An Interview with Mikey Wier 

Mikey Wier is a Fly Fishing Ambassador for Patagonia Inc., contributes to many fly fishing publications and produces the video magazine “FISH EYE.” Mikey Wier is pictured here holding a Mokelumne River Rainbow Trout.

Q. Recently East Bay MUD advanced a proposal to enlarge Pardee Dam to provide additional water resources for their customers.  This dam raise would further drown the Mokelumne River above Pardee.  I know you are fond of this section of river.  What would you want people to know about the Mokelumne (aka Moke)?

A.  The Moke is a really cool and diverse river.  Historically it has been the life-blood for that part of the foothills.  It flows all the way from the very top rim of the Sierra’s to the San Joaquin Delta.   The waters from the Moke supported Mewuk tribes for centuries.  100 years ago they helped power that area through the gold rush.  These days they provide electricity, drinking water and a great source of recreation for the people of Amador and Calaveras Counties.   I think it is also important to mention that the Moke was historically one of the most prolific rivers in the foothills, in terms of Salmon and Steelhead spawning habitat.  Now with the many dams along the river, those fish have all but vanished.   Only a hand full of Endogamous fish return to the hatchery below Comanche these days and the numbers are quickly dwindling.  Fifty years ago steelhead and salmon that would have historically spawned main channel in the Moke used to make find their way into some of the smaller streams in the area like Sutter/Ione Creek and Buena Vista Creek.  Those fish are long gone too. 

FISH EYE 4 "Through Anglers Eyes" from Mikey Wier on Vimeo.

Q.  A section of the Moke slated to be inundated was recommended as “Wild and Scenic” river by the Bureau of Land Management.  What about this river makes it wild and scenic? 

A.  I feel it is important to protect the last semi wild stretches of the Moke because it is in a lot of cases the last remaining bit of habitat that supports native wildlife and plants that have historically depended on the Moke.  Bald Eagles, Osprey, Otters, Raccoons, Mink, Wild Trout, Crawfish and Countless species of aquatic insects all depend on these last remaining undeveloped sections of the Moke to make a living.  Lot of native species of plants like the California poppy also call these areas home.  These last undeveloped sections are the only remaining testament to what the Moke looked like historically through out the entire foothills.  If they are lost, so too are a piece of history.  Much of the history of the native and wild California of 150 years ago has been permanently lost.  We can’t afford to spoil the last best places left. 

Q. As California hovers on the brink of another drought, how have you seen rivers impacted around your home base of South Lake Tahoe?

A.  I’ve definitely noticed the water levels in the Tribs to Lake Tahoe decrease over the past several years.  There has been a noticeable impact on the fishing and the number of fish that are spawning out of the lake.  While the numbers of fish have been decreasing due to habitat loss from lower water levels, the numbers of fisherman have still been increasing exponentially. That equation makes it tougher on everyone.  Fish and Fisherman. 

Q. As someone that spends such a large about of time in, on and around rivers, what is the most important thing you think we as river lovers, anglers, rafters, and citizen’s should do to protect them for future generations? 

A.  Contact legislators and let them know that rivers are important to you as a citizen of California. Vote to protect them.  Also, if it’s important to you and you can’t take direct action, donate money to organizations that can.  And most importantly, respect the resource as you use it for recreation and set a good example for others to do the same. 

Q. Fly Fishers seem to be siding more and more with conservation.  Why do you think so many anglers are becoming conservationists? 

A. Most fly fisherman have some degree of time and or money for recreation.  Many of these people are well educated.   It doesn’t take a genius to look around California and see how rapidly things are changing.  If we want to preserve the state things are in now, or improve it, we need to take action.  I think these days’ people are feeling that urgency more than ever.  There is a lot of strain on California’s water resources.   Lots of different interests are biding for a chuck of that water.  Fish don’t really have a voice in Congress or a lobbyist on in the Senate.  They have to rely on anglers to speak up for them. 

Learn more about the Mokelumne River, click here.