MANTECA, OAKDALE and STOCKTON, Calif., Nov.

By Tim Moran, The Modesto Bee, Calif. Feb. 9--KNIGHTS FERRY -- A project to help salmon on the Stanislaus River is fighting a strong current of opposition from residents here. The project would create a side channel and restore the flood plain along the south bank of the river opposite the town.

By Jeff Jardine, The Modesto Bee, Calif. Nov. 29--Over the past 150 years, the Stanislaus River has endured more makeovers than Joan Rivers. It's been mined, dredged and quarried. It's been forded, ferried and bridged.

By Michael G. Mooney, The Modesto Bee, Calif. Nov. 4--The fish are jumping, but in appar-ently dwindling numbers, as the spawning season for salmon nears prime time in the Northern San Joaquin Valley.

By Alex Breitler, The Record, Stockton, Calif. Nov. 3--RIVERBANK -- Like a goldfish scooped out of a bowl, this battle-tried chinook salmon didn't appreciate being lifted from the Stanislaus River by two men with a large blue net. He put up a fight -- and a heck of a lot of water.