El Dorado County (May 12, 2024) – El Dorado County Fisherman Reels in California’s 500th Heritage Trout Challenge
Scott Lyons, a retired educator and dedicated angler hailing from El Dorado County, has etched his name in the annals of California’s angling history by becoming the 500th triumphant participant to conquer the California Heritage Trout Challenge. This milestone, celebrated by both the California Fish and Game Commission and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, represents a significant juncture in the program’s narrative.
Initiated in 2004, the Heritage Trout Challenge sets out to foster reverence for California’s indigenous trout species and safeguard their natural habitats. Enthusiasts embarking on this odyssey are tasked with the capture and documentation of six out of the eleven qualifying native trout species within their original watersheds. Lyons’ conquests notably encompassed the California golden trout, McCloud River redband trout, Trinity River steelhead, coastal cutthroat trout, Goose Lake redband trout, and Lahontan cutthroat trout.
“I had never laid eyes on a golden trout until I embarked upon the Heritage Trout Challenge. Nor had I encountered a steelhead” “The more I delved into it, the more expansive my explorations became, and the more enamored I grew with the diverse piscine species.”
remarked Lyons.
At 57 years young, Lyons has notched his name in the challenge’s annals seven times over. His journey to the coveted 500th certificate has unfolded across a span of 14 years, although he achieved some of his prior milestones within a mere 12 months.
“The beauty of this program lies in its lack of temporal constraints. Once initiated, participants may progress at their own pace. The crux lies in capturing a compelling snapshot.”
Lyons’ angling escapades have traversed a gamut of terrains, occasionally veering into arduous realms. For instance, he and his spouse, Brenda, trekked a formidable 16 miles roundtrip in the southern Sierra to claim his prized California golden trout. Despite encountering prior setbacks, Lyons ultimately emerged triumphant at Heenan Lake in Alpine County, securing his Lahontan cutthroat trout.
A fervent adherent to fly fishing, Lyons advocates for the ethos of catch and release, employing barbless hooks in his pursuits. Nonetheless, the challenge accommodates an array of fishing methodologies, in adherence to regional regulations.
For those intrigued or inspired to partake in the Heritage Trout Challenge, a repository of information awaits at the California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Heritage Trout Challenge page. Here, enthusiasts can peruse resources and access a novel online application and verification mechanism, facilitating their journey into the realm of piscatorial conquests.
