McCloud Redband Preservation
Triple Grant Challenge
In a major drive to turn around the downward spiral of the McCloud River redband trout, Caltrout in conjunction with the Orvis Company and the NFWS announced a triple matching grant challenge. To learn more about this grant challenge, visit the McCloud Redband Challenge.
McCloud River Redband Trout
McCloud River redband trout are native rainbow trout with a brick-red band on their sides that dwell in the McCloud River watershed. They taxonomic history is clouded by the introduction of nonnative strains of rainbow trout and by limited connections to populations from the Sacramento River. To make matters more confusing, Sheepheaven Creek, a tributary to the McCloud River, contains a population of redband trout that may deserve separate subspecific designation on its own.
California Heritage Trout Challenge
The McCloud River Redband trout caught, photoed, and released in its native range qualifies for the California Heritage Trout Challenge. What is the McCloud River Redband trout's native range? Send an email to the EcoAngler and I can recommend some waters to fish.
McCloud River Redband Historic Range
The McCloud River redband is restricted to several streams in the upper McCloud River basin and the McCloud River mainstream. A small tributary to the upper McCloud mainstem is Swamp Creek. This creek is one of only three streams in the entire world that are inhabitated by native populations of McCloud River redband trout which have not encountered hatchery fish and later hybridization.
Important Note: Swamp Creek is closed to anglers in order to protect these rare redband trout.
