OK gang, The Underground’s Sizable Corporate Staff made it past the always-hectic Monday, but that’s small comfort given that it was 31 degrees this morning and yes — it was snowing.

Frankly, here at the Underground we’re pretty damned tired of the damned cold and the damned snow and the damned clouds and the damned low water temperatures on the Upper Sacramento (and we don’t think much of most dams either).

When you’re in a mood like that (add sleep deprivation to the mix) and it’s a short descent into howling at the moon, which is what’s going to happen at the start of the next paragraph.

Argentina Makes Plan to Dam Last Free Flowing River, Eliminating Atlantic Steelhead

Atlantic Steelhead

Sure we didn’t even know there’s an Atlantic-ocean-based run of steelhead (the Santa Cruz river hosts the world’s only run), but the Free Argentine Waters blog alerts us to a planned dam project that would eliminate the steelhead (probably because anything living wild and free is an affront to government).

Santa Cruz River holds two rare privileges, it is the last great river in Argentine Patagonia flowing freely and it is the only river in the world to receive wild runs of Steelhead from the Atlantic Ocean. Two distinctions soon to be challenged with the construction of Condor Cliff and La Barrancosa dams…

Well boys, taking into account that corruption and half assed decisions are a given in our every day life in Argentina, it´s a sure bet we will roast in the oven with this one.

Sounds about par for the course.

Pebble Mine Still Looms, But You Can Help

Though we haven’t heard a lot about it lately, the Pebble Mine project still looms over Bristol Bay — host to the biggest remaining (and healthy) salmon populations in the USA.

We understand they’re close to firing up an auction in an attempt to raise funds to fight this mine (the mining company is already lubricating the locals with money like it was candy, which, in a way it is), and we’ll announce that when it happens.

Until then, why not visit the Sportsmen’s Alliance for Alaska’s Web site and sign the petitions. I haven’t fished in Alaska yet, but it’d be nice if some of it was left when I do decide to go.

Oregon Thinking About Coastal Cutthroat Harvest Despite Recent Court Decision

With a court recently ruling that US Fish & Game must consider listing the Coastal Cutthroat under the Endangered Species Act, Shane at the Quiet Pool wonders why Oregon wants to allow a coastal cutthroat harvest.

He provides a few links for you to contact, so maybe — just maybe — those dolts running things will get the message.

See you out in the snow, Tom Chandler.

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