California’s coastal rivers were once hosts to amazingly abundant populations of steelhead trout and salmon each winter.

The documentary “Rivers of a Lost Coast” takes you back in time to the glory days of fishing on these rivers, and tells the stories of the unique characters who pioneered the sport of fly-fishing for these impressive fish.

I was fortunate to be able to attend the recent showing of this film at the Napa Valley Museum last weekend.

I highly recommend it to any fisherman, or anyone who is interested in the plight of our coastal streams and the anadromous fish that spawn in them each year.

Narrated by Tom Skerritt of “A River Runs Through It” fame, “Rivers of a Lost Coast” beautifully blends interviews of old-time fishermen with grainy home movie clips from decades past with present-day views of the rivers. 

Words and images paint stunning pictures of how the fishery has fallen from an “inexhaustible resource” to populations hanging by a thread, as well as the complete closure of all salmon fishing in California.

The story is set mainly on three coastal streams — the Russian, Eel, and Smith rivers (although others are mentioned as well), and the underlying theme applies to all of Northern California’s river systems.

The timeline begins in the early 1900s, as these rivers were first being discovered by the sport-fishing population.

The powerful steelhead was developing a reputation as the most challenging fish an angler could try to land.

Fishermen who were there in the early days provide descriptions of pure numbers of fish that truly boggle the mind — such as “a wall of salmon was coming upstream.”

Not only were the fish plentiful, they were huge!

Steelhead frequently grew to 25 pounds or more, and salmon up to 50 and 60 pounds were not uncommon.

Catching fish that big on a fly rod must have been quite a thrill!

Bill Schaadt is the central character in the film, as he was responsible for thinking up most of the methods used to catch fish with a fly in these wild rivers.

He was the ultimate obsessive fisherman, and the story of his unique personality is very entertaining. The rivalries between hard-core fishermen and the hazing of any and all newcomers to these rivers added some drama to the story as well.

The film goes on to describe a chain of man-made environmental events that caused the downfall of these fisheries.

Over-logging of the ancient redwood forests led to heavy erosion and flooding.

This not only created a layer of mud and silt which buried the steelhead and salmon spawning habitat, but also caused a public outcry for flood control.

This, in turn, led to the creation of enormous dams, further cutting off much of the spawning grounds.

Quite a dire picture is portrayed of the current state of these fisheries  — perhaps even more dire than is actually the case — but the message is nonetheless important.

Our rivers are sick, and it’s because of what man has done to them.

It’s time to stop treating the symptoms and start finding a cure.

Thanks to Wayne Ryan of Napa River Steelhead for putting together this event, and also to the Napa County Resource Conservation District, the Napa Valley Museum, and the many sponsors who helped make it possible.

Guy Carl is a CPA and partner with BDCo Accountants and Advisors in St. Helena (www.bdcocpa.com). 

Contact Guy at GC.outdoors@sbcglobal.net.