California Reel Stories

The second installment of our Reel Stories campaign posed a tough question: “Which native California fish—one you’ve pursued or hope to—needs our protection most?” Winner Lance Boling made the case for coastal steelhead.

The responses reflected the remarkable diversity of California’s native fishes—the most of any state in the Lower 48—with nine species earning votes. Steelhead swam away with the top spot, named by 41 percent of respondents, followed by California golden trout at 19 percent and Lahontan cutthroat trout at 11 percent.

All need protection, but I believe our coastal steelhead are in jeopardy. The short rivers running from the redwoods to the beach are being de-watered, eliminating critical habitat.

Quite simply, the southern California steelhead. This fish used to run in healthy numbers. Now, there's very few. I'd love to target these fish one day. It at least my nieces and nephew could if I'm no longer around.

Lahontan Cutthroat. The LC’s are highly acclaimed and revered for their beauty, but getting them back into their historical watersheds should be a priority for all anglers. For everything the water gives us, we should be making that same effort to rebuild their homes and provide the best chance at successful reintroduction.

Lahontan Cutthroat Trout. There is some special magic in the the idea of getting these fish back up the Truckee. It is a very special little stretch in modern times.

California Golden Trout. It's endangered and beautiful.

California Golden Trout. Besides being the official state fish, to catch and admire one of these small beauties is to appreciate not only your own effort to be there, but to wonder how these fish manage to survive in such starkly beautiful places at such high altitudes.

Paiute Cutthroat Trout. Would have said Golden but the Paiute has the least stream miles by far.

Spring-run Chinook salmon. Unbelievable collapse of number of fish in the rivers, streams and creeks. Most endangered salmonid and nearing extinction.

In this next installment of our quarterly California Reel Stories series, we want to hear from you.

What wild place in California needs our protection most?

Now more than ever we need to protect the places we want to ensure are around for future generations to enjoy.

We’ll pick a winner at random to receive a LOOP Tackle Ström rod.

For giveaway rules and regulations, click here.