CalTrout Emphasizes Threats to Fisheries in Legislator-Friendly Event

Sacramento’s Capitol Lawn was home to CalTrout’s Second Annual Casting Call event, which on June 29th, brought together CalTrout and Trout Unlimited staff, members and legislators.

With poster-sized Joe Tomelleri native salmonid images decorating the walkway and fish flags blowing in the breeze, CalTrout and Trout Unlimited came together for a day of fun, casting practice — and to focus on the state of California’s unique trout, steelhead and salmon.

The CalTrout Casting Call took place on the Capitol Lawn

Sporting “I Cast” stickers, attendees enjoyed complimentary refreshments of fresh lemonade, Ben and Jerry’s Phish Food ice cream, and ‘Chinookie Cookies’ (sugar cookies cut in the shape of salmon).

The highlight of the event was a friendly casting competition between legislators. Republican Senators Bob Huff, Tom Harmon and Tom Berryhill tested their fly casting skills against the formidable Democratic duo of Assemblyman Jared Huffman and Assemblyman Wesley Chesbro.

Some of California's fish-friendly legislators.

Amid the friendly banter — and the welcome respite from tense budget negotiations among legislators — Senator Harmon underscored his support for the work of CalTrout and Trout Unlimited in protecting fish and fisheries throughout California.

Assemblyman Huffman expressed appreciation for the state’s two leading fisheries conservation groups working together in Sacramento.

“Casting Call is a special partnership between Trout Unlimited and California Trout” said Curtis Knight, California Trout’s Conservation Director.

“These two conservation organizations are the only ones dedicated solely to restoring and conserving California’s remarkable native trout, steelhead, and salmon. Casting Call is an annual event targeted to legislators and staffers to raise awareness of California’s freshwater fisheries and ongoing conservation and restoration efforts to preserve them” he added.

“This was our second Casting Call event and it was really successful and a lot of fun,” said Chuck Bonham, Trout Unlimited’s California Director.

“We appreciate all the Sacramento Legislative staff and legislators who came out to participate and learn about what we can do for our State’s unique trout, steelhead and salmon. And yes, go ahead on plan on third annual Casting Call next year,” said Bonham.

We need your help

Join our combined membership of 15,000 conservationists and sportsmen and women in a “Casting Call” to protect and restore our state’s coldwater fisheries. We must ensure that our kids — and theirs — will be able to enjoy California’s trout, steelhead, and salmon in their native habitat. And, by responsibly conserving our trout and salmon, we will also protect the quality of our water and environment and the many communities whose economies depend on fishing.

We cast. California's Trout and Salmon win.

What we can do

• Fully fund and implement the historic settlement agreements for the Klamath and San Joaquin Rivers.
• Permanently protect the places where salmonid diversity is still high and habitat conditions are reasonably intact.
• Empower Department of Fish and Game’s Heritage and Wild Trout Program.
  Educate Californians about the economic, ecologic, and cultural importance of trout, steelhead, and salmon.
• Pool restoration funds, build bigger public and private partnerships, and ensure focused restoration of salmon and steelhead habitat with an emphasis on floodplain habitat.
• Assist local watershed groups, water providers, agricultural interests, and other stakeholders to develop solutions that enhance and protect California’s water resources.
• Implement Assembly Bill 2376 and develop a 21st Century vision for fish and wildlife management in California.
• Reconnect salmon and steelhead habitat (Assembly Bill 565 is a good start); Monitor and restore steelhead, a fish legendary to California anglers (Assembly Bill 528 does that).