BRIEFLY.

Byline: The Register-Guard

Fly Tyers Expo on Saturday

The Oregon Council of the Federation of Fly Fishers will hold its 16th annual Northwest Fly Tyers Exposition on Saturday at the Lane County Fairgrounds in Eugene. About 150 top fly tyers from across the U.S. and Canada will take turns demonstrating how they craft artificial flies designed to attract trout, steelhead, bass and salmon, plus saltwater species.

In addition, a silent auction featuring fly fishing gear will be held throughout the day. Event hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for ages 13-18, and children 12 and younger are free. Following the expo, there will be a social hour at 5 p.m. and an oral auction at 7:15 p.m. Details: www.oregonfff.org/expo_2004.html

State campgrounds opening

The state parks department has begun a phased re-opening of many of its "seasonal" campgrounds around the state. Beachside State Recreation Site, three miles south of Waldport, is among a handful of campgrounds opening this week.

Detroit Lake State Park, 50 miles east of Salem, and Oswald West State Park, 10 miles south of Cannon Beach, were among several sites opening earlier this month. Discounted Discovery Season rates are in effect through April 30 at all state parks campgrounds.

Commission meets on coast

Ocean salmon, "oversize" sturgeon and black-tailed deer regulations will dominate discussion at a meeting of the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission to be held Friday in Gold Beach. In addition, an informal public reception will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. today at the Gold Beach Resort and Condominiums Convention Center, 29232 S. Ellensburg. Commission members and staff from the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife will be available to discuss any Oregon fish and wildlife management issue.

The commission's official business meeting begins Friday at 8 a.m. Details are available by calling [phone] or logging on to: www.dfw.state.or.us/Comm/schedule.htm .

BLM closes two areas

The Bureau of Land Management has posted temporary closure orders at two Central Oregon areas popular with recreationists in the high desert. One closure is in the Badlands Wilderness Study Area, a 32,221-acre block of public land located just north of Highway 20 about 18 miles east of Bend. The other involves Dry River Canyon. BLM officials said the closures, due to sensitive wildlife habitat restrictions required by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, will remain in effect through Aug. 31.

STEP conference slated

"STEP into The Future" is the theme of a conference to be held March 26-28 by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife's Salmon-Trout Enhancement Program (STEP). The event at the Tillamook County Fairgrounds is open to anyone interested in projects and issues affecting the state's salmon, steelhead and trout populations. The registration fee is $15 per person, $20 per family. Details: www.dfw.state.or.us./STEP/conference_04.htm.