VOL. 44 • ISS. 4

April 25, 2025

3

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

FISH SNIFFER EMAIL: tylerandersen @ fishsniffer. com Tyler Andersen...... Webmaster

n the early 1980s a group of avid local fishermen decided to form an association whose goal was to preserve and grow the Lake Almanor fishery. The Lake Almanor Enhancement Committee was formed. They partnered with

The Sacramento Municipal Utility District( SMUD) Trout Derby at Rancho Seco Lake on April 5 and 6 produced big numbers of trophy-sized rainbow trout for the participants. Fifteen-yearold Aiden Marion of Orangevale won first place in the Junior Division with his 6.23 lb. rainbow. Marion caught the big trout and four others fishing a Trout Magnet jig from his kayak while anchored up. He won a new kayak, provided by Angler’ s Press, and a trophy for his efforts.

Photo by Dan Bacher

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

Editors Daniel Bacher................. Conservation Director Jack Naves...................................... Contributor John Brassfield................................ Contributor Mark Kalinowski............................ Contributor

ADVERTISING / MARKETING Paul Kneeland................... Advertising Director paulkneeland @ fishsniffer. com the California Fish and Game agency and other concerned groups. It was recognized that while fishing was very popular there was little effort to maintain and increase game fish in the lake. In other words, the lake fish population was declining. ​The committee formed a fish pen rearing program which was started with what might be called home made floating pens. The program was a success and, in many ways, has changed little over the years. Young fish were provided by California Fish and Game, food purchased by the committee and feeding went on through the winter. Well fed, medium sized fish were released into the lake in the Spring. Typically, 50,000 to 60,000 fish were raised yearly, no small matter considering winter snows and freezing temperatures greeted feeders every day as the fish were fed. ​By the early 1990s after some thought the committee decided a name change was needed, the Almanor Fishing Association came to be. Around 1992 the homemade pens were replaced with durable aluminum pens and are left in the water year-round. Fish raised varied as to species, originally salmon were selected, later various trout species were being raised and so it is today. Membership has increased and the legendary summer“ AFA BBQ” has grown from the early days of perhaps 100 folks to now over 500. The AFA depends solely on donations and fund raising efforts. This income allows the AFA to buy fish food, replace old pens and support our community in many ways. The Almanor Fishing Association also promotes both youth and veteran fishing programs.

The Veterans program organizes a day of fishing for our veterans. In coordination with our local Elks Club, fishing and a dinner is offered to any veteran who wishes to enjoy an outing on the lake and the camaraderie. Mark your calendar for the Saturday following Father’ s Day in June. Also, the AFA assists California Department of Wildlife with a program known as Fishing the Fourth Grade. Along with teachers and parents, AFA volunteers help provide an engaging day of fishing for the students. Our efforts to teach children about the outdoors and nature is in the hopes that they become good stewards of our community and its resources. Thanks to their generous supporters, the AFA has provided every fourth grader in Plumas County with a brand new fishing rod and reel. In addition, AFA provides scholarships to graduating seniors of Chester, Westwood and Greenville high schools. You can get more information and to support the Almanor Fishing Association, go to www. almanorfishingassociation. org.

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The fish pens at Lake Almanor on a cold, clear spring morning!

Photo courtesy of the Almanor Fishing Association