If you’re one of the McCloud River’s endangered Redband Trout, you’re thinking today is a good day.
That’s because fly fishers, CalTrout, Orvis and the National Fish & Wildlife foundation threw down big time in a “3 for 1″ matching grant program, raising more than $120,000 to restore McCloud Redband Trout habitat.
One stretch of Trout Creek after restoration — it used to be more than a hundred feet wide…
Keep in mind the private donations exceeded the program’s goals (mind you I’m not taking all the credit just because I posted about this recovery program months ago), our warm, fuzzy Fact For the Day.
From the CalTrout/Orvis press release:
Mt. Shasta – California Trout announced today that over $120,000 was raised through an innovative partnership to protect the rare and beautiful McCloud River Redband trout. The Orvis Company and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation each gave $30,000 grants, and more than $60,000 was donated by hundreds of private citizens. The private donations were generated by an Orvis campaign promoted in their catalogs and website, and through outreach by California Trout to its membership.
“It’s encouraging to see how strongly the residents in the Mount Shasta region and our customers as a whole feel about saving this unique, local species,” said James Hathaway, Communications and Conservation Manager of the Orvis Company. “There’s nothing else like it on earth, and people understand that.”
I took a tour of a few of the restoration sites with the CalTrout folks, and will throw together an article sometime soon.
Some pretty damned impressive stuff goes on in a restoration project, especially when the small stream in question has captured an old road bed, abandoning its 3-foot wide stream bed for what will eventually become a 150′ wide, 25′ deep, featureless gully.
Even more impressive is the collaboration at work — private landowners were largely happy to help:
The Core Group was established voluntarily to protect the redband’s genetic integrity, and to secure populations while respecting existing land uses, resource uses and private property rights. This conservation effort is unique in that a diverse group of stakeholders are working collaboratively and efficiently to protect and restore the redband’s native biodiversity.
The habitat conservation projects include restoration of degraded meadows and stream banks, and private landowners are voluntarily helping to improve roads and culverts on their property to reduce stream sedimentation and improve upstream fish passage.
Score one for the good guys (and Siskiyou County Board of Supervisors, take note of the collaborative aspect). And for everyone who threw down a few bucks — well, pat yourselves on the back.
See you in Redband Trout country, Tom Chandler.
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
So Tom, did you buy one of the Orvis redband troutbum rods? Or at least ask Orvis to send you one so you could write a glowing review to get people to buy one, since the money went to support the redband? Your money doesnt seem to be where your mouth is.
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John (not your real name): No. No. And Bite Me.
You grow tiresome. I know who you are and what you tried to do behind my back. Go to hell. Really.
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Hello Tom,
This comment is bit late but what is the incentive for Orvis to “donate” this money for the restoration of the redband? Other than the obvious, I think they may want to further restrict access on the McCloud River with a Wal Mart of a private fishing ranch, “3999$ for trespass rights, 2 days”! or something to that effect… Am I being too paranoid? Is this not a concern to the citizens of CA and McCloud??
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ET: Orvis donates 5% of their pretax profits annually to restoration/fisheries causes, and as far as I know, they’re simply doing it based on a sense of corporate responsibility (and yes, there is a PR element).
Private ranch? Where did you get that idea?
They don’t even own the property on the restored habitat, and public access to at least part of the stream is guaranteed.
Plus, Redband are hardly the stuff of trophy fisheries; they’re beautiful, but have evolved in tiny streams, so they’re typically small.
So the short answer is “yes”: you are being paranoid.
Orvis has funded quite a few projects, none of which seem to have any sort of private component.
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I am responding on behalf of California Trout to the claims that Orvis, through donations to redband trout restoration activities, has motivations of private fishing ranches and limited access. This is truly a ridiculous and unfounded claim.
Orvis funded restoratoin activities for redband trout because these species are unique, have limited range and are threatened by number of issues. Orvis monies were used to improve fish passge, better understand genetics, restore habitat and educate the public about these fish.
Further I agree with Tom Chandler’s assessment of the inappropriateness of the Upper McCloud area for any type of private redband trout fishing opportunities. Many of the streams are closed to fishing, the streams are small, and these rare fish rarely get over 6″ long.
In short it is a testament to Orvis’ conservation ethic that they are willing to invest in preserving rare native trout genetic integrity—an issue more focused on conservation biology than sport fishing opportunity. I say kudos Orvis.
Curtis Knight
California Trout
Mt Shasta Area Manager
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I am trying to find another 1984 California First of State Golden Trout stamp.
We have one of Michelle Flynn’s framed prints with the stamp but over the 20 plus years the stamp has faded.
Can you help me locate another 1984 stamp?
Thank you
Melanie Howard
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