The Five Rivers Challenge has returned and what fun it was. Six teams, three days, five of the best blue ribbon trout waters in the country and over 3,000 inches of wild trout caught. And the waters—the Upper Sac, McCloud, the Pit, Fall River and Hat Creek—iconic places sharing a common attribute: cold, clean spring water. The Challenge was as much a friendly competition as it was a celebration of the health of these rivers and their wild trout populations.
These designated Wild Trout Waters are also central players in the history of CalTrout. For 45 years we have worked on these rivers starting with Hat Creek in 1971 as the testing grounds for wild trout management. And since that time we have re-watered the Pit River, provided public access to the Fall River, advocated for wild trout management after the 1991 Upper Sac spill, and beat back the Nestle corporation from privatizing and selling off the spring source waters of the McCloud.
So it is fitting that the Five Rivers Challenge has returned to raise awareness of these wonderful waters and support CalTrout’s continued efforts to keep these rivers thriving. Congratulations to Steve McCanne and Alec Gerbec guided by John Fochetti who came in first place with 1,088 inches of fish caught. Steve and Alec will have their names engraved on the bronze Five Rivers Challenge perpetual trophy that will be housed at the Clearwater Lodge. They also each received great prizes from Sage and Rio.
Coming in second was Steve Johnson and Armando Quintero guided by Jason Cockrum with 547 inches. Steve and Armondo each received prizes from Redington and Rio. In third place was Mike Moran and Ben Paul guided by Dave Neal with 414 inches. Mike and Ben each received a canvas print by Josh Udsen.
Big thanks to our sponsors Patagonia, Sage, Redington and Rio. And to Clearwater Lodge as lead sponsor and for providing one of best fly fishing lodges anywhere. Michelle Titus and her crew provide the food, hospitality, top level guides and local knowledge that make Clearwater the go to fly fishing destination.
For more highlights of the 2016 Five Rivers Challenge or to receive information on the 2017 Challenge, click here.
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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.
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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.