The Clearwater River has seen its fair share of low points over the last five years, from depressed steelhead runs to spring/summer Chinook runs that underwhelm the communities reliant on these runs for their economies. But there is one shining bit of good news on this river: the status of fall-run Chinook.
Snake River Dams Perspectives: John Appleton of Alpine Archery and Fly
Earlier this summer, TU released a report entitled “Why We Need a Free Flowing Lower Snake River” that lays out the scientific basis for the federal government’s conclusion that the best way to restore salmon and steelhead in the Snake Basin is to remove the four dams on the lower river. Snake River salmon and steelhead populations are now so …
Science Friday: Steelhead hopscotching from one cold-water refugia to another in the Columbia
This is a topic we have discussed several times in the past, but given the critical nature of cold water refugia, and as the warming climate makes the warmest time of year even hotter, it’s a good time to review what we know about these crucially important habitats.
Lower Snake plan: An opportunity, not a solution
Last month, the US Army Corps of Engineers, the Bureau of Reclamation, and Bonneville Power Administration released the final environmental impact statement for future operations of the Columbia River System, including four dams on the Lower Snake River.
FERC clarifies path to Klamath dam removal
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) approved the partial transfer of ownership of four dams on the Klamath River from the utility PacifiCorp to the Klamath River Renewal Corporation (KRRC).
A Portfolio Approach to Management: The Future of Puget Sound Steelheading
For the past three years, a diverse group of anglers with a shared passion for Puget Sound steelhead have worked to develop a portfolio of watershed-specific conservation, fishery, and hatchery strategies for that population. We’re excited to share with you a sneak-peek of the Quicksilver Portfolio.
Oregon South Coast Management Plan Proposal Nearing Completion
In order to continue with the opportunity to harvest wild steelhead in southern Oregon, we need better science. If we continue down the path of harvesting wild steelhead without better understanding of population and harvest levels, we could watch those populations decline to unfishable levels within our lifetime. Here’s our update on the latest…
Quiz: How much do you know about steelhead biology and management?
So how much do you really know about steelhead biology and their management? Take a crack at our 12-question quiz that was developed by our team here at Wild Steelheaders United and test your knowledge.
Lee Geist: Strobe Probing For Steelhead
Wild Steelheaders United ambassador Lee Geist with some well-worn advice on how to catch steelhead using a spinner- in this case his favorite #5 Blue Fox. Catch Lee on Instagram @lee_geist and check back for his semi-weekly Wild Steelheaders United blog updates. If you told me I could only fish one steelhead lure for the rest of my life I …
Twenty Years of Snake River Hindsight
Eric Crawford is the North Idaho Field Coordinator for Trout Unlimited and the Wild Steelhead Initiative. Before coming to TU, Eric worked a 25 year career as an enforcement officer with Idaho Fish and Game. He’s based in Moscow, Idaho. It was a fishing trip on a balmy November day, back trolling plugs with an old boss in an even …