STEELIE LOVE MAKING

So I would estimate the steelhead run last year (2006-07) in the Mill Creek system (including four tributaries) to be about 45-60 fish making 35-45 redds.

Where does rank with years past.  Sure doesn't seem like a lot.  Of course, I have nothing to base it on.

Michael

Where does rank with years past.  Sure doesn't seem like a lot.  Of course, I have nothing to base it on.

Michael


That would be the quintessential question on the Russian River and its tributaries.  Answer to the question is nobody knows.  Its pretty sad but I can't find any record of spawner surveys (that were done repeatedly within a stream throughout the spawner season) on any stream in the Russian River ever.  No joke.  They have obviously declined but to what extent who knows.

One number floating around right now is 5000 wild steelhead left in the Russian.  The group I work with UCCE and Sean's group SCWA have no idea who came up with that number and we do about 99% of the salmonid work in the Russian River!

The historical information that is out there for the Russian is spotty to say the least.  I'll let everyone know how it goes this year.  Maybe I'll have Sean convert a video I have to put on You Tube of steelhead trying to make a 6 ft. waterfall.

Neat pics.  Thanks Andy.  We're all very fortunate (and proud) to have lots of fish experts as part of our group.  Thanks guys!

      My better half wanted to play with her new camera today so being a good guy I thought Eastside road with all the vineyard's mustard would be a great place to start. She photographed Wholer Bridge, numerous vineyards, ranches, and Ferrari Carrano Gardens. Well it was still early in the day so I suggested a spot where she might get a shot of an otter, bald eagle, herons etc. just down the road a piece. Two minutes later we arrived at the Don Clauson  Hatchery below the dam at Lake Sonoma..........whatayaknow.........the got fish here (insert smiley face here)! I have been visiting the hatchery ever since it opened, one of my mother's favorite places to visit. We worked our way down to the small stream between the top of the ladder and the holding ponds to see if there was any activity. There were dozens and dozens of steelhead waiting in the stream, some a bit haggard and others that looked as if they just left the ocean. I tried in vain to capture fish mid-jump at the ladder but my timing was a bit off.....should have tried a video. I could stand there all day if left undisturbed but that was not the case......I took a  couple of photos that just don't do justice to the fish or surroundings.  One picture is of the fish we will be chasing in a few years to come.