This past year’s return of steelhead on the San Lorenzo River was good.
The Monterey Bay Salmon Trout Project, in conjunction with the Salmon Trout Education Program, has been a large part of the continued return of our local steelhead. After last year’s fires, loss of habitat and increased silt buildup raised some challenges for egg collections this year.
The S.T.E.P. program received eggs from MBSTP from wild-stock steelhead returning to the San Lorenzo River, Scott Creek and Big Creek. The eggs were distributed to S.T.E.P.-certified teachers and classrooms — and that is where the fun began.
“The S.T.E.P. program has been meaningful to me, as it raises awareness about the fish, habitat and waters around us and how important they are,” said Barbara Novelli, a fifth-grade teacher at Bay View Elementary School in Santa Cruz.
Novelli has taught 19 years, 16 of which she has incorporated S.T.E.P. into her classroom.
“It was cool to see the eggs turn into fish,” reported fifth-grader Jack Radovan. “I learned a lot about fish, and I think it’s going to help me when I go fishing.”
Jack and his classmates released the small steelhead trout fry into Branciforte Creek on a sunny spring afternoon. The water was semi-clear and 12 degrees Celsius. The PH level of the water was 7, and the students determined that the dissolved oxygen in the water was ideal, at 11.5 parts per million.
“I liked to see the eyeball in the egg — then the egg was a fish,” said Kylie Wall with a sweet voice and big smile.
I witnessed the class releasing the fish back into their natural habitat, and I have a good feeling that these fish have a great start to life.
Mike Baxter has fished in the Monterey Bay Area since he was a boy and has been a licensed charter boat captain for more than 15 years. Contact him at ca************@ya***.com. He also hosts a fishing show on radio station KSCO (1080) from 7:06 to 8 p.m. Thursdays April through September.
