Huell gets another thrill ride in this episode of California’s Gold from 2006 when he goes up in a plane to witness baby trout being planted in mountain lakes. California Fish and Game have been using airplanes to drop the trout for over 50 years, and despite Huell’s nerves, their pilots are experts at maneuvering among the high mountain peaks.

At the San Joaquin Fish Hatchery near Fresno, we see how tiny rainbow trout are grown in preparation for “planting. Then it’s off to the Fresno airport to hitch an exciting plane ride with the Department of Fish and Game pilots, who are skilled at maneuvering through the high mountains and into the deep valleys to drop or “plant” lakes with trout. At last, we travel to Duck Lake on horseback to witness the trout as they drop from the plane.

(Click on the linked image below to see the video.)