Kokanee Power | January 2021
Happy New Year from Kokanee Power!
2020 was a year like no other.  For Kokanee Power it started with our sold out banquet in March that had to be canceled last minute due to the onslaught of COVID and the local restrictions.  Throughout the summer we had to cancel our derbies based on restrictions and safety concerns for all.   These events provide critical income for the organization along with your membership dollars.  We’ve weathered through it but continue to count on your membership commitment for supporting the fishery and important causes. We are all hoping for a return to normalcy in 2021.
2021 Membership Drive
It’s that time of year for our annual membership drive.  There was no derby or banquet income this year due to COVID and event cancellations. This, combined with no ISE show, means we need your help by renewing your membership. We already have tentative derby dates and hope to hold a banquet in the fall. 
2020 Kokanee Egg Take
1,316,370 Kokanee eggs were collected this fall on the Little Truckee River above Stampede Reservoir.  This was accomplished through 4 trips by the DFW in a low key affair without the usual volunteers due to COVID restrictions.  A local beaver aided the effort by creating a small dam that helped pool up fish for egg collection.  After being collected, the eggs were taken to the San Joaquin Hatchery. Once partially hatched, some stayed at San Joaquin, while others were transported to the American River Hatchery. The current count of hatched fish is between 800-900K, with further number refinement forthcoming as the fish get bigger.
Kokanee & Inland Chinook Angler Survey
A big thanks to those who participated in the online angler survey.  511 surveys were completed in 2020, a 72% increase over 2019.  The CA DFW is extremely grateful to have this data which provides great insight to your catches and overall angler satisfaction with the Kokanee and Inland Chinook fisheries.  This survey helps the DFW determine if the fish sizes and quantities are meeting the lake management goals.

See survey links below. It takes 30 seconds to complete. It is anonymous and mobile phone friendly!
2021 Derbies
It is our intent to have derbies this year, but that will all depend on how the COVID situation progresses so that we can feel confident about holding events safely in coordination with local entities that regulate activity.  The KP board has a tentative schedule which we’ll publish when the permits and venues are secured.  The lakes we have targeted for derbies in 2021 are Pardee, Shasta,  New Melones, Don Pedro, Bullard’s Bar and Shaver Lake.
Trout Pen Update
All of the trout pens that Kokanee Power supports were planted in the fall.  This includes pens at Shasta (6), New Melones, Collins (6), Lewiston (3), and Lake Siskiyou (3).  Your membership, derby, and banquet proceeds contribute to the trout pen food purchase that Kokanee Power buys in bulk, at more than $10K a year.  This year we were very grateful that several people contributed to purchase the food to help offset the costs.  Thank you to each lake that stepped up to help us out.

At Shasta Lake, there were 6 pens planted, 4 with Brown Trout and 2 with Rainbows.  It’s great to see overall cooperation with the DFW, Forest Service and the local resort owners taking care of feeding duties to fatten up the fish before their release in the Spring.
Amazon Smile
Amazon Smile is a great way to help Kokanee Power by shopping on a website you already use! Amazon donates 0.5% of every purchase you make when shopping in the Amazon Smile store on eligible purchases. To date, we've received almost $1000 from these micro transactions so they really add up! Use the link below to start shopping. If you're already signed up, be sure to use the smile prefix in the web address to ensure we get the donation (look for smile.amazon in the URL).
In Loving Memory
John Lico, 1963-2021
It is with great sadness that we convey the passing of longtime Kokanee Power Director John Lico, a member since 2000 and Director since 2007.   He passed away peacefully at his home on January 21, 2021.  John was extremely dedicated to the organization and volunteered his time graciously.  Everyone who fished a derby knew John as our dedicated weighmaster for many years.  In addition, John’s booming voice will be missed as the regular derby raffle announcer and banquet emcee. John's dedication to helping organize the annual ISE show booth was always appreciated. Rest in peace John, you will be sorely missed and your dedication to Kokanee Power will not be forgotten.