Welcome to the Summer 2026 issue of California Fly Fisher.
California is home to one of the richest assemblages of native trout on the planet. From McCloud River redbands and California golden trout to Lahontan cutthroat and Goose Lake rainbow trout, these fish are woven into the landscapes—and stories—that define fly fishing in the West. They are also among our state’s greatest conservation challenges.
My introduction to this world came through California Trout. Working in communications and development, I had the opportunity to learn about California’s native salmonids in depth. By the time we’d published CalTrout’s State of Salmonids II report, I was fully immersed. If Jeopardy! ever calls, I’m ready for “California’s Native Salmonids” for $1,000.
That’s why I’m especially excited to share Mark Erickson’s feature on California’s Heritage Trout Challenge, which launches a new column, California’s Native Trout. The thinking is simple: the more we understand these species and the pressures they face, the more likely we are to act—whether by practicing Keep Fish Wet principles, volunteering on restoration projects, supporting campaigns such as the NO Hot Creek Mine effort (see The Good Fight, p. 60), or backing organizations like California Trout, Trout Unlimited, and Western Rivers Conservancy.
And we’d love to hear from you. If you’ve completed—or are working toward—the Heritage Trout Challenge, send us your story. Tell us about the fish, the places, the setbacks, and the moments that made the journey memorable. We may feature some of those stories in future issues or on CalFlyFisher.com.
This issue follows two anglers into the field in pursuit of native trout. In “The Perfect Day,” TJ Brady searches for Lahontan cutthroat near Truckee, while Seth Blackamore journeys into the High Sierra chasing California golden trout.
We also profile fisheries biologist Peter Moyle, one of the authors of the State of Salmonids II report, and Representative Jared Huffman, who brings a hunter’s and angler’s perspective to his work across an expanded congressional district.
You’ll hear a familiar voice in these pages as well. In “The Fish I Remember,” longtime readers will recognize Richard Anderson, founder and former publisher/editor of California Fly Fisher. Richard’s essay may spark a few memories of your own—and we’d love to hear those stories, too.
As I write this, Women’s Fly-Fishing Month is winding down, though our commitment to celebrating the women who have shaped this pastime extends well beyond June. This spring, we lost one of those trailblazers with the passing of Fanny Krieger. Among her many accomplishments, Fanny co-founded Golden West Women Flyfishers in 1983 and organized the first International Festival of Women Fly Fishers in 1996. More than any title—fly fisher, author, certified casting instructor, or Hall of Fame inductee—she was someone who opened doors and kept them open. You can read more about Fanny here.
Thank you for being a part of our community. We wouldn’t be here without you.
