Host Dave Schlom and Producer Matt Fidler go out in the field and in the studio to learn about the story of a major restoration on Big Chico Creek in Chico, California's historic and precious Bidwell Park.
Once a stream that supported impressive populations of Chinook Salmon and steelhead, the stream has had trouble maintaining those populations in recent decades. California Trout and various partners have embarked on a major restoration project in the park to improve fish passage to colder upstream waters and reintroduce native species that were removed from the aquatic ecosystem by the piscicide Rotenone years ago. CalTrout's Damon Goodman and Holly Swan join Dave to discuss the project in depth.
Then, retired California Fish and Wildlife warden Gayland Taylor discusses the history of the fishery, which he has witnessed firsthand for many years.
Finally, Dave is joined by Travis James, Senior Civil Engineer for the Yurok tribe, to discuss his innovative plans for a more natural fish passage through the rugged basaltic rock canyon. The land is the ancestral home of the Mechoopda Tribe, who will be working alongside California Trout to restore native plants after the construction phase is completed.
