Colorado Cutthroat Rescued Amid Wildfire Threat

Plus King salmon passage, major conservation wins, economic milestones, and more in Fly Fisherman's News Digest for October 11, 2025.

October 11, 2025 By Fly Fisherman Staff

Rare Colorado Cutthroat Rescued Amid Wildfire Threat

Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) and the San Juan National Forest teamed up to save a genetically unique population of native cutthroat trout from the advancing Stoner Mesa Fire. Biologists relocated the fish to a secure hatchery, preserving a rare lineage that had been rediscovered in 2018 after decades of presumed extinction.

The trout, now called the “Uncompahgre cutthroat trout,” were rescued from Wildcat Creek in the Dolores River drainage by CPW and a team of wildlife and aquatic specialists. A total of 266 cutts were taken to a CPW truck heading to the Roaring Judy Fish Hatchery.

“Being an aquatic biologist in the Southwest these days, there is an intersection between fisheries work and wildfire,” said Jim White, the Southwest Region Senior Aquatic Biologist for Colorado Parks and Wildlife, in a CPW news story. “We have seen the impacts fire can have on our rivers, streams and this important fish habitat firsthand. When you’ve got a rare or unique lineage of fish thriving in an area and suddenly they are threatened by a wildfire, we feel it is important to Colorado’s natural heritage to step in and do something to try to save those fish and that lineage.”

The Uncompahgre strain is one of the few remaining pure lineages of Colorado River cutthroat trout. It was rediscovered in 2018 after being presumed extinct for decades.

“Green lineage, or ‘Uncompahgre,’ Colorado River cutthroat trout are recognized as the native cutthroat to the Upper Dolores, Gunnison and Colorado River basins,” said CPW Durango area aquatic biologist Kade Jackson. “By analyzing fin clips from fish collected in Wildcat Creek, our aquatic research team has identified rare genetic markers that make this population unique to the genetic diversity of cutthroat within the Upper Dolores River basin.”

Read the full story here.

Watch a film about rescuing trout from wildfires below:

Fish Kill in New York’s Ischua Creek

A shallow-depth-of-field photo of a map of Ischua, New York. — The New York DEC has identified discharges from Great Lakes Cheese’s Franklinville facility as the primary cause of a recent fish kill. (Shutterstock photo)

A significant fish kill in Cattaraugus County prompted a multi-agency investigation in August. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has identified discharges from Great Lakes Cheese’s Franklinville facility as the primary cause.

Commissioner Amanda Lefton emphasized the agency’s commitment to accountability and restoration.

“Ischua Creek is a vibrant, healthy ecosystem and the environmental damage witnessed this week is significant,” Lefton said in a DEC news release. “As DEC’s investigation continues, we’ve directed Great Lakes Cheese to prevent ongoing impacts to the creek to help protect water quality and creek habitat. DEC and our partners at the Department of Health will continue to coordinate assessing any potential public health impacts and encourage the community to follow the recreational use advisory that remains in place at this time.”

DEC officials emphasized their commitment to protecting public health and the environment, stating they are using every enforcement tool available to address violations and pursue natural resource damages. The agency’s ongoing investigation aims to restore the impacted section of Ischua Creek and hold responsible parties accountable.

Read the full story here.

In 2024, more than 450,000 anglers aged 18 and older purchased fishing licenses in Montana. This economic activity supported nearly 16,000 jobs, generated $427 million in personal income, and added $919 million to the state’s GDP. Cold-water fishing accounted for $1.1 billion in expenditures, supporting over 14,000 jobs, and drawing more than 70 percent of its spending from nonresidents. In contrast, warm-water fishing generated $170 million in spending, supported over 1,600 jobs, and relied primarily on Montana residents, who contributed two-thirds of its economic impact.

“Fishing is deeply woven into the cultural and economic fabric of Montana,” concluded the study. “This study demonstrates that cold-water and warmwater fishing are not only popular recreational activities but also powerful economic drivers that support jobs, income, and business activity across the state.”

The full study is available here.

Orvis to Close 36 Stores Citing Strategic Shift

Last October, roughly 8 percent of Orvis's staff was laid off and in June, the company announced lay off for another 4 percent. (Shutterstock photo)

The Orvis Company announced the closure of 36 retail locations as part of a broader restructuring. CEO Simon Perkins shared a heartfelt letter on social media, reaffirming Orvis’s commitment to conservation and community while adapting to changing consumer habits.

“We will be concentrating on a more focused retail store portfolio, as well as brick-and-mortar opportunities through our valued dealer network,” Perkins said. “We know this impacts people who are significant members of the Orvis family.”

It’s the third time in the past 12 months that Orvis has made these types of announcements. Last October, roughly 8 percent of its staff was laid off and in June, the company announced lay off for another 4 percent.

“Since 1856, we’ve been guided by the same purpose: to make world-class products that inspire generations of adventure in the field and on the water,” reads Perkins’ social media statement. “It’s what drove us in our earliest days, and it’s what drives us now as we set our sights on the next 169 years.

“We’re stepping into an exciting new chapter—one focused on our core passions of fly fishing and wingshooting. This return to our roots is a renewed dedication to innovation, a commitment to our angling and upland communities, and to the wild places we love.

“As we sharpen our focus, you’ll see special savings on Last Release products that won’t return once they’re gone.

“Thank you for being part of our journey. We’re proud of what we’ve built together—and even more energized for what’s ahead.”

Milestone Agreement Announced for Maine’s Atlantic Salmon

An aerial view of the Lockwood Dam on Maine's Kennebec River. — The Lockwood Dam in Waterville, Maine is the lowest of four remaining dams on the Kennebec River blocking access to upstream Atlantic salmon spawning grounds on the Sandy River. This dam, along with the Weston Dam in downtown Skowhegan, the Kennebec Dam in Waterville, and the Shawmut Dam in Fairfield account for less than 7% of all Maine’s hydroelectric power production. (J. Monkman/NRCM photo)

Trout Unlimited (TU) reports a landmark deal to remove dams on Maine’s Kennebec River, paving the way for Atlantic salmon recovery. The agreement marks a major step toward restoring historic spawning grounds and reconnecting critical habitat.

The agreement between conservation groups, hydropower companies, and state and federal agencies has set the stage for the removal of four dams on the Kennebec, opening up more than 800 miles of historic spawning habitat for endangered Atlantic salmon. The collaborative framework includes plans to decommission the Shawmut, Weston, Lockwood, and Hydro-Kennebec dams, which have long blocked fish passage and disrupted river ecology.

“When I was a student at Colby College in Waterville in the 1960s, the Kennebec was an open sewer. Fumes from the river literally peeled the paint off buildings along the river,” said Steve Brooke, a retired senior planner from the Maine State Planning Office and a Trout Unlimited member, said in a TU article by Mark Taylor. “The river’s restoration began with the Clean Water Act of 1972 and continued with the removal of the Edwards Dam just above the head of tide in Augusta in 1999. Since then, the lowermost section of the Kennebec has come alive with sea-run fish that feed the larger ecosystem that includes the Gulf of Maine. We are grateful to TNC for securing this agreement, which can expand this rebirth upstream into the Sandy River and will lead to a healthier river to feed Maine’s economy. This is literally a dream come true.”

The deal marks a turning point in decades-long efforts to restore native salmon runs in the Northeast. It also includes provisions for improving fish passage at remaining dams, monitoring ecological outcomes, and ensuring energy reliability during the transition. TU hailed the agreement as “monumental” for coldwater conservation and river connectivity.

If fully implemented, the project could become one of the most significant barrier removals in U.S. history, revitalizing not only salmon populations but also sea lamprey, American shad, and alewife. The Kennebec River restoration stands as a model for balancing environmental recovery with energy and community needs.

Read the full story here.

Chinook Salmon Ascend Keno Dam

In a historic first, video footage captured Chinook salmon successfully navigating the fish ladder at Keno Dam on the Klamath River. The moment underscores progress in long-fought restoration efforts across the basin.

Four hydroelectric dams were removed from the Klamath River in 2024, marking the largest dam removal project in U.S. history. One year later, the river is showing dramatic ecological recovery, especially in salmon populations.

Watch the quick clip here: