Arguably the favorite holiday among the CalTrout team is just 2 days away. Fishmas, also known as the opening day of trout season. This is the day lakes and rivers, closed to fishing for the winter come alive with eager trout and ambitious anglers. And according to CalTrout’s Project Manager in the Mammoth region, Janet Hatfield, the weather in the Eastern Sierra is “perfect” right now and I can personally attest to the conditions in the McCloud being in prime shape for opener. I’m sure I won’t be the only one with visions of biting trout dancing in my head the night before Fishmas.
Fly fishing is at the core of CalTrout’s origin. In 1971, concerned about deteriorating fishing conditions throughout the state, a passionate group of anglers founded California Trout. For me angling is basically the best excuse to go spend time in some of California’s most dynamic landscapes.
Our work to solve the state’s complex resource issues has always been motivated by the needs of fish and the people of California, who either fish for sport, rely on it for food, or just appreciate the natural wonders of our rivers and streams. We are equally motivated by knowing that if we do our job, future generations will have the experiences we have today to go after wild trout in healthy waters.
Opening Days marks a fresh start to the new fishing year. For the seasoned anglers and ones who are just learning the sport, I wish you all a Merry Fishmas!
Sincerely,
Thank you for your interest in the Eel River Forum! We looking forward to sharing meeting updates and other info from the Eel River watershed with you as they develop.
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Thank you for your interest in Big Chico Creek and the Iron Canyon Fish Passage Project! We looking forward to sharing project updates, news, and stories with you from the Big Chico Creek watershed as they develop.
Thank you for your interest in Big Chico Creek and the Iron Canyon Fish Passage Project! One of our staff members will do their best to get back to you as soon as possible. However, please note that due to limited capacity we may not be able to respond to all questions or fulfill all requests.
Let us know if you are interested in volunteering and we will get in contact with you as soon as we can.
Thank you for your interest in the Elk River! One of our North Coast Region staff members will do their best to get back to you as soon as possible. However, please note that due to limited capacity we may not be able to respond to all questions or fulfill all requests.
Peter Moyle is the Distinguished Professor Emeritus in the Department of Wildlife, Fish and Conservation Biology and Associate Director of the Center for Watershed Sciences, at UC Davis. He is author or co-author of more than 240 publications, including the definitive Inland Fishes of California (2002). He is co-author of the 2017 book, Floodplains: Processes and Management for Ecosystem Services. His research interests include conservation of aquatic species, habitats, and ecosystems, including salmon; ecology of fishes of the San Francisco Estuary; ecology of California stream fishes; impact of introduced aquatic organisms; and use of floodplains by fish.
Robert Lusardi is the California Trout/UC Davis Wild and Coldwater Fish Researcher focused on establishing the basis for long-term science specific to California Trout’s wild and coldwater fish initiatives. His work bridges the widening gap between academic science and applied conservation policy, ensuring that rapidly developing science informs conservation projects throughout California. Dr. Lusardi resides at the UC Davis Center for Watershed Sciences and works closely with Dr. Peter Moyle on numerous projects to help inform California Trout conservation policy. His recent research interests include Coho salmon on the Shasta River, the ecology of volcanic spring-fed rivers, inland trout conservation and management, and policy implications of trap and haul programs for anadromous fishes in California.
Patrick Samuel is the Conservation Program Coordinator for California Trout, a position he has held for almost two years, where he coordinates special research projects for California Trout, including the State of the Salmonids report. Prior to joining CalTrout, he worked with the Fisheries Leadership & Sustainability Forum, a non-profit that supports the eight federal regional fishery management councils around the country. Patrick got his start in fisheries as an undergraduate intern with NOAA Fisheries Protected Resources Division in Sacramento, and in his first field job as a crew member of the California Department of Fish & Wildlife’s Wild and Heritage Trout Program.