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 …
A Genetic Basis for Summer and Winter Steelhead – a follow up
By Charlie Schneider We’re going to bring things full circle this week, with a look at how emerging science can meld with policy and restoration efforts to help reach our ultimate goal of improving steelhead runs. A previous SF post (http://www.wildsteelheaders.org/much-at-stake-in-listing-decision-on-northern-california-summer-steelhead/ ) highlighted the petition to list summer steelhead on the Eel River in Northern California, and discussed …
Oregon Board of Forestry moves in right direction for coho
Earlier this week, the Oregon Board of Forestry voted to embark on a process to develop resource sites for coho salmon on private and state-owned land. The action took place after 22 conservation and fishing groups, including Trout Unlimited, petitioned the board under laws established by the Oregon Forest Practices Act. The Act requires the Board to develop resource …
Homewater Guardians and a Chance to Win Free Stuff!
Every steelheader has one place they consider “their own”. It’s the river or stream that he or she spends the bulk of their time on. If it has both a summer and winter run component, they’ll fish it year round. They intimately know every nook, cranny, riffle, tailout and bucket. They’ll likely have “secret” parking spots where the presence of …
Columbia Basin Partnership report offers new vision for salmon and steelhead
The Columbia Basin Partnership has been flying mostly under the radar, but it could be the forum with the greatest potential to make a great leap forward in recovering wild salmon and steelhead in the Columbia Basin. Why, you may ask? Because it is the one place where all of the major stakeholders in the basin – tribes, utilities, water …
Much at stake in listing decision on Northern California summer steelhead
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 …
Throwback Thursday- Voluntary Beatdown Part II
This post is part of our Throwback Thursday series and originally appeared on the now deceased blog “Voluntary Beatdown.” Author Jason Koertge can be found on Instagram @bacon_to_fry. Thanks to Jason for letting WSU revive your epic work as one of the best fishing experience writers we’ve had the pleasure of reading. RIP VB. Let’s face it critters: …
eDNA and O. mykiss, part II
Natalie Stauffer-Olsen Two weeks ago we looked at the use of eDNA in monitoring for the presence or absence of aquatic species. While our post was not a comprehensive review of this subject, we did include some of the most promising aspects — and some of the challenges — associated with using this new technology. In short, eDNA …
Carving a path through the debate over upper Willamette steelhead
Carving a path through the debate over upper Willamette steelhead There are no easy decisions in the world of steelhead conservation and management, but some issues are more difficult than others, such as hatcheries. Although the science on hatcheries is solid and critical to guiding management of wild steelhead, there is a role for hatcheries, as long as …
Science Friday: The value of new technology: eDNA and O. mykiss
By Natalie Stauffer-Olsen It is always exciting when new technology becomes available that can help us understand, manage and protect wild steelhead, the mavericks of the Pacific salmonids. Steelhead and rainbow trout populations can be difficult to predict, model and understand because of their very plastic (scientific term for highly variable) life histories, from juveniles to adults. What’s …