THE DALLES — The Columbia River Gorge Chapter of Oregon’s Coastal Conservation Association (CCA) hosted its CCA Oregon Fish Fest on June 27, at the Columbia River Hotel.
The event featured four seminars on plug tuning, walleye tactics, hover fishing, and bait curing, alongside several booths headed by various fishing and outdoor organizations: Daybreak Fishing, OSP, Burnewiin, PNW Lures and Hatchery Wild.
The first 30 attendees received a free hat, and all attendees had the chance to purchase raffle tickets to win different items throughout the event. Raffle winners were announced between each seminar. Free hot dogs, chips and beverages were provided for lunch.
Columbia River Gorge Chapter President Pat Cimmiyotti said the event and the people really demonstrate how fishing can be a lifelong sport.
“You can really fish your whole life, from young adult or young child to older adult,” said Cimmiyotti. “Some of these people in here are in their late 80s, and they’ve been fishing all their lives. Fishing can be a lifetime sport.”
Cimmiyotti added that the CCA Oregon works to protect fishing rights, to help keep the potential lifelong sport alive in Oregon.
“CCA is all about the fish and the fisherman and trying to protect our rights in being able to fish, for the present and future generations. We deal with fishermen’s rights and coordinate with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) and other organizations on issues that we believe strongly in. We have a good working relationship with ODFW. We ask them multiple questions and ensure that they’re heading in a good direction, or at least we’re providing our input, so that it can be utilized in the final decision.”
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