The Russian river 100 years ago?

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

Veteran coastal fly fisher Walt Bennett told us that right after the end of World War II anglers in California did not have to go further

than the Russian river to have world class Steelheading. The river also had American shad, salmon, Stripers and Smallmouth bass.



Cortland Line Company Rep Joe Patterson told us that the Russian river had spring and summer runs of Steelhead during the summer

closure so they just said they were bass and shad fishing so they could catch and release these Steelhead with flies.



Walt told us that not many fished the Eel river and other further north back then because the Russian river was incredible.


Back then there were no dams on the Russian river and not much AG (wine & dope).


So with one dam we destroyed one of the world's finest fisheries?


That is a crime......


They sold California on the idea of flood control to dam 90% of our rivers with.


Now it is obvious that they really wanted to get all of Northern California's water to have giant agriculture down south.

.

[lee s.]

And ALL these damns without workable plunge-pool fish ladders!!!
.....lee s.

[winxp_man]

And ALL these damns without workable plunge-pool fish ladders!!!
.....lee s.

The fact they knew damns where going to decimate anadromous fish back in the late 1800’s, is sad they didn’t care to think of passage ways around the dams!!! I have documentations from back then and reports studies! It’s insanity to read, and see where we are today!!

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

Our state government and big business/AG will always win the big battles and the fisherman will win 'some' small battles.

[winxp_man]

Our state government and big business/AG will always win the big battles and the fisherman will win 'some' small battles.

sadly you are right in some regards Bill. But a fighting point has to start somewhere no matter how small the battle or win. ;D

[JasonB]

They win them all if we don’t put up a stand. It’s easy to get cynical, and I’m probably one of the worst... but, if we ever get so apathetic that we accept it as a given then we’ve given up the right to complain imo. It’s sad that a lot of damage has been done already, on the other hand things could get a lot worse if we let them. Steelheading takes a tenacity and perseverance through seemingly unreasonable odds, and yet for those who keep at it, there are sweet rewards. We need to keep that same attitude facing some of the enormous issues that threaten our fisheries today, and take some small amount of optimism that there are some positive things happening too. I keep looking forward to seeing the dams come down on the Klamath for one thing!
JB

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

Every time they take down a dam it is a big win for the ecosystem.

[avidangler]

Every time they take down a dam it is a big win for the ecosystem.

Absolutely!!