Saving the Greenbacks

The Denver post has an interesting article about efforts to save the rare greenback cutthroat trout from effects of the Hayden Pass fire.

"Colorado Parks and Wildlife says many of the rare fish — with genetic links to the iconic, pure greenback cutthroat trout — were taken from the fire zone to an isolation chamber at the Roaring Judy Hatchery near Gunnison."

Conservation - Consciousness Runs Deep

 

Conservation - Consciousness Runs Deep from Soul River on Vimeo.

Surreal....I think I dreamt something like this once. From @thesoulriver

This short film mixes art, mythology, music, and poetry to provide a fresh perspective through the personal lens of environmental justice and the outdoors inspired by the sport fly fishing. In this film, a young man goes through his life in the city and morphs with his consciousness by the guidance of a Naiad. Conservation provides a breath of fresh air from a young, urban, and hip approach and inspires our consciousness to run deep and become ambassadors of the outdoors.

News: Fluke Sashimi = hot water for boat Captains

Two Montauk based party boat Captains were issued 53 citations (and not the good kind of citations) for " assisting party boat passengers to illegally catch and consume fluke

Via The North Country Gazette:

On Aug. 9, four plainsclothes officers (two per vessel) boarded the boats and documented that customers were filleting fluke on board, failing to keep fluke racks, keeping undersized fluke and keeping over the limit fluke. Officers observed customers eating raw fillets while the trip was ongoing — and that they were being advised by vessel personnel to dispose of undersized fish and to hide illegal fillets.

A total of 53 summons were issued, including tickets to the mates and captains of each vessel. All charges are violations and carry a penalty of up to $250 per violation. More than 60 fluke were seized as part of the investigation.

Breaking news: EPA Places Hold On Mt. Top Mines

MSNBC is reporting that the EPA has placed a hold on mountain top removal mining permits until such time as the impact on streams and wetlands can be assessed.

Announced by EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson, the move targets a controversial practice by coal mining companies that blasts away whole peaks and sends mining waste into streams and wetlands. It does not apply to existing mines, but to requests for new permits, a number estimated to be as high as 200.

NPS Lead Ban

National Park Service Gets the Lead Out!

WASHINGTON – National Park Service visitors and wildlife have something to cheer about today with the agency’s stepped-up efforts to reduce lead in national park environments.
“Our goal is to eliminate the use of lead ammunition and lead fishing tackle in parks by the end of 2010,” said Acting National Park Service Director Dan Wenk. “We want to take a leadership role in removing lead from the environment.”

The new lead reduction efforts also include changes in NPS activities, such as culling operations or the dispatching of wounded or sick animals. Rangers and resource managers will use non-lead ammunition to prevent environmental contamination as well as lead poisoning of scavenger species who may eventually feed upon the carcass. Non-toxic substitutes for lead made in the United States are now widely available including tungsten, copper, and steel.

The NPS will also develop educational materials to increase awareness about the consequences of lead exposure and the benefits of using lead-free ammunition and fishing tackle.
Lead is an environmental contaminant affecting many areas of the world, including our national parks. Lead is banned in gasoline, children’s toys, and paint because of its effects on human health. In the United States, there is an accelerating trend to expand efforts to reduce lead contamination associated with firearms and hunting. California and Arizona have recently implemented mandatory and voluntary bans, respectively, on lead ammunition to facilitate California condor recovery. And Yellowstone National Park has had restrictions on lead fishing tackle for years to protect native species and their habitats.

Resource managers recognize that hunting and fishing play an important historical role in the complicated and intensive management of wildlife populations. Because of this history, these activities continue in some parks and, in some cases, even enhance the park’s primary purpose to preserve natural environments and native species. The new restrictions on lead will ensure environmentally safe practices are implemented to protect park visitors and lands.

Wenk adds, “The reduction and eventual removal of lead on park service lands will benefit humans, wildlife, and ecosystems inside and outside park boundaries and continue our legacy of resource stewardship.”

According to Gene Mueller's article in the Washington Times, some folks are upset with this decision which many feel was made without consulting the sport fishing industry or providing science to support the ban.

What bothers the sportfishing group and various shooting organizations is the quiet way the park service went about the lead ban. Normally, user groups might have been notified about such changes and would have been invited to discuss the plans, which can affect so many Americans.

"The NPS policy announcement does not explain how this decision was reached, why it may be necessary or how this rule will be implemented," Robertson said. "To our knowledge, there has been no proposed rule, nor any opportunity for public comment. We request that the NPS withdraw this proposal and discuss the rationale for it with the appropriate stakeholders before taking further action."

What do you think about the lead ban? Does the Park Service's plan sink or float? Weigh in via the comments.

**UPDATE - Our friends from the always spot on Trout Underground, report that the National Park Service has clarified their statement, now saying that the lead ban "applies only to employees and agents." Thanks Tom!

Flies for Fins

Canadian fly fishing guide and lady who can out fish most folks with her spey casting arm tied behind her back, April Vokey, has announced a fund raiser for the benefit of the Steelehead Society. It's pretty simple, you tie a fly and mail it in and they sell it and the money goes to help the big chromers.

Listen up!!! This message is for you whether you live in Norway, Oregon or British Columbia....Our steelhead are suffering and need your help!

I have started a fundraiser called Flies For Fins. I don't want your money, but I do need some of your time and tying materials.

I am working with Reaction Fly and Tackle, Pacific Angler, Michael and Young Fly Shop and Whistler FlyFishing to raise money for the Steelhead Society.

Each location will carry a cork board that is full of steelhead flies MADE BY YOU. These flies will be sold at the shops, where proceeds will be donated to the Steelhead Society. In the middle of each cork board will be a graph that is updated weekly to show how much money had been raised.

Mailing flies only takes a couple stamps (just make sure that they can be flattened in an envelope.)This is for a great cause, please choose to take some of your time and flies out of your box for it.

I will have a Face Book page up in the next several days for Flies For Fins, however, we need flies RIGHT NOW.

Flies can be shipped to:8505 Norman Cres.Chilliwack, B.C.CanadaV2P 5C6

Feel free to send one fly, or ten! Make them as fancy or as plain as you would like. Please include your name.

Envelope, stamp, fly. It's that simple.

Please do your part and help us make a difference!

Thank you so much,

April.

Gill Net Ban Convert

Earlier this year a Rocky Mount Telegraph reporter wrote a series of articles for his paper in Rocky Mt, NC focusing on the gill net problem we are seeing in Carolina waters. In the original series he tried to be a good reporter and be fair to both sides. Seems like he has had his own run in with the netters and seems to finally understand the way this thing works. He wrote a new article that ran this past weekend:

"We were unable to get another strike from a trout after that episode of rudeness. The commercial fisherman had watched us catch those big trout, then completely wrapped up all the points we had been fishing for the day.

Since last Saturday, I am no longer “on the fence.” I want gill netting to be banned in North Carolina as soon as possible. This coming weekend would not be soon enough."

Click here to see our previous coverage of this issue.

TWRA Advisory Issued in Tennessee Ash Spill

Via a press release from the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation and the TWRA:

The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) advises until further notice that fishing should be avoided in the lower section of the Emory River, and that existing advisories for Watts Bar should be followed. In the Clinch River arm of Watts Bar, which would include the lower Emory River, there is a fish consumption advisory against eating striped bass and a precautionary advisory for catfish and sauger. A precautionary advisory means that children, pregnant women, and nursing mothers should not consume the fish species named. All other persons should limit consumption of the named species to one meal per month.

Beginning the week of January 5, TWRA will be collecting bass and catfish and comparing fish tissue results to existing data for those species. TWRA expects to resample on a semiannual basis, probably January and October, and will evaluate findings with the other resource agencies. TDEC will issue advisories if fish tissue contaminant levels exceed protection criteria.

Alert: Ashey Arsenic Abounds...

The EPA Sampling results from sediment surrounding the Clinch River coal ash spill are starting to trickle in and the news is not good. Arsenic levels came in at well over 100 times the allowed limit.

If their latest update is any indication, this might come as a surprise to the TVA who operates the plant where the spill occurred. According to their website previous third party testing had indicated that arsenic was not a major issue in the ash.

"Total Arsenic results were slightly above the average naturally - occurring background soil concentration for Tennessee; however, total arsenic levels are below levels found in soils that are well fertilized. Also, the TCLP results for arsenic were significantly below the TCLP limits to be classified as a hazardous waste"

More information is available via the EPA website.

Clean Coal Calamity Clouds Clinch

Fighting for Gamefish Status for Georgia Redfish

Thanks to guys like Capt. Gordon Churchill in North Carolina and now Capt. Scott Wagner fighting battles, educating, and keeping us posted on conservation fronts, fish such as this are still possible to the average angler. Scott is a close angling friend of mind, co-founder of Georgiaredfish.org and we recently had the chance to discuss his fishery in GA. The newly formed, grassroots organization is committed to achieving game fish status for redfish fish in Ga and thus preserving redfish stocks.

What is the goal of the group and what will this achieve?

Game fish status would eliminate the commercial sale of redfish at market. Not only would this apply to commercial interests such as a shrimper selling by-catch of netting but more importantly to recreational anglers. Plenty of rod anglers, including guides, sell redfish at open markets.With liberal bag limits of 5 fish per person in the slot of 15-23 range, stocks are suffering.

You mean to tell me there are guides actually keeping fish from clients and selling them at market? That seems to be a conflict of interests to me.

You would think exactly that. Remember gill nets have been outlawed for years. Redfish game fish status would stop hook and line guys, guys spot lighting fish at night and even the jokers using bow/arrow set-ups. Game fish status would eliminate all of that. No one has a problem with personal consumption within the limits but lets stop the selling. Keep only what YOU can use. One only needs to look at states like TX and LA to realize the value of a redfish and the effects the change could have on our fishery.

Are you getting support from the GA CCA?

Ga. CCA has been in favor of the game fish status. Yet there does seem to some conflicting views on limit adjustments. There have actually been CCA board members being quoted as saying "we can not pursue creel limit changes for fear of losing membership". That's a bit of oddball view for an organization with a mission of stewardship and sensible access given the extremely liberal bag limits. Now they have stocked redfish in Wassau Sound but it has become a put and take fishery not a rebuilding of stocks.

What is the current status of State legislation?

The problem here is the lack of education amongst the decision makers. With out sound research information and stats how can anyone make informed judgements. Ultimately a resource commission or dept of wildlife should being in control or at the very least have a strong influential voice.

What can anglers do to help?

Visit the website at georgiaredfish.org for info on purchasing t-shirts and to make donations. Proceeds will help promote awareness and purchase ad space. The site is available to posting and comments. Use it as a way to spread the word.

Scott can be reached directly savannahfly.com. Looking forward to further discussions and comments on this matter.

Capt Paul

Orvis to be Carbon Neutral by 2020

You probably already know that outdoor outfitter, Orvis is a major benefactor in the world of conservation. You may not however be aware of their efforts to lessen their own impact on the environment. A recent article via The Roanoke Times outlines some of those efforts.

Orvis has cut kilowatt-hour consumption of electricity by 39 percent, Rigney said, after shifting to more energy-efficient lighting.
And, its partnership with the Rescue Mission has reduced Orvis' landfill loads by "as much as 50 percent," he said.

"We have high standards for returning items to stock," he said.

Joy Sylvester-Johnson, the mission's chief executive officer, said the Orvis partnership has helped boost sales in the nonprofit's thrift store and provide clothes for its giveaway program. Donations from Orvis include clothes, fishing waders, dog beds and other products, she said.
If a clothing item is too far gone to wear, it becomes part of the mission's rags recycling business, she said.

James Hathaway, Manager of Communications and Conservation for Orvis is quoted as saying, "Our goal is carbon neutral by the year 2020."

A WDBJ7.com video about the story offers a glimpse into the Orvis shipping facility located in Roanoke.

The Gill Net Quandry: Part Three (A Compromise)

UPDATED - Parts four and five added.

Part Three of Five in the Rocky Mount Telegram's coverage of the gill netting issue. Is it possible for a compromise? Today's money quote indicates that it might be a good idea to keep the two sides apart:

Marine Fisheries allowed flounder gill netters to place their sets in the sound one-half hour after sunset. By law these nets were to be retrieved by one-half hour before sunrise.
The plan worked. The two different user groups met rarely, only in passing. Flounder tend to move more at night, so most of the commercial fishermen were happy with the compromise.

The Gill Net Quandry: Part One (The Issue) - Debatable Catch
The Gill Net Quandry: Part Two (More Nets, Problems)
The Gill Net Quandry: Part Three (A Compromise)
The Gill Net Quandary: Part Four (Recreational Use)
The Gill Net Quandary: Part Five (For The Fish)

The Gill Net Quandry: Part Two (More Nets, Problems)

Part two of the Rocky Mount Telegraph's five part series on the clash between commercial gill netters and recreational fishermen is out today and it points out a new player in the mix. The recreational commercial gill netter:

As Montgomery sees it, the problem with the weekend netter is that he is not doing it for a living.

“He is likely to set his net in the wrong place,” Montgomery said. “And if the weather gets bad, he’ll probably just check it tomorrow

There is even a quote from FlyFishMagazine.com's, soon to be properly announced, Saltwater Editor - Gordon Churchill, about a proposal to require attendance of gill nets in Carolina waters:

“No matter who owns it or what type of license, this should not be allowed,” he said. “It results in dead fish that cannot be sold due to being rotten or are not the targeted species and are therefore wasted regardless of condition.”

Read the entire article here:

The Gill Net Quandry: Part One (The Issue) - Debatable Catch
The Gill Net Quandry: Part Two (More Nets, Problems)

Patagonia Supports Stripers Forever

Via Patagonia fly fishing gear guru Straq and his Way Upstream blog comes news of an inititive by Patagonia to fund the activities of conservation group Stripers Forever. The funding will come from a portion of the proceeds from the sale of snazzy looking tee shirts.

From the Way Upstream post:

Stripers Forever is an organization working to have striped bass designated as a gamefish. This designation will stop commercial exploitation across the Eastern Seaboard. Patagonia will make a five-dollar donation to the group for every purchase of the Striper T-Shirt. Renowned artist and angler, Alan James Robinson created the original artwork (back graphic) displayed on this soft, 100% organic cotton tee. The neck rib contains a touch of spandex to help retain its shape. Check with a Patagonia dealer or retail store near you or click on the striper t-shirt link above to make a purchase.

You may remember that Stripers Forever was one of the groups highlighted in the FlyFishMagazine.com 2007 annual charitable giving guide.

Patagonia's World Trout Success Story

Photo: Patagonia's Bill Klyn addresses fly fishing industry insiders at last year's FFR Show in Denver.

WORLD TROUT FUNDING SURPASSES QUARTER OF A MILLION DOLLAR MARK
CREATION OF GRANTS PROGRAM EXPANDS SUPPORT FOR ALL SPECIES OF THREATENED FISH

Ventura, CA (July 28, 2008) Patagonia, Inc, the outdoor gear and technical apparel company announced today their World Trout initiative, has generated over $333,000 since its inception in 2005.

World Trout was founded by Patagonia owner Yvon Chouinard and author/artist James Prosek, who believed that immediate, hands-on action through grassroots groups can begin to address multiple threats facing our native trout species. Educating the public about these groups’ efforts and raising money to support their activities was the goal. As a result, original artwork by such renowned artists as James Prosek, Tim Borski and Alan James Robinson, has been used to create unique t-shirts, with $5 from the sales of each t-shirt set aside to fund these groups. Patagonia’s Website brought awareness of each group’s effort, and summarized each season, how those funds had been used.

"We cannot depend on the government to address threats facing our fish populations. So we look to specific groups actively and passionately working to protect their fisheries, providing them with funds to get things done" commented Patagonia owner Yvon Chouinard. "We are committed to World Trout, and have made this a long term initiative for our company".
Because of increasing requests for support and the significant amount of dollars being raised, Patagonia is creating additional funding opportunities for both fresh and saltwater grassroots groups working to protect threatened fish. Beginning in August, interested groups can go to the Patagonia website (www.patagonia.com/flyfishing) to apply for funding through a special online grant process.

"Seeing the hands on success of these groups, plus the global support from all our customers buying t-shirts and recommending worthy organizations, Patagonia wanted to provide an avenue for additional funding. This new World Trout Grants Program allows us to hear directly from grassroots organizations worldwide, allowing us to react to emergency situations and alternative funding strategies", stated Bill Klyn, Fish Marketing Manager.

About Patagonia
Noted internationally for its commitment to product quality, Patagonia’s Environmental Grants program has contributed over $26M to grassroots environmental programs since it first began back in 1985. Since 1993, Patagonia is noted world-wide for using recycled soda pop bottles in many of its polyester fleece garments. Raising the bar even further, our Common Threads Recycling Program takes back ours and our competitors’ polyester underwear and specific Malden Mills fleece, along with organic cotton t-shirts, to be recycled into new fibers. The company has paved the way for others to get on the garment recycling bandwagon. In addition, Patagonia initiated the Footprint Chronicles, a unique, transparent insight into the impact a product generates from its sourcing of materials until it is delivered to our warehouse. For further information on these programs, visit www.patagonia.com/recycle.

Simms: Designs to combat invasives

Felt soles are considered by many anglers to be a piece of vital fishing equipment. Anyone who has ever tried to maintain their footing on a mountain stream bed covered in slippery rocks will agree that it is hard to beat felt for traction.

Now scientists are telling us that our soles may be causing problems for the environment in that they can harbor nasties like didymo or whirling disease and aid in their movement from watershed to watershed. Due to the fact that some biologists believe that the felt might be virtually impossible to clean, many areas are moving to ban them.

An recent press release from Simms Fishing Products via Pale Morning Media indicates that they recognize that this could be a turning point in wader and wading shoe design and that they are taking steps to make invasive species control a part of their business:

All of Simms’ waders – made in Simms’ exclusive U.S. manufacturing facility in Bozeman – are extra rugged and are DEET and saltwater resistant, providing exceptional strength and quality through the repeated washings necessary to battle aquatic hitchhikers.

“Many of the county’s outstanding recreational fisheries are under assault from aquatic invaders. Organisms like didymo (or “rock snot”), whirling disease and New Zealand mud snails threaten to alter forever some our most treasured fishing resources,” said K.C. Walsh, president of Simms. “Creating premium quality gear that makes it easier to care for the resources we all enjoy is a responsibility we take seriously.”

CleanStream™ is Simms’ way of melding modern fabrics and design to offer a comfortable, durable boot that is a snap to rinse and clean – and proper cleaning in the first step in stopping the spread of aquatic invaders.

AquaStealth® soles are made from high friction rubber designed to excel in and out of water. The, light sponge-like rubber provides added durability for hiking, and doesn’t absorb and hold water like a traditional felt sole.

Simms is a partner in the Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers project sponsored by the U.S Coast Guard and the U.S Fish & Wildlife Service. For more information, log on to www.protectourwaters.net

7 Million to Protect Wilson Creek from Development

The Charlotte Observer is reporting on an announcement by the Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina that they have obtained a purchse contract on four miles of National Wild and Senic River, Wilson Creek.

From the article:

Seven months ago, a Florida developer had planned to build 225 houses on the tract. Creek lovers responded with outrage.

Foothills, a land trust based in Morganton, and the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission have until the end of 2009 to buy the tract for $7 million. They have applied for grants from two state trust funds.
Assuming the sale goes through, private land around the clear, frothing mountain creek will become state gamelands officially open to the public.

"It's sort of a sacred place," said Caldwell County commissioner Ron Beane, who helped lead efforts to win the 2000 Wild and Scenic designation. "That's how locals here think of it, because people have used it for so many years as a getaway."

Spearfishing for Tarpon: You have got to be joking?

We are stunned.

This hit the blogosphere via Pete McDonald at Fishing Jones and comes from an alert posted on the Bonefish and Tarpon Unlimited website. Apparently some folks in Louisiana are making sport of spear fishing for tarpon and bragging about it. Pete says it best in his post:

As tarpon aren’t regarded as table fare, the practice of spearfishing for them is pure blood sport. I have no problem with spear fishing if the fish targeted is to be eaten, in season, and within regulation, but to kill a fish like a tarpon just to kill it…

From the Tarbone.org posting:

Even as the last tarpon ‘kill’ tournament in Florida changes over to an all-release format, and the Mexican fishery turns more toward catch and release, it appears that tarpon conservation is not a high priority in some areas. Indiscriminate and wasteful harvest of this important gamefish should no longer be allowed.

It is clear that there are significantly fewer tarpon around now than there were 30 years ago. And it is likely that the killing of tarpon by recreational (and commercial) fishermen of yesteryear contributed to tarpon population declines. This is the principal reason that Florida, Texas and other southeastern US states have severely restricted the harvest of tarpon.

The message boards begin to buzz...

Links to coverage via Midcurrent and Moldy Chum.

**UPDATE** see text from the spearfishing group's own message board.

Just recovering from yesterday, the first dive of the day I shot intoa 150+lb. Tarpon. He pulled me into a pipe and was pulling really hardwhen all of a sudden he put it into Hyper-Gear. I was like holdingback a crewboat with 2-12 cylinder deisels. I didn't let go and ithurt. The spring slide ring I've been using for 20 years that hasnever let me down, let me down this time. The fish straightened thespring out and got my spear. I came up with the rope and a brokenfinger, the tip of my little finger. So I decided I had enough oftarpon for the day.Wil and Mark both shot into big (well over 100lb. tarpon) only to lose them also.

Stripers Forever on Striped Bass Stocks

Conservation organization Stripers Forever has taken issue with a recent Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission stock assessment for Atlantic Striped Bass that says things are peachy and no action is necessary.

This information appears designed to reassure the public that all is well with striped bass, but Stripers Forever believes an in depth review is warranted. Our concerns with the stock assessment center on the fluctuations that these statistics have had over the last five or six years, and what we perceive to be the determination by fishery managers to put a positive spin on striped bass stocks in spite of some serious negative indications.

A big issue is shrinkage in the numbers of large breeder females within the bass population

It isn’t the probable inaccuracy of the stock assessment that concerns us most. We recognize the extreme difficulty in making accurate and consistent stock assessments. At the Striped Bass Game Fish Symposium 2006, one of the panelists, a fishery Ph.D. and one-time Director of Marine Fisheries for a large southern state, told attendees that these stock assessments were accurate to no more than 50% in either direction and could be even farther off than that! What does bother us is the ASMFC’s lack of recognition that this fishery is slipping away, and that the recreational industry depends on high quality fishing for its vitality.

Read the entire article via StriperForever.org