Sacramento River Archives - Steven T. Callan

July 2, 2016

A Hot Summer’s Day on Chico Creek

I’ve been exploring Northern California’s streams—above and below the surface—for most of my life. One of my most memorable adventures took place on a hot summer’s day in 1964, not long after my sixteenth birthday. My fishing buddy, Paul Martens, had heard that some trophy browns could be caught in upper Chico Creek. The only way into this treacherously steep canyon was an overgrown Caterpillar track that hadn’t been traveled or maintained in years. Throwing caution to the wind, I shoved my 1947 Chevy pickup into first gear, gingerly stepped on the gas, and inched down the steep embankment.

Lower Battle Creek as it would appear during the fall salmon run. Photo by Author Steven T. Callan.

March 27, 2016

in Book Excerpts and News

by Steve

Stakeout at Battle Creek

Lower Battle Creek as it would appear during the fall salmon run. All photos, unless otherwise noted, by author.

This is an excerpt from “Stakeout at Battle Creek,” a chapter in my recently released sequel, The Game Warden’s Son.

I’m sometimes asked if I had any favorite places to work during my twenty-one years supervising the warden force in western Shasta County. Lower Battle Creek immediately comes to mind—from the mouth, where Battle Creek flows into the Sacramento River, to the barrier weir at Coleman National Fish Hatchery.

Photo of spawning male Chinook salmon by Steven T. Callan

November 19, 2014

in Fish and Wildlife

by Steve

Splashing Salmon and Giant Sycamores

Spawning male Chinook salmon. Photo by author.

I’m sometimes asked if I had any favorite places to work during my twenty-one years supervising the warden force in western Shasta County. Lower Battle Creek immediately comes to mind—especially the tree-lined section from the mouth, where Battle Creek flows into the Sacramento River, to the barrier weir at Coleman National Fish Hatchery.

October 29, 2013

in Conservation Issues, Personal Stuff

by Steve

The Fish Rescue Crew

Driving south on Interstate 5 a few weeks ago, I crossed the Stony Creek Bridge, just north of Orland, California. The experience brought back vivid memories of my childhood—fishing, swimming, and exploring every inch of that wonderful Sacramento Valley stream.