Hatchery Raised Fish Hurt Wild Steelhead

Oregon research shows that steelhead raised in captivity are hurting wild-born fish. Oregon State University zoology professor Michael Blouin found the captive-born fish inter-breed and pass on their weaknesses to wild fish.

The new research undermines ongoing experiments by state and tribal fishery managers to crossbreed wild fish with fish raised in hatcheries.

LINK (Via: The Columbian)

Cause the Cuyahoga River Goes smokin' through my dreams

Cleveland's Cuyahoga River which once burned, spurring an environmental movement, is now showing more diverse fish life. LINK (Via Fox News 8)

The Cuyahoga gained its infamous reputation on June 22, 1969 when oil and debris on the surface of the Cuyahoga River erupted into flames and burned for approximately 25 minutes.

This was not the first time that the river had caught on fire. Fires occurred on the Cuyahoga River in 1868, 1883, 1887, 1912, 1922, 1936, 1941, 1948, and in 1952. The 1952 fire caused over 1.5 million dollars in damage. LINK

The fire of 69 inspired Randy Newman's song Burn On.

There's a red moon rising
On the Cuyahoga River
Rolling into Cleveland to the lake

There's a red moon rising
ON the Cuyahoga River
Rolling into Cleveland to the lake

There's an oil barge winding
Down the Cuyahoga River
Rolling into Cleveland to the lake

There's an oil barge winding
Down the Cuyahoga River
Rolling into Cleveland to the lake

Cleveland city of light city of magic
Cleveland city of light you're calling me
Cleveland, even now I can remember
'Cause the Cuyahoga River
Goes smokin' through my dreams

Burn on, big river, burn on
Burn on, big river, burn on
Now the Lord can make you tumble
And the Lord can make you turn
And the Lord can make you overflow
But the Lord can't make you burn

Burn on, big river, burn on
Burn on, big river, burn on

Steelhead recovering through Hood Canal program

Scientists have spent two years rearing wild steelhead in hopes of restoring threatened Puget Sound populations.

Steelhead hatcheries typically feed their steelhead a heavy diet to boost their size for release after their first year. But the slowly fed 2 year olds seem to survive at a much higher rate. In fact, holding fish for an extra year appears to be so successful that it may become the norm -- particularly for a new breed of hatcheries aimed at increasing natural populations rather than just producing fish for sport and tribal fisheries.

LINK (Via: Oregon Live)

Pebble Mine Opponents Score Some PR Gold

Opponents of the proposed Pebble Mine in southwest Alaska have recruited Sig Hansen, one of the skippers from the hit TV series the Deadliest Catch.

Hansen has taken a stand against the Pebble project and both Hansen and his crew will star in print and TV ads against Pebble.

LINK (Via: The Seattle PI)

Rivers of a Lost Coast: Film Review

Quick shot of Tom Skerritt and local buddy Dave McCoy of Emerald Waters Anglers.

Last week's Wild Steelhead Coalition's annual fundraiser delivered a pretty cool experience. Rivers of a Lost Coast's Justin Coupe and Palmer Taylor presented an amazing screening of the film, while the film's narrator, Tom Skerritt, kicked it off in classy fashion.

Story

At the turn of the 20th Century, a handful of pioneers carried their fly rods into California’s remote north coast and gave birth to a culture that would revolutionize their sport. For a select few, steelhead fly fishing became an obsessive pursuit without compromise.

Leading the pack was the mythical, Bill Schaadt, an off-kilter angler famous for his ruthless pursuit to be ‘in the fish’. The new endeavor was ruled by a demanding, unspoken code, which made 'breaking in' almost as difficult as 'breaking out'.

By the early 1980s, the Golden State’s coastal fisheries found themselves caught in a spiraling decline. As California searched for its disappearing salmon and steelhead, these men foraged for their souls.

Chum Take

This one doesn't follow the "extreme fishing" approach that many recent films have taken. Nor does it posses the uniquely wacky storyline of Hustle and Fish. Rivers of a Lost coast is different. And, it pretty much left us floored.

Justin and Palmer are talented film makers and it was clear they poured their soul into this one.  With a Ken Burns - like approach, the film was more of a documentary that tells a powerful story that mixes human interest with conservation.  Hitting a homerun with this type of film isn't easy and with some top notch editing, the boys really pulled it off here.

Rivers of a Lost Coast tells two stories:

1) The rise and fall of  Northern California's world-class salmon and steelhead fishery - they break it down in easy to digest fashion.  It's a historic story that would capture the attention of the most focused conservationist just as easily as it would a disinterested teenager.

2) An epic 1940-1990 angling rivalry - Bill Schaadt and Ted Lindner were arguably two of the most successful and dedicated anglers fly fishing had ever produced. With origins tied to the golden years of California’s Russian River, these close friends would eventually become bitter enemies.

Chum says - two fins way up. 

For more information, visit www.riversofalostcoast.com.

Scientist discovers beavers building prime salmon habitat in Skagit Delta

A interesting story on tidal beavers, their vanishing habitat, and their role in building predation refuges for juvenile salmon.

As sometimes happens with science, Greg Hood went looking for one thing, and found something else: Tidal beavers.

LINK (Via: The Seattle Times)