colliek2 « Oregon Sea Grant Sustainable Tourism

Surf fishing is one of Oregon’s most underutilized fisheries.
There are plenty of places to fish and lots of fish to catch!

There are nine different species of surfperch found off the Oregon coast. The most popular surfperch is the Redtail. It is popular because it is very tasty and frequently caught.

Redtails are found from Baja California northward up into Vancouver Island, British Columbia. Redtail surfperch are predominantly surf dwellers off sandy beaches.

Typically, they live in large schools in the surf zone about 30 feet from the shoreline (or between the second and fourth breaker row. They are attracted to the deeper holes and areas with high sand erosion.

These fish concentrate just before spawning in the spring and early summer in sheltered waters such as estuaries and protected bay areas. Large numbers of these fish can be taken at this time. Oregon Dept. of Fish and Wildlife regulations are usually very generous and this fish can be released with minimal harm.

Surfperch and Seaperch are sometimes confused. Seaperch live in kelp beds in deeper waters.

Identification

The Redtail Surfperch is a slim, oblong-shaped fish that is about twice as long as high and can weigh in at over three pounds and grow to around 16 inches long. The average size is about two pounds.

This silver to white fish has eight to eleven reddish brown vertical bars on the sides. The red or pink fins have both rays and spines, and the tail is moderately forked. Coloration can vary depending on the time of year (breeding season) and age of the fish.

Prey

Surfperch prefer small crustaceans and will also dine on small crabs, shrimp, mussels, and marine worms. Sand crabs; sand, kelp, and tube worms; or clam necks and mussels can be used for bait. They will also take a shrimp pattern fly off of a flyrod.

Breeding

Surfperch breed in the fall and give birth to live young between June to August. A female will typically birth an average of 27 miniature replicas of the adults. Maximum number of young can reach 51.

Harvest Techniques

Scout out potential fishing locations ahead of time during low tides. Look for steeply sloped beaches where the waves are breaking hard, rocky areas near sandy or jetties, and places where the shore cuts inward. The best time to fish is an hour or two before high tide.

Fishing gear can be rented if desired. If you have your own set up, choose a #4 or #6 hook and secure it 24-30 inches below a 1- to 2-ounce sinker on an 8- to 10-pound line. Sturdy flyrods can also be used.

Enjoying them

These are tasty fish and taste similar to their distant cousins (rockfish, snapper, and sea bass). Recipes for the ‘cousins’ will work just fine for surfperch. Typically, the fish is grilled whole, crispy-fried, or steamed Asian style. Filleting anything less than two pounds will waste too much meat.

You can also find these fish in West Coast Asian markets all year long whole or scaled and gutted. They may be referred to by other common names such as rosy surf fish, redtail seaperch, porgie, or Oregon porgie.

REFERENCES:
–Oregon Dept. of Fish and Wildlife (https://myodfw.com/fishing/species/redtail-surfperch and …/how-fish- surfperch)
–Washington Dept. of Fish and Wildlife (https://wdfw.wa.gov/species-habitats/species
–The Spruce Eats (https://www.thespruceeats.com/cooking-with-pacific-surperch-1300660)

Squirrels used to ‘bad mouth’ my dog from their seemingly safe tree branch. What they didn’t know is that the dog liked to climb trees.

There is a good chance that one of those squirrels was a Douglas squirrel which is one of the smaller tree squirrels in Oregon. This rodent’s range extends southward from British Columbia coniferous forests through northern California including eastern edges of Oregon. It is native to British Columbia.

Physical Appearances

The coat colors will vary depending on region and season but are usually brown with rusty orange on the chest and under tail. It will grow up to about 12-14 inches total (7-inches for the body, 5-inches for the tail).

They also have orange-colored front teeth that never stop growing and can overgrow if not constantly controlled.

When active

Douglas’ squirrels are active during the daylight hours year around and known for their highly vocal (noisy) sputterings and scoldings. They use a system of calls during courtship, when defending territory, and as an alarm.

The dog didn’t like it one little bit.

Habitat

Douglas’ squirrels will spend most of their time climbing trees, looking for food, and watching (or scolding) predators. Home range for tree squirrels can extend one-half to 10 acres.

Squirrels are fairly safe in trees where their only predators might be owls and hawks. They are excellent climbers and jumpers with powerful claws for gripping tree bark and tails to help them balance.

The tail is multifunctional working to help them climb and leap around trees, but also to serve as an umbrella and warm blanket. They also communicate to other squirrels using their tails like a flag.

On the ground, squirrels are protected by their well-developed hearing, smell, and eyesight. These senses along with whiskers around their noses, chins and eyes help them sense their environment.

Even then they can become prey for raptors, coyotes, bobcats, domestic cats and dogs (that are fast enough to catch them…unlike my dog). They are not afraid of humans.

Food

Tree squirrels consume plant materials such as seeds, nuts, buds, berries, leaves and twigs. They are opportunists and will eat fungi, insects, eggs, and nestlings. They serve as key distributors for fungi sores which develop mycorrhizal beneficial relationships with conifer tree roots.

Squirrels will also store food and recover it when needed. Storage sites include animal burrows, hollow trees, stumps, flowerpots, abandoned cars, wood piles, and buildings.

Winter nests are always created in or near a food storage site. These nests typically are made from leaves, twigs, bark, moss and other soft materials, and sometimes insulation.

Reproduction

Tree squirrels rear two litters of young each year. The first litter is produced in early spring or summer, and the second is produced in August through September. The second litter may overwinter with the mouther.

Those teeth!

They will chew on solid object such as twigs, sticks, wires, and hoses to help clean and trim their teeth. The dog is not always to blame for the leaky hose. Who knew?

REFERENCES:
–Oregon Dept. of Fish and Wildlife, Squirrels, Chipmunks, and Marmots (https://myodfw.com/wildlife-viewing/species/squirrels-chipmunks-and-marmots)
–Washington Dept. of Fish and Wildlife (https://wdfw.wa.gov/species-habitats/living/species-facts/tree-squirrels# and https://wdfw.wa.gov/species-habitats/species/tamiasciurus-douglasii)
–Anamalia, Douglas squirrel (http://animalia.bio/douglas-squirrel)
–The Western Gray Squirrel and other Squirrels in Washington (https://wdfw.wa.gov/sites/default/files/publications/01024/wdfw01024.pdf)

Mallard ducks tolerate humans… maybe a little too well.

Mallard ducks are the most abundant and widespread waterfowl in the Northern Hemisphere. They are found from Arctic tundra to subtropical regions on every continent.

Mallard female and male (green head). Photo ODFW.

In Oregon, Mallards are found near coastal and inland marshes, fresh or salt water wetlands and estuaries; lakes, ponds, and rivers; and golf courses and agriculture fields. They are particularly attracted to shallow water with aquatic vegetation.

Flexible Omnivore

Mallards are flexible omnivorous eaters and will vary their diet based on breeding cycle, availability, and migration. As a general rule they primarily eat, or dabble, plant materials. They will also dabble gastropods (slugs, snails, etc.), invertebrates (flies, beetles), crustaceans (crab, shrimp, barnacles, etc.), worms, and frogs. They have also been observed hunting as a flock other small birds and larger animals.

Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife urge people to not feed geese and ducks. Feeding can create a concentration problem and invites disease outbreaks.

One Eye Open

Not only will they eat many different animals, but many different animals will eat them. Predators could include raptors (like eagles, falcons, harriers, owls, etc.), mammals (such as snakes, raccoons, skunks, cats, dogs, etc.) and others who target eggs and nestlings.

The ability to sleep with one eye open was first demonstrated in mallards, but is not believed to be widespread among birds. This ability allows one brain hemisphere to sleep, while the other is aware.

And Humans…

Ducks were domesticated at least 4,000 years ago in many areas for their meat and eggs. Pure bred Mallards are sometimes domesticated today for their meat and eggs.

Almost all domestic duck breeds can be traced back to Mallards. Domestic ducks and Mallards are the same species, with some of the same genes. Mallards have the ability to cross breed with 63 other duck species and create fertile hybrid offspring. This ability can dilute a duck breed population and cause severe ‘genetic pollution’ leading to the extinction of wild, indigenous waterfowl. They are considered an invasive species in some areas.

Mallards are the most common variety of ducks hunted for sport due to high population volumes. They are also considered to be quite tasty. Be sure to check with local regulations before hunting or taking any bird.

Caution

Mallards can become aggressive during the breeding season as they compete and work out territorial disputes. Aggressive behavior can include charging and chases, ripping out feathers and skin, and noise making. Males are generally more aggressive and will repeatedly attack each other. Domestic ducks are significantly less aggressive than mallards.

STATS: Color: breeding males have a solid, dark green head, reddish-brown breast, and pale body; males and females have bright blue patch on trailing edge of wings. Size will vary: overall length, 147 cm (23 inches); wingspan, 89 cm (35 inches). May migrate. Feathers: Special oils let feathers easily shed water. Mallards are adapted for swimming and floating, and some are even talented divers.

REFERENCES
–Oregon Dept. of Fish and Wildlife pages: Swans, Ducks, and Geese (https://myodfw.com/wildlife-viewing/species/swans-ducks-and-geese) and Game Birds, Mallard (https://myodfw.com/game-bird-hunting/species/mallard, and pamphlet Living with Birds (https://www.dfw.state.or.us/wildlife/living_with/birds.asp)
–Wikipedia, Mallard (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mallard)

Oregon Sea Grant Sustainable Tourism

http://seagrant.oregonstate.edu/tourism

Author Archives: colliek2

Redtail Surfperch (Amphistichus rhodoterus)