THE ECOANGLER REPORT – UPPER

The Upper Truckee River population of Lahontan cutthroat near Meiss Meadow is one of the few high-elevation meadow populations of Lahontans in the Mountain Range.

I. Overview of the Watershed In , Lahontan Cutthroat are native to the Truckee, Carson, Susan, and Walker River systems, including the Upper Truckee River. The upper section of the Truckee River profiled in this report is located in both Alpine and El Dorado counties. The Upper Truckee is a snow-fed tributary to draining into the southern end of the lake. This stretch of river provided historic spawning grounds for native cutthroat. The introduction of non-native brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) in the Upper Truckee River would ultimately result in the decline of Lahontans in this river.

Starting back in 1988, and with help from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Forest Service, the California Department of Fish and Game (DFG) has conducted an effort to restore Lahontans on the Upper Truckee. Stream surveys going forward from 2007 now confirm the removal of all non- native brook trout from the Upper Truckee.

As a result of this effort, a growing population of Lahontans have resettled the Upper Truckee River. Due to the population’s self-sustaining nature (i.e., no hatchery support), and the location of the stream within the Lahontans’ historic range, the California Fish and Game Commission designated the Upper Truckee River as a Heritage and Wild Trout Water.

The Heritage Trout Water is comprised of all tributaries of the Upper Truckee upstream of the confluence with Showers Creek (Showers Creek is the outflow of Showers Lake – refer to the map included for location). Angling on the Upper Truckee is permitted from July 1st through September 30th and special regulations require the use of only artificial lures with barbless hooks. There is a zero trout bag limit.

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II. Abundance and Size of Lahontan Cutthroat In a 2009 survey of the Upper Truckee River a total of 2080 Lahontan cutthroat were captured in the main-stem of the river. A survey of the river’s nine tributary sections turned up another 348 cutthroat.

The chart below provides the total number of Lahontan cutthroat captured on the main-stem of the Upper Truckee broken down by size (Weaver and Mehalick 2009).

III. Stream Populations, Regulations, Access & Distance Stream Segment Total Fishing Regulations Access Distance Lahontan (one way)

1500M Test 254 July 1 to September 30 / Pacific Crest Trail to 1st 3 miles Zero Limit / Barbless Crossing of Truckee River, then follow downstream

1000M Test 170 July 1 to September 30 / 500 Meters downstream of 3.5 miles Zero Limit / Barbless 1500M Test

500 M test 318 July 1 to September 30 / 1000 Meters downstream 4 miles Zero Limit / Barbless of 1500M Test

Beaver Dams 433 July 1 to September 30 / Pacific Crest Trail to 4.5 miles Zero Limit / Barbless Martinis Pond, then East to intersection with Truckee River

Refer to the map below sample points used by DFG in the 2009 survey of the main-stem Upper Truckee (created by Willam Somer, DFG)

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Directions to reach Trailhead: 1. From South Lake Tahoe, Nevada – West on Highway 50 to junction for Highway 89.

2. Proceed South on Highway 89 until reaching intersection with Highway 88.

3. Turn right going west on Highway 88.

4. Continue on Highway 88 for 8 miles to the Carson Pass. Near the top of the summit (8,573'), on the right (North side) you will see a parking facility (fee required).

5. The trail head for the Pacific Crest Trail is on the northwest corner of the parking lot.

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IV. Area Map

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Trail Description: This trail goes north and follows the Pacific Crest Trail (no mountain bikes allowed) through expansive meadows with views of Little Round Top (10,381'), Elephant's Back (9,585') and (10,063'). The trail begins by winding upward 400 vertical feet through a series of switchbacks littered with large boulders for over a mile until you reach the summit where there is a small pond. After reaching the summit, the trail drops down a slight grade into the flatlands of Meiss (pronounced “Mice”) Meadows. The Pacific Crest Trail crosses the Upper Truckee River several times. The last crossing continues away from the river and proceeds to Showers Lake.

V. Fishing Techniques Catching these native cutthroat is not technical or too difficult. Keep your gear simple and light and your approach low and quiet. As wild fish, these fish will spook and look for cover if they hear or see you. Look for cut-banks, pools, behind structure and tail-outs feeding into deeper water. Gear requirements:

• 2 to 4 wt. rod 9 ft. or less

• 9 ft. leader in the 5X to 6X range.

• Dry flies such as a size 18 Parachute Adams, size 18 Griffin’s Gnat, size 16 elk hair caddis or a size 12 stimulator. All must be barbless.

Keep the casting to a minimum and be sure to get a drag-free drift and you’ll be rewarded with a lightening quick grab.

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