Many fly fishing clubs play important roles in advocacy and conservation. Clubs connect hundreds of people beyond their own members with local streams and lakes. The clubs assist local and visiting fishermen by providing up-to-date reporting on fisheries and river conditions. Anglers often have a deep understanding of the quality of a fishery. Stepping into…

It’s the time of year when I constantly daydream about swinging up a beautiful Winter steelhead. I’ve been obsessed with these incredible creatures ever since I landed my first one under Wohler Bridge on the Russian River 15 years ago. It was an exhilarating and unforgettable experience. The acrobatics, runs, and aerial maneuvers that occur…

The public comment period for Pacific Gas & Electric Company’s (PG&E) license surrender application (LSA) for the Potter Valley Project (PVP) was extended to December 19, 2025. A wide array of Tribal Nations, agencies, NGOs and individuals submitted comments, likely totaling well over a thousand. While many comments expressed support for the LSA, there were…

Having fished and surveyed the Russian River watershed for many years, there have been occasions when I’ve observed spawning adult Chinook salmon, stumbled across a carcass, or accidentally hooked a “Jack” or “Jill,” a young maturing Chinook salmon. These observations were exciting. They are a reminder that a small and resilient population of fall-run Chinook…

Fall-run Chinook salmon are currently migrating back to the Lower Mokelumne River to spawn. Many of these fish will be spawned in the Mokelumne River Fish Hatchery. But of those that spawn in the river, many will do so in reaches where there have been floodplain restoration efforts. Historical land use practices such as agriculture,…