The annual Five Rivers Challenge is always a fun time for the competitors and for us to put together. This year’s competition wrapped up with a win by Chad Alderson and Josh Udesen (who is now a two time 5RC champion!) guided by Andrew Rossow. All teams crushed it on the third day of the 5 Rivers Challenge, netting a collective 2,449 fish inches across the five rivers. It was a tight race with only 124.5 total fish inches separating the top three teams.

🥇 First place went to returning champ Josh Udesen and partner Chad Alderson who reeled in 513″ on day three where they fished the Pit and Hat Creek. Josh netted 29 fish on the Pit alone. Their three-day total came in at 123 fish and 1,356 fish inches.

🥈 Second place went to David Moser and Steve Johnson, who had an epic day on the Upper Sac and McCloud. They netted 117 fish over the three days for a total of 1,246.5 fish inches

🥉 Third place went to Brent Ryhlick and David Merisko with 1,231.5 total fish inches and 109 fish caught.

(See below for all final scores.)

A few other competition highlights:

• 🎣 Largest fish of the tournament was caught by Michael Parry – a 22″ hog on the Fall River
• One angler forgot to bring his waders, setting a fashion trend fishing in his base layer bottoms all day – he’ll remain nameless, and we don’t think the trend will catch on!
• One team dubbed themselves the “Pit River Aquatics Club” after taking many swims in the Pit.

This is the 4th year of the event’s resurrection which originated back in 1998 by CalTrout Board Member Dick Galland. Today the 5RC has continued to serve as a fun competition and also a great way to support CalTrout and learn about our work while fishing the great wild trout waters of Northern California. All contest proceeds go to benefitting CalTrout’s work to ensure resilient wild fish thriving in healthy waters for a better California.

We look forward to making this a staple event and continue to raise awareness of these pristine ecological areas. Each of the five rivers (Fall, Pit, McCloud, Upper Sac rivers and Hat Creek) is one of the original waters in the California Wild Trout Program and has anglers testing the versatility of their skills on the varied rivers.

Thank you to our participants who came out for a fun time and to support CalTrout’s work restoring California’s native fisheries. As always, incredible thanks to Michelle, owner of Clearwater Lodge, for the amazing accommodations and meals.

Cheers to another great 5RC! We’re already planning the next one for 2020… Challenge dates will be in late September. Look out for an announcement in August 2020.

Big thanks to our photographers Mike Wier and Val Atkinson for capturing the fun. (More photos of theirs below.)

1st place Josh Udesen and Chad Alderson guided by Andrew Rossow: 1356 inches, 123 fish.

2nd place David Moser and Steve Johnson guided by Brooks: 1246.5 inches, 117 fish.

3rd place Brent Ryhlick and David Merisko guided by John Fochetti: 1231.5 inches, 109 fish.

4th place Richard West and Dan McMillan guided by Joel Fenton: 898 inches, 73 fish.

5th place Hank Schmitz and Pearce Hurley guided by David Neal: 505.5 inches, 40 fish.

6th place Jeff Andrew and Garret Ming guided by Colton Schwenning: 490.5 inches, 46 fish. (also pictured Michele Titus)

7th place Stephen Parry and Michael Parry guided by Scott Saiki: 406 inches, 34 fish.