In 1980 a group of concerned fishermen, business people and the Chester/Lake Almanor Chamber of Commerce formed the Almanor Fishing Association. This organization is “dedicated to the enhancement and preservation of a high quality fishing resource in Lake Almanor and assuring its continual availability to everyone wishing to enjoy the sport of fishing.” It is now more than 300 members strong and what a dedicated bunch. For over 14 years, volunteers of the Almanor Fishing Association have raised 50,000 Eagle Lake Trout to supplement the Department of Fish & Game plants.
In early November, DFG delivers the 50,000 trout to Hamilton Branch where volunteers separate them into 10 submerged cages near the PG&E powerhouse. Through snow and ice, 28 Almanor Fishing Association volunteers feed the Eagle Lake Trout every day, using 15,000 pounds of food donated annually by Kokanee Power 
. Heavy Sierra snow days require the cages be shoveled off so they won’t sink from the weight, thus allowing the small fish to swim away. In May the cage gates are opened and the fat, healthy, hand fed Eagle Lake Trout, now 10 to 12 inches in length, swim off into Lake Almanor in search of this years favorite bait, maybe at the end of your line. Those that escape participation in the human thrill of “Fish On” will continue to breed on their own and
grow into the catches that bragging rights are made of. Almanor Fishing Association Treasurer, Paul Garrido, was kind enough to take MVL on a peaceful boat ride to tour the cages at Hamilton Branch. I was very impressed by the true enjoyment Mr. Garrido experiences being a part of this community active organization. He is genuinely proud of the public fishing and picnic area, also at Hamilton Branch, that was created for our enjoyment thanks to the dedication and hard work of the members of the Almanor Fishing Association. This is a favorite picnic spot for our family since it is one of the few spots with a wheelchair accessible ADA approved restroom. The association’s pride shines through in the care given to this shady, forest recreation area.
To learn more about this association, the wonderful contributions they make to local communities, surf the proud catch pics or just learn more about fishing Almanor, please visit their website 
at www.almanorfishingassociation.com. My thanks to Paul Ga
rrido for the great afternoon and hats off to the volunteers for giving us 50,000 good reasons to fish Lake Almanor.
