Bringing Trout to a Valley of Gravel

In this morning’s New York Times, author Chris Santella writes about the work of hydrologist Dave Rosgen, who’s done restoration work on hundreds of streams in Montana, Nevada and Wyoming. Near Pagosa Springs, Colorado, his restoration of a section of the Rio Blanco — once only inches deep — has created great habitat for large trout.
“After a few tries, I made the right cast. Soon, I was cradling a big-shouldered rainbow, all of 21 inches. I knew that the fish was not native to the river, and that the river would not exist without Dave Rosgen. But I hardly cared.”