Science Friday: How do steelhead survive in intermittent streams?

In Science Friday by Nick Chambers

It’s the first Friday in October — officially, “Septober” for us steelheaders.   Unfortunately, steelhead runs across much of the West Coast have been down this year, and now there is another blob of warm water in the North Pacific. Things don’t look good right now, but wild steelhead have withstood these types of conditions before. As long as we …

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The Choice for Hatchery Residual Steelhead

In Science Friday by Nick Chambers

Do you know that not all hatchery steelhead smolts actually migrate to the ocean? Some remain in freshwater. Either way, these O. mykiss face a future that could be heroic (survive long enough to mate with a wild steelhead adult female) — or not-so-heroic (survive the summer in freshwater but perish during the difficult conditions of the winter).   We …

Much at stake in listing decision on Northern California summer steelhead

In California by steelheaders

We love all steelhead here at Wild Steelheaders United, but some anadromous O. mykiss populations may deserve more love than others.   Consider wild summer run steelhead in Northern California. The available data for wild summers between Redwood Creek and the Gualala River (including the legendary Eel River watershed) suggest their numbers are greatly depleted — probably enough to warrant …

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Science Friday: Why is your lateral line different than mine?

In Science Friday by steelheaders

Most of us working on behalf of wild steelhead love our jobs. Still, after a long week we are ready to hit the water — and share some more Science Friday steelhead knowledge.   This week we touch on a study conducted by Andrew Brown at the University of Washington, along with several co-authors. The paper is here:  https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0059162   …

The Maury Povich Steelhead Show: You are all the father

In Science Friday by Nick Chambers

Took a short break from our Science Friday posts to do some actual science (on Olympic Peninsula winter steelhead) and to weigh in on some important policy issues. But now, like anglers looking for fresh winter chrome: we’re b-a-a-a-c-k.   As you know, in the Science Friday forum we discuss a wide range of topics important to the management and …

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Science Friday: Certain genetic families survive better in hatcheries and might help explain why hatchery steelhead do poorly in nature

In Science Friday by Nick Chambers

Spring is here and we’ve got a real shot of warm weather on the West Coast. Certainly, spawning steelhead appreciate the ecological effects of this boost in thermal energy.   Last week we reviewed a recent paper on repeat spawning in steelhead in the Hood River, Oregon. This week, we return to the Hood to look at another paper out …

Science Friday: What is PNI about and why is it important?

In Science Friday by Nick Chambers

Another week, another Science Friday post from Wild Steelheaders United. Last week we discussed the acronyms used in hatchery literature and management plans. Now we narrow the focus a bit to understand how these acronyms are used with one another to evaluate genetic risks associated with hatchery programs — we even offer some formulas for you to geek out on. …