Volunteering

Learn about the threat to Hot Creek from gold mining

Join a webinar hosted by Trout Unlimited on Tuesday, July 21st at 12pm PDT with experts and local leaders to learn more about the threat posed to Hot Creek and the Mammoth Lakes. The threat of exploratory gold drilling near the Eastern Sierra Hot Creek has reemerged. Trout Unlimited is bringing the angling community together to protect this iconic fishery. This informational webinar will provide participants with a comprehensive overview of the mine's history and look back at a decade of dedicated advocacy from the angling community. Most importantly, you will learn actionable ways this community can show up and make their voices heard in this next chapter of the fight.

Register for the webinar at https://bit.ly/AnglersUnite

More information is available at https://www.nohotcreekmine.com/

Volunteer Anglers Needed For Yosemite Rainbow Trout Sampling

The Trout Unlimited Central Sierra Chapter is conducting field sampling to support National Park Service research to identify, document, and conserve Yosemite’s native Rainbow Trout strains in and around the park.

You can learn how to help Yosemite’s native rainbow trout (by fishing!) at an orientation and training session at the Cascades Picnic Area in Yosemite National Park (on El Portal road about 10 minutes west of the Yosemite Valley) on June 25th @ 5:00PM. Topics will include proper tissue sampling techniques and location tagging. For more info, or if you are unable to attend email: centralsierratu@gmail.com.

Check out the Central Sierra Chapter Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/centralsierratu

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PUTAH CREEK CLEANUP & RESTORATION PROJECT JUNE 13, 2026

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In January 2026, 80 volunteers representing 13 different fly fishing clubs spent the day cleaning up Putah Creek, the closest CDFW-Designated Heritage and Wild Trout Water to the San Francisco Bay Area. This watershed, which now hosts a dynamic annual Chinook Salmon run in addition to a healthy population of resident Rainbow Trout, benefited from the efforts of these volunteers to improve access and stream bank integrity.

The Northern California Council of Fly Fishers International has scheduled a 2nd cleanup effort for June 13th that will cover key access points and include garbage clean-up as well as other restoration work to be done. The plan calls for current “existing trails” to be opened to a width of roughly 4 to 6 feet. Riparian areas marked with signs (and with irrigation lines) are to be left alone as these support local plants (including milkweed) that sustain endangered monarch butterfly populations.

Volunteers should bring necessary equipment & tools, including gloves, weed whackers, large clippers, hedge trimmers, etc., with clarification that power tools are either electric (need spare batteries) or gas (with gas filling only in the parking lot areas). No chainsaws are to be brought to the event by volunteers due to liability issues. All volunteers need to sign the “hold harmless” liability form for insurance purposes prior to beginning work for the event.

People who have pickup trucks that can assist in trash removal to debris bins in Winters after the cleanup are asked to bring them. If you are a member of a fly-fishing club, it would be good to set up car pools to save gas and due to limited parking at the various access points on Putah Creek.

The plan is to meet at Steady Eddy’s Coffee House, located at 5 E Main St, Suite A, in Winters at 7:30 AM on June 13th, where people/groups will be assigned to one of the team leaders (selected by John Feaster) and head to their designated access point. Work should commence about 8 AM and finish by noon.

Volunteers will plan to meet back at Access Area #5 where lunch will be served to all the volunteers (starting at about 12:30 PM) – featuring Taveritte's Italian Sausages along with Salads and other side dishes provided by Preserve Restaurant. Water will be provided as well (bring your own beer or favorite beverage). All you need to do is bring a folding chair and enjoy the time together after the cleanup.

You can find more information and sign up to volunteer at the NCCFFI website (link HERE) or via the QR code on the flyer.