Rivers of a Lost Coast

• Posted on 03/09 at 08:18 AM

A Russian River Event

Frank Bertaina and Steve Jackson are putting together a unique memorable event on the Lower Russian next month. Many of the old- time California Steelhead fly fishing addicts will be getting together on April 11th to pay homage to their departed friends, Bill Schaadt, Bob Nauheim, Mel Krieger, Mike Fong, Grant King, Myron Gregory, John “Buddy” Tarantino, Andre Puyans, Gary Rowen, Kay Mitsuyochi, and many others. Lani Waller will do a steelhead presentation and Russell Chatham will provide, “A Look Back.”

The bar will open at 4:00 p.m. with hors d’oeuvres. Guests will be encouraged to browse the incredible collections of vintage steelhead memorabilia from bygone eras. Lani’s presentation will begin at 6:00 followed by dinner. “Rivers of a Lost Coast” filmmakers Justin Coupe and Palmer Taylor will discuss the soon-to-be-released film and give insight on the production. The evening will conclude with a salute and farewell to the Immortals, and a Good Night & Good Luck.

Organizer Frank Bertainia, is using the event to officially kick off of the new “Russian River Wild Steelhead Society.” The main purpose of the group will be to save the remnant runs of wild Russian River Steelhead that continue to inhabit and use the lower watershed tributaries. The group is also already discussing the possibility of establishing a Russian River Fly Fishing Museum.

The Saturday night event starts at 4:00 p.m. and the $35 per person admission includes dinner. The location is the Russian River Sportsman Club, 25150 Steelhead Boulevard, Duncans Mills, CA 95430 (707) 865-9429 (off Moscow Rd which is off Hwy-116).

If you’d like to attend please RSVP in advance. Call either: Frank Bertania at (707) 573-0759, or Steve Jackson of King’s Sport & Tackle in Guerneville (707) 869-2156.

Posted by Justin on 03/09 at 08:18 AM in Film News • (10) Comments • Permalink

• Posted on 03/06 at 09:12 AM

A stately success

At the State theater last night in Modesto, the law offices of Jim Mayo, the Stanislaus Fly Fishers, and the Modesto Vet Center helped raise over $8,000 dollars for the program “Rivers of Recovery.” Dan Cook, one of the founding members of “Rivers of Recovery” was in attendance and gave a short presentation on how the magnificent program helps vets cope with the difficult emotional and physical challenges they return home with. Dan was proud to announce former presidential nominee Sen. John McCain recently signed on as an honorary co-chairman for Rivers of Recovery.

Between 200 and 300 addictive anglers along with their spouses and children filled the beautiful State theater. The Sierra Anglers Fly Shop, The Redding Fly Shop, Sage and a host of other local guides and expert fly tiers donated a stack of great gear and trips for a fund-raisser raffle. Jim Mayo, the event’s coordinator graciously returned the grand prize, a two-day stay on one of the Redding Fly Shop’s premiere private Northern California streams, back into the mix after his raffle ticket was called.

Rivers of a Lost Coast opened the show and received a strong show of support. It looks like there is a real possibility the full-length film will be returning to the State theater in April or May. Check our Screenings schedule for updated times and locations. 

Posted by Justin on 03/06 at 09:12 AM in Film News • (4) Comments • Permalink

• Posted on 03/05 at 10:36 AM

Modesto Fly Fishing Film Tour

Justin Coupe will be attending the Modesto screening of the Fly Fishing Film Tour tonight at the State theater, and will talk about Rivers of a Lost Coast prior to the show. The Modesto showing is benefiting “Rivers of Recovery” a non-profit corporation dedicated to improving the lives of disabled American War Veterans.  Rivers of Recovery provides scholarships for post traumatic stress and other disabled veterans to enjoy the productive and rehabilitative nature of two days of guided fly fishing on the Green River in Utah.

Dan Cook the brainchild behind Rivers of Recovery will also be in attendance. If you’re in the area please join us.

The State theater is located at 1307 J Street in Modesto.

Posted by Justin on 03/05 at 10:36 AM in Film News • (2) Comments • Permalink

• Posted on 03/04 at 09:08 AM

The meeting

As expected, the meeting of state fish and game biologists and officials in Santa Rosa yesterday, concluded our state’s salmon fisheries are in devastating peril. For the second time in 16 years, the fall run Chinook failed to meet the Fishery Management low-end goal of a 122,000 salmon.

Despite continued increase in hatchery releases the state’s salmon numbers have been in an alarming decline since 2005. Although it is has not been officially announced, it is difficult to see how fisheries managers could allow a salmon season in 2009.

Reliable Peter Fimrite noted in his SF Chronicle feature today , there are no reliable studies showing how many of the surviving fish in the ocean and rivers are from hatcheries. But a study last year of fish caught by sport fishermen found that 71 percent of them were raised in hatcheries. Regardless of the influence of hatcheries, very few chinook of any kind are surviving.

State and federal scientists believe that warmer ocean conditions have reduced the food supply for the fish. Record exports of water from the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta coincided with major declines in chinook, a factor that environmentalists and fishing representatives believe is the major culprit.

Peter Fimrite SF Chronicle

Posted by Justin on 03/04 at 09:08 AM in Conservation • (1) Comments • Permalink