Finding the perfect beach to fish and learning its secrets.

Coastal cutthroat trout populate nearly all of the streams and lakes along the Pacific Coast rainforest belt, from Northern California to Prince William Sound in Alaska. Until recently, they were all but ignored by fly-anglers, most of whom preferred targeting salmon and steelhead. However, with those fish populations declining, more and more anglers are turning their attention to the coastal cutthroat, placing increased pressure on them.

Sea run cutthroat trout inhabit the margins of aquatic communities. These are the runs, washes and aquatic byways that other salmonids rarely frequent. Their nuptial beds are in the margins of very small streams and tributaries. These are where they spend two to three formative years feeding in their mostly hidden lairs. When they move down and out of rivers and streams and into estuaries they prefer outer margins of ever-changing nearshore areas. Once in saltwater they mostly confine themselves to low salinity margins of inland seas, areas that are subject to often aggressive and ever-changing tidal dynamics. They rarely venture into calmer, deeper waters. Regardless of where they are, they are non-discerning marginal eaters targeting what is most available at any given time, in any given place.This book is the most definitive treatise on sea run cutthroat trout to date. In it Richard Stoll explores the realms of sea run cutthroat trout from both a scientific and practical angling perspectives. Richard attempts to unlock their secrets and expose their habits as has never been done before. At the same time he engenders a new age of ethical angling; that is how, where and when to angle for these fish while preserving the resource. This book is an invaluable read for the fly angler who wants to explore this exciting and heretofore substantially unexploited fly fishery.

Cutthroat tells the full story of the genuine native trout of the American West. This new edition, thoroughly revised and updated after 20 years, synthesizes what is currently known about one of our most interesting and colorful fishes, includes much new information on its biology and ecology, asks how it has fared in the last century, and looks toward its future. In a passionate and accessibly written narrative, Patrick Trotter, fly fisher, environmental advocate, and science consultant, details the evolution, natural history, and conservation of each of the cutthroat's races and incorporates more personal reflections on the ecology and environmental history of the West's river ecosystems. The bibliography now includes what may be the most comprehensive and complete set of references available anywhere on the cutthroat trout. Written for anglers, nature lovers, environmentalists, and students, and featuring vibrant original illustrations by Joseph Tomelleri, this is an essential reference for anyone who wants to learn more about this remarkable, beautiful, and fragile western native.

Introduction to temperate floodplains -- Hydrology -- Floodplain and geomorphology -- Biogeochemistry -- Ecology: introduction -- Floodplain forests -- Primary and secondary production -- Fish and other vertebrates -- Ecosystem services and floodplain reconciliation -- Floodplains as green infrastructure -- Case studies of floodplain management and reconciliation -- Central Valley floodplains: introduction and history -- Central Valley floodplains today -- Reconciling Central Valley floodplains -- Conclusions: managing temperate floodplains for multiple benefits