I heard earlier this week from a friend, that Tim Alpers' trout will NOT be planted this year in the Sierras. With the only exception of some selective streams & creeks. I got the confirmation from a news article (Daily News - Thurs. 4-22-04 - Sport Section). WON probably has an article too?

Blame it on the New Zealand mud snails! Because of the threat of spreading the mud snails Tim Alpers will not be allowed to plant his trout in waters that are not currently infected.

Another hard blow to the trout fishery in the Sierras might be the closure of the Hot Creek hatchery. http://www.calfishing.com/dc/dcboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=3&topic_id=13112&mesg_id=13112&page=2

I have found those mud snails in the intestines of a trout I caught at Castaic Lagoon last month. They looked undoubtedly like the New Zealand mud snail. The trout there ARE planted by the DFG. Are the DFG doing anything to safeguard their trout from these mud snails??

I hope this does not become a bigger issue. It may be next season?