ultimate Guide DVD directed by Ken Whiting $19.95

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