On April 19th, 14 TU volunteers from Tualatin valley and Clackamas River chapters enlisted by USFS fisheries biologist, Tom Horning, set out to plant 1020 trees along Fish Creek, to rehabilitate riparian zones damaged in the 1996 flood.  After a short safety and orientation meeting at the Estacada Ranger Station, our group caravanned upstream to where Fish Creek enters the upper Clackamas.  We parked at the end of the paved road, donned hardhats, belted tree pouches loaded with Douglas fir and red cedar, backpacks with lunches and gear, and took hoedads in hand to hike as far as three miles out to plant trees every ten feet along the washout areas and near stream crossings where old culverts used to be.  In time, these trees will stabilize these banks, add needed shade, and eventually contribute woody debris to the creek, not to mention enhance the forest habitat for numerous species.  Fish Creek produces 25% of the wild steelhead smolts in the upper Clackamas watershed.  The tree planting went well, although it was quite strenuous work.  One team hiked over six miles round trip, and the other teams walked at least four.  And breaking through this rocky terrain was no picnic.  It was like busting rocks on the chain gang most of the way.  On the plus side, there was some evening fishing to look forward to at the end of the work.  Fish creek is permanently closed to angling, so our group spread out at three area lakes that hold brown trout.  Some fish were even caught.  All in all, it was a very successful outing.  Our crew caught a break with dry, sunny weather for planting, and the rain that returned the following days made for favorable post-planting conditions.  There's much hope that a high number of these trees will survive many years to come.  This is a very rugged and beautiful stream.  Hike in sometime and explore it.