17 minute read
Protecting Wild California: Native bull
Brookies are considered bullies in the trout world and have a habit of taking over habitat and spawning with other species of what are actually known as char. That’s the case in the Sprague River watershed of Klamath County, Oregon,
By Susan Sawyer
n the fictional world of trout wres-
Itling, one of the most uneven matchups would pit brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) against bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus).
When squaring off in their aquatic “ring,” the invasive and scrappy “brookies” are bullies, outcompeting the native bull trout by eating all the food, hogging the best shelter and generally pushing them around. Brook trout are also opportunists, taking advantage of and spawning with bull trout.
Such a fish face-off recently occurred in the upper Sprague River watershed north of Klamath Falls, Oregon. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service office in Klamath Falls received reports from an angler of brook trout in tributaries of the Sprague River, where none had been previously documented.
This immediately sent up a red flag for Nolan Banish, USFWS fish biologist and coordinator for the Klamath Bull Trout Recovery Unit. He knew the streams were occupied by bull trout and this discovery was troubling. Since both trout species are fall spawners, quick action was necessary to prevent a hostile habitat takeover.
“Brook trout are known to flex their muscles when in bull trout territory,” said Banish. “They displace bull trout and will hybridize with them to the point that bull trout are no longer producing purebred offspring.”
For several years, Banish and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife have taken on the role of river referees by conducting periodic stream surveys to monitor the trout. If brookies were indeed moving upstream, there was concern their bully tactics could quickly knock out the bull trout.
BROOK TROUT ARE NATIVE to the eastern
United States and in 1925 were introduced into the Klamath Basin, where they quickly inhabited local native trout streams.
Fisheries biologists Nolan Banish, left, of the Klamath Falls Fish and Wildlife Office and Travis Ciotti attempt to collect and remove invasive brook trout with a backpack electrofishing unit. Brook trout were discovered in native bull trout habitat in the Sprague River watershed by an angler last year. (OREGON DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE)
A brook-bull trout hybrid approximately 3 years old, collected during sampling of a tributary to the Sprague. The fish has characteristics of both species, most noticeable on the fins and unique patterns and
Bull trout, like most salmonids (trout, salmon and char), were once abundant in Washington, Oregon, California, Nevada, Idaho and Montana. Today, they occur in less than half of their historic range, with scattered populations in portions of these states except for California, where they no longer exist. In the Klamath River Basin, bull trout occupy about 20 percent of their historic range.
Bull trout are finicky fish with the most specific habitat requirements of all salmonids. They prefer cold water 48 degrees or less, clean spawning substrates and streams with riffles, deep pools, undercut banks and large logs.
In 1999, the USFWS listed bull trout as a federally threatened species throughout their range due to loss of habitat and diminishing populations, in part
Bull trout have the most specific habitat requirements of all salmonid species –trout, char, salmon, whitefish and others – requiring cold water, clean spawning gravels and lots of overhanging cover. (USFWS)
from competition with non-native brook trout.
In the Klamath, bull trout have been isolated from other populations of their species for over 10,000 years and are considered genetically distinct, putting them at higher risk of extinction.
Before the biologists could assess the brook trout invasion, they had to modify field survey protocol and receive authorization to work during the pandemic. Team members maintained distance and wore face coverings, drove separate vehicles and thoroughly cleaned all equipment after each use.
In late summer and fall of 2020, sampling began on tributaries to the North Fork Sprague River with a backpack electrofishing unit that stuns but doesn’t kill fish. Brook and hybrid trout were removed, and pure bull trout were returned to the creeks. The fish sampled were about 3 years old, indicating a few years of interacting had occurred. Since there are no barriers preventing brook trout from re-entering the North Fork tributaries, the team planned to step up their surveys.
streams was a wake-up call for the Bull Trout Working Group,” said Ben Ramirez, ODFW fish biologist for the Klamath Watershed District. “As a result, we plan to increase our monitoring efforts on the North Fork in hopes of preventing similar occurrences down the road.”
When sampling efforts began on tributaries of the South Fork, what the team found was unexpected.
“In one of the tributaries, the highest numbers of brook and hybrid trout were concentrated around a culvert crossing,” said Banish. “We found a nearby campsite complete with tree swings, tables, seating, even an outhouse. But the most disturbing discovery was that the creek had been dug out and impounded with plywood and plastic to create several deep pools.”
Apparently, brook trout had been transported from the river to stock the pools, where they mingled with resident bull trout. More evidence of the ponds’ purpose were plastic pipes along the bank for holding fishing poles and webs of discarded fishing line littering the site.
Over several weeks last summer, crews removed brook trout and any hybrids from the creek and makeshift fishing ponds. Efforts will continue in 2021 and beyond to ensure as many non-native and hybrid fish as possible are collected.
As for the illegal campsite, even
During sampling efforts in one bull trout stream, the fish survey crew was surprised to discover the creek had been dug out and impounded with wood, rocks, logs and plastic to create several deep pools and fishing stations. (OREGON DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE)
Near the makeshift pools was a campsite where trees had been cut and removed without the property owners’ knowledge. (USFWS)
though the property owner allows public access, they were not aware of the extent the area had been modified. USFWS and the ODFW are working to help clean up the site, create and post signs prohibiting bull trout fishing, and schedule patrols of the area by USFWS and state law enforcement officers.
“By continuing our sampling and removal efforts on Sprague River tributaries I’m fairly confident we can prevent further hybridization between brook and bull trout,” Banish said. “It’s going to take a concerted effort over several years and possibly some construction or modification to keep brook trout out of these bull trout streams.”
“The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife is incredibly grateful for the co-
Fish biologists (from left) Katie Moyer, Nolan Banish and Travis Ciotti sample a small creek for brook trout and brook-bull trout hybrids for removal, the only way to prevent the more aggressive brookies from taking over the habitat and interbreeding with bulls during the fall spawn. (USFWS)
operation and coordination with the Klamath Falls FWO,” Ramirez added. “Together we were able to curtail the brook trout invasion and are now working towards a broader basin-wide solution to prevent a recurrence.”
Banish is cautious to call the effort a success just yet. Only because of angler reports and subsequent quick response by agencies, the brook trout have retreated to their respective corners of the river, for now. Round one of this trout bout is a draw.
“The outcome could have been much worse by the time our next survey was scheduled,” said Banish. “I like to believe there’s still hope for the bull trout in these streams to overcome the odds and survive.” CS
Editor’s note: Susan Sawyer is the Klamath Basin public affairs officer for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, covering the Klamath Basin National Wildlife Refuge Complex, Klamath Falls, Oregon, and Yreka Fish and Wildlife Offices in California.
Crowley Lake should be a popular place on April 24 for the statewide trout opener after the Eastern Sierra’s annual “Fishmas” celebration was delayed in 2020 due
THAT ‘FISHMAS’ FEELING
AFTER 2020’S DELAYED START, THE LATE APRIL TROUT OPENER IS BACK IN EASTERN SIERRA
By Chris Cocoles
Game on. Or maybe “Fish on!” is a more accurate battle cry for the trout-crazed Eastern Sierra.
A year after the region’s “Fishmas” celebration of late April’s traditional statewide trout opener was delayed for more than a month due to the COVID-19 outbreak, the event is back on for April 24. Perhaps there will be less fanfare – most of the usual opening-weekend derbies are not likely to be publicized or held – but there will be no lack of enthusiasm from those trout anglers who have been waiting to hit the reopening of resort-style fisheries such as Crowley Lake, Convict Lake and Bridgeport Reservoir.
“It’s a little uncertain in terms of how many people we’re going to see. With the delayed opener last year, it was a little off. I don’t think everyone was comfortable with traveling,” says Jeff Simpson from Mono County Economic Development and Tourism. “I think that sentiment and the safety factor has changed. So I anticipate probably a normal opener as we’ve seen in past years. But things can change in a hurry. We just want to maintain the protocols that are coming down from the state. We’re just hoping we can have a traditional Fishmas season.”
Last year’s various shutdowns obviously took a toll – mental, financial and otherwise – on residents of the Eastern Sierra. Visitors had to adhere to various guidelines throughout what’s usually a bustling spring and summer season.
“I think it really depends on your
Hot Creek is one of the Eastern Sierra’s best-producing trout fisheries and should attract lots of fly and conventional gear
perspective and also the business that you’re in,” Simpson says of the impact the restrictions had on locals. “If you owned an RV park, you had a really great season. A lot of the marine operators did well. But if you’re a mom and pop restaurant with sit-down seating, you had a tough season.”
Simpson’s Mono County has been one of the state’s more successful in dealing with the pandemic, and it ranks as California’s best when it comes to administering vaccines (as of March 24, 33 percent of the county was fully vaccinated). So things are definitely looking up for local businesses.
“I know that fishing sales are up and people want to get outdoors,” Simpson says. “I think we’re positioned well for recovery.”
Simpson added that the usual derbies scheduled for opening weekend are in limbo. One of the few annual events during the season, the Bridgeport Fish Enhancement Foundation’s trout tournament, is on for the end of the June.
“I think it’s just what’s allowable and permissible for state and local health guidelines,” he says. “There are rules around gatherings right now and it depends if our health officials will allow (these derbies). We just can’t confirm anything. Everybody would like to do an event that can do one.”
GUIDE BUSINESS BOOMING
The financial fallout of various levels of pandemic-related lockdowns have affected so many walks of life and businesses. But as indoor activity was all but shut down, the ability to go fishing and maintain a level of safety outdoors provided guide services with willing clients.
Doug Rodricks, owner of Mammoth Lakes-based Sierra Drifters Guide Service (760-9354250; sierradrifters.com), had to close for business from mid-March – when it became clear that the virus was becoming a threat – through April and May.
“And after that we were open, and we had our busiest season since Sierra
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Drifters started (in 1997),” Rodrick says. “And this summer, I’m already predicting it’s going to be twice as busy, considering we’re getting calls already. In the winter they were already asking about summer trips.”
Last year, Sierra Drifters’ trips included the use of facemasks and as much social distancing as possible while fishing on a boat. The vaccination process is expected to eventually return life to normal sometime this year. But for now, Rodricks, like the rest of the Eastern Sierra, is grateful that the trout fishing season will be starting on time after 2020’s hardships.
Still, a positive from the extended lockdowns meant fishing became a viable option for so many.
“Last year we were excited to get out there ourselves. There was a lot of new exposure to families and people who probably never had an interest or thought about fly fishing before, but just came here,” says Rodricks, who has high hopes for 2021’s trout season.
“The lack of pressure last year I think helps. People think it’s just one month (of last year’s delay) and that it’s not that much to lose a month’s pressure. But it really is. Because in that first month (usually) a lot of fish get pulled up.”
Rodricks’ guide service offers fly fishing trips to popular locations such as Hot Creek, the Lower and Upper Owens Rivers and the East Walker River. But they’re also regulars at Crowley Lake and Bridgeport Reservoir, among other fisheries, some
MONO COUNTY STOCKING LOTS OF FISH
Last summer, three Southern California state hatcheries were dealing with a bacterial outbreak and euthanizations among their fish stocks that put the annual trout plantings around the state in jeopardy.
“The best option we have available that will get us back to planting fish from these hatcheries in the shortest timeline is to clear the raceways, thoroughly disinfect the facilities, and start over,” California Department of Fish and Wildlife hatcheries environmental program manager Jay Rowan said at the time.
Just how that will affect the overall fishing around the Eastern Sierra this year is unknown, but anglers are being urged to be “sustainability minded.”
“I respect anyone who wants to catch and eat. But if you’re not one of those individuals, try to release all the fish that you can so we can keep all of our population numbers up while CDFW has its disruption in stocking,” says Jeff Simpson of Mono County Economic Development and Tourism.
Mono County’s own usual planting of trout in various fisheries throughout the 2021 season will continue.
“We’re still going to be stocking the same amounts that we always have, which is $100,000 (worth of fish) in 18 different bodies of water throughout Mono County,” Simpson says. “Another $100,000 is stocked through the town of Mammoth Lakes that goes directly to the Mammoth Lakes Basin. You’ve got 24 bodies of water and $200,000 worth of fish.” CC
Jeff Simpson of Mono County Economic Development and Tourism anticipates more boats to be on the water at lakes such as Crowley and Convict and Bridgeport Reservoir. (JEFF SIMPSON/MONO COUNTY TOURISM)
that will be more in play as summer approaches. Rodricks also likes the San Joaquin River as a destination later in the season after the runoff period.
“A lot of times the lakes fish better, just because there is runoff around that time and creeks and rivers can get blown out,” he says. “So we’ll focus more on still waters at that time.”
MILD WINTER’S EFFECT
As of late March, the Eastern Sierra had not endured a very snowy winter – Simpson says the region is between 60 and 70 percent of normal snowpack – which while a long-term concern, should make for pretty solid early-season opportunities for anglers. “We had a mild winter, so there’s not going to be a lot of ice left on lakes. So it will be a little warmer probably and things will start melting a lot sooner,” Rodricks says. “I think the runoff will take place around midMay or early June, and all the creeks should be pretty fishable at that time.”
That said, a less-than-hoped-for snowpack after a promising January isn’t ideal anywhere in the high Sierra. Drought is again a concern for coming seasons.
“All through December it was dry. It looked like it was going to be pretty dry. But at the end of January we got a pretty good amount of snow, and it even snowed in Bishop, where we got 6 to 8 inches on the ground here,” says James Erdman, an environmental scientist with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. “I was kind of thinking, ‘Maybe we’ll get a good snowpack this winter,’ but it’s not looking like a good snowpack.”
Simpson also reminds that April can feature plenty of snow. Indeed, there have been snowy opening days, just as there have been warm, sunny ones.
But after what everyone has gone through over the last year, the region will take what it can get in the form of at least a closer-to-routine trout fishing season that will get going on April 24.
With the new state regulations that opened up select waters to yearround fishing (California Sportsman, March 2021), Simpson expects a few anglers to head up the week leading into the opener to get in some great fishing ops on various local streams that were previously closed.
“I think that excitement when you have a ton of boats on the water again and everyone’s just pumped for opening day,” Simpson says. “That’s what we missed last year. And that’s what I’m looking forward to this year.” CS
Anglers hold a couple beautiful Crowley Lake rainbows caught while fishing with Sierra Drifters Guide Service, which had one of its best years ever as more people got outside to fish during the pandemic. “And this summer, I’m already predicting it’s going to be twice as busy,” says owner Doug
Rodricks. (SIERRA DRIFTERS GUIDE SERVICE)
Editor’s note: For more on Mono County Tourism information, go to monocounty.org or call (800) 845-7922.
