VOL . 43 • ISS . 5

April 19 , 2024

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Pacific Fishery Management Council ( PFMC ) voted unanimously for a complete closure of recreational and commercial salmon seasons on

The Sacramento Municipal Utility District ( SMUD ) Trout Derby at Rancho Seco Lake on April 6 and 7 produced lots of trophy-sized rainbow trout for bank and boat anglers . Kai Her of Sacramento caught the biggest fish on day one of the event , a 7.36 lb . rainbow . He won the grand prize in the adult division , a fishing kayak provided by the Fish Sniffer magazine and Angler ’ s Press . He was fishing with PowerBait when the lunker hit . It was the first derby he had ever entered .

Photo by Dan Bacher

The Fish Sniffer P . O . Box 776 , Colfax , CA 95713 www . fishsniffer . com

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“ The No . 1 Magazine Dedicated Entirely To Northern California Sportsmen !”

Editors Ernie Marlan ...................... Managing Editor Daniel Bacher ................. Conservation Director Tyler Andersen ........................ Flyfishing Editor John Brassfield ................................ Contributor Mark Kalinowski ............................ Contributor

ADVERTISING / MARKETING Paul Kneeland ................... Advertising Director Sheldon Bright .............. Advertising / Marketing

IT PAYS TO ADVERTISE IN THE FISH SNIFFER ... We Reach SPORTSMEN !

Call for info on Print , Digital , Video , & Email Blast Advertising Sheldon Bright ....( 916 ) 714-4538 Ernie Marlan ....( 916 ) 204-7373 Paul Kneeland ....( 530 ) 346-8696

The content of this publication are for the general information , convenience and entertainment of the reader . Neither Fish Sniffer nor any of its principals , staff or incidental damages , or inconvenience incurred or experienced , related to these contents , and do not warrant their accuracy or reliability . the California Coast for the second year in a row , based on a CDFW recommendation . The closure is due to the collapse of Sacramento River fall-run Chinook and Klamath River fall-run Chinook salmon populations for the second year in a row . “ At its March 2024 meeting , the Pacific Fishery Management Council ( Council ) voted on and approved public review of three alternatives for salmon fisheries along the California coast ,” wrote Chuck Bonham , CDFW Director , in a letter to the PFMC . “ The first two alternatives offered opportunities for limited commercial and recreational fishing while the third alternative calls for a complete closure of salmon fisheries off California .” “ The California Department of Fish and Wildlife ( CDFW ) recommends the Council to close ocean salmon fisheries along the California coast and otherwise constrain salmon fishing in Council managed areas to minimize impacts to Sacramento

The Fish Sniffer is looking for an Internet Marketing Specialist to help drive the digital Fish Sniffer Magazine into the future .

Knowledge of fishing is very helpful . FishSniffer . com needs to be totally rebuilt , and Internet marketing increased to build the numbers on the magazine and website .

Ownership status a possibility for the right individual .

Contact Paul Kneeland at 530-346-8696 or paulkneeland @ fishsniffer . com and Klamath origin Chinook salmon stocks ,” urged Bonham . The CDFW also recommended a complete in-river closures statewide , but that won ’ t be official until the California Fish and Game Commission approves it in May .

The closure is due to the collapse of Sacramento River fall-run Chinook and Klamath River fall-run Chinook salmon populations for the second year in a row .

The state blames the salmon collapse on the “ drought and climate disruption ,” while fishing groups , Tribes and environmentalists point to the government ’ s complicity in the collapse . “ At this point we can ’ t put the blame solely on drought when Governor Newsom ’ s water policies are devastating to thousands of families that rely on salmon to pay their rent and

mortgages , put food on the table and keep their businesses going ,” said Scott Artis , executive director of the Golden State Salmon Association ( GSSA ). “ It ’ s simple : when the state ’ s water policies kill off all of the baby salmon , 2 to 3 years later you don ’ t get many returning adults in the rivers . This is Governor Newsom ’ s legacy .” “ Our hearts are breaking for the Tribal , recreational and commercial fishermen of California ,” said Regina Chichizola from Save California Salmon , which works on both the Klamath and Sacramento Rivers . “ This man-made disaster is the direct result of decisions by the Biden and Newsom administrations to support Trump era water plans which prioritize water for agriculture over salmon , cities and communities “ California claims to be environmental leaders , and to be focused on truth and healing for Tribes , but always chooses industrial agriculture over

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