California Reel Stories

We received a strong response to our Reel Stories question “What California water—river, stream, or lake—is worth fighting for?” The winner of the promotion was Ove Kargard who answered the Owens River.

The results were a reminder of how much this community cares. Hot Creek led all mentions—and there’s a reason: Read “The Good Fight” to learn about the fight to protect its headwaters from a proposed gold mine. The McCloud, Upper Sacramento, and Kern River each drew strong support, along with more than a dozen other waters. And perhaps the most honest answer of all? “All of them”—which more than a few of you wrote in.

Over the years, the Owens River and Valley have been heavily degraded due to development, water drainage, and environmental changes. Diversions from the Owens River by the Los Angeles Aqueduct have devastated the Owens Valley's ecosystem, desiccating Owens Lake and causing severe ecological damage. Although restoration efforts have begun, it will be years, if at all, that the river will be restored to a healthy waterway.”

Hot Creek is our Pebble Mine fight to protect a spot that started the fly-fishing journey for so many of us!

The McCloud is one of the most beautiful rivers I've ever fished in California. It is a cold-water spring-fed ecosystem. Protecting the river helps preserve one of the most historically significant wild trout lineages in the world.

The Kern River drainage—North Fork, South Fork, Little Kern and Golden Trout Creek (Volcano Creek)—is a spectacular watershed. The Kern is a spring creek supporting California golden trout and Kern river rainbow (both species of special concern), and Little Kern golden trout (threatened and endangered). What makes the Kern River worth fighting for are these three California heritage trout whose native waters are in this river drainage. It may be too late, but every effort must be made to protect these native trout species in their native waters.

The Truckee River. Legendary and scenic, it is the lifeline of the Sierra.

The Smith River. The longest undammed California river should remain protected at all costs. The icy cold clear water is home to native wild trout that call this river between the redwoods home.

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

Tell us which native California fish—one you’ve pursued or hope to—needs our protection most?

From golden trout in the High Sierra to salmon fighting their way home—California’s native fish are what makes this state unique.

We’ll pick a winner at random to receive a LOOP Tackle Opti reel.

For giveaway rules and regulations, click here.