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Conservation Corner
by Heath Wakelee |
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Placer County Water Agency (PCWA)Middle Fork American River Field Trips
If you would like to become more involved in water issues concerning the Middle Fork American River, you are invited to learn more on field trips to be held on August 30 and September 27. The Placer County Water Agency will lead the trips and explain the options facing water decision makers in the near future. This would be a great opportunity to become more educated about our very important American River Watershed. Come and learn and how dams or diversions could impact our recreational opportunities. For more information visit the Placer County Water Agency web site at www.pcwa.net, contact Julie at the Foothills Water Network (530 622-8497) or call Granite Bay Flycaster Heath Wakelee at 916-870-5253.
Sagehen Entomology Workshop Save The Date – Sept. 15-17, 2006
We’re going to expand the Sagehen Entomology Workshop this year to include more room for more people and lots of information about the importance of “watersheds” on stream health. We will continue to provide a lot of information about what invertebrates are found in healthy streams, relative abundance, imitations to use, how to fish those imitations plus both short line nymphing and dry fly casting sessions. Wow! One workshop that really has it all. Whether you’re a seasoned veteran or a newcomer to fly-fishing, this is a weekend you will certainly want to attend.
This year John Carroz hopes to secure the tent cabins (same as in years past) and secure camping sites at the nearby Sagehen campground. We will be going later in the year so it won’t be as cold but the days will be shorter.
The plan is to arrive Friday, September 15 in the afternoon to fish (the Sagehen is about 8 miles north of Tahoe City) in the area and then have a group dinner followed by a watershed program. On Saturday, September 16, we’ll have a group breakfast, followed by our plenary entomology program beginning at 9:00 a.m. that will include streamside collection and identification. After a group lunch, we’ll have a nymphing demonstration at the stream-viewing window followed by a short line nymphing clinic and dry fly casting clinic. As time permits, open fishing then a group dinner and more presentations by watershed/stream researchers will follow this. Sunday will be breakfast and scatter to either home or to one of the many streams or lakes in the Tahoe National Forest.
This will be a fantastic weekend you will not want to miss. The cost for the weekend has not been set but I anticipate something like $60 for two nights, five meals and many hours of expert instruction. We still need someone to lead the kitchen crew and everyone that attends the workshop will be asked to help in some capacity. If you have those special cooking/leadership skills, please give John Carroz a telephone call to volunteer. John’s telephone number is 916 783 0802. If you can’t reach John, please give Heath Wakelee a call at 916 870 5253. Eastern Sierra Conservation Opportunities
Some of you may be familiar with the Bishop based organization Friends of the Inyo. With the help of volunteers, a small group of dedicated activists have accomplished a lot to help protect and improve the Eastern Sierra natural environment. In addition to other projects, they have improved stream and fishing opportunities in the Eastern Sierra and for this we are most appreciative.
Each year the Friends of the Inyo offer free field trips and volunteer opportunities to help improve conditions. If you are interested, please give them a call to go on one of their trips or offer to lend a hand. Here are three of their upcoming trips:
July 29 – 31. Coldwater Canyon Project II. August 5-7 – Coldwater Canyon Project III. Coldwater Canyon is just south of the Mammoth Lakes Basin and receives an incredible amount of use, yet sees very little ranger presence. On these trips, we will address normal seasonal trail maintenance, and remove illegal campsites and fire rings. This is a great chance to make a difference in an area that really needs some help.
August 5 – Sawmill Meadows Restoration Day . Volunteers Wanted! Friends of the Inyo will be working with the USFS Hydrology Restoration Team to rehabilitate and restore the natural hydrological systems within this amazing meadow system located in the Glass Mountains of the Eastern Sierra.
For more information or to sign up for a project call or E-mail Jamie Anderson at 760 873 6500 or E-mail at jamie@friendsoftheinyo.org. To learn more about Friends of the Inyo, visit their website at www.friendsoftheinyo.org.
Heath Wakelee VP Conservation 916 870 5253 |
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