In late 2005, Trout Unlimited, California Trout and San Diego Trout had secured close to $1 million in government grants to remove two dams in the southern portion of California – Rindge Dam near Malibu and Matilija Dam near Ojai.
Central Coast conservation groups hope the removal of Matilija Dam will allow the southern steelhead, which could access the Matilija from where the North Fork joins Ventura River, to reach backcountry-spawning grounds in the Matilija and beyond.
According to local conservation groups, the watershed provides some of the best remaining habitat for the endangered fish and was a temporary home for more than 5,000 migrating steelhead before the 200-foot high dam was built for flood control and water storage in 1948.
With the dam in place, fewer than 100 fish make the trip to the lower portions of the Matilija – located off Highway 33 north of Ojai along Matilija Road. Once the dam is removed, new regulations that resemble those of other coastal creeks in the region will be put in place.
Check local regulations for up-to-date information.
Some good fly patterns include Bunny Leeches, Marabou Flies, Egg Sucking Leeches and egg patterns in red, orange, yellow or purple.
