Author: phillipeldenblog

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Phillip Elden on Fly Fishing

Phillip EldenGrab your fishing gear, get your license, and pull up your wading pants as Phillip Elden shares information on one of Oregon’s greatest pastimes: fly fishing.

Q: How is fly fishing different from boat or bank fishing?

Phillip Elden: Fly fishing is usually done standing up with your body in the water. It’s a fast-action way to catch trout and other game fish throughout the state. Unlike catfishing or bass fishing, fly fishing requires constant movement of the arms, making it a great form of exercise.

Q: What is different about the equipment and strategy?

Phillip Elden: A traditional rod and reel combo uses a clear line. Fly fishing line is different in that it is heavily weighted. When you fish from a boat, you cast your line and let the bait or lure sink a bit – unless you’re using a topwater lure. When you fly fish, you cast about 20 feet, watch for the fly to hit the tip of the water and re-cast.

Q: How do I know where to cast?

Phillip Elden: You need to learn to read the water. If you’re on a river with pocket waters, the fish will behave differently than if you’re on a fast-moving, shallow river. One of the fundamentals (and half the fun) of fly fishing is getting to know the water and how the fish behave in each area and time of day.

Q: It has been said that fly fishing is one of the more frustrating of sports. Is that true?

Phillip Elden: It can be absolutely. But with practice and patience, it’s also a sport that gets easier with time. I always tell people just starting out to forget about the catch and just go for the experience. There is something peaceful about hearing a rushing mountain stream as it circles past your knees. More than a recreational opportunity, fishing is a chance to get back to nature.  

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Phillip Elden: Visiting Oregon

Phillip EldenWith its diverse landscape and abundant wildlife, Oregon is a top vacation destination all year. Here, conservation specialist Phillip Elden reports on one aspect people don’t often take into consideration when visiting for the first time: the weather.

Oregon is a fickle state, says Phillip Elden, with wildly varying temperatures and unpredictable weather patterns. In summer, for instance, Medford in the southern part of the state enjoys highs in the low 90-degree range. Much of the coast rarely jumps above the 75 to 80-degree mark. Throughout the state, low temps can drop by 20 to 30 degrees throughout the year.

Winter in Oregon is very cold with average temperatures dipping into the 20s and lots of snow in many regions. Phillip Elden notes that the Mt. Hood and Columbia River Gorge can get as much as 60 inches of snow in a single season; Portland doesn’t see snow that often but averages nearly 6 inches of rain in the cooler months. And rain can be an all-day event although hardly ever a washout.

Phillip Elden explains that precipitation also varies wildly by regions. A few coastal areas, which experience more humidity than inland regions, can get soaked with more than 200 inches of rain each year. The desert region gets nowhere near that. The Alvord Desert is bone dry with 5 inches of rain on an average year.

According to Phillip Elden, the diverse landscape and morphing climate makes the perfect environment for wildlife. As a conservation advocate, Elden says it is up to humans to keep the land in as great a shape as possible so that the climate can do its job of keeping the flora and fauna alive and thriving. He says Oregon is a wonderful place to visit and the weather, although unpredictable at times, is part of the reason to enjoy this coastal gem.

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Phillip Elden | Oregon’s Wildlife up for Show

Phillip EldenWhile Zoos get a bad reputation, many are a final destination for animals who could not fend for themselves in the wild, says conservationist Phillip Elden. Here, the Oregon native shares information on a few of the state’s finest zoological parks.

The Oregon Zoo, according to Phillip Elden, works tirelessly to promote preservation of the world’s most at-risk animals. In addition to its exhibits of local and global wildlife and habitats, the zoo operates a number of wildlife conservation projects on site, including the California condor breeding facility. It is currently working with organizations throughout the state to help protect Western pond turtle hatchlings.

Phillip Elden also enjoys the Oregon Coast Aquarium. Here, children can learn about jellyfish, sea turtles, coastal mammals, and more. The aquarium also hosts dozens of beach cleanup days throughout the year.  Education programs are available for children of all ages on everything from anemones to plankton. For adventurous kids and their families, the aquarium also offers the opportunity to sleep under the tunnels and enjoy more personal attention from staff.

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Phillip Elden | 2017 Wildfire Updates

Phillip EldenIt’s still cold but the spring and summer vacation seasons are fast approaching. That’s left many wondering how the rampant wildfires of 2017 might affect their 2018 vacation plans. Phillip Elden, a conservationist and natural landscape and wildlife expert, answers a few questions about common landmarks in relation to the fires.

Q: What is the status of Mount Jefferson?

Phillip Elden: The Whitewater fire was one of the first to trigger panic throughout the state. It torched more than 11,500 acres of prime hiking and backpacking trails. The fire, which was started by lightning, has not caused any long-term damage to Jefferson Park, though Mount Jefferson remains closed until late spring to early summer.

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Phillip Elden Discusses Mammoth Mammals of the Ocean

Phillip EldenWhales, dolphins, and porpoises are abundant just off Oregon’s 363 miles of coastline, says Phillip Elden. However, these underwater wonders rarely draw public interest. Here, Elden opens up about some of the largest mammals in the state.

Q: How many grey whales live off the coast of Oregon?

Phillip Elden: Throughout the summer and fall, Oregon boasts a population of around 200 resident grey whales. However, during migrations – winter and spring – more than 18,000 of these massive creatures crowd Oregon’s waterways. Gray whales can grow up to 50 feet long and can weigh more than 80,000 pounds. Whale sightings are reported year-round but peak between Christmas and New Year, with an estimated 50 sightings each day during Whale Watch Week.

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A Quick Q&A with Phillip Elden: Snakes

Phillip EldenPhillip Elden has spent a lifetime studying local wildlife in his native Oregon and has always held a cautious fascination with snakes. Here, the conservationist answers a few common questions pertaining to these slithery serpents.

Q: What are the most common species of snake in Oregon?

Phillip Elden: There are more than a dozen of poisonous and nonpoisonous snakes throughout the state. The black racer is perhaps one of the most abundant and is found in a variety of habitats from meadows to sagebrush flats. Racers typically avoid high mountain tops and forests in favor of rocky slopes and dense low-lying shrubbery.

Q: What do snakes eat?

Phillip Elden: The majority of snakes eat insects, amphibians, and even small mammals. The ringneck snake, which thrives in moist microhabitats in both woodland and rocky areas, makes its primary diet out of earthworms, frogs, small lizards, and salamanders. Larger varieties, such as the common king snake, may also dine on birds and turtles. Some of the more aggressive serpents will go after gophers, scorpions, and rabbits. Snakes are not only predators; they are prey for mid-sized mammals such as foxes, coyotes, and badgers.

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Phillip Elden Shares Advice on Cohabitating with Cougars

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Cougars are native to Oregon and an important part of the local environment. However, they are known as fierce and territorial creatures, says Phillip Elden. It is only through education, awareness, and diligence that humans can safely and humanely cohabitate with these large cat-like creatures.

Q: How many cougars currently live in Oregon?

Phillip Elden: The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife estimates that there is greater than 5,000 cougars living in the state. They are most common in the Blue Mountains, Cascade Mountains, and the northeastern part of the state.

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