Outdoor Digest.

Byline: The Register-Guard

HALIBUT SEASONS BEING SET: The Oregon Department of Fish and wildlife will hold a public meeting tonight in Newport to take public comments on this year's all-depth halibut sport season. The International Pacific Halibut Commission set the 2002 allowable catch at 1.3 million pounds - about 15 percent higher than in 2001, meaning there should be a longer season than last year. The ODFW is seeking angler input on how the all-depth seasons should be divided between the May and August time periods, and on what dates the season should be. The meeting begins at 7 p.m. in the Fireside Room at the Hatfield Marine Science Center.

WHY NOT KNOT IT RIGHT?: The University of Oregon Outdoor Program will offer a free mini-clinic in knot tying next week. Participants will learn six popular knots that come in handy in the outdoors, and will practice tying them during the clinic, which begins at 5:30 p.m. in the Outdoor Program Barn, 18th and University streets in Eugene.

COLUMBIA SALMON SEASONS SET: Columbia River fishery managers last week set sport and commercial spring chinook salmon seasons for 2002. Sport anglers will be allowed to fish from the mouth of the Columbia River up to the I-5 bridge now through May 15. From the I-5 bridge up to Bonneville Dam, and from The Dalles Dam up to McNary Dam, the season will be open March 16 through May 15. The fishery will be managed for a 1 percent incidental mortality impact on the run of wild upriver spring chinook, which are listed as threatened under the federal Endangered Species Act. That means sport fishing could be halted after 21,000 hatchery spring chinook are caught. More than 400,000 spring chinook salmon are expected to enter the Columbia River this spring. The daily bag limit for sport anglers is two fin-clipped adult salmon or steelhead.

NATIVE FISH POLICY DISCUSSED: The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission will take public testimony Friday in Portland on a proposed "Native Fish Conservation Policy." The goal of the policy is to "restore fish populations so they can provide ecological, cultural and economic benefits and to remove the need for protection under state or federal endangered species acts." Also on the agenda of Friday's commission meeting are reports on the 2002 ocean salmon fishery and regulations regarding hazing and harassment of wildlife. The meeting will begin at 8 a.m. at ODFW headquarters, 2501 SW First Ave.

TAKE YOUR SWEETIE TO THE SLOPES: Two can ski as cheaply as one, at least on Valentine's Day at Mt. Bachelor. The ski resort located west of Bend is offering two daily lift tickets or cross-county trail passes for the price of one. Just mention the "bring your sweetie to the slopes" promotion at the ticket window.

RESTORATION FUNDS AVAILABLE: The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife is currently accepting grant applications for projects to study or restore the Willamette River. About $20,000 is available through a mitigation fund financed by sand and gravel mining operations that extract sand and gravel from the beds and banks of the Willamette River. The mitigation funds may be used to increase river knowledge, restore river function, or promote enhancement of native species. Application forms are on the ODFW Web site (www.dfw.state.or.us) by clicking on "Main Fish Page" and then going to "Willamette River Gravel Restoration Fund Program." Or call Patty Snow, [phone], ext. 5593.

NAME THAT BOAT: "Sheworthy," owned by two San Marcos, Calif., women is the winner of Boating Magazine's ninth annual Boat Name Contest. Others judged in the top five were "Fishstration," "Fuelish Pleasure," "Irish Wake," and "Kiss My Stern," the latter owned by Michael Stern of Buffalo Grove, Ill. Among the honorable mentions were "Buoy Crazy" and "H2Office." Anyone can enter the 2002 contest by mailing a color shot of their boat's transom to: Best Boat Names, 122 E. 42nd St., Suite 2211, New York, NY 10168.