Outdoor Digest.

Byline: The Register-Guard

LAST CALL FOR COHO: Today will be the last day of the recreational coho salmon fishery in waters off the central Oregon Coast because fishery managers believe the quota of 22,500 fin-clipped coho will be met. The landed coho catch in waters between Cape Falcon, near Tillamook, and Humbug Mountain, near Port Orford, totaled 19,302 coho, or 86 percent of the quota through Sunday. The ocean, however, will remain open for all salmon species except coho, as described in the "2002 Oregon Ocean Salmon and Halibut Sport Fishing Regulations." Chinook salmon fishing continues to be excellent along the central coast, and should provide plenty of good opportunity for ocean salmon anglers for the remainder of the ocean season, biologists said.

CAMPFIRE BAN IN EFFECT: Citing high fire danger, the Willamette National Forest this week imposed special restrictions on public use of its lands. The restrictions include a ban on all open fires, including charcoal fires. The ban applies to all Willamette National Forest lands - including the Mount Jefferson, Mount Washington, Three Sisters, Waldo and Diamond Peak wilderness areas - except for about 75 designated campgrounds. The use of portable cooking stoves using liquefied or bottled fuel, however, is permissible throughout the forest. Smoking is prohibited while traveling in timber, brush or grass except while in enclosed vehicles on roads. All off-road motor vehicle travel is also banned.

BLACKBERRY BRAMBLE SUNDAY: The fourth annual "Blackberry bRamble" century bicycle ride sponsored by the Greater Eugene RiderS bicycle club will be held Sunday. The event is a fund-raiser for the bicycle education program in local schools conducted by the Bicycle Transportation Alliance. Three ride options are available: the full 100-mile century begins at 7 a.m., the 62-mile (100-kilometer) "metric century" starts at 8 a.m. and a "family ride" of less than 20 miles will be held at 10 a.m. All three rides begin and end at Alton Baker Park, where a blackberry treat is served to finishers. Day-of-race registration is $17 per person for the century rides, $20 per family for the family ride. Details: 345-3181.

SKI AREAS GRAB `BIG AIR': Helicopters are being used this week to help fly in support towers for new chairlifts being installed at two Eugene-based ski areas. Willamette Pass Ski Area used a Chinook 107 helicopter Wednesday to help with erection of its new "six-pack" chairlift. And Hoodoo Ski Area is scheduled to fly in the towers today for two new quad chairlifts. The towers, most of which weigh in excess of two tons, are flown into position for bolting into place. All three new lifts are scheduled to be ready for the 2002-03 ski season.

NRA YOUTH LEADER SEMINAR: The National Rifle Association will conduct a one-day youth shooting development seminar Aug. 10 at the Baron's Den Shooting Range in Eugene. The seminar is designed to aid adult instructors of youths in the shooting sports. The registration fee ($7 in advance, $10 day of the event) includes lunch and a 58-page book, "Developing Your Youth Shooting Program." The seminar begins at 10 a.m. Advance registration available by calling the NRA at [phone].

ATV COMMITTEE SEEKS MEMBER: The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department is seeking a volunteer to represent Class 1 all-terrain vehicle users on the ATV Allocation Advisory Committee. The committee recommends grant awards for land purchases, law enforcement and facility development. Applicants should send a letter of interest accompanied by a brief resume by Aug. 9 to: ATV Program, OPRD, 1115 Commercial St. NE, Suite 1, Salem, OR 97301.

PHOTO TRIP PLANNED: The Emerald Photographic Society plans an Aug. 9-11 field trip to Tipsoo Lake in Washington's Wenatchee National Forest to photograph pristine alpine lakes with spectacular reflected views of Mount Rainier surrounded by wildflowers. Any interested photographer is welcome to participate. Details: Bruce Bittle, 343-2386.