In 1986, ODFW surveyed a four mile section of Fly Creek from US Forest Service Road 5155 upstream. Twenty-four summer steelhead redds were counted above Little Fly Creek. Stream conditions below Little Fly Creek precluded identification of redds. Spawning surveyors observed that there was much unused spawning gravel, bank degradation was a combination of erosion and cattle use, and any establishment of bank vegetation over current levels would greatly enhance stream shade and cover and also provide habitat for a large number of non-game wildlife species.  

In 1987, ODFW fenced 14.8 riparian acres along 1.2 stream miles of Fly Creek. The original lease was signed April 1, 1987 with an expiration of May 31, 2003. An addendum extending the lease until March 31, 2013 was signed March 12, 2003. ODFW personnel met with Fred Smith (landowner) on July 08, 2014 to discuss a new easement for the property. ODFW and the landowner agreed to a new 25 year easement. In addition, the landowner has agreed to ODFW fencing an additional 0.3 stream miles (15 acres), decreasing the size of an existing water gap from 100 feet to 50 feet, and modifying 1,300 feet of the existing fence line.

The Fly Creek-Smith Project Objectives include 1) Installing 0.6 miles of new fence to protect approximately 15 acres of stream and wetland habitat from livestock impacts to address limiting factors for Endangered Species Act listed spring Chinook salmon, summer steelhead, and bull trout in Fly Creek and the Upper Grande Ronde watershed, and  2) Improve existing fence line and associated structures to provide continued protection from livestock and to maintain benefits already realized to salmon and steelhead habitat.

This work will add 0.60 miles (15 acres) to 1.7 miles of fence (14.8 acres) installed on this private property in 1987. In addition, the lower water gap near the US Forest Service property line will be decreased in size to decrease erosion and hoof shear. Realignment of 1,300 feet existing fence line will also occur, widening the exclusion area 20 feet. Multiple wetland areas will be protected within project fencing.

The new fence line was staked out with the landowner on September 08, 2014. ODFW also surveyed the existing fence line and identified structures needing replacement.

Limiting factors identified for summer steelhead and spring Chinook salmon in Fly Creek include high summer water temperatures, degraded riparian conditions, excess fine sediment, and lack of habitat diversity. Recommendations with the Grande Ronde Subbasin Plan include 1) reducing upland erosion and fine sediment inputs to aquatic habitats; 2) restoring channel condition to appropriate habitat characteristics and channel form; and 3) restoring riparian function. This fencing project addresses all of these limiting factors and provides multiple benefits, including:

•  Improved density, condition and species composition of riparian vegetation through grazing management and planting and seeding if necessary;
•  Stabilization of active erosion sites through use of wood and vegetation reestablishment;
•  Improved riparian function and water storage by enhancing riparian vegetation;
•  Improved habitat complexity and channel condition through installation of wood;
•  Increased habitat diversity by improving channel and riparian conditions; and.
•  Protection of existing wetlands through grazing exclusion.

ODFW will hire a contractor to fence 0.3 stream miles protecting approximately 15 acres of riparian and wetland habitat. The hired contractor will also decrease the size of an existing water gap from 100 feet to 50 feet and realign 1,300 feet of an existing fence line, pushing it out from the stream an additional 20 feet.