California is experiencing one of the driest years on record. Less than fifty percent annual rainfall, virtually zero snowpack and low Lake levels; translating—DROUGHT. Central Valley water deliveries have been drastically cut and water agencies are scrambling to rob Peter to pay Paul with state wide deliveries. The only problem is there isn’t really any water to rob. Unless there is some unforeseen significant late season (May-early June) rainfall, what we see is what we get.

April 24, the Bureau of Reclamation implemented a “critically dry” water allocation and posted a 2014 flow schedule for the Trinity River (refer chart). Flows translate into 360,724 acre feet of water to be released throughout the year. Trinity Lake is currently 53 percent capacity (1,303,774 acre ft. water) and not since 2001 have we witnessed such dry conditions and critically dry river flows. By the end of September carry storage capacity is expected to be down to 546,000 acre-ft.. The 15 year average carryover for Trinity lake is 1,612,000 acre-ft.. In addition to the effect on recreation, of major concern is the low storage may result in additional adverse effects due to elevated water temperatures. So what does all this mean? Same as it ever was, droughts are cyclic and nothing new to California. Since 2001, California’s increasing demands for more water allocations and exports have caused food prices, water, gas and electric bills to sky rocket; water supplies are tapped out. The real question is what impacts the drought will have upon our fisheries and how long will they be impacted?

The past has revealed native salmon-steelhead stocks and the ecosystems that support them are generally able to weather droughts. We have survived three droughts during the 32 yrs. living in Trinity County and learned firsthand there are no cold water fish, resident or anadromous, and ecosystems that benefit from a drought. So I will elude the Captain Bringdown doom and gloom, and highlight the local glimmers of hope for 2014. Current higher flows down the T.R. (1500 cfs. through May) have given native and hatchery salmon-steelhead out-migrants a major boost down river and hopefully out to the ocean. Also spring chinook and steelhead are currently taking advantage of the increased flows and desirable water temperatures and racing through both systems. The beauty and mystic of anadromous fish cycles, juveniles migrating out- adults return; key timing and commute on both ends to ultimately complete life cycles and perpetuate future stocks. While there has been mounting concerns regarding potentially high water temperatures this summer-fall, yesterday Trinity County Board of Supervisors endorsed a proposed Assembly bill (AB1914) that would establish a minimum cold-water storage level in Trinity lake to ensure compliance with temperature objectives to protect salmon-steelhead in the T.R.. Time will tell, the 2014 Klamath-Trinity salmon-steelhead runs face some very challenging conditions.

We are devoted shadders and since most steelheaders are shadders and shadders, steelheaders (all about the Grab) we are getting several inquiries about shad runs this year. It is early and to date your guess is as good as ours. Based upon the last three year shad returns there should be shad runs. The question is when, where and for how long; all depending upon favorable water qualities and which river or rivers support them. Currently, all Central Valley Rivers have been drastically reduced and Water Agencies are doing a juggling act with river flows. Keep in mind, unlike salmon-steelhead that tend to return to natal waters, shad will go with the flow, opting for rivers supporting desirable flows and temperatures. To date, the lower Sacramento is supporting the greatest volume of flow and generally the “go-to” river during drought conditions. However water sales and deliveries, from other rivers, could help to create new options and prospects.

What about the drought and Trinity’s resident trout fisheries? Most all trout waters (high mountain wilderness lakes, Trinity-Lewiston-Grass Valley lakes, freestone tributaries and tailwaters) are fishing about a month and a half earlier than usual; zero snowpack and runoff is all but over. Most aquatic hatches, (stones, caddis, mayflies, aquatic wasp (happening NOW) generations/startups are also accelerated. If the current weather pattern continues to maintain its warm and dry grip, it will be a long hot one. On a bright note, tailwaters waters such as the “Fly only” waters, upper reach Trinity River and Lewiston Lake sustain cool water temperatures and good chance both will fish all summer. So get it while the gett’n is good. Need sound advice on when, where and what to use or have questions about flies/tackle contact-your local source, TRINITY FLY SHOP (530-623-6757) for a quality Trinity experience!