Host Dave Schlom examines an environmental issue exploding in eastern California.
Hot Creek, near Mammoth Lakes in the Eastern Sierra Nevada, is a fly fishing mecca and the scenic backdrop for many Hollywood films and TV commercials, including John Wayne's iconic 1969 western True Grit. But a Canadian mining firm, KORE, is doing exploratory work there on a proposed gold mine that could spell disaster for this special place.
Dave is joined by Kevin Peterson, longtime Eastern Sierra fly fishing guide and Operations Manager for the world-famous Hot Creek Ranch, to talk about the incredible history and special fishery there.
Then Jeff Ludlow, staff geologist for California Fly Fisher magazine, joins us to explain the unique volcanic landscape that created the thermal areas of Hot Creek and why gold might be found there.
Finally, Emily Markstein, co-founder of the nonprofit No Hot Creek Mine organization that has banded together a grassroots coalition of citizens and businesses in the Eastern Sierra to battle the proposed mine. It's a fight to save one of California's truly special places!
