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Caples Fish Rescue Volunteer sign-up in full swing, 1/4 way there!

By Jerry Neuburger
August 17, 2008. 6:30AM -- In the thirty hours since the sign-up began, over 25 volunteers have stepped up to assist DFG capture and transfer fish from Caples Lake to Silver Lake in the Sierras.

The rescue is necessary because the dam's release gates need to be repaired and to do so, the lake must be almost drained. The operation is expected to run four days, from August 26 through 29th.

The volunteers signing up to date include area guides, some retired DFG personnel and fisheries scientists from private firms as well as enthusiastic anglers from both California and Nevada. While many of the volunteers have extensive fish handling experience, no experience is necessary to step forward. Everyone physically able is asked to help in the effort.

Walk-up volunteers on site will NOT be accepted since the rescue effort will require coordination with skills, shifts and DFG staffing requirements. In addition, volunteers will have to report on-time for their assignments and receive safety and skill training before going into the field.

Volunteers will have to supply all of their own needs, food, clothing, shelter, during the operation and will need to bring their own safety gear including rain gear and PFD. CSPA and TU are attempting arrange for campsites close by.

Once a volunteer list is compiled, Chris Shutes of CSPA and Barbara Bania of the Sacramento-Sierra Chapter of Trout Unlimited, will contact them by phone or e-mail for duty and shift assignment.

People wishing to volunteer may do so through the CSPA website, using the application page provided. Some computer/e-mail/browser problems are occurring with the form provided (Thank you MicroSoft!) on the page so a cut-and paste-list of questions is also available at the bottom of the page to be copied, answered and sent using regular e-mail. All volunteer requests will be responded to within 24 hours.

During the volunteer process, some inquiries were made regarding the necessity of doing a similar operation at Silver Lake next year. A fish rescue will not be necessary since the lake will not have to be drawn down to the extent that Caples will because the configuration of the release gates on the dam and the size of the natural lake's "dead pool" are different . The fish transferred from Caples to Silver will remain there.

Once the repairs are made on the dam at Caples, El Dorado Irrigation District (EID) has promised a massive restoration effort with a complete variety of planted fish from fingerlings to trophy sized fish. The California Sportfishing Protection Alliance will scrutinize the extent of EID's efforts and will take any actions necessary to insure that complete mitigation takes place.