Where do I even begin? I guess I’ll start by saying “I’m looking for your support”. My name is Mike Rasmussen and I’m the author of this fishing blog. I am a native born Northern Californian. Spending my forty four years of life, living here in Northern California. I have grown up in, and explored a great deal of Northern California’s great outdoors. I have owned and operated a fishing charter service here for nearly two decades. I’ve accumulated as much, or more time spent on the Sacramento River, then anyone I know to exist. I’ve grown up on the banks of this river system. Exploring every aspect of is nature. Studied and will continue to study the ongoings of this amazing river system. For personal interest, and self education. With every intention of continuing to do so until I am no longer able.

I have in a sense dedicated my life to the Sacramento River. For me to witness what has become of our salmon runs on this amazing river. Disgusts me deeply! These days you may see what I will call “government salmon propaganda” released via social media. Or on local news stations. Insinuating the strong efforts and levels of success. Referencing effortsto this thing, or that when it comes to the states king (chinook) salmon. In regards to making department efforts, publicly known. Pertaining to the perspective of strengthening our state’s Chinook Salmon runs. Intending to make the average person believe certain critical things are being done on behalf of the salmon. Portraying in fact effort is being put forward to strengthen salmon counts in our local waterways. Large numbers are thrown around. Both in the sense of assumed costs of these particular efforts, and numbers of salmon benefitting from these efforts. This is all to keep the unaware thinking everything that can be done for our chinook salmon. Is being done. By state and federal funded hatcheries in Northern California. I’m here to tell you that much more can be done. There are many options. Some easier accomplished then others. For example! New strategies and techniques in spawning and rearing juvenile chinook salmon. That have been tried and tested. Already proving successful in other states. Yet getting approval, permissions, and of course funding in California may take a act of congress. Not in the literal sense, but you catch my drift. Personally speaking, I feel like this is our states first problem... We as anglers shouldn’t even have to lobby for approval or permission to improve our own states fisheries. We (the people) should have a say in how the revenue from our license fees are spent. Wishful thinking I know! As the old saying goes. “Want in one hand and crap in the other”!

Let me as quickly as possible take you readers for a stroll down memory lane. I feel like the chinook salmon’s historical existence in Northern California. Is in itself testament to the legitimacy of this blog. For more reasons then I care to list right now. Our states salmon runs are at historic lows. Embarrassing really! Disappointing to say the least. The hatchery production (which we will touch on later in this blog) reflects how important salmon are to this state. The Sacramento River’s Coleman National Fish Hatchery (the only fish hatchery on the entire river system). Struggles to get their annual quota (13,000 pairs of mature fall run chinook salmon) from year to year. Theoretically producing 13,000,000 harvested and fertilized eggs. With the intention of having a return (escapement) of 130,000 adult Chinook Salmon in three years time. Coleman National Fish Hatchery lingers around the 1% return threshold that is needed to claim success. On several occasions in the last decade. Return rates fell much lower then the hatcheries 1% target number. Concerning their hatchery raised juvenile fall run chinook salmon. In perspective “naturally spawned” (chinook salmon spawning in the river itself), and raised, juvenile chinook salmon have double the return rate (2%). Making a guy wonder why more government funding isn’t spent on the encouragement of naturally spawning” salmon. More bang for your buck. This is simple economics folks.

Not to mention the ecological benefits the dead and decaying carcasses of the naturally spawned salmon have on the entire watershed. On a more broad spectrum, the entire PNW (Pacific Northwest). Something the general public typically hears, or knows little about. The micro nutrients provided by decomposing salmon carcasses (for those unknowing, salmon die once spawning is completed) is at the center of every rivers ecosystem. The absence of carcasses deprives microbial fortitude from a diversity of species, existing in the rivers water. As well as surrounding nearby lands. Straining the health of ecosystems which have been dependent on these micro nutrients for thousands of years. Sadly these naturally spawning king salmon are taking a back seat to hatchery raised kings. For instance, state and federal funding, studying, and researching seams to lean heavily on the hatcheries side. All points of conflict I personally have with the state and federal management of the Sacramento River chinook salmon. The naturally occurred spawning (natural spawn) of tens of thousands of fall run chinook salmon in the Sacramento River. Has been almost non existent for well over a decade now. Between Woodson Bridge in Corning, Ca and the Red Bluff Diversion Dam.

Suffering a rapid decline in the decade prior to that. The Sacramento River primarily relies on a single fish hatchery to sustain its entire salmon run. At which, in my opinion. The hatchery is failing miserably! For the record! I am not anti hatchery, or anti government. I am however pro “keep it real”. I do appreciate the roughly 100K total annual escapement produced by the federal hatchery. At the same time I also feel like, with all the infrastructure that is already in place, and not being utilized at Coleman Fish Hatchery. The hatchery should step up their game. 200K returning adult chinooks annually should be the more appropriate number in my opinion. In addition to the same number of returning naturally spawned salmon. Putting our salmon runs back at a historic average. Speaking of historic averages...

During egg collection in the year 1874. Livingston Stone was quoted saying “if one could keep his balance. He would be able to walk on the backs of salmon all the way across the McCloud River”. At this particular time in history the Sacramento River, McCloud River, and Pit Rivers had all the same salmon and salmon runs as Alaska does now. Twenty two different salmon runs annually. Of which all but four have vanished. Becoming extinct in California waters. Like the Grizzly Bear, Pronghorn Sheep and Bull Trout that also lived in the area have. The Baird National Fish Hatchery collected eggs and shipped them across the country, and eventually around the world. With very minimal loss I might add. Until 1884 when the hatchery quit salmon propagation and focused on McCloud River trout. After having come to the realization that Pacific Salmon could not live in the Atlantic Ocean. The primary reason the Baird Hatchery existed to begin with. However they chinook salmon did thrive in the Great Lakes, Australia, and New Zeland. The greatest collection of salmon eggs by the Baird Hatchery took place in 1878. When Livingston Stone bragged of taking 500,000 eggs per hour. At one particular point during egg collection that year. The hatchery was lost to a severe flood in 1881. In the half dozen years the Baird Hatchery was operating. It successfully harvested and shipped out 70,000,000 salmon eggs. 13,000,000 is our current annual harvest rate at present time Coleman National Fish Hatchery. About the same annual collection of salmon eggs. Roughly one hundred and fifty years later. Stone reported runs of salmon on the McCloud River that were unprecedented. Not even tributaries to the great Columbia River had runs of salmon that rivaled the McCloud River. It was reported by Stone that the Pit River, McCloud River, and the Sacramento River had all the same runs of salmon that Alaska has today. Sadly 18 of the original 22 separate runs of Sacramento River salmon are gone from our river. For ever! Extinct!

It is unarguable in the fact that the Sacramento River’s salmon population is merely a smidgen of its original self. The river that was once called “the most important river in the world” Hosting runs of Sockeye, Chum, Silver, and four separate runs of Chinook Salmon annually. The salmon of the Sacramento River at current time. Are living in dyer straits to be quite frank. The only salmon species left in the Sacramento River are the chinook salmon. Of which there are four individual runs annually. Fall, Late Fall, Winter, and Spring runs. Out of these four runs, the two largest runs historically. The Winter and Spring runs. Both of which have ended up on the endangered species list in the last twenty years. The remaining two runs (Fall and Late Fall runs) aren’t far behind. Bottom line is this folks! There simply aren’t enough salmon being produced. By the federal hatchery, or by natural spawning. Increasing production is the obvious answer to increase north state salmon run counts. It is very simply accomplished. It goes like this... “if you start with this many (——)salmon. Logistically you would get back this many (———) salmon”. So in perspective, “if you start with this many (—————-) salmon! You get back this many (——————————) salmon”! Don’t be duped by doom and gloom reports stating sustainability is not possible. Our runs of chinook salmon simply need more production to help kickstart self reliance.

How do we increase production? One may ask. Well this can and will be the complicating part of restoration efforts. The hatcheries don’t just give away salmon eggs here in California. However with the exception of a few bad years here recently. There are more returning hatchery raised salmon then the hatchery needs for spawning every year. Organizations like The Golden Gate Salmon Association, and NorCal Guides and Sportsman Association, both work diligently trying to preserve our states salmon population. GGSA president John McManus, and NCGASA president James Stone are lobbying for Coleman National Fish Hatchery to harvest a surplus of eggs. For use with new ideas, in hopes of raising salmon counts without much human effort involved. For example, experimental rearing projects. Specifically in the case of this blog, “remote hatchery locations”. I’d like to share an idea brought to my attention by long time local fishing guide and NCGASA chairman Robert Weese. Owner of Northern California Guide Service. A fishing charter service operating out of Tehama County, Ca since 1985. Not to mention this man is a “lifer” of the Sacramento River. Growing up swimming, fishing, hunting, and exploring the Sacramento River. Including its major cold water salmon tributaries of Tehama County. This includes Deer Creek, Mill Creek, Antelope Creek, and Battle Creek. All having vast watersheds among rugged and very remote terrain. Nestled on the east side of the Sacramento Valley in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountain range.

These tributaries are flowing with cold snow and glacier fed water, throughout the scorching hot summer months. Crucial to the survival of juvenile salmon. Who until the last two decades still managed to sustain a heathy population of fall and spring run chinook salmon. Robert Weese, like myself, and many other local outdoorsman of our age class. Had stood on the riverbanks of the Sacramento River as teenagers in Tehama County. Watching hundreds of pairs of salmon spawn on any given riffle in the Sacramento River throughout our county. As younger men we hiked the rugged and remote canyons of tributaries like Deer Creek, and Mill Creek. Watching black bears scour through the carcasses of dead and dying fall and spring run chinook salmon. Something you would have to travel to Alaska to see in these modern times. These annual occurrences don’t happen anymore. Creek waters are sucked dry or diverted by thirsty local walnut orchards, and cattle pastures in the summertime. Come early fall when chinook salmon stage at the tributaries confluence with the Sacramento River. The salmon are unable to gain access to their natal streams. This has proved to be devastating for the naturally spawned run of chinooks. Chinook salmon that only a short time ago flourished in these Northern California tributaries. Tributaries that for all of time have sustained heathy runs of chinook salmon. Sure to be lost forever if things continue the way they are!

Private environmental organizations like FishBio, along with agencies such as CalTrout! All report these tributaries on the Sacramento River’s east side are suffering a tremendous loss in numbers of annually returning spring and fall run chinook salmon. Whom are native to each particular Tehama country tributary from which they were born. A crisis in every sense of the word! State agencies focus their interests, and grant monies on restoration efforts. Which are centered around the impacts of climatic changes to the tributaries themselves. Curving these tributaries and their environmental pitfalls towards efforts allowing low water passage for the upstream migrating chinook salmon. Which historically with higher water flows could effectively pass by private irrigation district diversion dams. As well as naturally occurring geographical obstacles ( lower deer creek falls ). Where a million dollars was recently used to restore/rebuild a fish latter. Letting spring run chinooks reach a extra few miles of spawning habitat. A great idea if there were enough spring run chinook salmon left to warrant the usage of the extra spawning habitat.

While these efforts are welcome and helpful to a certain degree. They do little to produce more returning chinook salmon to the restored tributary. Runs have been depleted to the point of near extinction. On all of these monumentally important tributaries of the Sacramento River. To the point of needing intervention by humans to recover to a sustainable existence. This is where the Sacramento River Chinook Salmon, NEED YOUR SUPPORT! Unlike physical restoration efforts on these tributaries. Efforts surrounding the immediate production of chinook salmon in these particular tributaries. Will show instant results in returning chinook salmon to all these tributaries individually. Replenishing chinook salmon runs into these local waterways. Making for a sustainable and healthy run in only a decades time. The argument from state and federal agencies who will appose such efforts. Will be this! The mixing of hatchery raised salmon, with naturally spawning salmon (no true wild chinook salmon strains remain in this state) is going to be brought against efforts. Especially when natural spawn chinooks from these mentioned tributaries. Threaten to be mixed with the introduction of hatchery raised or spawned chinooks. Needed for the initiation of production in restoration efforts. FACTS! In the years 1941-1947 excluding 1942. Solving the “Shasta Problem” (salmon piled up by the tens of thousands at Shasta Dam after construction was completed) by means of the live transport and transfer of chinook salmon took place. Over the six year experimental procedure. A estimate 12,000+ chinook salmon were successfully transported (eventually successfully spawned) from Keswick Dam (essentially Shasta Dam) to Deer Creek. Putting a screeching halt to the wild (pure) strain of chinook salmon existence in deer creek. In conclusion, I’m saying safely that the argument of tampering a pure DNA profile was done at the hands of federal fish and wildlife experts eighty years ago. Moving forward, Robert Weiss has carefully studied all practical remedies for salmon restoration here in the Sacramento Rivers most important spawning tributaries.

The Golden Gate Salmon Association is our states most proactive organization in the efforts to restore and sustain chinook salmon populations

Join the GGSA and its countless members fight for our states chinook salmon runs

Concluding, the idea of “remote hatchery locations” has figured to be the most logical, cost effective, and fail proof method for repopulating the life blood of the Sacramento Rivers naturally spawning runs of chinook salmon. These would not be typical fish hatcheries as one may imagine. There would be no parking lots, viewing stations, or viewing windows. No fish food dispensaries for the public to enthusiastically feed the juvenile salmonoids. No festivals, or parades. Just geographically remote egg collecting or rearing stations. Strategically located in historic spawning and rearing habitats of these unique cold water tributaries of the Sierra Nevada foothills. Low risk, low cost, with big rewards. Who wouldn’t support this? Even big agro, and private special interests organizations should be doing cartwheels and summersault over this opportunity. Not having more interference with salmon in the fight for Northern California’s watershed. Without having to worry about chinook run counts and regulations centered around the impact that water diversion may cause to salmon spawning in the Sacramento River itself from time to time.

We want our children and their children to experience and witness the California King Salmon in their lifetime.

Transportation of equipment and its single occupant personnel in these uninhabited, untamed, and remotely inaccessible, cold water tributaries. Would best be suited by helicopter delivery for the most part. To rugged and remote for vehicles to efficiently take supplies and staff to these locations on a daily basis. Occasional supply drop offs, would allow for simple off grid living. In quarters built for a single person, or potentially a pair of part time employees. This would be the extent of operating costs on the front end. The young salmon will essentially grow from fertilized egg to their fingerling, or juvenile proportions. On their own. Feeding themselves on aquatic insects and crustaceans. While the “imprinting” process takes place. A process during juvenile development proving to possibly be the most important part of salmon “out migration” (when young salmon and steelhead leave their natal waters, heading for the Pacific Ocean). This “low key” internal gps or homing device used by migrating salmon. Helping them find their way back home, as they return from the Pacific Ocean. Proving imperative to salmon migration. Experimental trucking programs of the last decade have proven this method as a very ineffective practice. Without the young salmons ability to imprint during the out migration process. The likely hood of them returning to where they were born. Is not likely at all! This remote hatchery agenda shows all signs of success. Meeting all criteria needed by Chinook Salmon runs to regain existence in their most historically important watersheds of the Sacramento River.

Chinook salmon congregations as they prepaid for th

Sadly the biggest challenge our “cali kings” (California chinook salmon) face. Isn’t predation, nor global warming, or even climate change. It’s not the big agro water mongrels from down south. Contrary to Northern California personal beliefs. The green lawns, golf courses, and swimming pools of the Los Angeles basin are also not to place blame on. Although I’ll agree someone should be shot for the idea of building the states largest booming metropolis in the flipping desert. Salmon are beyond highly adaptable. You may find it hard to believe historically the Sacramento River flows got low enough on occasion. That during late summer you could walk (wade) across it.

This of course prior to water storage/management, and controlled river water releases. Brought on by the Central Valley Water Project, and the construction of Shasta Dam (the single biggest killer of California salmon). Following completion of the massive dam, all previously existing runs of salmon on the Sacramento River quickly perished. Once they were cut off from their natal spawning grounds. Yet the amazing king salmon existed. In great numbers. For quite some time. Humanization eventually took its toll on the four remaining runs of nooks. Humans took, and took with no regard, and no replenishment. Everything surround the salmon was squeezed lifeless by the mighty dollar. Now at the point of intervention. Or the alternative of total loss (extinction). The options in sustainable recovery/restoration exist. The answers are out there for sure! Unfortunately even at this point the battle still hasn’t even begun for the mighty Cali Kings.

Federal and State of California law prohibits the general public, public organizations, public funding, public interaction, public public, public anything.... From starting, operating, organizing, or having any involvement in saving (managing) our own states wildlife. Of course including our states salmon population. Which I personally find irritatingly humorous, and legally contradictory. Considering every parcel of land in the golden state can be government or state owned, privatized, monopolized, even franchised. But what happens in the waterways can not be governed by ownership. It belongs to the public. If I’m not mistaken. Free swimming salmonoids in a public water ways such as the Sacramento River. Should not be governed solely by a state agency. To whom complete control is in trusted. Again my personal opinions only.

FACTS- As part of mitigation handed down by the lands highest court during the completion of Shasta Dam. A federal fish hatchery (Coleman National Fish Hatchery) was ordered to be constructed and operated to maintain chinook salmon runs in the Sacramento River. Due to the loss of hundreds of miles of irreplaceable spawning habitat. Apparently mitigation wasn’t very clear on establishing a annual run count or target number. For the remaining four chinook salmon runs at the rivers only production fish hatchery. Which if I’m not mistaken. Is currently running at a deminished capacity. Producing a very small percentage of chinook salmon that were lost, historically speaking. As for us! The public! We have no say in this matter. Nor at this point, can we embark on our own restoration efforts. No matter how safe and conscious we are with our ideas. We need state and federal approval to even think about the idea of gaining interest, helping out, funding, or controlling even a single part of our states salmon runs. It just doesn’t happen. Despite the fact we as sportsmen and women, hold the majority of the personal and financial interest concerning our states salmon stocks. Supporting publicly recognized organizations (ie. GGSA/NCGASA) by paying annual membership dues. Is about the best course of actions taken here.

Historic commercial salmon harvest by gross weight

Concerning the questions of how one can help efforts like “remote hatchery locations”. Backing the play of organizations who lobby through the political loopholes, taking the appropriate measures to see these sorts of things through. These organizations will keep members informed, call on help as needed, and keep constant pressure on state and federal agencies. Holding them accountable for their efforts and shortcomings. The agenda concerning the construction and maintenance of these remote hatchery locations will not happen over night. They may struggle to get approval. It is likely state and federal agencies will disagree with the logistics of this restoration effort. For various reason of undetermined ideologies and theories. Attempting to stall and vacate public involvement. Why? Policy!

In closing. I urge all readers to consider these things. Educate yourself on facts. Making sense of what you personally deem as truths. Support efforts from the public or private side of conservation and restoration efforts. Example: where state and federal efforts have surrounded stream and river restoration projects. Centered around making fish passage more accessible. The plain and simple fact remains...If there are no fish to explore their tidied up creeks and streams. Their efforts are seemingly senseless, pointless, and useless. In my opinion, leaning efforts toward appeasing a underlying political agenda. In realistic terms these restoration efforts could be described in layman terms as follows.. it would be like building a magnificent, luxurious, state of the art, hotel on the planet Mars. It may be the most glorious place to stay. One day its possible humans may make it to Mars. Finding and utilizing all its marvels. In the meantime, without humans to enjoy and utilize it. What’s the point? Putting the same man made marvel on the populated planet earth would be better suited. Wouldn’t you agree?

Thank you! To all the readers who follow my blogs. I always welcome reader interaction through commenting. I am a firm believer in the freedom of expressing your own opinions and personal beliefs. If you feel the need. Please weigh in. Regardless if you agree or disagree with any particular material in the blogs. These are rights afforded to us through the US constitution, and supported by SalmonSacRiver. Tight Lines and Open Minds!

Mike's Fishing Guide Service for Sacramento River fishing targeting King Salmon, Striped Bass, White Sturgeon, American Shad and Rainbow Trout. The Best Sacramento River Salmon Fishing Guide and Striped Bass Fishing Guide on the Sacramento River.