Anglers cheer dam removals

There are two large-scale dam removal projects underway in Northern California that give those of us who enjoy fishing for trout, steelhead, and salmon hope that these precious fish may yet survive all the forces that have been driving them toward extinction.

The Eel River dam removal project is the one closest to us here in Sonoma because one of the dams that will be removed is the one in Potter Valley that is connected to Lake Mendocino. The Eel River once supported runs of up to a million salmon and steelhead each year, but those numbers have plummeted to a fraction of historical numbers. Scientists recognize that a healthy and free-flowing Eel River has the potential to play a key role in the rebound of these fisheries throughout the North Coast region.

Removal of that dam will mean that water taken from the Eel and diverted to Lake Mendocino will be restored to the Eel; that and other parts of the project will make the Eel the longest free-flowing river in California and reopen hundreds of stream miles of prime habitat unavailable to native salmon and steelhead.

The other dam removal project underway that will restore valuable salmon and steelhead river runs is happening on the Klamath River where the 173-foot-high Iron Gate earth embankment dam is being drawn down. The drawdown of two other man-made reservoirs on the Klamath will enable the removal of three remaining hydroelectric dams, which have blocked salmon and steelhead habitat above them and contributed to poor water quality below. The Klamath River was once the third-largest salmon producer on the West Coast, but in the time since the dams were constructed, the Klamath's Coho and Chinook runs have dwindled to a fraction of their historic abundance, according to Cal Trout.

Recent rains have filled all the streams that feed into San Francisco Bay, which will set mud and ghost shrimp into activity, which stimulates sturgeon into aggressive feeding in parts of the North Bay where local anglers can catch them.

Sturgeon have been feeding on herring roe but will begin to focus on shrimp now that they’re more prevalent. The best action in the coming weeks will be in what is called the “sturgeon triangle,” bounded by Buoy 5, the Pump House and China Camp.

In the meantime, anglers have been catching some nice-sized striped bass near Rat Rock off China Camp and off the bank near Loch Lomond Marina in San Rafael. Call Bear Clifton at Lock Lomond Bait Shop, (415) 456-0321. for the latest conditions. He also has live shrimp and other live baits for bay fishing.

You can still catch your own fresh Dungeness crab by booking a trip with Capt. Rick Powers of Bodega Bay Sportsfishing on his party boat, “New Sea Angler.” Rick’s clients are bringing home full limits (10) of delicious fat crabs virtually every trip. Call him at (707) 875-3344 to book a trip.