CalTrout,    shasta river,    Video

A Mikey Wier/CalTrout Video

By Tom Chandler 5/24/2013

Posted another Mikey Wier video on CalTrout's site, this one showcasing the in-the-throes-of-restoration Shasta River (note: this is the same stretch of the Shasta I wrote about here).

This stretch of the Shasta is primarily a spring-fed river and it's not only beautiful (watch the video; I dare you to say it's not drop-dead gorgeous), it's also vitally important to the Klamath River watershed, and for a couple reasons.



Shasta River from California Trout on Vimeo.

First, approximately 10% of the salmon that returned to the watershed last year ended up in the Shasta. That's a sizable number.

Second, when the dams do finally come out, the Shasta River -- as the last major tributary before the first dam -- will probably end up providing a large percentage of the fish that return to sections of the Klamath that haven't seen a salmon in about 100 years.

Finally, the coho salmon are the fish most in danger of extinction. The problem is they spend a year in the freshwater before going to see, making them vulnerable to low, hot water conditions (often the result of water diversions). Spring creeks and spring-fed rivers (the Shasta is the latter) are vital because they offer a year-round, coldwater refuge for juvenile coho.

Most of this footage was shot on the Nature Conservancy's Shasta Big Springs Ranch, and while you can't fish it today (yes, it holds steelhead), maybe someday...

See you watching the salmon splash, Tom Chandler.
AuthorPicture

Tom Chandler

As the author of the decade leading fly fishing blog Trout Underground, Tom believes that fishing is not about measuring the experience but instead of about having fun. As a staunch environmentalist, he brings to the Yobi Community thought leadership on environmental and access issues facing us today.

4 comments
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Great video and information. I think what is happening down in your area is very positive. I hope things continue to improve for you.
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It is likely you have visited Eastern Idaho's Henry's Fork and visited "it's" source which too is called Big Springs. From the source, downstream is closed to fishing, boating and wading for any reason. I know there are many who question the closer of any stream to fishing as there are some who question the closer of some lands for human entry during certain times of the year...such as wintering big ... more game herds, or places where game gives birth. Idaho is ground zero for the battle of absolute human liberty vs. doing right for wild places. There are people on both sides who are unwilling to place compromise on the table to any degree. My grandpa (through marriage but a dear grandpa to all of us), is buried in the mountains east of Stockton, Ca. We got a permit and hauled him from Idaho to his final resting grounds near the town of Jackson. We drove through some amazing country....small lakes and streams. One day, I wish to return and visit the grave....and hopefully have some time to justify bring a fly rod along.
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DCG: Nothing wrong with having places where one doesn’t fish, but can observe fish, especially anadromous fish. True. And in the overall scheme of the Klamath watershed, this stretch of the Shasta (and Big Springs) might simply be too valuable to allow any kind of fishing, perhaps at any time.
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Nothing wrong with having places where one doesn't fish, but can observe fish, especially anadromous fish.
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