Winners of the 2024 California Trout Fish Water People Photo contest
California’s stunning landscapes and diverse waters offer endless inspiration for anglers and adventurers alike. Each year, California Trout’s Fish Water People Photo Contest brings this beauty to life, and in 2024, California Fly Fisher was thrilled to partner with the nonprofit in the annual showcase.
The contest attracted hundreds of entries from all corners of the state, each one judged on how well they showcased the spirit of California’s waterways, the thrill of fly fishing, and the state’s breathtaking natural beauty.
After careful consideration, judges selected 25 finalists, images that captured the heart of California. Among these, a Grand Prize winner was chosen, while viewers and followers of CalTrout and California Fly Fisher voted to determine the People’s Choice Award along with nine outstanding images awarded Best Photo honors. This year also saw the launch of a new category, Emerging Photographer, spotlighting young talent under 25.
We’re excited to share the winning photos—each one a powerful reminder of why we love and protect California and its waters.
GRAND PRIZE
“Rocky Reflection” by Bryan Wuerker
“After climbing and snowboarding down the snowy Mt. Morrison, we raced the sun back to Convict Lake. Trout surfaced at the edges of the frozen lake while cotton candy clouds floated overhead.”
PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD
“Sunset on the Middle Fork of Feather River” by Mike Pease
“One late summer evening on the Middle Fork of the Feather River during a mayfly hatch, an unusual summer rain cleared and the sun poked out under the clouds. When I turned around to see what you see in the photo
I felt in awe of the river and scene that I have fished my entire life.”
EMERGING PHOTOGRAPHER AWARD
“Mirrored Moments: Angler and Fish” by Andrew Notter
“I was hiking into one of my favorite runs on the Lower Yuba River with my buddy Cole to fish dries during an evening caddis hatch. On our hike in we saw this fish sitting in a side channel a couple runs above Parks Bar Quarry and it ate Cole’s chubby mid-afternoon on the first cast.”
BEST PHOTO AWARDS
You can see all of the winning photos at caltrout.org.
