Fish rescue teams scramble to save remaining steelhead in SoCal river 🐟

Greetings from another Monday in the wonderful month of January (it’s almost over). In trusting that the weekend wasn’t quite long enough, here’s to hoping that your favorite dispatch from the outdoor world can give you 5-or-so minutes to yourself as we prepare for the onslaught of another week.

So, without further adieu, let’s grab that coffee or whiskey (no judgement) and get caught up on the outdoor news and views from the past few days. 

Here's what's worth reading about today:

• Fish rescue - Teams gather up remaining steelhead in SoCal 🐟

• Seasons approved - Pa. makes announcement on 25-26 seasons ✅

• Night vision - Kansas looking for feedback on ‘yote hunt 🌛

• Uncle Si injured - Duck Dynasty star injured in hunting accident ⛑️

• Fishing with friends - Flying fishing in a stream with a big ol’ bull elk 🎣

FINGERS CROSSED
FISH RESCUE TEAMS SCRAMBLE TO SAVE REMAINING STEELHEAD IN SANTA MONICA MOUNTAINS

In a rescue operation that started small (literally) and got bigger as time went on, a determined rescue operation has proven fruitful. When it comes to the protection of the last wild steelhead trout population in the Santa Monica Mountains, teams were mobilized earlier this month in an effort to pluck these threatened fish - from smallest to largest - from the Topanga River before it was too late.

With the nearby Palisades fire still smoldering, teams were first deployed to the picturesque river to grab as many tidewater gobies as they could. As teams descended upon the river, they were able to take over 750 gobies from the lagoon and transfer them to aquariums for safe and temporary keeping. With a change in weather patterns on the horizon, including rainfall, researchers and scientists began to grow weary of yet another weather event that would affect the biodiversity of the river…

QUICK HITS // ^{_{FROM AROUND THE WEB}}

Preliminary Pennsylvania 2025-26 hunting seasons approved; final approval expected in April: The Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners has given preliminary approval to the 2025-26 hunting and trapping seasons and bag limits.  Read the full story.

Kansans urged to share thoughts on coyote night vision hunting season: Kansans have been urged to share their thoughts with the Wildlife and Parks Commission about the state’s coyote night vision hunting season. Read the full story.

Arkansas family shares son’s journey to healing following a duck hunting accident: Ben Whorton is an avid hunter. Two weeks ago, he went out one morning with friends to enjoy a duck hunt, not knowing that day would end in tragedy. Read the full story.

'Duck Dynasty' Star Uncle Si Robertson Lands In ER After Hunting Accident: Duck Dynasty and Going Si-Ral beloved star Uncle Si Robertson suffered a hunting accident that, unfortunately, landed him in the emergency room. Read the full story.

Numbers rise in Ohio’s 2025 muzzleloader season:  Knox County was sixth among 88 counties with 407 deer taken; Ashland & Richland County’s numbers both improved over 2024.  Read the full story.

Pennsylvania could add 1,800 acres to state game lands, change Elk license process: The Pennsylvania Game Commission approved Saturday 11 land acquisitions they say would add 1,800 acres to State Game Lands. Read the full story.

VIDEO // ^{_{SOME THINGS JUST HAVE TO BE SEEN}}

🎣 “What’s biting?”  I don’t know where this is, but I do know that it’s incredible. Watch as this guy gets a little more company than he expected on the river this day.

I wonder if he shared?

Wakey, wakey.

📸 : @jhamilbader

Oh, and one more thing…