By Steve Johnson, CalTrout Supporter and 5 Rivers Challenge Participant
The 2025 CalTrout Five Rivers Challenge (5RC) was one to remember! I’m no newbie to this event, having attended several in past years. However, every year is a new adventure – with new challenges, spontaneous catches, and fresh team dynamics.
Hosted at the Lucky 7 Ranch on the banks of the Fall River, this year’s event delivered ideal fishing conditions, mild weather, clear skies, and, for once, no wildfire smoke. It was an ideal break from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. No screens, no pings, just water, fish, and lots of laughs with a great group of people.
In recent years, 5RC was made even MORE of a challenge by unwelcome obstacles such as road closures, excessive wind, and active fires. This year, none of these occurred and participants were able to successfully fish all five rivers! Experiencing the unique beauty and challenges of each river made this year’s event especially rewarding. With great fishing, good company, and the spectacular Fall River Valley as a backdrop, Lucky 7 Ranch once again proved to be the perfect home for this beloved event.
One of the year’s biggest surprises came from two newcomers to fly fishing, Colin and Scott. Virtually first-timers, they finished 3rd and 4th in the individual standings and helped carry their more experienced partners to 2nd and 3rd place respectively in team rankings. Beginners’ luck or lightning-quick reflexes? You be the judge.
In the end, Bret and Mac dominated across all rivers, nearly lapping the field. This duo has attended three Challenges, so maybe practice does make perfect. Huge congrats to them and all the contestants on a job well done. And thank you to CalTrout for yet another unforgettable year and for protecting the rivers that make this all possible.
I’d like to thank the Academy.. just kidding. But I do want to thank:
The best guides in Northern California:
- John Fochetti
- Jason Cockrum
- Brooks Provence
- Ryan Avezzie
- Porter Simonis
- Joel Fenton
The CalTrout staff that made this happen:
- Molly Ancel
- Alix Martin
- Lucy Fellner
The Caltrout presenters:
- Damon Goodman – discussing the Klamath’s recovery and more
- Dustin Revel – discussing restoration on the Scott River
- Curtis Knight – providing an overview of CalTrout’s projects and ambitions
Our photographers:
- Val Atkinson
- Michael Wier
And our superb chef: Ryan Teasley
All proceeds from the event go directly to our work protecting and restoring waters across California! Stayed tuned for details on our 2026 5 Rivers Challenge.
