We are pleased to report that our Program goals for 2005 were surpassed. We have been able to raise beautiful, healthy adult trout in a modified tomato bin using re-circulating well water. The rainbow trout raised during our initial trial phase actually grew at a rate that surprised state aquaculture experts. The trout went into the bin weighing between 1-2 pounds. Many of the more than 200 rainbow trout doubled their weight in less than three months due to the special care provided by Eric and Michelle Gehrung, the property owners and managers of our Paradise Shores Trout Project. With funds provided by donors we were able to plant nearly 1,000 adult rainbows, many in the 2-3 pound range purchased from Alper’s Ranch. Our success in 2005 has helped to establish our Program as a licensed, respected aquaculture facility.

The spring of 2006 has been very productive. Through donations and fundraisers we have been able to purchase over 18,000 fingerling brown trout from American Trout and Salmon. We received them on April 1st and these beautiful fish have thrived in our facility. We have nurtured these brown trout to the point where most have grown to over 3 inches in length and are ready for stocking in the East Walker River and Bridgeport Lake. Our first successful stocking occurred on June 11th with over 2,000 trout stocked into the lake at a carefully selected location that will provide cover and feed to give our young trout a fighting chance at survival.

We are also very pleased to announce the construction of our second tomato bin facility at the Virginia Creek Settlement south of town. This new facility will allow us to continue raising our browns year-round. This premier facility will be operational by mid summer and will begin it’s trial phase with rainbow trout provided by the Department of Fish and Game at that time.

The concept and vision of our Program is simple. We will purchase either brown trout eggs or fingerlings at wholesale prices. Volunteers will raise and care for these trout in our tomato bins until they are large enough to survive on their own. We will plant the brown trout into our local waters and keep several hundred in the bins to grow them out until the end of the season. Our long term plan will enhance the local fishery and improve the quality of brown trout caught from our waters.

We cannot accomplish our goals without help. Everyone loves a winner and we have proven to that our Program works. We need donations from caring people who believe that a small group of people can do big things. Eastern Sierra anglers can no longer rely on state hatchery-raised brown trout to provide a quality fishing experience.

Thank you for your continued support
Skip Baker
Program Chairman