I would like to introduce myself, my name is Kody Kellom and I reside in Roseburg. OR. I have grown up fishing the entire Umpqua System. I am a very avid weekend warrior and fishing for winter steelhead any chance I get.

I have been following this issue very closely. Last year the decision to stop the retention of wild steelhead was put in place strictly by the public overwhelming support. For someone to say that the regulation change was strictly driven by a "Special Interest" group is a crock. This decision was supported by nearly 95% of the public comment.

Over the last 10 years the Umpqua System has been discovered by many fisherman, this increased pressure has put a much larger threat to our great genetic pool. To overturn last years ruling would be devastating!!!

I was able to attend the meeting in Roseburg last night to discuss the 4-year regulation proposals. The hot topic of the night was yet again the harvest of wild winter steelhead. With not much surprise, there was an overwhelming support was to keep the Umpqua System a C & R fishery for wild winter steelhead. The final vote of the public for the Main Umpqua system was 36 to 5!!! I would like to thank everyone for their support and attendance of last night. This is not the last of this issue as the ODF&W Commission help on August 8th will hear the last of public comment. The final decision will be made on September 12th.

I would like to ask all in favor of keeping this system a C & R for Wild Winter Steelhead to submit your comments to rhine.t.messmer@state.or.us This is our chance to yet again stand up and support the last great fisheries left!!!

Sincerely-

Kody Kellom