El Dorado

Salmonid Restoration Federation will host the 7th Annual San Joaquin Bay Delta Chinook symposium at Wine and Roses in Lodi, CA July 22-23. The first day of the symposium will include presentations and panel discussions about the status of Spring-run Chinook recovery actions in different regions including the Klamath, Butte Creek, San Joaquin, the Yuba river, and Mill Creek; reintroducing Spring-run Chinook in the San Joaquin River and its tributaries; managing for multiple species in the Central Valley; and restoration efforts in the San Joaquin watershed and surrounding tributaries. The context of the symposium is the San Joaquin-Bay Delta and flow regimes that would benefit salmonids. See the full Poster.

The May 15th Membership meeting will be on Wednesday evening from 7-8:30pm at the Eldorado National Forest conference room located at 100 Forni Rd., Placerville. Our guest speakers will be Sam Davidson and Chandra Ferrari. Sam is our TU Director of Field Operations and Chandra is our TU Water Policy Director. They will explain how and what they do to protect our fisheries throughout California. Sam, as always, has colorful descriptions of his experiences, some of which just may include fishing adventures in the Sierras. Chandra will explain how TU's water policy is developed to reinforce and enhance our fisheries.

This month's Fish Tales will feature Kevin Mather and Dan Brosier from the Sac-Sierra Chapter to share lessons they've learned about "self-guided steelhead fishing in B.C.". Both have chased steelies in B.C. for years and will have numerous pictures to share. You don't want to miss this show! Plan to arrive early, have a cup of coffee, cookies and swap fishing tales with your colleagues.

By Amber Taxiera, The Sierra Fund

In a region with a legacy of gold mining, everyone needs to know that there is mercury in our local fish. Millions of pounds of mercury were dumped into Sierra rivers and streams in the mining days. Today, that mercury lives in the bottom of our reservoirs, lakes and rivers. The way people are exposed to the mercury is by eating fish caught from these areas.

The good news is that some fish species, such as rainbow trout, are still safe to eat in moderation. But unfortunately, most people have little idea which fish or how much fish is safe to eat. Mercury exposure is dangerous for everyone, but it is especially harmful to children and developing fetuses, so children and women of child-bearing age should avoid eating fish such as bass and catfish, which are high in mercury. Read More.

Tom McClintock has persuaded the House Natural Resources committee to remove the Wild and Scenic Rivers protection from a part of the Merced River. He has stretched the facts to achieve his goals and prepare for expansion of the existing dam. He has also participated in the Water Resources Development Act which resurrects the Auburn Dam through inclusion as a previously recommended project. Read the full stories in the Friends of the River newsletter.

Trout Unlimited is happy to announce a job opening for a California Water Rights Specialist. TU is seeking a qualified individual with experience in water policy and water rights permitting for its successful California Water Program. The individual will join other TU staff working to reform water law and policy and implement cooperative projects with individual farmers and landowners to restore and enhance instream flow. Applicants should send their information to Mary Ann King at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Jack Sanchez, from Save Auburn Ravine Salmon and Steelhead, SARSAS, will discuss the return of salmon and steelhead to the Auburn Ravine and its tributaries at our April meeting. Auburn Ravine is challenged by the many dams present. However SARSAS is successful in working solutions to their presence. The 2012 season has demonstrated an increase in salmon presence.

Michael "Tony" Valdez of the El Dorado National Forest will also speak on Forest activities and the cooperative efforts with Trout Unlimited.

Trout Unlimited California's Water Policy Director Chandra Ferrari will be present to speak on her current actions in California. She will describe how TU works behind the scenes to foster greater care of our cold, clean water for the fisheries in this state

Board member Erik Holst will also be speaking about the Callecat Restoration Project and the ENF Travel Management Policy.

We will have a busy  meeting with the above speakers as well as business related to changes in the by-laws, elections and coming events. Plus we will have our usual raffle and a silent auction to fish at Indian Rock Ranch in Camino. Our meeting will be April 17 at 7:00 PM in the El Dorado National Forest Conference room at the rear of the building on Briw Road. Come early for coffee, cookies, raffle tickets and conversation.