Friends of Cal-Ore Fish

History

Both FNCF and Cal-Ore Fish non-profits have separately been in operation for over twenty-five years, and have both successfully operated as charitable fundraisers in support and enhancement of salmon and steelhead in the Southern Oregon and Northern California regions.

During their decades of operation, each organization has accomplished many remarkable feats:

Effectively raised large sums of charitable monies
Re-distributed funds to beneficial causes
Consistently generated significant volunteer time and energy
Strengthened and enhanced the fish population of the north coast
Preserved and restored fisheries habitat
Provided education and outreach on fisheries issues

Collectively, yet working separately, FNCF and Cal-Ore Fish, through their efforts and generous patrons, have raised over 1.75 million dollars.

After a quarter of a century, FNCF and Cal-Ore Fish are now consolidating their efforts and will continue to serve, but with a single voice in the quest of their common goal: to enhance the steelhead and salmon population of the rivers of the north coast.

A Brief Background:

As many of you may already know, the tenured leadership of each organization has decided to take a well-deserved breather. After many meetings, it was the collective wisdom of the founders to consolidate FNCF and Cal-Ore Fish into a single, dynamic voice. This new plan will leave both entities in place but feature FNCF as the primary operational entity under the new name of “Friends of Cal-Ore Fish” (FCOF). The founders also have named me as the newly elected President of FNCF and elected a new board of directors with fresh ideas to guide the new, combined venture. It now becomes our new board members’ responsibility to carry forward and to build upon the realized goals of Jim Griggs, Hank and Chopper Westbrook, and all of their dedicated Trustees. We owe these long-time board members a tremendous debt of gratitude for their vision and hard work, and appreciate their continued support and participation.

New programs and continuing programs:

Website – www.cal-orefish.org – will provide web access to programs, meetings, information, online friendship forms and other special features.
Fishing Derbies – 5 annual derbies to begin with possibly more to come.
“Friendship Club” Please join us by becoming a “Friend”- you will be supporting Friends of Cal-Ore Fish and help us realize our common goals and objectives.
“Youth Program” – Continuing support of community based educational opportunities that will be based on and about fish and fishing.
“Nurchison Family Scholarship Program” for guides & their families – more of our well-known, terrific scholarship program started by FNCF.
Friends of Cal-Ore Fish Newsletter – a quarterly journal beginning in 2005 to keep you informed!

The board members have taken the best of FCNF and Cal-Ore Fish and combined it into a stronger and more dynamic version - Friends of Cal-Ore Fish. FCOF will continue to support all the great projects, and programs put into place by these great organizations plus new and exciting projects currently on the drawing board.

Please join us as a Friend and become a part of the great fund-raising efforts of Friends of Cal-Ore Fish and help support the fish and fisheries that make the north coast so special.

There are many upcoming opportunities to help the fish… Make sure you’re ready to catch them!

Jim Griggs Friends of North Coast Fish - Past President's Letter - May 2004

How time flies! Only 25 years ago, while visiting Smith River, the financial needs to maintain Rowdy Creek Hatchery become known to me. The state of California had eliminated the funding for the hatchery. The local supporters could no longer provide the gap financing to keep it open. We said we would provide at least 50% of their budget at the time. Thus the first Rowdy Creek Derby was born with 12 teams headquartered at Saxton's tackle shop on the Smith River, and all dinners at my house.

Our goals were simple:

Help the hatchery sustain itself and support it financially.
Encourage support for enhancement of fishing in other areas of CA and OR.
Create an awareness of the need for all of us to do our share to preserve these beautiful waterways and fisheries.
Help build stronger relationships among the Oregon and California guides.
Have fun and sustain the chance for future generations to enjoy these same opportunities.
Fund projects along the North Coast as opportunities and needs arise.

To help accomplish these goals we formed the "Friends of North Coast Fish, Inc." - a non-profit corporation with a sound board of directors.

Everyone pitched in and worked together: the local Kiwanis Club, Rowdy Creek Hatchery Board, Ship Ashore managers and owners, local guides from both CA and OR, and of course the hundreds of participants of each Derby who have donated hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Special projects that come to mind are:

Boat ramp at Social Security Hole on the Chetco River (our first OR project).
Many stream clean up projects along both rivers.
Money to assist local organizations for special programs in their areas (e.g. the Rogue River Srs. Group).
We provided the special stainless steel tanks to transport the trapped Steelhead in the Carmel River to a lake to live in during the winter.
Equipment when needed for the Rowdy Creek Hatchery.
Established a scholarship program for the family members of the guides, named the Murchison Family Scholarship in honor of the huge support given by the Murchison family since day one!

Recognizing the need for fresh ideas, new supporters, and new energy, we are pleased to have Mark Warner bring in his group to consolidate the various entities into Friends of Cal-Ore Fish. My personal thanks to everyone for past, present, and future support for this outstanding and significant cause.

Many Thanks,
Jim Griggs

Cal-Ore Fish Enhancement History

Hank Westbrook, Chairman of Cal-Ore Fish Enhancement, Inc., and his brother Chopper, founded the annual fund-raising derbies in 1982. The goal of the invitational derby was to raise funds for the enhancement of fisheries and streams in the area to ensure that future generations could enjoy the pristine rivers, great fishing and beautiful scenery. Over the years, the derbies have grown into an annual tradition for many. They also attract many newcomers who have heard about the great weekend of sport fishing along with the fun and camaraderie. At the same time, the participants are assisting with the tremendously important task of raising funds to attain the original goals set forth by Hank & Chopper.

Throughout the years the derbies have encouraged catch and release. With an over 95% release percentage, the 3-day event allows these fish to return to continue their spawning migration.

The derbies also attract many celebrities such as the Oakland Raiders great Jim '00' Otto and Brigadier General Chuck Yeager. These celebrities add a great deal to the annual fund-raising effort.

Over the years Cal-Ore has contributed thousands of dollars in grant contributions to many groups requesting funds. The largest benefactor has been the Rowdy Creek Fish Hatchery, a privately funded fish hatchery on the Smith River. Oregon South Coast Fishermen in Brookings, Oregon have also received many grants for completion of projects such as large wood placement and a port aeration system. Education is one of the goals of Cal-Ore and therefore, students are awarded grant requests as well. As of 2002, over $450,000 has been awarded to benefit fisheries.

Two annual events are held during the winter steelhead season. The first derby is held near the end of February and the second during mid-March. Professional guides contribute to these events by donating a portion of their services, equipment and knowledge so that fishermen can feel the thrill of catching a steelhead!