New POTA parks are now being added in the US. There have been some very nice parks added. Activators hit the ground running (or driving) activating the new parks. One park added to Oregon is the Sandy State Fish Hatchery K-10390. I was hesitant in adding fish hatcheries to Oregon at first. Mainly because they are not a 'typical' park. After looking at aerial views. Map views. Reading the official hatchery website. I discovered that the Sandy Hatchery would be a great fit to POTA. I knew this hatchery existed. My father, who passed away last year, volunteered at that hatchery. He spent many many hours and days helping harvest Coho Salmon eggs and other duties. He told me of many stories while volunteering there. After reflecting on all of my dad's volunteer time, I quickly felt it was the right thing to add the park to POTA. I added the park this week. I also felt I needed to be the first to activate.
When I arrived at the hatchery, I immediately felt my fathers presence there. He lived for fishing. My father and I fished for salmon, steelhead and trout throughout the years. Walking around the hatchery, I was reflecting on the many fun, exciting and great fishing experiences we had. I no longer fish. Well, I do a different kind of fishing now. Fishing for POTA activators and hunters.
The hatchery has a stream called Cedar Creek running along it. It empties into the Sandy River. This time of year is Coho and early runs of winter steelhead. The hatchery has holding pens for the fry with many Coho salmon nearing ready for release. At the hatchery is a fishing parking area. The hatchery set this area aside for fisherman to park while walking the trail to the Sandy River.
I found the fishing parking area was perfect for POTA. It is removed from the day to day operations of the hatchery. It is fairly far away from power noise. It has a beautiful pasture on one side. Tree lined on the other. To the SW is a slight hill. But the rest of the terrain was somewhat even.
I chose hamstick and 17' whip antennas today. I wanted to keep it simple. But I could have used my kite pole with 84' wire without interfering with anyone parking. I started on 10m and the band was pretty good. I bounced to 15m to hunt. I wasn't feeling great. So I decided no big pileups. Well, until the end of the activation. I jumped on 20m and powered down to 10w. Everyone could still hear me. haha.. So I worked through the pileup a bit. But had to tap out after a short time. My brain told me I was done.
I had so many nice QSO's with folks. It was nice to just take my time and catch up with some folks. The scenery was very good. Often, I would just sit and continue to reflect on the fishing experiences I had with my father.
Thank you to all that got in the log. And thank you to all that couldn't, for trying. I will be back at that hatchery.
Link to the Sandy State Fish Hatchery Website https://myodfw.com/sandy-hatchery-visitors-guide
73 W7RTA Charlie
