Posts tagged: caltrout

On The Rise TV Show Profiles McCloud River, Nestle’s Threat To an Underground Favorite

February 14, 2009, by 11 comments

It was gratifying to see the Friday night broadcast of Trout Unlimited’s “On The Rise” episode – the one focused on the McCloud River and Nestle Waters of North America’s cavalier approach to the water. (The show is being re-broadcast Saturday 2/14 at 1pm PST.)

Regular Undergrounders know of my distaste for Nestle Waters, their predatory approach to small towns, and their apparent lack of concern for the McCloud River.

And yes, it’s clear to me the McCloud River is a favorite among my readers (soneone said if the McCloud’s not a favorite, it’s because you haven’t fished it yet).

Curtis Knight of CalTrout filled the early part of the show deftly outlining the threats to the river, and yes, I made an appearance in the last segment, where I successfully didn’t soil myself.

In fact viewers were treated to an inside view of the the Underground’s Brown Trout Mobile (the slowly deteriorating brown Bronco), and you probably also got a good glimpse of the river, which – as host (and new daddy) Frank Smethurst put it – was still somewhat TU (totally unfishable).

Thoughts

The show did an excellent job covering the threat to the river, and maybe now you know why CalTrout’s Curtis Knight is an Underground favorite.

The show would be a ton more fun if they’d broadcast some of the interaction between the crew and Smethhurst. It’s pure guys-on-a-fishing-trip entertainment, even if it doesn’t fit into the show’s format.

From a purely personal perspective, it’s a glimpse back into time – a look at a couple months and a couple pounds ago, on a river that you can’t legally fish right now.

I hope this places a little more pressure on Nestle to start playing fair with rural towns, and while it’s a small victory, it’s a shame that every town facing Nestle can’t get its own TV show (interesting fun fact: Nestle is the most-boycotted corporation in the world).

Now that my brief broadcast career is over, see you back on the river, Tom Chandler.

CalTrout’s Asking You to Save the Youth Conservation Corps

January 30, 2009, by No comments yet

Just received a CalTrout “Trout Clout” alert; it says Governor Ahhhhnold’s latest budget calls for the disbanding of the California Youth Conservation Corp – a move CalTrout thinks is going to cost taxpayers money in the long run:

Eliminating the CCC is a text book example of “penny-wise, pound-foolish”.  In 2008 alone, the CCC saved the State taxpayers $30.8 million in its work with other state agencies, including:  CalFire, State Parks, CalTrans, and the Department of Water Resources – this alone is more than the State would save by eliminating the CCC.

It would also weaken the state’s emergency preparedness. Over the past ten years, the CCC has devoted over 2.8 million hours to emergency response activities.

And the Corps contributions to California’s wild fish and watersheds are critical.  Since 1980, CCC corpsmembers have:

o Improved over 1,500 stream miles
o Modified over 1,250 barriers to fish passage
o Stabilized over 48,880 feet of stream bank
o Installed more than 6,500 fish habitat structures
o Improved over 326,500 square feet of fisheries habitat
o Planted over 2,000,000 trees

You can find out more at this page, or – if you’re already convinced the CCC merits saving – go directly to this page and invest about 40 seconds.

But do so before February 2 (that’s soon), or it won’t matter.

See you on the CCC restored river, Tom Chandler.

Plan to Borrow From CA Wildlife Fund Not Going Over Well With Anglers

January 17, 2009, by 2 comments

Governor Schwarzenegger (has anyone really gotten used to saying that?) wants to tap into a fishing & hunting-license supported wildlife fund – which has outdoorsmen seeing red:

Fishermen and hunters are outraged about a plan tucked in the governor’s proposed California budget to shift $30 million out of wildlife programs.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger wants to borrow money from the Fish and Game Preservation Fund, which comes from hunting and fishing license fees, and use it to prop up other state programs. The funds would be repaid to wildlife programs by 2013 – with interest.

Ok, so the state’s supposed to pay the money back, though not everyone’s happy there’s any money in the program to begin with, charging there are plenty of projects with an urgent need for funding:

Some fishermen claim the fund often runs a surplus when wildlife programs are in desperate need of money.

Brett Matzke, wild and native trout manager at the advocacy group California Trout, said fishing groups recently urged the department to spend $1 million from the fund to restore habitat for the Paiute cutthroat trout. He said the request was denied.

Some anglers, he said, are considering a “license burning” rally outside the Capitol.

Adding to their anguish is a hike in license fees this year, part of a routine inflation adjustment. A 2009 hunting license costs $37.30. A fishing license costs $41.20 – the most expensive in the nation, Matzke said.

A license burning? (Maybe in effigy; I’m not about to sacrifice my 2009 fishing season for a symbolic gesture).

And like most anglers, I don’t mind forking over for the “most expensive” fly fishing license in the nation – provided we see some results.

We have one of the lowest number of game wardens (per square foot) than anyone in the nation, and as a recent CalTrout report pointed out, most of our native species are under pressure.

See you in the capital, Tom Chandler.

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CalTrout Study Reveals Strains on California’s Native Coldwater Fish: 65% Could be Gone in 100 years

November 20, 2008, by 8 comments

If you needed an excuse to get out and go fishing now, then CalTrout may have done you a favor with yesterday’s release of “SOS: California’s Native Fish Crisis” report (compiled by Dr. Peter Moyle, a heavy hitter in fish biology circles).

The bullet points? They’re not pretty:

  • If present trends continue, 65% of native salmon, steelhead, and trout species will be extinct within 100 years or sooner.
  • Sixty-five percent of the species headed towards extinction are found only in California
  • Of the state’s 22 anadromous fish species (which spawn in freshwater and live most of their adult lives in the ocean), 59% are in danger of extinction
  • Of the state’s nine living native inland fish, 78% are in danger of extinction
Click to download a copy of "SOS: California's Native Fish Crisis"

Click image to download a copy of: SOS: California's Native Fish Crisis

Here’s the lead from the Press Release:

San Francisco, CA – Fish and watershed advocacy group California Trout today released the first-ever comprehensive report chronicling the status of each of California’s native fish species (salmon, steelhead, and trout). SOS: California’s Native Fish Crisis was written and researched by Dr. Peter Moyle, UC Davis professor and renowned expert on California’s water systems and the fish that inhabit them.

In truth, the news isn’t that surprising; many of the region-specific trout sub-species are relegated to tiny redoubts and hybridizing with introduced populations, and the over-allocation of California’s water resources is severely stressing salmon, steelhead populations.

CalTrout notes fishing is a $2 Billion industry in California, and the Trout Underground would like to note that the fishing part of the state’s economy could be sustainable (largely “free”) – given a modicum of clean, cold water and a little attention.

The find out more (and find links to the report, which features the attractive cover shown above), simply click on the link: “SOS: California’s Native Fish Crisis”

To read the report itself, click here.

See you reading, Tom Chandler.

McCloud Coming Back to “Normal” Flows – Going to be a Busy Last Week to the Season

November 5, 2008, by 5 comments

From somebody at PG&E (via Curtis Knight at CalTrout):

The James B. Black Powerhouse is back in operation and PG&E is completing start up procedures.  Spill from McCloud Dam has stopped and the flow at the Ah-Di-Na gage is back to base flow.  As the powerhouse returns to full operation, no further spills are anticipated.

Have at it, Undergrounders. I expect to see quite a few of you on the McCloud this coming weekend.

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CalTrout Intends to Sue to Protect SoCal Steelhead

September 30, 2008, by No comments yet

Frustrated by the delaying tactics of the Bureau of Reclamation and United Water Conservation District, CalTrout said today it intends to file suit to force the Bureau and United to comply with the terms of the biological opinion released by the National Marine Fisheries Service.

Too complicated for you?

Here it is in Reader’s Digest form: though damned few SoCall Steelheed remain (numbers like 500 keep getting tossed about), the people who are supposed to be doing something about it… aren’t <shocked gasp>:

Saticoy, Calif. – Conservation and advocacy group California Trout today filed a 60-Day Notice of Intent to Sue (NOI) United Water Conservation District (United) and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (Bureau) for violations of the Endangered Species Act. The NOI asserts that United and the Bureau are causing ongoing harm, harassment and death to the endangered Southern California steelhead at the Vern Freeman Diversion Dam.

It follows the July release of a Biological Opinion by the National Marine Fisheries Service that outlines the ways that the Freeman Diversion jeopardizes steelhead and the remedies to ensure the species’ survival. The NOI focuses on the lack of action by United and the Bureau of Reclamation to implement the actions specified in the opinion for protection of the steelhead.

“It is never our first choice to file a law suit,” said Nica K. Knite, Southern California Regional Manager for California Trout. “But our first concern is for the few remaining Southern California steelhead, and both United and the Bureau seem committed to business as usual at Vern Freeman without regard to the NMFS findings and no matter what the cost to the fish.”

See you in court, Tom Chandler.

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Stop Destructive Streambed Mining in 25 Seconds (or Less)

July 10, 2008, by 6 comments

It’s time for another Trout Underground Quick Alert, where we save the planet in one minute or less.

Today’s pick is CalTrout’s campaign to restrict suction dredge mining, where a big vacuum cleaner sucks up the streambed and spits it out again.

It’s not exactly a fund, Disney-esque ride for eggs, small invertebrates and newly hatched fish (in fact it’s pretty destructive), and it’s time Fish & Game had the authority to limit this practice in sensitive areas.

Schwarzenegger screwed this one up big time last year, so let’s help him make the right choice this year.

So here’s the 25 second gig:

  1. Go to CalTrout’s action page here
  2. If you’re already registered with CalTrout, you click a button (that’s all)
  3. If you’re not, simply register, then click a button

Done. Fini. Stick a fork in it.

See you kicking butt, Tom Chandler.

Underground Headed to Big City: Attending CalTrout Fundraiser on Friday

May 7, 2008, by 7 comments

Due to the largesse of a wealthy, anonymous benefactor, the Trout Underground’s Crack Writing Staff (me) and the Stunning L&T Nancy will be looming up the truck and heading to San Francisco for this Friday’s CalTrout Fundraiser:

CalTrout Benefit Site

You could say that San Francisco in general — and high-end Galas in particular — aren’t exactly my natural habitat.

In fact, if natural selection were truly in operation, I’d quickly come to a horrible end in the jaws of a predator better evolved to survive fundraisers, small talk and silent auctions.

Perhaps something like a Cocktail Crocodile.

Fortunately, where I clean up poorly and lack social graces, the L&T shines brightly. Very brightly.

It says a lot about my powers of persuasion that I ended up with dignified, attractive, intelligent woman who moves through these situations like a trout moves through water, and if I stick close enough, I might just survive the evening, eventually returning to the safety of my own natural habitat.

Darwin’s Cocktail Party

Curtis Knight of CalTrout thought I’d do just fine, and allowed as to how I’d do great as long as I kept bidding on auction items, which prompted me to laugh in a bitter, cynical way, wondering how many $10 auction items CalTrout was planning to move.

He made a classic error; just because I married a hot babe and own some nice bamboo fly rods, it doesn’t mean I’ve got any money.

Should any Undergrounders plan to attend, be sure to look me up. (And yes, it’s for a good cause, so drag your butts out there — at the very least, we’ll provide multiple targets for predators, achieving some kind of safety in numbers.)

Simply search for a species who clearly didn’t evolve in the Four Seasons Hotel ecosystem — an environment where people wear neckties every day without knowing it’s wrong.

That’ll be me, likely wearing a sport coat without zingers and shoes without felt soles, scanning the room for predators.

See you at the Galapagos Island Cocktail Party CalTrout Fundraiser, Tom Chandler.

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McCloud River Facing Flow Control Studies in May and June: Fly Fishermen Make Note

April 30, 2008, by 2 comments

UPDATE: Alert Underground Reader Steve found the May dates/flows for us)

The McCloud river is one of the most beautiful stretches of water you’ll ever fish — and given the number of people who crowd it ever year, a lot of people seem know it.

Running the ten days from May 5 to May 14, PG&E will be conducting a series of flow control studies on the Lower McCloud (below Lake McCloud) related to the dam’s relicensing process, which began 1.5 years ago.

Ten more days of flow studies will take place in June (I’ll post a schedule as soon as I get one), and while some of the higher flows might make fly fishing difficult, that won’t be the case all of the time.

Delays Caused by Snow

Curtis Knight of CalTrout said “We really hoped PG&E could conduct these studies in April, but there were some access issues (ed: snow).”

“These test flows may be a little inconvenient, but they’re important when it comes to managing the McCloud River — one of California’s best trout rivers — in the future.”

A preliminary schedule calls for flows at the Ah Di Nah to go to 400 CFS on May 5, then bumping to 600 cfs, 800 cfs, and 1000 cfs every couple days before tailing off again.

Knight said “We’re really looking at the effects these flows will have on the river, including elements like gravel movement — which is important for long-term maintenance of the fishery — and how the dam and its operations affect the lower river in terms of sediment and turbidity.”

“There are lot of studies going on — even whitewater studies, where rafts will be sent down the river at different flows.”

The Underground’s Plan for the Undergrounders

Included in the relicensing process is the opportunity for feedback from recreational users of the river (re: fly fishermen).

The Underground’s spin? I say fish the river all ten days in May, using the excuse that you’re contributing to the existing body of scientifically derived knowledge about the McCloud.

“It’s a science project” you’ll say to your family/boss/loved ones. “I have to go and contribute to our understanding of our imperiled natural world.”

“Sometimes,” you’ll intone gravely, “science demands sacrifice.”

See you at the McCloud Science Fair, Tom Chandler.

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CalTrout, McCloud Watershed Council Hire Top Legal Gunslingers to Battle Nestle

April 23, 2008, by 2 comments

As we’ve pointed out in the past, Nestle Waters of North America uses it inexhaustible supply of lawyers to bully, intimidate, and just plain wear out their opponents (usually small towns). If one lawyer gets beat, they shove another $2000 suit into the breach.

That’s why it’s heartening to hear the Protect Our Waters Coalition (CalTrout, Trout Unlimited, and the McCloud Watershed Council) have hired a few legal gunslingers of their own:

The McCloud Watershed Council and California Trout, who, along with Trout Unlimited, comprise the Protect Our Waters Coalition, announced today that they have engaged the national law and consulting firm of Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP. The firm will represent the Coalition in their fight to safeguard the rights and quality of life for residents of McCloud, California and beyond who would be affected by operation of a planned Nestle Waters North America water bottling plant in the Mt. Shasta area. Progress on the proposed plant, which would be the nation’s largest, is mired in unanswered questions and conflicting economic and environmental assessments.

Are they any good? Hell if I know, but at least the good guys aren’t walking into this one unarmed.

I do know lawyers (in addition to making good bait) are expensive, so it’s probably a good time to join CalTrout (if you haven’t already).

See you in the conference room, Tom Chandler.