STEELHEAD IN THE CLASSROOM was first introduced to California 20 years ago as a result of RETU's early work promoting wild salmonid fishery and watershed education.  Over 70 classrooms now participate in the program from Point Reyes to Covelo.  Most are using an innovative classroom incubator developed by RETU and built by new teachers at a workshop held each year in February.  Thanks to The Healdsburg School for hosting last year!

 

Nothing can be worse than freezing while fishing. Winter steelhead fishing is here and it can be really cold. Even though it seems like a crazy time of year to try to get a fish on, don't let the weather keep you from what can be the ultimate angling experience. For me, winter is best, as it can be a pleasantly solitary and reflective time.

 

Just be prepared. Check the temps before heading out. Avoid the bone crushing cold by making sure that you have multiple layers. Think three layers at the very least. You might want to dig out those neoprene waders, rubber soled wading boots and fingerless gloves, especially if you plan on fishing in below freezing weather. The most important item in your wardrobe will be a knit cap (toque, as they say in BC) because so much body heat can be lost through your head if it is not covered.   And, you can stuff the cap in an inside pocket, when not in use. The final outer layer of your winter wardrobe should be the best waterproof wading jacket you can find and, with that, you are all set. Don't forget to stash a duplicate set of clothes! (Girl Scout training - be prepared)

 

In some cases while winter steelheading, the guides on your rod might freeze. This has happened to me, and it is a pita. (Pain in the a...) Try the simple angler's dip (not to be confused with the angler's flip).  Dip the rod into the water to eliminate the ice or try a one cast approach to fishing. You can also check your local guide or bait shop for commercial products that help to stop the icing up. (Big Pierre says you can always grab the PAM from the Kitchen cabinet or silicone spray from the shop...and douse the rod guides before you head out.)

 

Because of water temps, winter steelhead will be holding deep in the middle of pools and due to their lower metabolism, they will not move much one way or the other to address your invitation to grab. Keep that in mind as you work the pools and adjust the depth of your presentation accordingly. If you persevere, you might be pleasantly surprised with your success.

 

Don't forget to bring a hot lunch to share with your fishin' partner. Nothin' sweeter... but I digress.

 

The winter metal head will often find himself/herself the only angler on the river. If prepared, you will be warm and toasty. If not, you are likely to be run off the river with the first stiff breeze. The good news is that if the angler follows the fish fashions described above, and is able to share a hot lunch on the river with a friend; one will be able to fish until the heart is content.  -JC  

You're probably not used to getting letters from an estuary, but then I am not your normal estuary.  Thank you for sending me lots of nice rain last winter, that was the only thing I really wanted after years of low rainfall. 

This year however, I have a list.  And I hope you will make my dreams come true because the Sonoma County Water Agency still does not seem to grasp my importance to the Russian River's historic salmonid eco-system that once supported great healthy runs of wild Steelhead (3rd best in California), Coho salmon and Chinook salmon.  Sadly, all 3 of these creatures are either threatened or endangered in the Russian River.  So here is what I would like for Christmas year:

1)  A Plan for my restoration that puts high priority on my endangered young Coho salmon residents.  You may have read how important I am to their very survival in this recent paper, http://www.ecologyandsociety.org/vol14/iss1/art4/.

2)  Removal of the jetty.  As you know this obsolete jetty prevents me from acting as a natural estuary should.  The rocks recovered could even be used to create more salmonid habitat structures to help my little friends hide from predators so they can grow big and strong and large enough to enter the ocean and survive.  Please jettison that old jetty.

3)  Elevate the structures that cause my mouth to be artificially breached.  You won't believe this but, Sonoma County is spending about $900,000 per year of scarce property taxpayer funds on an artificial breaching program to prevent the so called "flooding" of 7 docks, 1 boathouse, and the State Parks Visitor Center!  I know, it sounds crazy but it is true.

4)  Complete the long stalled Russian River "Total Maximum Daily Load" (TMDL) water pollution control plan process.  You won't believe the water quality I have to put up with sometimes.  If the water I receive met 1972 (!) Clean Water Act standards, the estuary would be a much more suitable place for rearing the young Coho and Steelhead that call me home for such an important stage of the development.  I should be full of thousands of young Steelhead if I was a healthy freshwater estuary like the others up and down the North Coast of California.  It's embarrassing.

5)  And finally, how about some restoration work along my shore?  The new Open Space District riparian zone could sure use fewer cow pies and more lush back-flooded habitat from the creation of some sanctuary side channels lined with sedges and willows.  Young Coho and Steelhead need that complex shelter during high flows and to hide from predators.  The marsh eco-system that once existed along my shores was filled with an abundance of not only young salmonids, but riparian birds, mammals and all the other wildlife that River residents and visitors treasure so much.  I hear there is a local angler conservation group that would love to work on a riparian restoration project like that.

Well, that's it for this year, Santa.  Hope you have a nice wet Winter!

 

Nominations are now open for our 2012 Board of Directors.  Now is your chance to get more involved with the Redwood Empire's leading angler conservation group representing over 590 members in the Redwood Empire who crave

Much appreciated RETU Boardmember Walt Kruze is retiring to Twain Harte CA to pursue prehistoric fish like this nice Pyramid Lake Lahontan Cutthroat.

healthy cold water fisheries the way you do!

Please submit your nominations to our current Chapter President, Julie Carlson.  

Here is the current Board of Directors: