Streamkeeper’s bLog – April 2023

May 31, 2023

Tight Lines, Sunny Days

A word from CalTrout’s ED, Curtis Knight

Happy Fishmas and welcome to trout season! The last Saturday in April has long been known as opening day for trout season even though these days so many places are open year-round. Still it’s a time of year to celebrate and we hope to catch you out on the water! Maybe with your CalTrout hat on? Be sure to stock up on our summer gear to rep’ your favorite freshwater conservation organization. 😉

Up north on the Fall River, fishing is especially a hot topic- with regulations recently changed to treat the river as a single regulated entity for catch and release angling with barbless artificial lures, open all year. This is a major legal victory that we are proud to have maneuvered- along with the Fall River Conservancy- in protecting this important wild trout fishery. After decades-long research by CalTrout, UC Davis, and CDFW on the genetics of Fall River fish we found that fish are moving throughout this vast watershed of river channels, springs, and tributaries, especially Bear Creek the primary surface tributary so important as spawning habitat. This data helped make the case for a single regulation across the entire Fall River complex. We were then able to supply CDFW with our research findings and give informed advice as they debated new fishing regulations for the Fall River to better protect wild and native trout.

Fish stories like these are what we love to share. We’ve got several stories this month for you to check out below on the work we’re doing across the state. And if you’re wanting more, I encourage you to check out CalTrout’s newly launched podcast, Fish Water People! Streaming on Spotify, Apple Music, and wherever you listen to podcasts. I’m honored to be the host of our podcast and even more honored to have our first episode featuring Congressman Jared Huffman as we discuss Governor Newsom’s Executive Order in the delta, the Potter Valley Project, restoration work at Redwood Creek, California condors, and so much more. Check it out here.

Wishing tight lines and sunny days to you all.

CURTIS SIG

Read Full Streamkeeper's bLog

MEET THE AUTHORS

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.

Streamkeeper’s bLog – April 2023

U P C O M I N G E V E N T

Trinity Steelhead Fishing Trip

MEET THE AUTHORS

Streamkeeper’s bLog – April 2023

Streamkeeper’s bLog – April 2023

Tight Lines, Sunny Days

A word from CalTrout’s ED, Curtis Knight

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