On November 19th, 2009 five Chapter volunteers worked all day with EID, DFG and USFS personnel to survey Caples Creek, e-shocking, netting, separating, weighing, measuring and typing the trout (and other fish) before releasing them back into the stream, as well helping haul ALL the equipment down to the stream then back UP the hill to the parking lot. The volunteers included Stanley Backlund, Jim Della Santa, Dustin and Cindy Rocksvold, and John Sikora. Jann Williams, a USFS employee who participated as part of her job, is also a Chapter member.
The survey was an early step in the fisheries monitoring plan developed by EID, and required by the USFS, to monitor fish populations in the creek following the emergency repairs and fish rescue at Caples Lake (see update below). EID plans to conduct a follow-up survey next year when the survey sites can be safely accessed. It will be interesting to help with the survey in Spring to see what differences may occur.
[Added by Barbara Bania] The Chapter received the following thank you letter for our assistance with this project: "I just wanted to extend my thanks to five Trout Unlimited members for their assistance in a fish monitoring effort at Caples Creek. Members helped capture, count, and measure fish during the survey. They also helped transport equipment to and from the survey sites which involved hiking over one mile in the snow! I wanted to recognize and thank these volunteers because their participation made this monitoring effort a success. Sincerely, Brian Deason, Senior Hydroelectric Compliance Specialist, El Dorado Irrigation District"