Mt. Shasta Ski Park
Shasta.com - Northern CA's premiere business website!
WEED ALES & BREWERY 
EASTER ISLAND INFORMATION & TOURISM SITE
CHILE!! 
*****HERE I GO INTO THE AMAZING PATAGONIA!! STAY TUNED AS I FISH SOME GREAT RIVERS IN ARGENTINA BEFORE HEADING INTO CHILE TO GUIDE WITH FRANCISCO AND NICO AROUND FUTALEUFU, YELCHO, PETROHUE & MAULLIN.*****
MEANWHILE, JIM ROBERTS, MIKE HIBBARD & AARON GREENER ARE OPEN FOR GUIDING ON THE LOWER SAC, KLAMATH AND TRINITY RIVER WHILE I’M IN CHILE.
GET OUT AND DO SOME FLY FISHING IN FEBRUARY AND MARCH!!
SIGN-UP NOW FOR TRINITY FLY WATER ONLY EARLY SEASON OPENER APRIL 1ST 2007!! GUARANTEED HOLD OVER STEELHEAD POSSIBLE ON DRIES!!
530-926-4540 THEY COULD USE THE TRIPS!! YOU COULD USE THE HOOK-UPS!! JT
CHILE SEASON BEGINS SIZZLERS!!!
*****LEIGHTON HILLS ~ WESTLAND WATER DISTRICT TOM BIRMINGHAM McCLOUD RIVER SCANDAL AND HOW IT EFFECTS THE WINTU WINNEMEM TRIBE AND ALL OF CALIFORNIA. CLICK HERE>http://www.mtshasta.com/2007/01/28.html
Hello everyone I am in route for Argentina and Chile. I Will finish writing my stories when I arrive. I will be reporting every week so keep a close eye on this site!! I Don’t know if I will be able to send out email update? The areas I am heading into later on this month are very remote! Here’s our customer Holst who has come back for his fourth year in a row!!That’s when you know we are doing things right. Pancho and Nico are guiding Holst and others now so stay tuned for those adventures and more! Jack Trout
The cataraft is ready for you in Chile!
LAST TRIP ON THE TRINITY WITH JIM ROBERTS ON JANUARY 30TH TO FEB 1ST
“
Thank you watching my adventures I will be writing this story on Feb 6th. Jack Trout
EMAILS FROM YOU:
appreciate your quote about protecting the river in today’s newspaper. This was particularly difficult, if not unexpected, news from Stienstra. Thanks for your efforts to make known the plight of our waters, Klamath, McCloud, etc. and doing what you can to help.
Jim Collins – Corte Madera, CA
HOUSE FOR SALE NEAR THE TRINITY RIVER:
WATER AGENCIES NEED NOT APPLY.
Price: $ 499,000.00
Address: 3051 Oregon St
WEAVERVILLE, CA 96093
Bed/Bath: 3 Beds – 2 Baths
Size: 2192 Square Feet
7.6 Acres
With year around pond
http://www.bringyourownhome.com
ID #546
Contact Information
Contact: Trena Richards
Phone: 530-840-0224
Jack,
Thanks for your attention and expression about this horrible action!!!!!
Keep it up, man!!
Richard Lucas
Man, you don’t pull any punches re: Hills! Way to go, man! This turned out to be just what you and I talked about, a sale of property they are afraid will be under water soon. Pretty sad. It is interesting to note, however, that if they bought the land for $5 and acre in 1865 (which I think is when they did), that represents less than 6% per year appreciation! Certainly not bad, but not gangbusters.
Hey, do you have a day free to float the Trinity on the 20th? Mark and I are coming up to utilize a chit with Nielson that I bought from CalTrout years ago, and I thought he was going to take us to the Trinity. He tells me he doesn’t guide the Trinity, and that he’s going to take us on the Klamath. Well, I guess that’s fine, but I’d rather do the second day, the 20th, on the Trinity. Are you available, or do you have one of your guys that will float with us?
C. E. Patterson
President
EMAIL RESPONSE FROM LEIGHTON HILLS JANUARY 29TH, 2007
Jack,
It was a sale under threat of condemnation. We did what we could to get the protections for the Wintu.
Leighton
Leighton Hills
16 Miller Ave., STE 202
Mill Valley, CA 94941
415-383-7102 (O)
415-383-7060 (F)
MY REPLY TO LEIGHTON:
Leighton
I’m on the phone right now with Caleen Sisk Franco (Winnemem Wintu tribe) you did nothing for the Wintu Winnemem you led them to slaughter she said.
Caleen Sisk Franco~ Did you think you were getting us stronger allies?
Caleen wanted to know how long Bruce was going to be at the care takers cabin?
Why don’t you call her or tell me coward ~ 530-275-1048
You are the biggest liar, you only think about yourself Leighton,it’s always been that way that’s why you never return people phone calls on time, and how you treated me was harsh you said it yourself! you’re a creep! I helped you build the reputation and the membership of that club you son of a bitch!
You should be given a saliva test for selling your property to Westland’s, and then you lied to all of us. How do you explain that Pinocchio?
Why did you have to sell it to them we could of fought with Caleen now you are so screwed in the history books!! Your family will be up there with the sluice boxes and hydraulic mining of Nevada County pal! You people are evil.
Condemnation. Westland’s was scared of us that’s why they jumped! We could of beat those guys with the help of the Wintu, me and your attorneys. The tide was changing until you got greedy.
You help wire the deal for Westland’s and the Bureau of Rec.
Man you really sold us all out !!
You lied to us for that you are forever cursed for selling this property to Westland’s Water District.
You never even put the Wintu in contact with Westland’s Tom Birmingham or had them for a single meeting, they don’t know what to do? The way I see it, your family had the Native Americans help them build the rock house and then you told them to leave their land forever. You cut down Great Grand Pa Wintu’s apple trees in the front yard, there use to be 12 Caleen said to me one time. What did your family do to the Native Americans around Bollibokka in the early 1900’s where did they go?
Have a fine life dark soul, Jack Trout
This is sad news Jack. I hope something can be done. On a more positive note, my wife and I went to a great Jerry Hannan show at Rancho Nicasio yesterday. He was playing with a new trio and sounded good. Hope to see you in the Spring.
Mike Levinson
Dear Members,
A lot has taken place in the fall and winter months √ and I’m glad to
report that the Bollibokka Club will continue operating in its
existing manner, albeit with a new owner. As several of you know, and
others have just read, we were approached by Westlands Water District,
located in the San Joaquin Valley who was concerned that Bollibokka
might be sold to a developer. Westlands is obligated to pay 1/3rd of
the costs of operating and expanding Shasta Dam, and if a future
enlargement of Shasta meant flooding expensive new homes built by such
a developer, Westlands felt it was better economically to purchase
Bollibokka now at the undeveloped price, and a good play for its
substantial reserves. Westlands’ General Manager has been fishing at
Bollibokka for the past 7 years as a guest of one of our members, and
he was able to convince his Board of the benefits of purchase thereby
avoiding the risk of development. Since Westlands does not want the
property ever developed, they agreed to our requirement that the
fishing club continue operation for at least 25 years (which they said
would very likely continue thereafter as well).
In a separate transaction, we also transferred ownership of the upper
three miles to a private party who agreed to allow our family
continued use of the property and buildings (from the Campground
upriver to the boundary with the McCloud River Club). At the request
of the buyer, that portion will not be part of the club. The buyer
has asked that we not publicize his identity, so I’m not free to say,
but his interest is in long-term holding for the next several
generations of his family.
You will doubtless be hearing all sorts of speculation on what it
means for Bollibokka to no longer be owned by our family. In terms of
Shasta expansion, parties that are not directly impacted always have
more lobbying credibility √ so the pros and cons of expansion are
still going to be effectively presented. I think there are some
excellent alternatives that will be presented by the McCloud River
CRMP. Even if an 18 foot increase is implemented in the next several
decades (the Rock House is 33 feet above the current level of Shasta),
there are some feasible compromises that can virtually eliminate
impact on the fishery. Those issues will be thoroughly discussed
throughout what will certainly be a very long review process.
In terms of the coming season, we provided a list of all Club members
to Westlands last week, and you should be hearing from them soon
regarding interest in continuing membership and scheduling. As
mentioned, their General Manager, Tom Birmingham, has been enjoying
the club for the past 7 years, so he has a very clear knowledge of
what it’s about. Bruce will get a promotion, and will be receiving
Westlands’ benefits like CALPERS health insurance and pension
benefits. I haven’t yet heard the specifics about Jim and the others,
but all play important roles to effectively operating Bollibokka.
Several members have been very helpful in us working through
Westlands’ interest in Bollibokka. My mother and I are very thankful
for that help, and I will be asking those members to help further with
making the transition to Westlands management of the club.
Although all transitions are difficult, my mother and I feel good
about the changes made for Bollibokka. We’ve eliminated the risk of
an uncertain sale stemming from a death of either of my parents.
We’ve eliminated the risk of downward pressure on value due to Shasta
expansion becoming more imminent. And we’ve eliminated the risk that
the property would no longer be operated as a fishing club. We are
hoping for the best from Westlands, and have included numerous
provisions in our sales documents to help make sure that takes place.
You will doubtless be hearing from us further, and my mother and I
wish you the best.
Leighton
Leighton Hills
16 Miller Ave., STE 202
Mill Valley, CA 94941
415-383-7102 (O)
415-383-7060 (F)
LJHills@pacbell.net
IF ALL OF THIS WAS GOING TO HAPPEN ANYWAY WHY DID WESTLAND’S PAY 5 MILLION OVER THE ASKING PRICE????? YOU FOLKS DID NOTHING FOR THE WINTU YOU NEED TO ARRANGE A MEETING BETWEEN WESTLAND’S YOU AND THE WINTU INDIANS SOON.
Way to go Jack!! Kick butt and take names. Rich creeps are
pretty much all alike…never enough money and willing to do most
anything to get more. Sickening! Hope you have a great trip to
South America and recharge your spirit down there. See you when you
return for some fish chasing. Mike Foster
One more thing Leighton
The first time I went to bat for you to stop the dam increase and I contacted everyone from the media and tried to make a difference.
I REALLY MEANT IT AND I STILL DO. YOU CHANGED WE ALL DIDN’T!!
Jack Trout
You use to call Shasta Lake a toilet bowl now your defending it!
Your gaining friends and sounding like an Amway salesmen.
To Mr. Trout and Caleen Sisk Franco:
The following is a document that Leighton Hills has asked some of the minority shareholders(including me) to sign. I have not signed this (or any other) consent form, and I have not received any notice regarding an election of directors pursuant to the proposed amendment to the articles of incorporation. Until the Articles of Incorporation are properly amended to provide for 3 directors (instead of 5), and until 3 such directors are then properly elected (with notice to all shareholders, etc.), does anyone actually have the legal authority to convey title to any of the McCloud River property owned by the Bollibokka Land Company?
WRITTEN CONSENT TO ACTION TAKEN
WITHOUT MEETING BY THE SHAREHOLDERS
OF
BOLLIBOKKA LAND COMPANY,
a Nevada corporation
Pursuant to authority granted by Nevada Revised Statutes § 78.320(2), the corporate
action referenced below is hereby taken without a meeting by the shareholders of Bollibokka
Land Company, a Nevada corporation (the ≥Corporation≈), and the shareholders have consented
to the following resolutions as actions of the Corporation as shown by their signatures below.
WHEREAS, on or about March 7, 1989, the shareholders of the Corporation adopted by
written consent a resolution to amend the Corporation≠s Bylaws to provide that the Board of
Directors shall be reduced to three (3) directors subject to further change as provided therein.
WHEREAS, in taking the action to amend the Bylaws, the shareholders failed to adopt a
reciprocal resolution amending the Corporation≠s Articles, and as a result, the Bylaws and
Articles were in conflict with respect to the fixed number of directors.
WHEREAS, since the amendment to the Bylaws, the Board of Directors of the
Corporation consisting of three (3) directors have fully and faithfully performed the obligations
of the Board despite the conflict between the Bylaws and Articles.
WHEREAS, the shareholders now desire to resolve the discrepancy between the
Corporation≠s Bylaws and Articles.
NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS RESOLVED that the shareholders ratify that
certain amendment to the Bylaws adopted by written consent dated March 7,
1989.
RESOLVED FURTHER that the shareholders hereby approve and authorize the
amendment of the Articles to provide that the Board of Directors shall consist of
the number of directors as set forth in the Corporation≠s Bylaws.
RESOLVED FURTHER that the Fifth Paragraph of the Articles is hereby
removed in its entirety and the following paragraph is inserted in lieu thereof:
For the management of the Corporation, the governing Board of
the Corporation shall be natural persons styled and called the
Board of Directors. The number of directors shall be specified in
the Bylaws of the Corporation and such number may, from time to
time, be increased or decreased in such manner as prescribed by
the Bylaws.
RESOLVED FURTHER that the following individuals be, and hereby are,
elected to serve as the directors of the Corporation, and shall serve in such
capacity until the next annual meeting of the shareholders or until their successors
are duly elected and qualified:
Leighton J. Hills
Herbert G. Hills, Jr.
Doryce L. Hills
The shareholders, by signing this Consent, waive notice of the time, place and purpose of
the meeting of the shareholders and agree to the transaction of business by written consent of the
shareholders in lieu of meeting.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this Written Consent to
Action Taken Without Meeting by the Shareholders as of this 22nd day of November, 2006.
EXECUTED IN COUNTERPARTS
APPROVED:
Herbert G. Hills, Jr.
Leighton J. Hills
Doryce L. Hills
[Name of Shareholder]
To Mr. Trout and Caleen Sisk Franco:
On your web site, Mr. Trout, there is a letter from Leighton Hills addressed to the members of the Bollibokka Fishing Club in which the following appears:
“In a separate transaction, we also transferred ownership of the upper three miles to a private party who agreed to allow our family continued use of the property and buildings (from the Campground upriver to the boundary with the McCloud River Club). At the request of the buyer, that portion will not be part of the club. The buyer has asked that we not publicize his identity, so I’m not free to say, but his interest is in long-term holding for the next several generations of his family.”
A search of the Shasta County Records reveals that the upper 3 miles of the Bollibokka property was sold to the J L A FAMILY L L C in a deal that closed on December 7, 2006.
I believe that the J L A FAMILY L L C was formed by a real estate developer by the name of John Arrillaga. I am not surprised that he has asked that his identity not be publicized.
MESSAGE FROM THE WINNEMEM WINTU
Hi Jack,
Thank you for thinking of us again. I’m glad you are so concerned about the great possibility that the river will be ruined further. We share in the gloomy future of the river. We have been put in a horrible position to fight this. Now, our first challenge is to get Senator Boxer to re-introduce the Campbell bill “Winnemem Wintu Restoration Bill”. Boxer’s office policy is to have the congressman in her district bring it forward or at least be supportive of it, but Herger never will because we stood in the way of the Mt. Shasta Ski Resort for 15 years until it stopped and as you know he is a farmer/developer. Herger tells us that he will assist us to go through the BIA federal recognition process, but we believe the US should honor the 1937 Act which allow them to take our lands for the Shasta Lake project and promised like lands to live on. If the government would have processed this Act then or now, we would already be a federally recognized tribe, but the BIA and BOR didn’t finish their obligation and paper work. So now every where we turn, we are penalized for their mistakes.
I will keep you in the loop as to how we are going to do this. We would like to get in to our rightful position to fight the Westlands and BOR water giants. We now call upon our sacred places to direct us in this war.
Keep in touch.
Caleen Sisk-Franco Winnemem Wintu
NO ONE AROUND MT SHASTA WANTED THE SKI PARK ON THE MOUNTAIN IT HAD AVALANCHED TWICE BEFORE IN 1975 & 1985, SO OBVIOUSLY THE MOUNTIAN DIDN’T WANT THE SKI RESORT EITHER. THE SKI RESORT IS WHERE IT SHOULD BE LOCATED NOW ON THE LOWER BUTTES OF MT SHASTA. JACK TROUT (Wally Herger was heavily lobbied)
Fuckers.
Gregg Foster
Oh Jack,
This is sad news. I feel bad for the Wintu Indians. Your comparison to the Vatican being flooded was right on. Haven’t the Native Americans suffered enough? It makes me sick to my stomach thinking their sacred lands will be affected. Like you said, it even goes deeper than that. It goes all the way to the heart of the river, the river that nurtures and sustains life they way it’s supposed to be. Your comments have soul, Jack.
I wish you the best time in Chile, though I know you are disheartened and angry about this mind-blowing transaction. Try to find some peace in the Argentinean winds. May the ways of the Chilean rivers work their magic on you and lift you to the place where you can continue to inspire all the rest of us who are stuck walking on pavement.
Love, Tracy
John Arrillaga ranked 346 among The 400 Richest Americans In 2005. New owner of the top three miles of the Bollibokka.
Gray Hills called me and said he had nothing to do with the sale, he was completely opposed to the sale of Bollibokka. Jack Trout
(Kane & Able)
Jack, Thanks for the great info on the McCloud and the dam raising. Keep being a pain in the ass to that guy.
Chris Lane
Jack,
Thank you for the update on the land deal that in Mt. Shasta area. I read the account in the Chronicle and was saddened that the bastards are going to ruin another peace of mother earth. You are my hero. Please keep up the good fight and keep me informed. May the forces that be protect, guide and support you.
George Capone III – (God Bless you Jack)
Hello Jack
In 1990 the Quebec Hydro Corp wanted to dam some rivers. The Native Cree’s in the affected areas stopped the project through publicity directed at the end user of the electric power. The end users were mainly in N Y State. The Native point man on this effort was Mathew Coon Cum.
Google dug up the following: http://www.cda-cdai.ca/symposia/2002/haslip.htm
You can also go to Info Mart at 1 800 661 7678 and ask for Coon Cum, New York, Dateline. The event happened in 1990.
Good Luck
Laurie Swinghammer
Canada
Jack-
I am looking to do some Steelhead fishing with Dave
and Scott in October. Will you be guiding in Northern
Cal in October? We can’t make it on the weekend of
October 6 and 7, but the others would work for us.
Please let me know.
Thanks
Scott Jones
U.S. Orders Modification of Klamath River Dams
Removal May Prove More Cost-Effective
By Blaine Harden
Washington Post Staff Writer
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/01/30/AR2007013001757_pf.html
SEATTLE, Jan. 30 — In a decision that could trigger the largest dam-removal project in world history, the federal government said today that four hydroelectric dams on the troubled Klamath River must undergo costly modifications to allow passage for salmon
—————————————————————————————-
All Klamath Restoration Friends,
Congratulations ! You all must be rejoicing with this significant advance.
We -PelicanNetwork and me – are physically away from the Klamath now. But we think about you, and advocate Klamath restoration at every opportunity. I can see minds lighting up with an understanding that the profligate, plundering ways of the past century and a half must be surrendered, and a caretaking connection to the land can be the new order.
I am very proud to have been associated with your historic effort. Now it’s on to the bigger effort to restore the watersheds of the Klamath River System. Restoring ancient land management practices can be a reality.
Sincerely,
Jack
Hi Jack,
Thanks for the up date on the Klamath, it only shows that they are finally learning that dams make rivers sick and sick rivers kill all living things who must have water to live. It also shows the power of the good guys when they work together to protect mother earth’s treasures. We have been following the progress of the Klamath through our Hupa friends.
Hey, I guess you will be going to South America to guide huh? How long will you be gone? I hope you can enjoy the time and have good dreams about the McCloud River. This time a way may bring strategic visions through eagle eyes so when you return your body will be refreshed, your mind rested, and your heart settled. Just be care.
After all these years of going to our sacred sites up river, I still don’t know who is who behind the gates leading to Bollibokka, but I am quickly catching up. Mostly I think Bruce is a very good man and have always had good words with him. I think I have met you twice at meetings and then again at the Rock House a few years back when you invited Grams (Florence Jones) up for a TV interview against the raising of Shasta Dam. Now, it was assumed that Leighton was also against raising the Dam, but we never heard from him directly on the planned Shasta Dam raise. We trusted Leighton when said he would give us some land that wasn’t valuable to his family, but oh so important to the Winnemem Tribe. We tried not to be pushy when he was looking into giving us the Puberty Rock area in 2005 and we followed up and he said he was talking to his family and it may happen before or at our Puberty Ceremony last July 2006. We invited him to come to the ceremony and witness the tradition so he might feel the importance in his giving us the land. As you might have read we had trouble with some of the boaters who passed through the Forest Service volunteer closure of the river. Anyway, it sounds like he was to busy getting ready to sell all of Bollibokka. Wish we knew in time to bid. We are not rich but there is a program that would have bought sacred land like that for a tribe’s survival. So many places up the river are necessary for our tribe. He wrote us off without even investigating if we had any way to buy it. After dealing with the Hills for 103 years we just didn’t think it would ever be for sale. By the time we found out it was already in escrow. That was a black day on our calendar. Now Westlands, who stated they want the Dam raised is controlling river front property and our sacred sites and burial grounds. Leighton said we should wait a couple of weeks. Then a Missy called and said we should wait a couple of weeks for something good to happen, but could not say what we would be waiting for. Sounds pretty fishy to me.
We have been pushing to be included in the CRMP but without success, we were invited to present our issues at a CRMP meeting not long ago, but still no invite to be a part of the CRMP to protect the McCloud River. Now it appears the the CRMP will be unable to do the job they were created to do. The River now needs to be protect as a Wild and Scenic River I guess. Will the CRMP be able to do this or will it fall apart. Then it will be open for all the rich guys to bond together to protect and support the Leighton and Westlands deal, since they are all good “fishing buddies”.
You mentioned a “Missy” on your web info, is that Missy from San Francisco, is she a realtor? If it is, she is responsible and of course totally supportive of the Leighton-Westlands land deal. Do you know her very well?
MISSY ECHEVERRIA~ REALTOR 750 LINDARO STREET SAN RAFAEL, CA 94903 415-716-7340- 415-295-8100 missyecheverria@aol.com M.E. PROPERTIES. SHE WAS THE REALTOR INVLOVED THAT LEIGHTON HILLS AND HIS FAMILY HIRED
AND SOLD THE BOLLIBOKKA PROPERTY TO WESTLANDS WATER DISTRICT WITH THE HELP OF TOM BRIMINGHAM.
Hi Jack,
Just a quick note to let you know that I for one appreciate your missles at Nestle. One person can make a difference, I am sure you know that already. When you get back we will talk more about a trip or two. I am still interested in the lower Klamath in Sept, and of course other trips as well.
Rip some lips,
Bob
Hi, wanted to get more info and price on a group of 5 (there are 10 in the group, only 5 fishing) to come up for fly fishing the weekend of June 23, 24. Also wanted to know other activites in the area we can do like river rafting or hiking and if there are places to stay that you recommend. Thanks..Robin
FYI I am an avid fisherman however I have never been fly fishing ill try to take a lesson prior to our trip. Don≠t know if it makes any difference however I am ≥left handed≈. I use standard conventional tackle for bait casters and I reverse the crank on spinners.
Thanks,
Brandon Wilson
Jack:
I have really appreciated getting your emails. Since I am about to retire from the State Water Resources Control Board could you put my home address on your mailing list? My home address is as follows:
Hope that I get to meet you some day. Best wishes.
Jim
Jim Canaday
Jack:
Thanks for your emails, but I do not know how to fly fish and am almost 80 years old. Is there any hope for me to catch some trout?
Cheers,
Orville
Dear Jack,
I happened by chance to come across your website and I can see that the fault lines run pretty wide and deep. I also noticed your mention of me, as you said you always assumed I would eventually be the owner and caretaker or Bollibokka. I have to say that I was genuinely touched that you remembered and thought of me, after too many years.
Please let me try to give the fairest account that I can. To begin with, I grew up fully aware that being part of Bollibokka and the McCloud was something that nobody truly deserves, and so I resolved to just be as goddam grateful as I possibly could be. Bollibokka was maybe the only place that was truly precious to me (with the possible exception of Wrigley Field). EVen before I knew there was any threat to it, it was quite literally sacred ground to me. In the past years, I’ve brought my closest friends to Bollibokka, describing it only as “God’s country.” It was my sanctuary, my haven. I truly loved it, and still do.
It’s been many years since the state decided that it was going to dam Shasta Lake. My father and my family did fight it, but if it’s a truism that you can’t fight City Hall, fighting the state power of California is even more a matter of just trying to slow down an irresistible force. We, or at least I, had hoped if we slowed and obstructed the political process enough, the state would lose its will and decide it wasn’t worth the hassle. For a few years that seemed possible, but in the past couple of years, the state caught its second wind and made it clear that the issue was not if but when.
But even I didn’t realize the real issue. Due to recent sales of nearby properties, Bollibokka could no longer hover under the radar of federal appraisors. I am repeatedly on record as saying that I wouldn’t sell Bollibokka for $100 million, $200 million, $1 billion–after all, what would I buy with that money other than Bollibokka? And to this day, if it were a choice between $0 and $200 million or billion, Jack, you know that I wouldn’t even consider it. But this country has a confiscatory death tax. I don’t mind paying taxes on what I earn–I can swallow the idea that the government provides me the baseline security necessary to earn the money in the first place. So I don’t like it, but I’ll render a third unto Caesar. But the government then supposes that if a person dies, it is somehow entitled to half of his or her total wealth, as a matter of course. There is a drastic difference between the choice of $0 vs. $X and negative $15 million vs. $X. Believe me, I thought I’d take over Bollibokka too. If I had, it would have been the best day of my life, very literally. It was, to me, paradise. I even figured that after earning enough, I’d live there for many years.
But one thing I know for sure is that men can’t be careless when it comes to their family. I’ve never had a more bitter taste in my mouth, but I accepted, and accept, that even the one thing truly precious to me, my one birthright, has to give way to the family.
Of course, I realize that a lot of the anger comes not from *that* Bollibokka was sold, but *to whom* it was sold. I understand the surface-level impropriety of selling to what is seen as the enemy–and the Orwellian “Westland” name certainly doesn’t help. Here’s the thing, though. I don’t know all the considerations that went into the deal, other than knowing that there were a whole hell of a lot of them. And here’s the main point: I know as well as anyone that my father is not a perfect man. I’ll even admit that there’s a lot about him that I’ll probably never pin down. But, Jack, the one thing that I know with absolute certainty is that my father is an honest man. You can disagree with him–hell, it’s possible that I would’ve made a different deal–but don’t suggest that there was anything dishonorable in the conclusion *he* reached. And Jack, while I know it’s an offhand phrase not meant literally, don’t call him a son of a bitch. I take it literally.
This has been a wearying time for me–I’ve lost the one thing that I was most precious to me, I’ve seen even more divisions open up in my family, and I’ve seen my one friend in Bollibokka–Jack Trout–come to despise and mock my family. I know it’s been too many years, but I always hoped that you and I would always be real friends. I hope that we still can be, and that even if we have a different point of view, I can always call you up the next time I’m in your neck of the woods. Believe me, it’s all tragedy to me, and if the river does become damaged I will consider it an abomination. I’m not a terribly religious man, but like I said Bollibokka has always been God’s country in my eyes, and I think that spoiling or altering it all is a terrible, ghastly mistake. But whatever you think of my father, it is the state that is carelessly leaving us, the Wintu, and everyone else in its wake.
There’s more to say, but too much more. This letter is meant for general consumption–please feel free to post it. But I also hope we can talk privately.
With best wishes,
Taylor Hills
hi…!!! we are Gaby, Colo & Pachu…we wanna tell you we had a great time at wilkenny…
hope to meet you again…and if not…the Best wishes and had a good time at Bariloche…
lots of kisses…
your friends from Bariloche…(best place in Patagonia!!!)=
Baci & abbracci …
Pachu
Jack,
I just wanted to add a brief ps. I want to make it absolutely clear that I think damming Lake Shasta is a terrible, abominable idea, the worst form of desecration as it is not just ravaging but useless. It’s just the prime example that once the state gets its mind fixed on something, especially if the engineers get hot and excited, good sense can only slow the process down.
I’m not naive, and I’m not a fool, and I can understand your anger. But I know for a fact that the sale wasn’t made over $5 million. Only time can tell whether the decision was wise or unwise. But I hope you’ll trust me enough to take my word that it wasn’t dishonorable.
I hope you and I can fish the McCloud sometime soon.
-Taylor
Jack,
I read the news in the paper…. sad stuff. When will the water agency take ownership? Will you still be guiding there? Will we see a mob of other guides on the river? Alan, Tom and I are eager to get in one last shot
thanks
Dirk
Thanks for all your e-mails they are wonderful and it looks like you are having a great time!
We want to do a Mt Shasta, Lassen trip for fall 2007. We are trying to keep our trip reasonably priced and wanted to find out
What you would charge for tour guiding. This would be for a day trip on 9/25 in the Mt Shasta area and Π day on September 26th in the Lassen area.
Are there restaurants we could do meals enroute? Just give me an idea as we are in the planning stages.
I hope all is well with you.
Julie Storer
Storer Tours
Good luck with both endeavors Jack. We’ll talk when you get back. I am off to Northern Oregon next week for some steelhead and cutthroat fishing, then to Klamath Falls for a special speckled goose hunt for three weeks.
Don’t rip all the lips!
Bob
Taylor,
I won’t put anymore postings up, I was so impressed with your email.
I always knew you were a good guy and that email was one of the most heart felt emails I’ve ever received. It hurts so bad to know that some day more of the river could be lost. But some of the things I wrote was over the top and for that I’m sorry for you.
I wish I could talk to you by phone but the situation has left me raw and heart sunken. I must admit your father lied to me straight up before the close of escrow. I asked him if he was selling to Westland’s and with a firm expression he said no to me and Caleen (Wintu). He went on to explain why he would never sell to Westland’s because they would have to open the doors to the public being a public agency. He even went on by spelling Tom Birmingham’s name wrong in an email just to further his lies and try to throw all of us off through a tangled web he weaved. He threaten to sue me after I posted my log about seeing Westland’s on the property and with that he sealed the families fate.
He played a hand that he thought would win, but then I drew a wild card and the river watched in dismay as two idiots showed their true colors.
I have only the river in mind, I don’t have the right to tell anybody what to do with their property, but the river speaks to me and I listen. It’s all I have now and it has given me everything I stand for.
The dam issue is a bad one for California, even Diane Feinstien said once as she was flying in a helicopter, that the Trinity River has little
or no water in it? That was because of Westland’s, the most hated irrigation district in California ask Cal Trout.
Why do you take something so beautiful and make it so ugly, when the ugly areas can be dammed on the west side of I5 all the way down to LA and other alternatives like desalinized water. Heck, even Mexico does that everywhere throughout the country.
I totally disagree with you regarding the inevitability of the dam raisal. If we fought hard enough the alternatives would have stuck.
You should see what we have accomplished on the Klamath River.
Unfortunately your grandfather and your father wired the deal. The older generation is gutless and can be bought.
I don’t care what anyone thinks, we could of fought and won. But we need courage and remember fate favors the well prepared. If we sit back and let the GOV take over or just throw our hands up do we really have a democracy?
What is wrong with all these people that have given up and take the road of least resistance, is it not ” We the people”!
Anyway, Getting fish latter’s put in on the Klamath and the knowing eventually the dams will be taken out further proves that hard work and tenacious efforts do work in the end.
Too bad it took 50,000 salmon dying and countless hours working and writing to get the Klamath going in the right direction.
Your a good man Taylor, I have a hell of a lot of respect for you cause your real man. I hear you loud and clear and I’m impressed with what your education has done for you. You wrote a great letter!!!
Lastly, I helped your father find members when the club needed a little help. I found several great members in which the club made thousands of dollars on. One group of 8 stock brokers paid $4000 for a weekend to fish and showed up with a striper from Chico. I had no preconceived idea this was going to happen with GOD as my witness, and when they arrived at the Way Station I said I would need to contact Leighton about this. Of course
I was faced with a dilemma I regret to this day because your father didn’t answer his phone nor did he return my three calls even after I said it was very important!!
Craig Johns came up from the clubhouse
to ask if he could poach my water for potential club members and saw the striper and asked if she could come to the clubhouse after she got done.
He then went back to Dad and reported my activities. Your father called me and said I was no more welcome to find members. In fact his exact words were, “This will be agood break for you, you deserve this” as though I had gotten to big for my britches. I was made out to be a goat for something I had taken full responsibility for but had no control over because of how much they paid and the circumstances
surrounding that strange day at Bollibokka.
Gray screamed at me once guiding in front of members of the club that I had procured, my customers I had found for the club that paid $10,000 that year for membership and I was totally embarrassed and humiliated for something I really thought was bull shit. Gray went off on me big time and I didn’t forget that either!
I really think that some of the conservative club members were just looking for a reason to get rid of me and I made a mistake by not just saying no that day. But this wasn’t the first time Leighton didn’t return my phone calls. To add insult to injury your father said to me, “Don’t think your first person to have a striper at Bollibokka”. I felt used and discarded to this day and hate your father for this also.
I found some great members and when I lost all that income about $40,000 a year it changed my life.
I am grateful for the house I bought in Mt Shasta but being single it’s been hard to stay above water at times.
When Leighton contacted me for the sale of the property and put me in contact with Missy, I felt even more kicked in the balls when he mentioned it was harsh the way I was treated by him, only to be recontacted for another favor.
When I think of your father, I can only think of the phrase “used and discarded”. Intimidation. Fake.
So that’s the whole story, it’s over. I’m not talking about this anymore,
it hurts too much. I don’t want anything from you or your family.
Just leave me alone and I will go away.
“Like a river that don’t know where it’s going, I took a wrong turn and I just kept going.”
So Taylor, be good and take care of your brother and sister.
I don’t think we’ll be fishing together, but I respect you for what you wrote.
Sadly for future generations, Jack Trout
I’m sorry for the SOB statement that was harsh.