Meandering Angler: 5 Rivers, 3 days challenge

If you’re a competitive and love to fly-fish for trout, while also supporting a worthy cause, then consider grabbing a spot in California Trout’s annual Five Rivers Challenge, set for Sept. 21 to 25. The five rives are the Fall, Pit, McCloud, Upper Sacramento and Hat Creek.

Eight 2-person teams will fish each wild-trout-designated section of each river over three days. The team that catches (and releases) the greatest total inches of trout from all five rivers will be the winner and have their names engraved on the spectacular Five Rivers Trophy displayed at Cal Trout’s San Francisco Headquarters.

All teams will receive gear and other prizes. The rules are simple:

• Two-person teams, fishing together with a guide. (8 team limit)

• Fly fishing only, catch and release, barbless hooks.

• Guides measure fish and keep score.

• One half-day on each river.

• The sixth half-day is free time.

• The entry fee for each team is $6,000, 3,000 of which is tax deductible, with all proceeds benefitting Cal Trout. For more details and entry form go to: caltrout.org/event/2022-five-rivers-challenge.

• If you are a fly-fisher who also loves taking photos, then consider entering CalTrout’s 2022 Photo Contest, which runs from now to Aug. 31. Entry is free.

• Photos will be judged on how well they depict the spirit of California waterways, the sport of fly-fishing, and/or California's natural scenic beauty, as well as overall artistic merit (lighting, color, composition, etc). The basic rule is that all photos must in some way be related to California rivers, creeks, streams, and/or lakes and the activities around them. Ideally, photos should be in a horizontal format. And all entries must be received by 11:59 pm, Aug. 31. If there is a person in the photo, you must also submit a signed model release.

All of the details and additional rules can be found at caltrout.org. The grand prize for the winner includes having the photo featured on the Caltrout website and in CalTrout promotions, a one-year CalTrout membership, a CalTrout custom GalvanTorgue T5 reel, a YETI flip-top soft cooler with CalTrout logo, a High Camp Flasks Firelight 375 flask and other prizes with a total value of $1,050. There area also prizes for a “People’s Choice Award” and nine other winners.

Fishing close to Sonoma has been good on the Napa River says Capt. Patrick MacKenzie, Sonoma-based fly-fishing guide. He’s also urging anglers to reserve now for September, October and November, traditionally three of the best months for striper fishing in our area. Call Patrick at (707) 721-6700.

Right now, customers of Capt. Rick Powers of Bodega Bay Fishing excellent salmon and rock fishing. Call Rick at (707) 875-3344.