The Chetco River in southwestern Oregon flows crystal clear through the Kalmiopsis Wilderness. Its unique geology and climate result in the striking emerald-hued water that is such a pleasure for thirsty eyes. It is also home to a relatively healthy native O. mykiss and Coastal Cutthroat Trout population. As such, we have been planning for a few years to dip our nets in its striking waters and see what the genetics of its native fish have to tell us. When the time came earlier this month to make our Chetco dream a reality, I found myself still not fully healed from an injury I have been nursing. So, with a little sad, but mostly joyful heart, and a commitment to take care of the farm and the data analysis, I sent my field partner off with two companions and a hearty breakfast to see what the Upper Chetco would share with them.
Their story starts with a great shuttle driver to the Babyfoot Trailhead near Cave Junction. Packrafts, and associated gear, sampling supples, camping necessities and food for a few days, resulted in decently heavy packs for the steep hike down to the river. That part of the Kalmiopsis has burned at high severity, views abound, but the slopes have lost their shading, stabilizing component, at least temporarily.
Modern packraft designs have opened up worlds of possibilities for combining hiking (or biking) and waterbody crossing or river travel. Once their gear was neatly packed into the tubes, they began making their way downstream, dodging boulders, portaging a few rougher rapids, admiring the stunning canyon and catching fish. In the upper half of the 25 miles they rafted, they only encountered O. mykiss. Around the confluence with Tin Cup Creek, the gradient and roughs had mellowed slightly, and they began catching cutthroat as well. The tissue samples collected in the Chetco will help us complete the picture of O. mykiss and Coastal Cutthroat hybridization, and diversity and relatedness within the larger region.
They returned with massive grins and a general feeling of elatedness. They had encountered astounding pool visibility, numerous bears, enchanting campsites, paddling that tested their comfort levels, lots of speckled beauties, and a strong motivation to incorporate packrafting into fieldwork and life. The next potential packrafting/fieldwork mission is a deeper exploration of the fishes of the South Fork Trinity River. I plan to be fully healed by then.
-Samantha Kannry