7 cases of stolen fishing gear in 2 weeks at Central Oregon campgrounds
(Update: Adding video, details, comments from theft victim)
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office says seven cases of stolen fishing gear have been reported in the past two weeks and is urging those hitting the high lakes to be cautious so they don t join the list of victims.
KJ Risdal said Monday he was camping at Crane Prairie last Thursday when about $15,000 worth of fishing gear was stolen from the back of his truck.
Six fly rods, the reels that go with them and 15 fly boxes with about 5,000 trout flies were among the items taken.
Fishing gear thefts reported at 2 C. Oregon campgrounds
Camille Risdal
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) A pair of costly fishing gear thefts have been reported at Central Oregon recreation sites in recent days.
Reports of stolen fishing gear have come in from Crane Prairie Reservoir and the Gull Point Campground at Wickiup Reservoir.
One of those victims was Kjell Risdal, a Redmond fisherman who had about $15,000 worth of fishing gear stolen from the back of his truck while he camped at Crane Prairie.
The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office is warning those recreating up in the high lakes this camping/fishing season about leaving gear and valuables unattended. Deputies urge you also keep generators or other valuables sesure and/or out of sight when not in the immediate area.
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Despite some improvement, it could take years to get out of drought status
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) At the end of the 2020 irrigation season, the water level was at an all-time low at Wickiup Reservoir in fact, all of Central Oregon irrigation reservoirs were well below average.
Deschutes Basin Watermaster Jeremy Giffin said recently, Half of Central Oregon is in extreme drought. The other half is in a severe drought.
There are five main irrigation reservoirs which store water for Central Oregon: Ochoco, Prineville, Wickiup, Crescent Lake and Crane Prairie.
As of Tuesday, Ochoco was 13% full, Prineville was 32%, Wickiup was 37%, Crescent Lake was 26%, and Crane Prairie was 80%, but Crane Prairie is being kept artificially high to assist the Deschutes River habitat of the Oregon spotted frog.