Everything you wanted to know: California golden trout

California golden trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss aguabonita) Species summary and status: The state fish of California, California golden trout once occupied about 450 miles of stream habitat in the upper South Fork Kern River and the adjacent Golden Trout Creek. Currently, the trout is native only to two high-altitude watersheds in California’s rugged Sierra Nevada Mountains. The…

Never been closer: new progress on the Klamath

The Klamath River is one of the country’s most beleaguered watersheds. But on July 27 the Oregon Public Utilities Commission provided some good news, when the agency approved an order granting transfer of four old fish-blocking dams to the Klamath River Renewal Corporation so they can be taken out.

Meet the angler who is trying to complete the Western Native Trout Challenge this summer

Casting for trout in a mountain lake.

“I felt this was an important chapter of history to experience and record,” said Daniel Ritz. “When I personally started to learn more about the history and status of the West’s native species, I quickly realized how change in the West since the arrival of Europeans and the health of its trout species were intertwined. I also quickly realized I was not the only angler, let alone citizen, who wasn’t aware of the state of our native trout.”

TU’s Sara Porterfield ponders uncertain future of water in the West

Editor’s note: To kick off our education series exploring the complexities of water in the West, we interview author and TU’s water policy associate for its Western Water and Habitat Program, Sara Porterfield. How long have you been with TU and what do you work on day-to-day?   Sara Porterfield: I started with TU in October…

Faces of Restoration: Meyers Earthworks and its stake in restoring California’s chinook salmon

Meyers Earthwork crew constructing a roughened rock ramp to restore passage at the Deer Creek Irrigation District Dam, summer 2019.Photo by Amiana McEwen, Northwest Hydraulic Consultants. Editor’s note: TU works with some extremely talented characters while developing and completing projects in the field that help make fishing better. We are excited to bring you a series highlighting these contractors. We hire equipment…