Cindy Thill, Public Affairs
Kern River Ranger District

California’s State fish, the “Golden Trout” is depicted in a colorful information kiosk due to the efforts of volunteers from the Boy Scouts, Trout Unlimited, Aquabonita Flyfishers and both the Sequoia and Inyo National Forests. Volunteers from these groups joined forces this past Labor Day weekend for the installation of the new kiosk, the result of a six-month long project.

The installation was accomplished through the efforts of approximately 15 volunteers. The project, replacing an older, damaged kiosk, consists of three panels depicting California’s Official State Fish, the “Golden Trout”, its origins, history, and future.

At left, Dan Zellner, Scout Troop #848 and Karl Zellner, Aquabonita Flyfishers, pose with Zellner’s Eagle Scout project, the new and colorful Golden Trout information kiosk at the Blackrock Ranger Station on the Kern Plateau.

Boy Scout Troop #848, out of Ridgecrest, Calif., made this a team effort. Scout Dan Zellner, coordinated the project which was part of his “Eagle” Scout requirements. Dan has spent 10 years volunteering for the Forest Service and the California Department of Fish and Game.

Trout Unlimited is a national organization with more than 150,000 volunteers organized into 400 chapters from Maine to Montana to Alaska. Their mission is to conserve, protect and restore North America’s coldwater fisheries and their watersheds.

Aquabonita Flyfishers Club, is a non-profit organization, out of Ridgecrest, Calif. The club name represents the scientific name of the Volcano Creek Golden Trout (now called Golden Trout). Their goals are to improve and increase the sport of flyfishing, promote and work for the betterment of fishing waters and encourage and advocate conservation of fishes, waters, and watershed.

The panels were installed at the Blackrock Ranger Station located on the Kern Plateau in the heart of Golden Trout Country. Blackrock sits at 8,100 feet in elevation, and is open during the summer months; greeting hundreds of fisherman each year looking to catch, and get a glimpse of the beautiful Golden Trout.

A large portion of the funding came through the “Golden Trout Project” primarily funded by Trout Unlimited, along with contributions from the Aquabonita Flyfishers.

Steve Anderson, Resource Officer on the Kern River Ranger District helped coordinate the installation. Anderson stated, “I want to thank these volunteers for their efforts. The signs are a vast improvement and we really appreciate the work and support from the scout troop and the volunteer organizations.” Anderson further commented, “It was great to be a part of this project. This will be a big benefit to our forest visitors, promoting a better understanding of our native trout and the state fish.”

For more information on golden trout and volunteer projects visit http://www.californiagoldentrout.org/.