Here are a few things that are good in our CA fisheries.

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

An old fishery friend sent me some positive things about our California fisheries.

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Thus, I want to leave you on a positive note and put some gladness in your heart:

-Think about the Trinity and how much healthier it is and how many more steelhead there are now there compared to the 1980s.

-Think about how good the fishing is for wild resident rainbow trout in the Sacramento River from Redding to Red Bluff. The fishing is better there now than it was 40 years ago. How many places in the lower 48 can one go and catch the number of 18" or larger wild rainbows you can catch on that river now? How many places in the lower 48 can you go catch 24" wild rainbow trout in a river?

-Four dams are coming out on the Klamath River, opening up 400+ miles of spawning and rearing habitat. Just imagine what that might do for steelhead and Chinook salmon. Also, downstream water quality should improve, reducing downstream losses of juveniles to disease and that ought to help the downstream steelhead populations.

Now, I've just listed three pretty positive things, which I hope have led to a great big grin on your part!!!

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Most of us know these wonderful facts so we should be celebrating them.

[John Sv]

Like!!!!!!

[RSK]

I’m up in western Washington visiting family and friends. The fisheries here are nothing what they were. Lots of closures on the rivers and tributaries. It didn’t take me long to find out all the great fishing opportunities in CA.
At least the fishing is good ��

[Dave Neal]

I may be biased but I cannot agree more wholeheartedly. A lot to be positive about...

The Trinity has been a bright spot in the context of seasonal steelheading... I am optimistic in the future and see the positive changes occurring with the restoration work- esp rearing and recruitment. The latest projects are having having a positive affect and gaining traction. The Klamath recovery is very exciting as well... will be interesting to observe the riparian corridor regrowth and the wild river reborn. And, the mighty Sac... what's not to love about this amazing tailwater fishery? From big wild trout, steelhead, bass, stripers and hopefully a recovery of the salmon fishery.

[Darian]

I concur with all of the items cited in this series and if you're a Trout/Salmon/Steelhead fisher, There're some bright spots. However, If you consider the overall state of our fisheries, I see a lot of what I feel are serious potential and real threats to same. Delta Black Bass, Stripers, American Shad, Salmon and Steelhead populations are in decline as are Sturgeon and I haven't mentioned any baitfish such as Delta and Longfin Smelt, Threadfin Shad, etc.

The potential threat to fisheries that depend on the CA Delta waters for their existence will be impacted by the Delta Conveyance Project which is an existential threat. Also, can anyone really deny the negative impact on large Striped Bass that spearfishing has had??

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

Darian is one of the original members of this forum and he is more than qualified to make those accurate observations.


After witnessing the fishing in this area for over 60 years, I would say that the Sacramento River system is finished.

"No more fish = no more fishermen."

All good for the people who control California's water.


The big question is: How does a newcomer to fly fishing get started with so few fish left today?


One of the greatest things to happen in my lifetime is dam removal and stream restoration, all over America.

With the passing of the 'Baby Boomer' generation, so goes much of our fishing.


Soon there will be no fly fishing guides as well.