Drought reduces steelhead in Napa River

The extreme drought in California is taking a toll on the Napa River's anadromous fish.

A recent survey indicates a sharp drop in the number of young steelhead trout swimming down the Napa River on their way to the ocean, a trend attributed to the ongoing drought.

Between March and June, biologists and volunteers with the Napa County Resource Conservation District tallied 31 steelhead smolts, the lowest number in six years since the annual count of the native fish began. The monitors this year also found no young Chinook salmon migrating to the ocean to mature.

LINK (via: The Napa Valley Register)

California’s three-year drought just went from bad to dreadful.

Recovery Plan for California Salmon and Steelhead

NOAA Fisheries and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife have jointly released two plans to restore populations of salmon and steelhead in California's Central Valley.

LINK (via: Rocklin and Roseville Today)

Oncorhynchus mykiss came by its name ‘steelhead’ the hard way:

A primer by Bill McMillan.

“Most came to consider the name’s origin to be a description of the blue gun-metal-steel color along the steelhead’s top of head and back. But the real origin was more likely that of ill repute and considered almost a trash fish: less desirable than a chinook salmon, too bony to can well, flesh not as red, and a head so hard it was difficult to kill.”

Oncorhynchus mykiss came by its name ‘steelhead’ the hard way: the School of Hard Knocks

LINK (via: Steelheader's Journal)

Vans OTW 2014 Summer Prelow “Steelhead”

Sweet.

Vans OTW has got a new fishing-themed look for its latest Prelow release for summer. This release features a grey canvas upper featuring various flies printed across it, and black waxed laces running through metal eyelets. Underneath is a simple, comfortable off-white Ultracush HD sole.

LINK (via:Hypebeast)

T-Shirt of the Week - Three Steel Moon Edition

via: Oncorhynchus Mykiss

CalTrout, EDC Plan to Sue Federal Government Over Deaths of Endangered Steelhead Trout

On behalf of California Trout (CalTrout), the Environmental Defense Center (EDC) has sent a 60-day Notice of Violations and Intent to Sue to the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (Bureau) alleging violations of the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The letter puts the Bureau on notice for its actions causing deaths of endangered Southern California steelhead trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) at Hilton Creek, below the Bradbury Dam and Cachuma Reservoir.

LINK (via:Yuba.Net)