Salmonid Restoration Federation

The Coho Confab

The Annual Coho Confab explores watershed restoration through the sharing and learning of restoration techniques to recover coho salmon populations, and enables fish-centric people to network and collaborate in an informal environment. Richard Gienger, a restoration pioneer residing in Humboldt County, CA, coined the term “Confab” from the verb “confabulate,” which literally means to informally chat or to fabricate to compensate for gaps in one’s memory. 

The Confab allows for participants and instructors to share innovative techniques, pioneering experience, and scientific methodologies. Participants learn skills and techniques that can be applied to restore habitat in their home watershed. This event is renowned for taking place in beautiful riverine settings on the North Coast, where camping, swimming, and gatherings around bonfires are part and parcel of the experience.

Coho Confabs

Crescent City, CA

2024

26th Annual Coho Confab

The Confab was held at Rock Creek Ranch on the South Fork of the Smith River. The theme was "Thinking Like a Salmon Stronghold."

Petrolia, CA

2023

25th Annual Coho Confab

SRF, Sanctuary Forest, Mattole Restoration Council, Mattole Salmon Group, and other partnering restoration groups produced a destination Confab on the Mattole River in Petrolia, CA.

Leggett, CA

2022

24th Annual Coho Confab

SRF coordinated the 24th Annual Coho Confab on September 9-11, 2022 in the South Fork Eel River watershed.

Philo, CA

2021

23rd Annual Coho Confab

The 23rd Annual Coho Confab on the Navarro River focused on flow enhancement planning to improve habitat conditions for coho and water supply reliability for landowners.

Orleans, CA

2019

22nd Annual Coho Confab

SRF with the support of California Department of Fish and Wildlife, hosted the 22nd Annual Coho Confab at Sandy Bar Ranch on the Klamath River.

Crescent City, CA

2018

21st Annual Coho Confab

August 24 - 26, 2018

The Confab was held on the Smith River, with tours of surrounding areas.

Petrolia, CA

2017

20th Annual Coho Confab

The Confab was held in the Mattole watershed during August 24 - 26, 2017, featuring groundwater recharge planning, coho recovery strategies, estuary restoration, fuels reduction, and more.

Caspar, CA

2016

19th Annual Coho Confab

Salmonid Restoration Federation, in cooperation with Trout Unlimited, Mendocino RCD, The Nature Conservancy, and other non-profits and fisheries agencies, explored coho recovery strategies and tech

Occidental, CA

2015

18th Annual Coho Confab

This year's Coho Confab took place on the Russian River in northern California from August 21-23, 2015.

Crescent City, CA

2014

17th Annual Coho Confab

The 17th Annual Coho Confab was held on the Smith River in northern California from August 22-24, 2014.

Petrolia, CA

2013

16th Annual Coho Confab

The 16th Annual Coho Confab was held in the Mattole River Valley from August 9-11, 2013.

Douglas City, CA

2012

15th Annual Coho Confab

The 15th Annual Coho Confab was held at Indian Creek Lodge from August 17-19, 2012, on the Trinity River in northern California.

Crescent City, CA

2011

14th Annual Coho Confab

Salmonid Restoration Federation and the Trees Foundation hosted the 14th Annual Coho Confab at Rock Creek on the South Fork of the Smith River in Del Norte County from August 19-21, 2011.

Occidental, CA

2010

13th Annual Coho Confab

The 13th Annual Coho Confab will be held in Western Sonoma County in the Russian River watershed from August 13-15, 2010.

Caspar, CA

2009

12th Annual Coho Confab

The 12th Annual Coho Confab was held on the beautiful Mendocino Coast on April 15, 2009.

Crescent City, CA

2008

11th Annual Coho Confab

The 11th Annual Coho Confab was held on the South Fork of the Smith River from September 26-28, 2008.

Petrolia, CA

2007

The 10th Annual Coho Confab

The 10th Annual Coho Confab was held in Petrolia, CA from August 16-18, 2007. This 10th Anniversary Confab marked the first return in a decade to the location of the original Coho Confab.

Point Reyes Station, CA

2006

The 9th Annual Coho Confab

The 9th annual Coho Confab was held in Point Reyes Station, CA from August 25-27, 2006 at the Clem Miller Education Facility.

On the Klamath River,

2005

8th Annual Coho Confab

Salmonid Restoration Federation and the Trees Foundation produced the 8th annual Coho Confab from August 12-14, 2005 at the Wolf Creek Education Center in Redwood National Park in Humboldt County.

Lagunitas, CA

2004