Fish Water People

Restoration Takes Everyone, with Griff Griffith and Chuck Bonham

What does a renowned natural and cultural resource interpreter have in common with the Director of California Department of Fish and Wildlife? Dive into the most recent (and final!) episode of season 3 of the Fish Water People podcast to find out! First, we sit down with Griff Griffith, a natural and cultural resource interpreter, in other words a man who can do it all. He is a content creator for Redwoods Rising, host of the Jumpstart Nature podcast, and much more. He shares his infectious enthusiasm for forest restoration and the emerging "restoration economy" transforming the North Coast. Griff takes us inside the massive Redwoods Rising partnership working to heal previously clear-cut, overplanted forests and create the diverse, resilient ecosystems that once defined the region. His advice for a strong, sustainable America? Fresh water, good soil, clean air, lots of fish, biodiversity, and cool forests. Next, we are joined by Chuck Bonham, Director of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, for a wide-ranging conversation about leading the agency tasked with protecting every living thing in the Golden State. Chuck reflects on 14 years of transformative work - from the historic Klamath dam removal to wolf and beaver reintroduction. We explore balancing conservation with community needs and why both guests believe California can be a model for stewarding natural resources for the next 1,000 years. Griff and Chuck represent two different pieces of the conservation ecosystem, revealing what's possible when we use human innovation as a force for good – and we each have a part to play. Hear more from these inspirational leaders about the hard work contributing to a sustainable future for all Californians.

Guided by Nature, Governed by Law with Michael Rogner & Karrigan Börk

In this episode of the Fish Water People Podcast, Michael Rogner, Associate Director of Restoration Science at River Partners, discusses large-scale riparian habitat restoration in California's Central Valley. Rogner explains how his organization transforms former agricultural lands into native habitats, focusing on restoring the Sacramento River's ecosystem. By converting fallow fields into native landscapes, River Partners has restored 20,000 acres, creating multiple benefits including flood control, groundwater recharge, wildlife habitat, and community access to green spaces. He highlights projects like Dos Rios State Park, which demonstrates how ecological restoration can improve public safety, support biodiversity, and provide recreational opportunities. Karrigan Börk, a UC Davis law professor and director of the UCD Center for Watershed Sciences, also joins the conversation and delves into the complex world of California water law. Bork explains the historical development of water rights, including riparian and appropriative rights, and how the public trust doctrine has evolved to protect ecological interests. He uses examples like the Mono Lake case to illustrate how legal frameworks can drive environmental protection, discussing how state and federal laws like the Clean Water Act and Porter-Cologne Act interact to regulate water use. Listen to more episodes at caltrout.org/podcast

Connections and Crossings: Wildlife in the Modern World, with Beth Pratt and Ben Goldfarb

From P-22 - dubbed the "Brad Pitt of mountain lions" - navigating LA freeways to steelhead battling urban barriers, the latest Fish Water People podcast episode dives into an urgent question: how can we help wildlife move through a world designed primarily with human movement in mind? Join us as we connect with Beth Pratt, wildlife advocate, author, and California Director for the National Wildlife Federation, who reveals why data alone is not enough to motivate environmental action. She discusses how compelling personal stories transformed public perception of urban animals and drove the construction of the world’s largest wildlife crossing, the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing in Los Angeles County. Ben Goldfarb, journalist, author, and Beaver Believer, also joins the conversation and reveals how innovative crossings - from overpasses to culverts - give animals new paths to survival. Together, these conservation leaders are painting a realistic picture of how cities and wildlife can coexist, one crossing at a time. This episode was recorded prior to the catastrophic fires in LA. Our hearts are with all those affected, and we are devastated for the communities that have been so quickly and shockingly displaced by these fire events. For those seeking assistance or looking for ways to help, please explore the below resources. Resources for those affected: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1KMk34XY5dsvVJjAoD2mQUVHYU_Ib6COz6jcGH5uJWDY/[…]Ri24fIxe9aMSv-llwdHVOO4AlbYQwX4oAg_aem_C43zmedFY43xZbhHxML6Pw [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1KMk34XY5dsvVJjAoD2mQUVHYU_Ib6COz6jcGH5uJWDY/htmlview?usp=sharing&fbclid=IwY2xjawIHHgZleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHYdho611RgPabEu89ke9-zhkRi24fIxe9aMSv-llwdHVOO4AlbYQwX4oAg_aem_C43zmedFY43xZbhHxML6Pw] Ways to help (LA Times): https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2025-01-08/how-to-help-victims-of-pacific-p[…]cf18-fcec4d0f13-232602681&mc_cid=fcec4d0f13&mc_eid=9d09952d18 [https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2025-01-08/how-to-help-victims-of-pacific-palisades-eaton-and-hurst-fires?utm_source=California+Trout+List&utm_campaign=fcec4d0f13-CAMPAIGN-Photo-Contest-2020-Winners_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_cf2a51cf18-fcec4d0f13-232602681&mc_cid=fcec4d0f13&mc_eid=9d09952d18] Ways to help (KQED): https://www.kqed.org/news/12021150/where-to-donate-help-los-angeles-wildfire-eaton-fire-palisades-pasadena [https://www.kqed.org/news/12021150/where-to-donate-help-los-angeles-wildfire-eaton-fire-palisades-pasadena]

The Klamath: Behind the Scenes, with Shane Anderson and Brook Thompson

Join us for behind the scenes stories from the Klamath River as we explore the before and after of this historic dam removal project. We chat with Shane Anderson, 2x Emmy award winning documentary filmmaker, and Brook Thompson, Yurok & Karuk Native and Ph.D. Student.  Damon Goodman, CalTrout Regional Director, also joins the conversation to share some exciting updates from CalTrout's monitoring program on the Klamath as we work to uncover and better understand the impacts of dam removal. Learn more about our work here [https://caltrout.org/projects/tracking-the-repopulation-of-fishes-after-dam-removal-on-the-klamath-river].

Reel Talk: Angling Perspectives Across California, with Kesley Gallagher, John Fochetti, and Michael Wier

Join us for a fishy episode of the Fish Water People podcast as we explore the diverse angling opportunities across California! We chat with Kesley Gallagher, CalTrout board member and life-long angler, John Fochetti, fishing guide in Northern California, and Michael Wier, CalTrout videographer, field reporter, and big fish aficionado. Our guests take us on a journey through California's remarkable fisheries, starting with the challenging corbina hunts on SoCal beaches. From these adventures, we venture to the majestic waters of the North Coast, uncovering world-class trout fishing hotspots around Redding. We also explore the exhilarating experience of CalTrout’s Five Rivers Challenge, where anglers fish five rivers in just three days. Throughout the episode, our guests share their unique experiences, valuable insights, and deep love for California's waters. Whether you're an avid angler or simply appreciate the Golden State's aquatic wonders, this episode is sure to reel you in! Guest biographies: John Fochetti: John Fochetti Fly Fishing has been operating in Northern California for over 16 years, and throughout that time he has gained intimate knowledge of the many waters of Northern California. In addition, the countless hours have honed his skills as a teacher, welcoming novice and advanced anglers alike. He guides the Klamath, Trinity, Pit, Hat, Mccloud, Upper Sacramento, Lower Sacramento, Fall River, and Shasta Lake for trout steelhead and bass. Kesley Gallagher: She has 24 International Game Fish Association (IGFA) records and she is an IGFA Representative for California. She is an Elite Sage Pro, and has been fly-fishing since 10 years old. The largest fish she has landed on fly is a striped marlin at 135# in Magdelena Bay and the largest trout she has landed was 21.5# from Pyramid Lake in Nevada. Michael Wier: He is a long time California fly fisher and has spent most of his life exploring and fishing California's waters.  Early in his career in the fishing industry he spent over a decade and a half fishing the Tahoe area and guiding for the Tahoe Fly-Fishing outfitters.  In 2000 Michael started BURL Productions and started making adventure fly fishing and documentary content.  Those video pursuits and the quest for the ultimate fish have taken him all around the world.  For the past 12 plus years Michael has been working with California Trout in a number of different capacities to further our mission to ensure resilient wild fish thriving in healthy waters for a better California.