Carmel River Steelhead Association (

If you would like more information about joining the Carmel River Steelhead Association call or e-mail us.

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Fish rescues from the TRIBS. 2005

and the Mainstem to assist MPWMD.

If you are interested in joining our Steelhead Rescues Team please call our coordinator Frank Emerson at 831-277-0544.

Double click on thumbnails.

Our faithful team of Steelhead Rescue Volunteers under Frank Emerson and Henry Meyer are to be congratulated. To date after Rescue # 37 their totals look like this. The most CRSA has ever rescued.:

YOY 23,061 Yearlings 776 Total 23,837 Total morts 866 3.65%

Rescues 28 YOY 1194 Yearlings 310 Total 1504 Dorris Day Hole

29 1015 5 1020 ditto

30 937 20 957 Valley Greens Condos

31 502 9 511 Garzas Creek

32 1393 2 1395 Cachagua Creek

33 479 6 485 Riverside Condos

34 211 3 214 Earth Farms

35 331 1 332 San Carlos Bridge

36 438 2 440 Valley Greens Condos

37 167 3 170 Safeway - Dorris Day pool

Pam Armas, State Parks Superintendent, James Jeffrey, Jack Bedell Sophea Zadwbe , Alan Koontz , Grant Koontz , John McKeon, NOAA, Roy Thomas , Chris Tugwell , Kate Stafford, Ray Bergora, Kelleen Harris(, Frank Emerson & Henry Meyer . .

# 27th Rescue August 30th 2005 Cachagua Creek

YOY 1160 Yearlings 8 Total 1168 Morts 8 0.01%

Program Summary: YOY 16,394 Yearlings 429 Total 16,809 Morts 429 0.3%

# 26th Rescue August 28th 2005 Mainstem of Carmel River below Mission Ranch Tennis Courts

Frank Emerson, Hank Smith, Kelleen Harris & Henry Meyer

YOY 443 Yearlings 10 Total 453 Morts 4 0.8%

Program Summary: YOY 15,234 Yearlings 407 Total 15,641 Morts 413 0.3%

# 25th Rescue August 27th 2005 below Mission Ranch Tennis Courts & Riverside Way Riverside Way Mission Fields

photos by Barney Scollan August 2005 fish kill as lagoon levels falls

Frank Emerson, James Story, Barney Scollan & Henry Meyer,

YOY 341 Yearlings 240 Total 581 Morts 4 0.%

Program Summary: YOY 14,791 Yearlings 397 Total 15188, Morts 417 0.3%

KSBW did a nice story on our rescues Saturday Aug.27th, this past Sat. We were down behind Mission Ranch when they showed up. They got some great footage of high numbers of yearlings and even 2 small adults in a pool upstream of the Lagoon. It was dry above and below the hole and they got film of 5 dead fish at the tailout. We rescued 582 with 240 being large yearlings and the rest YOY. Only 5 morts. I found 2 half eaten yearlings by the side of this pool also. The half eaten and dead fish I froze for dewatering take evidence. Crew was Frank only for first 2 hours and then James and Barney cam to help, of course Henry was there and helped carry buckets.

Sunday Hank and Kellen, Frank and Henry went back to same area and worked there and up in other stranded pools. We rescued another 450, this was a normal ratio of 10 yearlings to the rest YOY and only 6 morts. This area was almost dewatered and the fish were in distress, swimming around the edges and along the surface in some cases.

Fish were released at S Arm Lagoon, water quality and temps good in S Arm but level dropping to 3.1 ft today.

FYI, another rescue is scheduled for weds. same time 5PM and meet at Baja Cantinas. Reply if you can make it! Frank

# 24th Rescue August 24th 2005 Mainstem above & below Highway One bridge

Hank Smith, Frank Emerson, Warren Masten, Roger Williams, Adameus Guy & Henry Meyer

YOY 540 Yearlings 12 Total 552 Morts 6 0.1%

Program Summary: YOY 14,607 Yearlings 157 Total 14,607 Morts 413 0.3%

# 23rd Rescue August 23rd Cachagua, bridge #532 downstream

Hank Smith, Kelleen Harris & Henry Meyer

YOY 1094 Yearlings 17 Total 1111 Morts 6 0. 05%

Program Summary: YOY 13,910 Yearlings 145 Total 14,055 Morts 407 0.3%

#22nd Rescue August 20th 2005 Mainstem behind Beth Israel Temple.

Roy Thomas, Henry Meyer, Frank Emerson, Alan & Grant Koontz, John Hanamaikai, James C. Jeffrey & Chris Tugwell,

YOY 1085 Yearlings 8 Total 1093 Morts 25 0. 2%

Program Summary: YOY 12,816 Yearlings 128 Total 12,944 Morts 401 0.3%

#21st Rescue August 19th 2005 Cachagua Creek below bridge 532

Henry Meyer, Hank smith &Kelleen Harris.

YOY 604 Yearlings 1 Total 605 Morts 3 0.1 %

Program Summary: YOY 11,731 Yearlings 120 Total 11,851 Morts 399 0.3%

#20th Rescue August 17th 2005 Mainstem behind Beth Israel Temple.

Jack Bedell, Roy Thomas, Henry Meyer, Frank Emerson, Jeffrey Jahn & Kate Stafford

YOY 902 Yearlings 6 Total 908 Morts 5 0.5 %

Program Summary: YOY 11,127 Yearlings 119 Total 11,246 Morts 396 0.3%

#19th Rescue August 13th 2005 Mainstem above and below San Carlos Bridge

Jack Bedell, Roy Thomas, Henry Meyer, Frank Emerson, Steve & Daniel Bean

YOY 1210 Yearlings 20 Total 1230 Morts 200 16.3 %

Program Summary: YOY 10,225 Yearlings 113 Total 10,338 Morts 391 3.8%

High level of morts due to high levels of algae & moss in netting in deep bushy holes.

#18th Rescue August 10th 2005 Mainstem behind Beth Israel Temple.

Jack Bedell, Roy Thomas, Henry Meyer, Frank Emerson, Dianne Nielson, Loren Cloniger & Sophia Ladubera.

YOY 1376 Yearlings 40 Total 1376 Morts 30 2.2 %

Program Summary: YOY 9,015 Yearlings 93 Total Morts 191 2.1%

#16th Rescue August 5th 2005 Cachagua Creek.

Henry Meyer, Hank Smith, Frank Emerson & Kelleen Harris.

1005 YOY 4 Yearling Total 1009 Morts 4 0.04 %

Program Summary: 6652 YOY Yearlings 31 Total 6683 Morts 146 2.2%

#15th Rescue August 3rd 2005 Mainstem at Hacienda, Carmel.

Frank Emerson, Henry Meyer, Hank Smith, Jack Bedell & Pam Krone-Davis

613 YOY 5 yearling Total 618 Morts 6 0.9 %

Program Summary: YOY 5647 Yearlings 27 Total 5674 Morts 142 2.7%

# 14th Rescue July 30th 2005 Below Mainstem Highway One Bridge, Mission Ranch Tennis Courts & Riverside Way Riverside Way Mission Fields,

Frank Emerson,Jack Bedell & Henry Meyer,

523 YOY 4 yearling Total 527 Morts 3 0.8 %

Program Summary: YOY 5034 Yearlings 22 Total 5056 Morts 136 2.7%

# 13th Rescue July 27th 2005 Mainstem Highway One Bridge

Frank Emerson, Roy Thomas, Henry Meyer, Dianne Nielsen, Amadeus Guy, Pam Krone Davis, Jack Bedell, Bruce Greenbaum, Zoe Carlson, Alex Hoffman, Robert McGhee, Roger Williams, Scott Morgan, & Ken Ekelund.

928 YOY 0 yearling Total 928 Morts 8 0.8 %

Program Summary: YOY 4511 Yearlings 18 Total 4529 Morts 133 2.9%

July 27th 2005 Cachagua Creek

Hank Smith & Kelleen Harris, yes just the two of them

255 YOY 0 yearling Total 255 Morts 8 3.1%

Program Summary: YOY 3583 Yearlings 18 Total 3601 Morts 125 3.5%

July 23rd 2005 Cachagua Creek

Frank Emerson, Roy Thomas, Henry Meyer, Jack Bedell & Mark Weston

706 YOY 1 yearling Total 707 Morts 6 0.8 %

Program Summary: YOY 3328 Yearlings 18 Total 3346 Morts 117 3.4%

July 20th 2005 Garzas Creek

Henry Meyer, Jay Hudson, Brooks Hudson, Roy Thomas, Hank Smith, Jack Bedell, & Beth Sterten, were part of two rescue teams on the Garzas.

844 YOY 6 yearlings Total 850 Morts 44 7.62%

Program Summary: YOY 2622 Yearlings 17 Total 2639 Morts 111 4.12%

July 16th Cachagua Watershed

Thanks to our two handed net rescue team members we rescued 403 fish, with
402 YOY and one yearling today in the Cachagua watershed. You may remember that
old song which had words to the effect that "if the right hand don't getch ya
the left one will"---- well we had two teams members who demonstrated that
two hand technique for netting fish with incredible skill and with appropriate
sounds effects at the same time. If you are a fish you don't have a chance to
escape the two handed netting technique of Beth Sterten and Odette Pura. In
addition the two male members kept saying "it is hot so lets make this our last
hole and call it a day" and these two intrepid netters would say " Wow !!
look at the next stretch of water, there have to be tons of fish there that we
can rescue".

Many thanks to our efficient and enthusiastic team consisting of Henry Meyer,
Jack Bedell, Beth Sterten, and Odette Pura and the fish thank you also.
Hank Smith
F8hawk@redshift.com

Program Summary: YOY 1778 Yearlings 11 Total 1789 Morts 67 3.7%

July 13th Garzas Creek

Frank Emerson, Hank Smith, Henry Meyer, Jordan Meyer, Jack Bedell, Bruce Greenbaum, Kelleen Harris, Amadeus Guy, & Roger Williams

Total fish captured 391, including 1 yearling. Morts 11 1.2%

Program Summary: YOY 1376 Yearlings 10 Total 1386 Morts 59 4.25%

July 9th Garzas Creek,

Frank Emerson, Henry Meyer, Clive Sanders, Jack Bedell, Bill West, Dennis Johnson, Greg Johnson, Bruce & Beth Sterten, Amadeus Guy, & Kelleen Harris.

461 YOY yearling 0 Total 461 morts 8 1.7%

Thank goodness our morts ratio dropped this trip, much of the problem we think is that the one-inchers just are unable to withstand the shocking as well as the larger sized YOY. Most of this day's catch was normal size,

Total for the year 986 YOY Yearlings 9 Total 995 Morts 48 4.8%

This time we had two shocking teams in Garzas creek.

June 29th Robinson Canyon,

Frank Emerson, Henry Meyer, Roger Williams, Fletcher Williams, Dianne Nielsen, Roy Thomas, Ken Ekelund, & Peggy. Dickson.

150 YOY yearling 1 Total 151 morts 13 8.6% %

Total for the year 534 YOY Yearlings 9 Total 534 Morts 40 7.5%

Saturday June 4th

Team leader Frank Emerson, Kelleen Harris, Roger Williams & Clive Sanders. Well this rescue almost never got started. First we lost our transport chief and support Henry Meir. Someone forgot to tell him he was on duty on Sat June 4th. He was still in bed when we called around 7am. Then Kelleen got lost. She is a young old hand but went off to the village and passed us by. We called her on the cell phone and she turned up pretty quick. Then we went off and retrieved the truck and got to work around 8am.

Started on Southbank Hitchcock Canyon where we left off a week ago Friday. Fish more normal size but no yearlings. This was a first time rescue for Roger and he proved to be a first class resuscitator and bucket handler. He did not really believe me when I told him to cup his hands in water around what looked like a lifeless fish and breath some air into its mouth. It really does work most of the time.

Rescued 46. No morts thanks to Roger.

Total for the season 374 YOY 8 yearlings Total 382 morts 27 7.06%

No pictures this week.

Saturday May 28th

Team leader Roy Thomas, Henry Meir (support & fish transport), the undersigned and four first time fishers, Peter & Robin Kwiek, Melanie Vincent & Jim Jeffrey a CRWC member electro-fished two creeks on Saturday. As this was the first time we spent 20 minutes going through the safety regs etc to acquaint everybody with the rules we operate under. For the ladies and smaller men we have a few thigh waders which take care of providing protection from the electrical current while in the stream. Rubber gloves are required and provided by CRSA.

Potrero. Fished from just above the double culverts on the border of the golf course to the tennis courts. Catch 4 YOY, no mortalities. Detected what appears to be a spill of sewage in the creek by the culvert that runs under the road near the tennis courts. From the location & close proximity to the road it probably was introduced by a passing vehicle. Reported to the County Public Health authorities who agreed to check it out.

This was a first time for us although we do from time to time bump into cat litter drops and recently what the Brits call a nappy that had been carelessly cast aside by its little wearer.

Robinson Canyon. Fished from the confluence with the Carmel to first bridge. Catch 210 YOY, 26 morts 12%.

Fish were mostly 1/2 inchers with a sprinkling of up to 2 inchers. Obviously mostly late spawners. When we reached the a spot above the bridge on Robinson Canyon creek we decided that the creek was likely to hold to that point and that we would continue rescues at a later date by which time the YOY would be more mature.

Here are some photos by Peter & Robin Kwiek

on the job training at the ready tough country to work

mortalities wiring Roy where is Robin?

May 24th. 2005 Called out again by the County to search for possible survivors of another manual breach. NOAA/NMFS security people asked CRSA personnel to hold off until the enforcement officer arrived. As the tide was coming in sea water entered the closed portion of the channel. No fish were captured.

Rescued 58 YOY and 7 yearling in seine net, all relocated in the old channel. We fear that many fish not yet smoltificated were swept out into the ocean. Bystanders reported seeing fish being swept into the ocean.

May 2nd. 2005emergency rescue call from County PWD to rescue from the Carmel River lagoon. County PWD diverted flow in the lagoon to the South and away from Steward's Cove. Fish became stranded in what became an oxbow of the original channel.

Fish rescues from the TRIBS. 2004

and the Mainstem to assist MPWMD.

LAST Rescue for 2004

Wednesday August 11th 2004

Schulte bridge. Time in 5.00pm time out 8.30pm.

196 YOY

33 Yearlings TOTAL 229 Morts 4 = 2%

Grant Koontz, Alan Koontz, Chris Tugwell, Hank Smith, Frank Emerson, & Henry Meyer & Mario & Alahandro

Many thanks to all the people who volunteered this year. Grand TOTAL rescued 9,914 Morts 2%

We hope to see you next year.

Rescue on Saturday July 24th

Frank Emerson, Myra Emerson, Dianne Nielson, Bob Stoddard, Roy Thomas and Henry Meyer rescued 312 yoy and 51 yearlings from the mainstem above Schulte Bridge and released them below the bridge crossing at Garland Park. (The fish could not be released in the south arm of the lagoon as the water was low with rising temperature and salinity).

Rescue on Wednesday July 21st

Frank Emerson, Roy Thomas, Zupic, Grant Koontz, Henry Meyer and Bob Zampatti rescued 751 yoy and 145 yearlings from the mainstem above Schulte Bridge. The 896 fish were released on the mainstem at Scarlet Road at the Cal-Am pump hole.

Rescue on Friday July 16th

Frank Emerson, Roy Thomas, Bob Stoddard and Grant Koontz rescued 53 YOY and 48 Yearlings from the mainstem by the Koontz residence off of Lower Schulte Road. The steelhead were released in Garland Park.

Rescue on Wednesday July 14th

Roy Thomas, Bob Stoddard, Henry Meyer and Frank Emerson rescued 257 YOY and 49 yearlings from Garzas Creek above the Ranch House. They were released in the Cal-Am pump hole at the end of West Garzas Road. An attempted rescue took place in the north arm of the lagoon as the exit from the north arm to the rest of the lagoon had dried up, however, no fish were found .

Rescue on Wednesday July 7th

Lance Boen, Roy Thomas, Rabbi and Henry Meyer rescued 380 YOY and 4 Yearlings at the end of Meadows Road. They were released in Garland Park. (The total number of fish rescued to date is 8019J).

Rescue on Wednesday June 30th

Bob Stoddard, Frank Emerson, Bruce Greenbaum, Brian La Nieve and Roy Thomas rescued 661 YOY and 6 yearlings from the Carmel Mainstem. They were released in the lagoon. This was done just in time, as the pools rescued were the very last with water below the Rancho San Carlos Bridge. Some of the pools had dead steelhead, and some of the newly dried pools had thousands of dead sticklebacks.

Rescue on Wednesday June 23rd

Frank Emerson, Myra Emerson, Lance Boen, Roy Thomas, Bobby Stoddard, Dani Zupic, Henry Meyer, Jordan Meyer rescued 465 YOY and 20 yearlings on Garzas Creek upstream of the horse corals. They were released into the Carmel mainstem at the end of West Garzas Rd at the Cal-Am well site.

Rescue on Saturday June 19th

Frank Emerson, Roy Thomas, Bob Zampatti, Henry Meyer and Jordan Meyer rescued 357 YOY, 9 yearlings and 1 adult below the Quail Lodge golf course maintenance shed and behind Earthbound Farm. They were released at the South Arm of the Carmel lagoon. 4 morts

Rescue on Wednesday June 16th (evening)

Frank Emerson, Roy Thomas, Brian LaNieve, Pam Krone-Davis, Keith Krone, Bob Zampatti, Henry Meyer, Bobby Stoddard, Kelleen Harter, Jason Krone, Richard Evens, Pat Dordan, Bruce Greenbaum and friends rescued 1095 fish below the condos at Valley Greens Circle, the golf course bridge, Chalk Rock hole and Doris Day hole. The rescued fish went into the MPWMD (Monterey Peninsula Water Management District) tank truck and were taken to the MPWMD's rearing facility. (Total number of fish rescued to date = 6116 J ).

Rescue on Wednesday June 16th (morning)

Frank Emerson, Roy Thomas and Henry Meyer rescued 505 YOY and 9 yearlings from two pools above the Hacienda Carmel Bridge, and below the golf course and club house. The fish were released in the south arm of the Carmel Lagoon. 1 Mort.

Rescue on Saturday June 12th

Bob Zampatti, Lance Boen, Roy Thomas, Dani Zupic, Jim Potter, Poala Berthoin, Pam Krone-Davis, Henry Meyer and friends rescued 1243 YOY and 31 yearlings above and below the San Carlos Bridge, and at the Doris Day pool. There were only 3 morts. The fish were released into the south arm of the lagoon.

Rescue on Wednesday June 9th

Clive Sanders, Bob Zampatti, Roy Thomas, Henry Meyer, Dianne Nielson, Dani Zupic, Frank Emerson, Jim Jeffery, Lance Boen, Bryan La Nieve and Pam Krone-Davis seined the lagoon capturing 281 smolts then acclimating them to salt water before releasing them into the ocean at the river mouth.

Rescue on Saturday June 5th.

Frank Emerson, Dani Zupic, Diane Nielson, Pam Krone Davis, Roy Thomas, Bob Zampatti & friends rescued 247 YOY & one hen adult. Fish released in the lagoon.

Rescue on Friday June 4th

Frank Emerson, Roy Thomas, Bob Zampatti, and Alan Koontz and friends rescued 547 steelhead including 33 yearlings and 514 YOY. 1 mortality. On the Mainstem Below the Temple Beth.

Rescue on Thursday June 3rd

Hank Smith & two friends rescued 251 steelhead including 5 yearlings. morts 8 i.e. 3.2%. they fished from the condos up to the 16th Tee on Rancho Canada Golf Course.

Again for the second year a large number of juveniles are being rescued from a reach that was devastated by the last floods. It has been restored by Rancho Canada staff and with irrigation of the course and the riparian corridor we have seen a return of spawners to the reach, now for the second year. There was fortunately sufficient first flow to flush out the sediment load.

Fish release into the lagoon.

Rescue on Wednesday June 2nd 2004.

Frank Emerson, Roy Thomas, Bob Zampatti, Henry Meyer , Lance Boen, Hank Smith & friends worked again the bit from Highway 1 bridge to Rio Road Condominiums. 641 rescued including 4 yearlings. only 8 morts that is 1.2% mortality.

Rescue on Saturday May 29th.

Members R Thomas, F Emerson, B Zampatti and Henry Meyer & friends conducted rescue on main stem from 200yds below Via Mallorca to one pool above Via Mallorca. A combined net and e-shocking technique resulted in 611 total fish captured, 3 morts, 12yearlings some of which appeared to be smolts and the balance YOY.

We released them into the South Arm of the Lagoon. Main stem temp was 60 Deg. and Lagoon temp was 65 deg. Fish were acclimated to different temp by mixing lagoon water into coolers, 5 deg. temp difference is considered acceptable release range.

Yours,

Frank Emerson

Fish Rescues for May 22 & 26th 2004

May 26th. Robinson Canyon Creek 58 YOY, 19 Yearling Total 77% mortality 1 1.3%

Released in Garland Park near the summer bridge.

Frank Emerson, Lance Boen, Paola Berthoin, Dick Heimann, Roy Thomas, Henry Meyer.

May 22nd. Garzas Creek. 289 YOY and 16 Yearlings total 305 mortality 9 3%

Released mainstem West Garzas Rd.

Frank Emerson, Dianne Nielson, Paola Berthoin, Lance Boen, Henry Meyer.

Four Fish Rescues up to May 15th 2004.

We were late getting organized this year. As a result most of the tribs were starting to dry up. We are now fully functional thanks mostly to the influx of new people that responded to the call for help by the CRWC & CRSA.

There have been four rescues this year. The creeks covered include Robinson Canyon, Hitchcock Canyon, Garzas and the mainstem near highway # 1.

Total fish rescued 533. YOY 462 Yearlings 71 Mortality = 27 that is 5% ( one site Robinson Canyon accounted for 63% of the morts.) Hours worked at all sites = 36 fish per hour. In normal water years we expect to get 500+ each work day. This indicates clearly the low rate of reproduction this year in the creeks.

Total project hours & man hours to date is 98 hours. Thanks so much to the team leaders & the volunteers.

Frank Emerson, Lance Boen, Roy Thomas, Henry Meyer, Dianne Nielson, Kelleen Harter, Dani Zupic, Lance Scott, Jim Donat, Mark Weston, James Storey, John Archer, Rolf Lygren, & Sean Elliott.

give them air..

Shallow water & lots of cover

All photos by Dianne Nielson 05/15/04

Entered 05/22/2004.

Last Years' Rescue Reports.

Fish rescues from the TRIBS. 2003

and the Mainstem to assist MPWMD.

Captures occurred on July 26th, August 2nd , 9th & 10th,

Here is the summary for Sat rescue, 8/16/03 and Friday night rescue, 8/15/03

Saturday started at San Carlos bridge about 6:45am with R Thomas, F Emerson, C Sanders, Tom Hawley, Mirajke ? and Jim Lambert

First rescue in area of Rancho San Carlos Road bridge was combo electro and seine, Actual count 763 with ZERO morts, which was very surprising, maybe the last gaspers are tougher..

After this break, first crew done at 8:30, Roy and Frank went back to small hole below Beth Israel where many fish spotted in morning. We captured about 240 there with electro.

Returned to spot behind Quail Golf Course maintenance shack below cart bridge where R Thomas, F Emerson and E Thomas made emergency rescue the night before of 551 fish in a very small pool just above cart bridge. I forget morts night before but log is in binder (again very few). Fridays fish released at Garland Park in the dark, finished at 9:30p.

Below the cart bridge found a bucket hole with about 500/700 fish in it. Again used combo of seine and electro with another 500 caught for second crew total of 715 with only 4 morts. Second release site was w Garzas well, finished at 1:30pm.

Friday and Saturday combined count a little over 2000

Thanks to all those who participated in the captures.

Frank Emerson

Captures occurred on July 26th, August 2nd , 9th & 10th,

We are missing the write-ups, we will correct that on Geoff's return from a fishing trip to Alaska.

July 19th

Frank Emerson led another team to the Mainstem just downstream of Malorjca bridge around 3.30pm. on Saturday. Using a backing net and two seine nets the team was very successful in the three hours they allocated to the job.

Captured 1502 including two yearlings. Mortality estimated to be 90 equals 6%.

A big thank you to Frank Emerson et al for organizing and leading the crew consisting of Roy Thomas, Steve Quinn, Bobbie Stoddard, Hank Smith & Jim Potter.

If this late in the rescue , I mean capture season, you are feeling a bit jaded, then read on.

There is another reason to come and help CRSA capture Steelhead YOY. On Saturday morning a 4 man/woman crew was searching a pool on Cachagua creek, in the upper part of the creek when one of the older crew members fell over & made a loud splash. At this a young mountain lion that had been laying on a ridge overlooking the pool, bounded down the rocks and ran off downstream. I guess 4 animals for a meal was too much. See what you missed! Join a crew and see the wildlife. Suggest you leave your dog or other pets at home.

Captured 151 including 2 yearlings. Mortality 1

Thanks to Paola Berthoin, Frank Emerson & Vince Torras.

Clive Sanders

July 16th

Well you missed and exciting evening for some, The total capture from the two crews was 1364, with a 4% mortality. Thanks to John Gard, Hank Smith, Roy Thomas, Henry Meyer, Mark Weston, Matt Huntington, Ryan Meyer, Bruce Greenbaum & Frank Emerson.

Great effort on the part of Crew #2. They experienced poor conductivity with fish escaping on both sides of the shocker. They were able with the larger crew to use backing nets to herd the fish into a suitable area, then follow up with a seine net (the drag & purse) to collect the fry into the purse which is held in the deeper water,as we had last night, where they can be captured by hand nets and counted..

On the other hand:

Crew # 1 claims too much water, poor conductivity and fish moving too fast for the handlers. Whether we tried 100, 200 or 300 volts stunning was minimal. We fished bridge 4 up to bridge 1. There were few fish to capture. We fished from bridge 4 to bridge 1. MPWMD capture crews must have done a fine job. We can only hope that if we go there again the golfers skills will have improved as we came under fire many times; balls falling around us like whales breaching! As usual "oh my god", Hank thought they were oversized yearlings coming up for a fly.

Hank, John & I were impressed with the amount of cobble and pebbles that were seen in most of the area we fished. Dave Dettman tells me that many parts of the river benefited from the kind of flows that we had this year that pushed silt down to the lagoon. No real events took place that brought fresh drops of sediment to the area. The streambank restoration by Rancho Canada staff has proved most effective with pronounced growth of the willows and grasses etc. that were planted 4 years ago. This area was rebuilt after the floods blew part of the golf course away.

July 12th

Firstly, many thanks to Paula Berthoin, Pamela Krone Davis, Scott Lisey.(first time out with CRSA and who did sterling work lugging those damn buckets up and down the river), Vince Torras, Frank Saunders, Brian Dalton who worked real hard in finding & collecting the 411 (including one yearling) Steelhead on Saturday July 12th. Thanks to Donna for the cookies. MPWMD asked us to work this stretch. We worked about 400 yards of the river from Highway One bridge upstream. There was virtually no flow at the bridge and intermittent flow thereafter. We found no adult Steelhead carcasses as was found last year at the time flow went low.

The biggest problem was corralling the fry as they were super active. The "keep net" was only marginally useful with our being able to retrieve less than 20 fish. Leaving the keep net in place too long collects disturbed vegetation that floats down stream and clogs the net. In future if we have a need to use a keep net we must have two bodies to move, collect the fry and man the net moving on as the rest of the team moves up stream. This is especially true when you are working both sides of the stream bed as we were.

Total fish rescued 411 mortality 5 i.e. 1.2%. Fish were released in the north arm of the lagoon.

Thanks also to Roy Thomas who helped Vince charging the Cal-Am tanker truck with water.

July 5th

We fished Cachagua Creek on 7/5 and got the following results:

235 total (229 YOY, 6 yearling+)
Mortality totaled 1 (0.4%)
1 brown trout taken/killed.

All fish released at Cachagua Community Park. Thanks to Clive Sanders, Frank Emerson, Josh Malloway and Pam Krone-Davis for their time and energy.

I will be in Canada through 7/20. Clive Sanders will coordinate the program until I return.

Geoff Malloway

July 2nd

We fished Garzas Creek on 7/2 and got the following results:

825 total (816 YOY, 9 yearling +)
Mortality totaled 48 YOY (5.8%)

All fished released below confluence. Thanks to Pam Krone-Davis, Jay Jefferson (SVFF), Ed Rawson (SVFF), Hank Smith, Lance Boen, Bruce Greenbaum, John and Anna Jordan for their for their contribution to the cause.

Saturday June 28th

Howdy-

We worked from just downstream of the Earth Station to about 1/2 mile upstream. 304 fish were captured (300 YOY, 4 yearling+). 4 YOY bought the farm (1.3% mortality). Fish released at confluence.

About 100 feet of streambed in close proximity to a well was all but dry.

My gratitude to Pam Krone-Davis, Frank Emerson, Ed Rawson (Salinas Valley Fly Fishers) and Clive Sanders. Pam has officially earned her "Master Fish Netter" rating.

Another outing is planned for Garzas Creek on Wednesday, 7/2. Meet at the shop at 1745 hrs. We'll work until dark. Please let me know if you plan to attend.

No rescue is planned for the holiday weekend (unless people really, really want to do one).

Have a happy and safe 4th.

Malloway

Wednesday June 25th

Greetings:

Two crews re-fished the lowest section of Garzas Creek from the confluence to about 100 feet below Condon's new bridge. Flow on Tuesday, 6/24, was minimal in that section, especially in the vicinity of W. Garas Rd. bridge. Upon our arrival, flow ceased at a point about 50 feet above W. Garzas bridge. There were small pools (unconnected) downstream of the bridge. Water temp. in that section was 80 degrees F (and ranged down to 68 degrees F where we ended our fishing). The good news is that we captured 491 fish (488 YOY, 3 yearling +), but the bad news is that 91 YOY succumbed (18.5%, probably mostly due to stress). All surviving fish were released below Boronda Bridge.

My thanks to Frank Emerson, Ed Rawson (Salinas Valley Fly Fishers), Lance Boen, Pam Krone-Davis and Roy Thomas for their time and effort. It was a tough rescue.

We will be working Cachagua Creek (and possibly Garzas Creek if we have enough volunteers for run to crews) this Saturday morning, 6/28. We'll meet at the shop at 0530 for a 0545 departure. Please let me know by 1700 hrs on Friday if you plan to attend.

Thanks,

Geoff Malloway

June 21 2003

Greetings-

Two crews of 11 volunteers fish Garzas Creek this morning, capturing 1031 fish (1022 YOY, 9 yearling +). 20 YOY morts (1.9%). All fish released downstream of the confluence. My thanks to Pam Krone-Davis, Clive Sanders (CRSA,CRWC), Lance Boen, Roy Thomas (CRSA), Charles Kittrell, Phil and Sam Joest (Salinas Valley Fly Fishers), Ed Rawson (SVFF) John Jordan and Bill West (Carmel River Watershed Council) for their time and effort. Phil Joest did an outstanding job (merits earned) at his first time as an electrofisher operator. However, he forgot to bring the donuts (demerits earned). Lastly, my thanks to the Salinas Valley Fly Fishers (SVFF) for their continued support and commitment to our local steelhead fishery.

A rescue on Cachagua Creek is slated for Saturday, June 28. We'll meet at the shop at 0530 for a 0545 departure and work until about 1000. Please let me know by 1700 hrs Friday if you plan to attend.

Thanks,

Geoff Malloway

June 18th 2003

Howdy, folks-

Two crews fished Robinson Canyon Creek from the confluence to the redwood bridge, capturing 86 fish (79 YOY, 7 yearling +). Mortality was 1.2% (1 YOY). All fish were released just downstream of the confluence at "Red Rock". Robinson Canyon Creek is now completed. This was the first time we had more volunteers than we needed and I had to send 2 home. I wish I had that problem more often. My thanks to Frank Emerson, Lance Boen, Lance Scott, Phil and Sam Joest (Salinas Valley Fly Fishers), Jay Jefferson (SVFF), Joseph Schadlick (Boy Scouts) and John Nesheim (SVFF). My thanks also to Bruce Greenbaum and Pam Krone-Davis for volunteering even thought the crews were full.

Another rescue is planned for Garzas Creek this Saturday morning, 6/21, @ 0530 hrs. Please meet at the shop at 0530 for a 0545 departure. We'll certainly encounter more fish than what we found at Robinson Canyon. Let me know by 1700 hrs Friday evening if you plan to attend. First come, first served.

Thanks,

Geoff Malloway

Saturday June 14th 2003

Greetings-

We electrofished Cachagua Creek this morning, as suggested by MPWMD staff. We worked from the confluence up to about 200 feet downstream of bridge 538 (the earth station). We captured a total of 163 fish (162 YOY, 1 yearling +) with no mortality. We released the fish just downstream of the confluence. We also captured/killed two brown trout of about 7 inches each. My thanks to Frank Emerson, John Gard and Roger Canton (Salinas Valley Fly Fishers) for their efforts this morning.

We're planning to fish Robinson Canyon Creek next Wednesday evening, 6/18, unless directed otherwise. We'll meet here at the shop at 1745 hrs and work until dark. Please let me know by noon on Wednesday if you plan to assist.

Another rescue is planned for next Saturday, 6/21. Details will be broadcasted later this week.

Have a great weekend!

Geoff Malloway

Saturday June 7th 2003

Greetings:

Nine volunteers fished Garzas Creek from the confluence to about 100 feet downstream of Condon's dam. 670 YOY and 3 yearling + fish were captured, for a total of 673. Mortality was 24 YOY (3.6%). All fish released at end of W. Garzas Rd. Morts held in freezer for NOAA-Fisheries collection. My thanks to Bruce Greenbaum, Matthew and Steven Most, Tyler Larson, John and Anna Jordan, Frank Emerson and Hank Smith for their time and energy.

Wednesday June 4th 2003

Last Wednesday evening we fished the remainder of Hitchcock Creek. No fish were captured so we are done working Hitchcock. My thanks to Bill Bouton, Frank Emerson, Pam Krone-Davis and Hank Smith for their help that evening.

We're planning to work Robinson Canyon Creek this Saturday morning, 6/14. Those interested are to meet at the shop at 0530 for a 0545 departure. We'll work until about 1000 hrs. Please call to let me know if you plan to assist.

Thanks,

Geoff Malloway

May 24th 2003

Chief Malloway bucket boy & netter, Frank Emerson electrofisher and Sanders netter. The group traversed the creek at a fast pace up to bridge 517, not one YOY. Four yearlings was the sum total. A week later the final part was examined and zero found. Hitchcock was always one of the most productive creeks.

Numbers of Steelhead over San Clemente Dam Ladder and number of Steelhead ascending the two fish ladders at Los Padres Dam and transported from the traps to the reservoir so far this year.

San Clemente as of May 12th 2003 483. This time last year there were 642 Steelhead that made it up the ladder.

The final tally from Los Padres Dam.

Los Padres as of May 13th 2003 105 of which 56 female 49 male

Old ladder 39 New ladder 66

Last year 283 of which Females 195 and males 88.

Thanks to Don Lingenfelter Cal-Am Dam Master for his careful work in maintaining the two traps & fish ladders at Los Padres Dam.

The Daily Reservoir Storage Values and Stream flows thanks to MPWMD, Greg James are once again available for those interested in this information.

Visit the CRSA Stream Flows webpage

June 13th 2002

Steelhead over Los Padres Dam Statistics from 1995 through 2002 Seasons

Fish taken from the traps and lifted over to the LP reservoir by Cal-Am.

Year Number Year Number

2003 105

2002 283 2001 347

2000 208 1999 120

1998 122 1997 227

1996 93 1995 30

June 3rd 2002

Below you will find an interim report of the activities of the CRSA Steelhead Rescue teams so far this Spring. Flows in the creeks and river are down. The number of "Young of the Year" found & rescued this year is quite low in comparison with recent years. Lesser continued flow in a normal water year is probably the reason for the low numbers of adults seen in the creeks and the low spawning activity.

So far 643 adult Steelhead were counted over the San Clemente Dam. Cal-Am's Don Lingenfelter reports 283 fish lifted from the fish-ladders & traps to the reservoir. 195 females & 88 males.

Last year's San Clemente 's figures were higher at 841 & at Los Padres Dam 347. It is significant that the larger number of rescued fish is from the upper Carmel River Watershed, the Cachagua Creek. We still have perhaps another couple of rescues there. These other creeks, although separate watersheds are contiguous and subject to different rainfall conditions. Hydrological studies that the Council will commission this year of the watershed may throw some light on the changes we have observed.

Total rescued: 1610 (1484 YOY, 125 yearling +, 1 adult)

Total rescued by trib: Potrero- 9 yearling +

Robinson Cyn- 2 YOY, 45 Yearling +

Hitchcock- 34 yearling +

Garzas- 517 YOY, 11 yearling +

Cachagua- 965 YOY, 26 yearling +, 1

Adult Total mort: 92 (5.7%)

Mortality breakdown: 91 YOY, 1 yearling +, 0 adult

Project hours: 27.0

Total man-hours: 155.75

In closing, we wish to thank all the volunteers that make our Steelhead rescues possible and a special thanks to Jonathan Berkey, Coordinator and other members of the Carmel River Watershed Council. We shall soon be posting photos on the webpage of the volunteers.

The Sierra Club and Carmel River Steelhead Association invite everyone who is interested in following our efforts to conserve the riparian habitat of the Carmel River and its tributaries to visit this webpage

. The Operating Protocol

We wish to draw attention to adverse impacts to the Public Trust on Garzas Creek and/or Moore's Lake which we believe are the result of the Operating Protocol between Rancho San Carlos Partnership and the National Marine Fisheries Service, US Fish & Wildlife Service & California Department of Fish and Game. We have called for an investigation and seek appropriate remedies under the practice of adaptive management to effect changes in the protocol to the benefit of the Public Trust.

Please note that the webpage referred to is the work of the Sierra Club & the CRSA, stakeholders of the Carmel River Watershed Council and the Council is neither responsible for the content nor should it be construed that the Council supports any or all of the content therein.

CRSA is a CalTrout Streamkeeper

Visit Trout Unlimited WebPages

Carmel River Steelhead Association and The Carmel Watershed

Partners with 12 other stakeholders in the

Carmel River Watershed

The Carmel River drains about 260 square miles while flowing NW out of the valley between the Santa Lucia Mountains in the South & the Sierra del Salinas to the North & East. The river ends at the Carmel Lagoon & flows into the Pacific Ocean in the city of Carmel, CA. The river is 36 miles long. In 1984 a Carmel River Management Plan was put in place by MPWMD as a result of input from a Citizens Advisory Committee & on a vote by property owners. The plan was in existence for 10 years. How this plan was implemented is open to conjecture. It covered the lower 15 miles where the river flows through an extensive alluvial valley. Following Kondolf (1982) this plan separates the river into three distinct reaches. The lower river, from the mouth to the narrows, about 9 miles upstream; the middle river, from the narrows to Camp Stephani, which is located just downstream from the confluence of Tularcitos Creek or just upstream from Robles del Rio; and the upper river, where it flows through rugged canyons. Further background information is included in Curry & Kondolf’s presentation dating from 1983.

Building on the above, in 2000 interested watershed users formed a Watershed Council consisting of 13 stakeholder groups with a view to monitor & manage the watershed on a consensus basis. CRSA is a founding stakeholder and represents the recreational users of the watershed.

The Carmel Steelhead Association (CRSA) from its roots dating back to the 1970’s evolved from a Conservation group consisting mainly of fishermen to the leading advocate for preserving the Carmel River Wild Steelhead.

During the late eighties & early nineties the CRSA initiated several programs associated with the rearing of smolts during extreme drought periods on the Carmel River and a Brood Stock program at the CDFG marine station at Granite Canyon Carmel, CA. This program was primarily responsible for ensuring the continued existence of the Carmel species of Steelhead during 4 years of extreme drought when no migrations were possible.

Fertilized eggs were hatched & reared at the Monterey Bay Salmon-Trout Project and with cooperation of various other groups the small fry were transported by mules and released in the upper reaches of the Carmel above the Los Padres dam. A movie of one of the release days is part of our records. All ages of residents took part in this annual event. The hike from Princes Camp near Los Padres dam and up to the headwaters of the river.

Rescues of stranded Steelhead adults & young have occurred for 26 years during April through October. CRSA & MPWMD cover the creeks & the mainstem respectively. During the past 7 years using shocking equipment purchased with County Fish & Game Commission grants & association funds, the CRSA has assumed primary responsibility for creek rescues. From time to time they assist the MPWMD that each year has its own rescue crew in the mainstem. CRSA members and its volunteer crews from youth groups, other fishing associations and members of CSUMB participate on an as needed basis for major transfer to the ocean of adults and smolts locked in the Carmel lagoon.

The CRSA has for many years been engaged in fighting for minimum flows on the Carmel in the wake of increased illegal over-pumping of the Carmel aquifer. This culminated in a judgment of a lawsuit filed by CRSA & others and new regulations from the California State Water Resources Control Board (CSWRCB) that will over time eliminate the over- pumping.

CRSA monitors on an ongoing basis and where necessary files a protest where appropriation of water rights is sought.

CRSA with grants totaling $86,780 from CDFG & California Wildlife Foundation (CWF) constructed a new fish ladder & trap at the foot of the Los Padres dam. Entrance to the fish ladder is from the plunge pool. The new ladder consists of seven 10-foot sections, two resting pools and a newly designed trap for easy transfer (no nets or handling unless it is necessary to take scale samples for genetic testing) of adult fish to the tanker. Cal-Am the local water company has provided the tank, flatbed truck and has assumed the task of maintaining the ladder, trap and transportation of adult fish to the reservoir above the dam. The fish ladder and trap were officially opened on Wednesday March 29 2000.

CRSA has fewer than 70 members. Each year a fund-raiser (a Wild Game BBQ) is held. The 2003 BBQ raised over $8,000.

The 2003 BBQ was held at the Los Laureles Lodge on Sunday October 13 from 1.00pm to 5.00pm.

Fish ladder Project Engineer Robert Zampatti circa 2000.

If you wish to look at some pictures of Steelhead visit the Streamnet Webpage.

StreamNet

A look at the old fish ladders & plunge pool at the Los Padres Reservoir. These photos were taken some years ago. We will shortly be adding pictures of the new Alaskan Steepcase fish ladder & trap, which was officially opened on 3/29/99.

River pictures

The Steelhead Society of British Columbia

This is a neat web page with a fund of information on steelhead.

Go or Return to Carmel River Watershed Conservancy WebPage

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Last updated 16 Oct 2005 by Clive Sanders.