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May 31, 2006
Robbed
When I make a seemingly perfect drift over a trout without a rise, I often joke that “I’ve been robbed.” Unfortunately, the fish weren’t the only thieves on the Little Juniata River last week…
Ken Undercoffer, the president of the Pennsylvania Council, and I met for an evening on the Little Juniata, a premier brown trout fishery. By eastern standards, the Little J is not very small. While the river is big enough to support a lot of nice trout, it is still wadeable in most spots. The fish grow fat on some of the best hatches in the country, making this river a great destination for the dry fly fiend.
As the shadows spread over the river, Ken and I started to see a few noses poking out of the water. The fish were rising sporadically to sulfur duns, demanding patience from the angler. Why these fish decide to take your twentieth presentation over your first, I don’t know, but persistence can pay off for wily browns, assuming you don’t spook them with your efforts.
Throughout my time in PA, I used a realistic hackle-winged comparadun-style imitation to match both the sulfur dun and the spinner. This fly has treated me well for the better part of a decade, so I included a photo of it in the gallery. I caught my best trout with a down and across presentation into the slack water on the far bank. These fish are fat and colorful and a lot of fun.
Towards dark, the sulfur spinners were laying eggs in the faster riffles and the trout were worked into a frenzy. I finally put down the rod after hooking countless fish, including one rainbow, an escapee from one of the ritzy angling clubs on the river.
Ken and I walked back to our cars after dark, content with a fine evening of dry fly fishing. A dark colored sedan with two occupants was idling in the lot when we arrived. Basking in the glow of a successful day on the water, I just figured they were other anglers who were leaving the water. I intentionally went out of my way to walk around a large boulder, so it would be easier for them to pull out and leave. As soon as I approached my truck, they did just that. As they left, I even waved goodbye.
It seems that we interrupted these two as they were cleaning out the back of my truck. I noticed right away that the chintzy locks on my rear topper window had been bent and popped open. Further inspection revealed that they had taken my compound bow, TU’s laptop in my personal Pelican case, and an empty Pelican case that normally holds my camera and waterproof camera housing. Given all the stuff (including the value of the truck in fly rods) that they left behind, we suspect that they were just getting started, so it is a good thing that we returned to the cars when we did.
Unfortunately, this is part of travel and fishing in our day and age. There are a million “what ifs” that I have been asking myself about the situation, which of course doesn’t help any. The old expression “live and learn” is tough to swallow while you still feel the sting of loss, but I’m sure I’ll laugh about all this someday.
Also, in the end it’s just stuff. I have my health, one of the best jobs in the world, wonderful family and friends, and a great life overall. The thieves didn’t take any of these things from me. I don’t believe that I am the actual victim. They are the ones who have reduced themselves to a horrible lifestyle that I’m sure goes far beyond the theft of my possessions.
To see photos of nice Little J browns and the robbery scene, click HERE.
Posted by ladelfio at 01:22 AM | Comments (4) | TrackBack
May 30, 2006
Classic Waters
Falling Springs Branch and the LeTort are world-renowned fisheries that are entrenched in angling literature. On these grassy banks, anglers such as Vince Marinaro and Charlie Fox spent countless hours observing cagey trout and published works that revolutionized technical fly fishing. These streams still demand a high degree of proficiency and frustrate many visitors. As a result, catching a nice brown on a dry fly is particularly rewarding. Local TU chapters are working hard to protect these wonderful fisheries and to restore lesser known spring creeks nearby…
The bucolic Beaver Creek, MD
Beaver Creek
As a teenager living in the suburbs of Washington, D.C., I had to drive about two hours to reach a high quality limestone stream. I made the trip at least once a week to get my tough trout fix. I fished Falling Springs Branch the most, and became personally acquainted with a few of the 20+ inch brown trout. Future Maryland spring creek addicts might not have to drive so far, thanks to the Mid-Atlantic Council of TU and the Beaver Creek Watershed Association (BCWA).
The few limestone streams in Maryland are on private property and most of them are hammered by cattle, agriculture, and development. Beaver Creek is no exception, but restoration work has made a world of difference. The BCWA, lead by Doug Hutzell, has done a great job securing access with landowners, re-vegetating the banks, and constructing habitat improvement structures, mainly U-shaped rock weirs that pushed out sediment, creating pools. TU members have provided invaluable volunteer hours and financial support towards this project.
I spent a few hours with Guy Turenne, the chair of the Mid-Atlantic Council, on Beaver Creek. A mere two years ago, the first round of habitat improvements were constructed and catch and release regulations were implemented. Guy hopes that this is will be a big first step towards making Beaver a wild trout fishery. There is some natural reproduction in the creek, in addition fingerlings and brood stock trout are deposited by the state. The chalky water and aquatic weed beds give Beaver that distinctive limestone creek flavor. Scuds, cressbugs, and leeches coat every rock, providing ample forage.
Thanks to the hard work of the BCWA and local TU chapters, I think Beaver Creek has the potential to be Maryland’s Falling Springs in the future. While the trout here are not pushovers, they are more forgiving than their brethren to the north. Novice spring creek anglers will find Beaver to be a great classroom where they can prepare for fly fishing graduate school in south-central Pennsylvania.
Falling Springs Branch
First time visitors are always surprised by Falling Springs Branch's diminutive size. While the channel is narrow, thick cress beds, large woody debris, and deep undercuts create 3-dimensional habitat. Large brown trout, including a few that seem to be as long as the channel is wide, lurk in the undercuts and weeds. Smaller browns and rainbows lie near the cress beds, waiting for sowbugs, baetis nymphs, and terrestrials to pass by. As it gets dark in May and June, the fish may start rising regularly to sulfurs.
In hope of the evening rise, I met two active Falling Springs Chapter TUers, Rod Cross and Terry Ward for supper and a quick tour of the recent TU work before we donned our waders. Rod just passed the torch as chapter president and he has done a ton for the chapter during the last decade. Terry is a longtime southern PA angler who helped found both the Falling Springs chapter and the Cumberland Valley Chapter (which counts the Yellow Breeches and the LeTort as home waters). Both men live a stone’s throw from Falling Springs and fish it regularly.
In the six years since I last fished this stream, the chapter has done a lot of work on the lower end of the “fly fishing only” water. Half a decade ago, this stretch offered homogenous habitat with little cover and a lot of silt. The chapter used funding through the state’s Growing Greener Fund, to hire Ecotone, an environmental contractor, to implement miles of habitat improvements.
Falling Springs has been subject to many disturbances over the years including dairy cows, agricultural runoff, and suburban development. During the stream’s rural past, the banks were trampled, and sedimentation filled the channel, resulting in flat, straight, and shallow “dead” water. By digging meanders, constructing lunker structures (man-made wooden undercuts), and adding some well-placed rock weirs, Ecotone has made miles of the creek look more fishy. Hopefully the trout will respond positively to the new habitat.
During my visit, the same contractor was finishing work on three reaches, throughout the course of the creek. It was interesting to see how fast these guys work. With a well trained crew and heavy machinery, they are in-and-out in a couple days (see the photos HERE).
While this restoration work is a great way to mitigate the disturbances of the past, future threats still need to be addressed. Falling Springs Branch is becoming a residential stream. Homes already line the creek and the development of additional residences poses a threat to the stream. Fertilizer and pesticides from lawns are probably responsible for the loss of big hatches on Falling Springs. While the angler will still see the sulfurs, olives, and tricos that Marinaro wrote about, the hatches have become sparse and sporadic.
Although the bluegrass isn’t the best for the fishing, the streamside residents are great to anglers, allowing access to their land and even maintaining parking places on their property. The Guilford township is also quite progressive, ensuring public access to the riparian corridor through the town’s planning laws. The township also gave Falling Springs TU an office in a restored 19th century farm home, free of charge!
Rod and I strung our rods at the top of the Greenway section, the original TU project on the creek. The Greenway is a restored riparian corridor that offers classic spring creek water and highly technical fish. It also symbolizes what Falling Springs TU is all about. Hopefully, the current projects on the creek will turn out as well as this one did.
While the sulfurs never really got going, Rod and I caught a wild brown a piece on dry flies before it got too dark to see. One fish on Falling Springs is all it takes to log it as a great day in my book.
Spring Creek
The following afternoon, I visited Spring Creek with Bob Pennell, the 2nd Vice-President of the Pennsylvania Council and the former president of the Doc Fritchey Chapter. There are a lot of streams named “Spring Creek” in Pennsylvania, so I need to tell you that this one flows through downtown Harrisburg. When the state first electroshocked this urban creek, they were “shocked” themselves to find some large wild brown trout.
After the trout were discovered, the Pennsylvania Council and the Fritchey chapter received a grant from the Growing Greener Fund to implement stream improvements, including rock weirs similar in design to those in Beaver Creek (see the photos HERE). The hope is to turn this fishery into a fine urban resource.
Bob and I fished between a Subaru dealership and the local prison. The large browns weren’t in feeding mode under the hot afternoon sun, but I was able to do a little free-lance work for Chubs Unlimited. Spring Creek has strong chubs, so the browns must be well fed!
The well-known and the unknown spring creeks in this part of the country are great coldwater resources. I was glad to see a few of the many projects Maryland and Pennsylvania TUers have implemented to protect these streams.
Click HERE for the photos, if you haven't already.
Posted by ladelfio at 12:28 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
May 25, 2006
Luckiest Guy in America Robbed on the Little J
At 9:15pm on May 24, Luca's pickup was broken into while parked at an angler access on the Little Juniata River. Among other things, Luca's laptop was stolen, so blog entries will be sporadic for the next couple days.
While details about the robbery have not yet been released, Luca reports that the sulfur hatch was "on" that night and despite the unfortunate turn of events, "the fishing was worth it."
The Pennsylvania State Police were unavailable for comment.
Stay tuned for the full story of the robbery and a fishing report for central PA.
In the meantime, if you live in Altoona, Tyrone, or State College, please frequent pawn shops in search of two black Pelican (high-impact and waterproof) cases, a laptop covered in TU stickers, and a lefthanded PSE hunting bow. The recovery of these items will be rewarded with a lifetime supply of x-caddis and "Got Milt" t-shirts.
Posted by ladelfio at 01:55 PM | Comments (3) | TrackBack
May 22, 2006
Trout in the Classroom, Students in the Water
If your 2nd grade class had raised and studied trout, would you have been a more engaged pupil? Trout in the Classroom (TIC) is a national program that educates kids of all ages about trout, ecology, conservation, and the outdoors. In the process, TIC makes school fun!
Two TIC students prepare to release a trout fingerling
If a kid in New York City has ever seen a trout, chances are it was on ice in the supermarket. Thanks to TIC, more NYC children are seeing trout alive. The idea is simple, put trout eggs into an aquarium and allow students to observe and care for the young trout. The rewards are unrivaled.
These kids learn a lot, and not only about trout. As it turns out, these fish provide the perfect medium to teach about water quality, ecological interactions, and outdoor activities. Furthermore, students learn responsibility while caring for the fish and they can even gain self confidence.
Kids who are failing math, spelling, or other traditional subjects may be great with the trout. When these students experience this success, it can boost their self-esteem and literally change the path of their entire life.
I was fortunate enough to attend a TIC trout release. After raising their fish all school year, the students release them into a nearby stream or reservoir (with the approval of the State, of course). As they let them go, they say goodbye to the trout, which they have named “Sport,” “Elvis,” and the like. In addition to placing the fish in a natural environment, the release provides the kids with an opportunity to see a stream first hand.
Rochelle Gandour, the tireless coordinator for TIC, assembled a group of volunteers to help with the release. A State Forester, a Department of Environmental Protection employee, and TU volunteers taught the kids about everything from trees, to macroinvertebrates. We had two classes throughout the day, second graders and high school students. One of the great things about TIC is that it can be tailored to any age group. Trout engage the attention of 8 year olds and 18 year olds alike.
Trout in the Classroom not only puts students in touch with nature, it connects them to something they depend on daily, their water supply. Residents of New York City enjoy some of the cleanest drinking water in the nation. While most New Yorkers would be disgusted to find out there are aquatic macroinvertebrates (a.k.a. “bugs”) in their water, TIC students now know better. The presence of these indicator species is important to both the city and the resident trout, including “Sport” and “Elvis.”
CLICK HERE to see the photos
NOTE: TIC was started by the Theodore Gordon Fly Fishers in New York City. Now, TU chapters and angling clubs across the country are contributing to this program financially and with volunteer hours. Starting a TIC tank in a local classroom is a great use of your chapter’s funds. Visit http://www.tu.org/site/pp.asp?c=7dJEKTNuFmG&b=404755 to find out more about TIC.
Posted by ladelfio at 09:36 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
May 21, 2006
Best in the East
I’ve heard that the West Branch of the Delaware is the "best in the east" because it fishes like a western river. They say the West Branch resembles the Madison. This begs the question, why would I drive 3,000+ miles from the banks of the Madison River to fish here? I found that the West Branch offers a world class trout fishing experience with a uniquely eastern flavor. This river is worth the trip, no matter where you live…
Yours Truly with a West Branch Delaware Brown Trout
If someone tells you that the West Branch is like the Maddy, it’s because they haven’t spent much time on the Madison. The only similarity I noticed is that both rivers hold flowing water. The flowing water in the West Branch is largely due to the strong work of Trout Unlimited and the Delaware River Foundation (DRF), two groups that have lobbied to ensure minimum flows in the Delaware River System.
Reservoirs on the West and East Branches of the Delaware as well as the Neversink River provide water for New York City. In the late 1980s and early 90s, the city’s thirst reduced these rivers to the volume of a grizzly bear’s tinkle. TU, DRF, and other groups went to work, convincing the state and the city to increase flows during low water periods. In 2002, a new minimum flow pilot program was implemented on the West Branch, ensuring 225 cubic feet per second in the river. This minimum flow is great for the local economy (which reaps significant benefits from visiting anglers), the coldwater ecosystem, as well as the striped bass and shad in the lower river. Unfortunately, these improvements are still threatened by political whim and will require continuous effort to protect. Please get involved by supporting TU and the DRF for the sake of the environment, the trout, and the local communities.
The Delaware River system offers the angler great hatches and large wild trout. Right now it’s prime time for the hendrickson hatch. In addition to hendricksons, I saw march browns, a gray caddis, sulphurs, blue-winged olives, and midges. The river is often coated with a mat of emergers, duns, and spinners and the trick is figuring out the insect and the life form that the fish are keying in on. Delaware River fish see a lot of flies, both natural and artificial, and they demand fine tippets and realistic imitations. Also, your drift has to be just about perfect, so make sure you can cast proficiently before going head-to-head with these fish.
A drift boat is a great way to access the West Branch and a local guide, almost like a good golf caddy, is invaluable for locating feeding fish and selecting a fly. I had a great day on the water with guide Wayne Aldridge of the West Branch Angler. The morning started out really slow, but things picked up in the mid afternoon. While sight fishing rising trout in front of a bedrock outcropping, we boated our biggest trout of the day, an 18-20” brown taken on a cdc hendrickson comparadun and 6x fluorocarbon.
By evening, the hendrickson spinner fall was in full swing and the fishing became epic. Large browns were feeding voraciously, chomping bugs like Pac-man. Sometimes it took a few casts to get my fly in the right spot at the right time, but our efforts were rewarded by these strong and beautiful trout (see the photos HERE).
In addition to the three unique rivers that compose the Delaware, rivers and streams in the Catskill Mountains are of interest to the angler. American fly fishing originated here, on the Beaverkill and the Willowemoc. TU has worked hard on local and national levels to protect these rivers for the sake of our natural and cultural heritage.
These rivers are located in the heart of the eastern seaboard and are easily accessible to millions of people. I wonder how many east coast anglers have traveled thousands of miles to fish the Madison, but have yet to experience the Delaware. After all, I’ve heard the Madison is the Delaware of the West…
Please look at my photos CLICK HERE
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May 14, 2006
Virginia Brook Trout with Liz Ogilvie
Liz Ogilvie, our Volunteer Operations Organizer, is one of the great people who keeps TU running. Liz works with the state councils, helping them integrate chapters and develop programs. She also uses her background as an event coordinator to help organize banquets and other special events. In addition, Liz is one of the most avid anglers in the national office...
Liz Ogilvie angles a good pool, Rapidan River, VA
Before TU, Liz managed the fly shop at L.L. Bean in Tyson’s Corner, VA. She still teaches fly fishing schools for L.L. Bean on weekends. After spending a day at the national office, I was ready to get back in the water. Fortunately, Liz offered to take me to the Rapidan River, a premier brook trout fishery in Shenandoah National Park.
I don’t know if the name “Rapidan” originates from a reference to the quick pace of this creek. The adjective “rapid” is the perfect descriptor, so I doubt it is entirely coincidence. Inside the park, this high gradient system cascades around large boulders, digging deep plunge pools. Each pool shelters brook trout that are eager to rise to attractor dry flies, assuming the angler can sneak up on them unnoticed.
In my opinion, native brook trout are the most aesthetically pleasing salmonid. The beauty of the mountain stream is embodied in the flanks of these trout. The coloration of Shenandoah brookies seems particularly rich and catching one is like finding a little treasure chest in the stream.
Liz plies the water with great consideration and patience. She hits every likely corner of a pool before moving to the next one. Our efforts were rewarded with a few brookies, but the fishing was not “off the hook” like it can be. I remember fishing the Rapidan as a kid and rising trout on just about every well placed cast.
This trip presented an opportunity to take out one of the new special edition “Trout Unlimited” rods. This 4 piece 7’6” 3 weight is a product of the Orvis Company. It is super soft, suiting it for small stream angling. Not only does this rod have “Trout Unlimited” written on the blank, it has a gorgeous reel seat, complete with the TU logo.
If you have never been brook trout fishing on an east coast mountain stream, you are missing out. It is a great way to enjoy the mountains and celebrate native trout.
Please take a look at my photos HERE. There are some good ones, it is definitely worth your time to check them out.
Also, please visit www.brookie.org to find out what TU is doing for this native trout.
Posted by ladelfio at 06:22 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
A Day Inside: TU’s National Office
When I signed up for this gig, I never thought I’d have to take a Metro train to work. The National TU office is located within the D.C. beltway in Arlington, VA. I spent a day there last week and I had a great time meeting a few of the folks who work hard each day to keep TU running…
Nat Gillispie is a driving force behind the new brook trout report (check out www.brookie.org). Nat is an avid angler with a fisheries biology background. Before accepting his current post as a Fisheries Scientist out of Arlington, Nat worked for TU as the Catskills Coordinator.
If you are an involved TU volunteer, you have probably talked to Sally Armstrong or Liz Ogilvie. These women play important roles in Volunteer Operations, forging the link between local TU efforts and the national level. They both also happen to be avid anglers who could teach us all a thing or two about fishing. I think Sally has talked to more TU members than anyone alive and just so you know; if you have talked with her on the phone even once, she probably remembers your name and where you are from. I had the pleasure of fishing the Rapidan River with Liz. CLICK HERE to read that entry.
T. Grand and Matt Handy are the real reason you are enjoying this blog today. They thought up the project, and they do all the real work. Matt is responsible for the behind-the-scenes web work. He is also an accomplished angler and a fisheries biologist. It is nice of him to let me take the credit and have all the fun!
CLICK HERE to see some of the national folks, hard at work
Posted by ladelfio at 06:05 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
May 13, 2006
Tennessee Roundup
On your mark… get set… GO!
In this one article, I am going to describe my fishing experiences on five nationally renowned river systems in eastern Tennessee. Just like this entry, my trip to the area was all too quick, but one could spend all summer in Tennessee and still not have enough time to explore the fisheries and the great TU efforts in the state…
A classic brook trout stream in Great Smoky National Park
After visiting McNabb Creek, Don Denney and his wife Beverly gave me a driving tour of the area en route to the Hiwassee River. The impromptu tour resulted from a road closure. Of all things, a cabin fell off a trailer, blocking both lanes. As of 5/12/06, a photo of the cabin in the highway was posted at www.cherohala.com, in case you are interested.
First, Don and Beverly, active members of the Hiwassee chapter, brought me to the upper river, near the dam. Don showed me the power station. To increase head, the power house is miles downstream from the dam, and the water is run down in pipes. This design makes the dam an efficient hydropower producer, but running the water through the sun-baked pipes warms the water considerably. Elevated summertime water temperatures are stressful to trout and an impediment to making this blue ribbon fishery even better. We saw many anglers in the stretch downstream from the powerhouse. A quick survey of license plates reveals that the Hiwassee draws anglers not only from Tennessee, but from Alabama, Georgia, and South Carolina as well. Part of the Hiwassee’s appeal is its location. The Hiwassee is the farthest south of the major Tennessee fisheries, making it more accessible for southern anglers. The other draw is the quality of the angling experience.
The river is beautiful (see the photos HERE). Lush green hillsides envelop the valley. The river itself alternates between smooth shoals and deeper pools that just ask to be fished. Fingerlings are regularly stocked here, some of which eventually grow to great proportions.
Don and I left the rods in the car until we got further downstream, near the Highway 411 Bridge. We waded into a shallow riffle and worked the deeper pockets around a couple shoals. I started with a nymph, but after the third fish smacked my indicator, I joined Don fishing dry flies. The hatch never really got going, but we had a good time catching little rainbows on stimulators, adams parachutes, and the like. Don runs a great website in conjunction with the Hiwassee chapter of TU. At www.hiwassee.net, you can find out more about the chapter, and the river itself.
I have no doubt that minutes after Don and I left the Hiwassee, caddis and sulphurs started exploding from the water, but instead of waiting for the evening hatch, I had to drive north to the Clinch.
“Should have been here yesterday.” The day before I got to the Clinch, Steve Brown, the TU Tennessee Council chair, had the best day fishing he has had for years. Although the river was off color, he caught numerous trout, including a hot 18” rainbow. Just my luck, conditions had changed dramatically overnight. The water had cleared, and the bite was off. We caught a few on nymphs and soft hackles, but it was like pulling teeth.
Still, I was glad we made it out. I learned a lot about TU efforts in the state from Steve. I was particularly impressed by the Coal Creek restoration. This effort started as a bank stabilization project and has evolved into a community-scale make-over. The Coal Creek Watershed Foundation has now not only stabilized this creek’s banks, they have also mitigated flood problems in the area by removing debris from bridge pilings, started programs in the community to teach kids about angling and science, and even started an annual health day, complete with free dental exams and physicals for students. Down here in Tennessee, TU volunteers not only help their fish, they also work for their entire community. To learn more, visit www.crctu.com.
When I could see them, the Smoky Mountains lived up to their reputation. Fog veiled the hills and yes, it is worth the trip to see. The rest of the time, rain pummeled the mountains (and me) and the vistas were totally obscured by clouds. The rain also raised the rivers, leaving the Little River big and unfishable. I was determined to catch a Tennessee brook trout before I left the state, so I fished the Pigeon Fork near Abrams Creek in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. A few days before, after visiting McNabb Creek, I took a few casts on a tributary to the North River and stuck a little brookie, only to perform a “long distance release.”
On the Pigeon Fork, I found many obliging rainbows (all very small), before I finally landed a beautiful brook trout the size of my biggest finger. Yes, it was a small fish, but it was a native Tennessee brookie. The Little River and its tributaries are picturesque mountain creeks with rhododendron lined banks and large boulders worn smooth by the constant push of clear water. I can only imagine the backcountry angling opportunities, hidden from the tourist’s roadside view. I hope to make it back someday to hike into some of these creeks and see the Park as it should be seen, from within.
The South Fork of the Holston is my type of tailwater. This river is home to large, selective trout. The angler had better be prepared with a long leader, fine tippet, and a lot of patience. My first stop was the weir dam at Osceola Island. Unlike Southwestern Power Administration over in the Ozarks, the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) has been a good partner for coldwater anglers. While rivers are simply “shut off” in Arkansas, weir dams maintain a minimum flow and dissolved oxygen levels on some Tennessee tailwaters including the Clinch and the SF Holston. The weir on the Holston is specifically designed to increase oxygenation, thanks to a cooperative effort between TU, TVA, and the state. The result? Successfully reproducing wild brown trout!
I spent a morning on the Holston at minimum flow, and river was very wadeable. I walked downstream a half mile or so from the canoe access by the weir. In this stretch, the river bottom is composed of bedrock ribs protruding through “Madison River-esque” cobbles. Behind the ribs, the river has scoured deep pockets that are full of trout. A light hatch of dark colored caddis kept the fish chasing emergers. I saw a few nice trout in the 15-18” range, but they remained elusive. Fortunately, I was able to contribute to the education of a couple smaller fish… They now know what a #18 LaFontaine’s sparkle pupa looks and tastes like.
If you haven’t already, CLICK HERE to see the photos.
Posted by ladelfio at 04:56 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
May 10, 2006
McNabb Creek and the Restoration of Southern Brook Trout
Like many trout anglers, my fishing time in the southeast was primarily spent on the large and artificial tailwaters. Trout were, and still are, stocked in an attempt to fill the ecological and recreational voids created by the dams. Trout fishing in these systems can be a blast, and these fisheries are enjoyed by thousands of anglers, but as conservationists, it is important that we remember the natural trout fisheries in the area…
The McNabb Creek drainage as seen from the Cherohala Skyway
Southern Appalachian brook trout are a genetically distinct subspecies that has been decimated by nonnative trout species, anthropogenic disturbance, and other factors. Remaining populations are largely limited to the protected high country found in the national forests and Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Even in these areas, disturbance has extirpated brook trout from many watersheds. McNabb Creek in the Tellico River system was one such stream. Fortunately, government agencies and Trout Unlimited volunteers are working to restore this fishery.
The Cherohala Skyway, a National Scenic Highway on the Tennessee-North Carolina border, is aptly named. Driving this route on top of the mountains is reminiscent of flying in a helicopter. The aerial vistas are enjoyed by many, particularly motorcyclists who relish the hairpin turns more than I did as a passenger in the backseat of Jim Herrig’s SUV. Jim, a member of TU’s Appalachian chapter and a fisheries biologist for the Cherokee National Forest, is a key player behind a coalition that aims to restore McNabb Creek. In addition to Jim, I met active TU members Robert Wilson, Don and Beverly Denney, and Gary Williams during my tour. Robert is the new president of Chattanooga’s Appalachian chapter while Don and Beverly are cornerstone members of the Hiwassee chapter. Gary Williams, of the Little River chapter, is a former Tennessee Valley Authority biologist who is currently spearheading a macroinvertebrate monitoring effort in McNabb Creek. I couldn’t have stumbled upon better hosts to teach me about the restoration of this fishery.
When the construction of the Skyway began in the ‘70s, it was not realized that the road was being cut through the unique Anakeesta formation. Anakeesta is a highly acidic sedimentary rock and when construction crews ground it up and used it for fill, they unknowingly exposed more surface area to runoff, resulting in highly acidic conditions in the watershed. For decades, McNabb Creek had a pH of below 5.5, rendering it unsuitable for diverse aquatic life and brook trout. In particular, low pH causes aluminum to leach out of the soil into runoff. Aluminum is highly toxic to trout and other aquatic organisms.
The first step towards restoring the creek was to elevate the pH. A year ago, the Cherokee National Forest and the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) began depositing pH basic limestone sand at culverts along the highway (see the photos). Liming the culverts helps neutralize runoff from the Anakeesta fill, raising the pH the creek. After the liming began, aluminum started to precipitate out of the stream water, resulting in visible silver flakes on the creek bottom.
With the pH back towards neutral, Jim’s crew, TWRA, and Trout Unlimited volunteers from three chapters (Hiwassee, Appalachian, and Little River) electroshocked the creek late last summer, in an effort to remove a small population of rainbow trout that was somehow able to survive the acidic conditions. Rainbow trout out-compete brookies, so their removal is integral to the success of the restoration. Then, the team stocked about 200 native brook trout from a nearby watershed. Jim is anxiously waiting to shock the creek next month in search of fry. Everyone is hoping that the re-introduced brookies were able to spawn successfully.
See the photos HERE
To find out more about brook trout restorationand natural history, visit www.brookie.org.
For more information on the Appalachian chapter visit www.appalachiantu.org
If you are interested in the Hiwassee chaper, please check out www.hiwassee.net
Posted by ladelfio at 07:32 PM | Comments (3) | TrackBack
May 07, 2006
Does Catch and Release Really Work?
You've probably seen large land mammals wearing radio telemetry collars. Did you know the same technology is used to track fish? Aaron Cushing is one biologist using this tool to answer important questions about fisheries management...
UA grad student Aaron Cushing tracks his trout with assistance from TU members Dennis McCarty and Clay Henry
Do catch and release (c&r) areas really protect trout? Do trout stay in c&r areas, or do they sometimes move to nearby catch-to-keep zones? Are mortality rates higher in catch-to-keep zones?
These are some of the questions Aaron is addressing with his master's thesis. Aaron has four study reaches on the North Fork and the mainstem of the White River. At each reach, he implanted transmitters into 40 rainbow trout ranging in size from 14-17 inches. The transmitters are inserted into the ventral body cavity proximal to the anus (see the photos). Half of these fish were captured in c&r zones while the other half were collected from catch-and-keep zones. Aaron has been returning to his reaches once a week to keep tabs on the movements and mortality rates of his subjects.
Arkansas TU members Dennis McCarty and Clay Henry and I caught up with Aaron as he collected his weekly data on the North Fork. Arkansas TU is assisting Aaron’s project financially. We launched a 20' river boat near Norfork dam and went to work. While Dennis, Clay, and I focused on negotiating the rocky shoals and shallow riffles, Aaron checked his radio frequencies for nearby trout. When we honed in on a trout, we dropped anchor and marked the location with GPS, as well as measured temperature, dissolved oxygen concentration, water flow, and water depth. Aaron will use these data to calculate each trout’s range and preferred habitat conditions.
Most of the trout have stayed at the exact location where they were captured last fall. For the c&r fish, this increases the odds of survival. Aaron’s work has shown that mortality rates are higher outside of catch and release areas. Sometimes his $225 transmitters end up on the bank, sometimes they just disappear. Aaron even tracked one into a cabin owned by a nearby resort! Regardless, this is valuable information. Aaron has found that angler induced mortality is significant outside the catch and release area.
The final stage of his study will involve capturing his remaining trout one year after he tagged them to not only get his expensive transmitters back, but also to look at an otilith, or ear bone, from each fish. The presence or absence of certain rare compounds in each otilith will, among other things, give Aaron an idea of whether or not the fish came from the hatchery. The presence of wild rainbow trout has not been documented in the White River system. The fish attempt to spawn each spring, but the success of their offspring in the highly variable flows is unknown.
Hopefully this final stage of his project will be as successful as his mortality study. Already his work will provide useful and interesting information for fishery managers.
(If you haven't already, look at these photos)
Posted by ladelfio at 08:55 AM | Comments (2)
May 06, 2006
The North Fork of the White River: A World Class Tailwater Fishery
To say I am impressed by the North Fork is an understatement. I first laid eyes on the river in Missouri, near the town of Dora. This section of the river is untamed by dams as it winds through the Ozark mountains. John Wenzlick, chair of the Missouri Council of TU, and I planned on floating six miles of the river, but the weather had other plans. Two inches of rain in twenty-four hours left the river swollen and off-color. While the canoe trip may have been exciting, the fishing would have been poor, so we opted instead to take a driving tour of the river and talk about TU efforts in the state...
Brian Harris with a cutthroat caught below Norfork Dam
To improve the quality of the trout angling and encourage wild trout reproduction, Missouri TU needs your help! For example, the St. Louis area has over 600 TU members and no local chapter. John Wenzlick and Missouri TU would be overjoyed if a few dedicated conservationists started a chapter in this city. Existing chapters in other parts of the state would benefit from the involvement of more TUers, so if you live in Missouri, contact your chapter president about how you can help. What needs to be done? Riparian zone improvements would protect several small streams throughout the state, including the Barren Fork. Efforts to plant trees and fence out cattle are already in the works, but more hands are always appreciated. Regulations on many Missouri streams are not conducive to wild trout reproduction. Every trout stream in the state besides Crane Creek and a section of the North Fork are stocked. According to John, wild trout exist in some of the put-and-take streams and are subject to heavy harvest. Working with the state to implement slot limits or catch and release areas on these fisheries would improve the quality of angling for wild trout as well as the stocked fish. On Lake Taneycomo, minimum flows would help rainbow trout reproduction and angling quality. Get involved and help Missouri trout!
The North Fork transitions from a free-flowing river into an exceptional tailwater as it enters Arkansas. Norfork Dam, a hydropower and flood control structure, regulates the flow and temperature of the stream. Below the dam, the river is a highly productive trout fishery. When the generators are turned off, the North Fork is an ideal size for wading. Shallow riffles support many feeding trout and provide exciting sight fishing opportunities. Deeper runs and slow pools add mystique, especially since monster browns measured in pounds, not inches, are regularly caught in this river. Minimum flows are supported exclusively by water exiting a hatchery, Dry Run Creek, and seepage through the substrate around the dam. A little more water in this system could improve the fishery, but the Southwestern Power Administration manages flows without much regard for the downstream trout. When they are generating, water is released in 3 foot units. The wading angler must always pay attention to the water level, because it comes up quickly. The locals say the river fishes well at consistent flows and rising water, but that things slow down as the water level drops. If you have access to a boat, I hear the river (and the White River proper) can fish well at high flows. Be careful though as these rivers have killed before and will kill again. I would recommend hiring an experienced guide if you would like to fish from a boat at any flows. I fished with two of the best during my stay.
John Gulley, the Orvis “guide of the year” for 1998, lives on one of the best sections of the North Fork. He guides wading anglers right out his back door and offers float trips in a specially designed john boat. I met up with John for a morning of excellent angling. John showed me his non-typical technique for shallow water nymphing and we were quickly hooking trout on just about every cast. After a handful of fish, I decided to try a dry fly while John continued to catch ridiculous numbers of fish on a gray midge pupa. A #20 parachute adams did the trick on the surface for cutthroat and rainbow trout.
I also fished with Brian Harris, a highly professional guide out of the White River Angler shop in Fayetteville. Brian really knows his rivers and he has a great temperament for guiding. As a relatively young guide, he brings focused energy and a strong back to the river each day. We were planning on floating the North Fork in his drift boat, but violent thunderstorms limited us to roadside access in case we needed to retreat to the car. I scored a “grand slam” with Brian, catching rainbow, cutthroat, brook, and brown trout in one day. Brian’s experience allowed us to put the right flies in the right spots, resulting in many trout brought to hand.
Wild brown trout spawn in this river (as well as the mainstem of the White), but the rainbows and cutthroat are not as successful. The rainbows try to spawn, but heavy flows in the springtime undermine their efforts. Some guides and biologists (such as the fisheries guys at University of Arkansas) think that there is a small population of wild rainbows, but the state Fish and Game Commission has not shown this definitively. To encourage wild trout reproduction in the White River system, anglers, Fish and Game, and TU need to lobby Southwestern Power to consider wild trout in their water flow management plan. Until then, rainbow trout spawning efforts will be largely fruitless.
I’ll admit it, I’m a snob. I like my fish wild and on many occasions I have opted not fish at all instead of fishing for stocked fish. I’ve even called stockers “fish sticks.” That said, the hatchery-born White River system fish are as colorful, selective, and feisty as most wild trout. The fish are stocked while they are still small. In the river, they feast on scuds, sowbugs, and midges, growing at a rate of about an inch a month. Many of the rainbows have white-tipped fins and the cutthroat have brilliant orange slashes. Even the brook trout appear wild, a nice contrast to the “washed out” look typically exhibited by most stocked brookies.
These trout have seen many flies and lures and they will keep you honest. 6x fluorocarbon and small, realistic patterns are often the trick. At low and falling water on the mainstem of the White below Bull Shoals dam, I found the trout to be so selective that it took 7x fluoro to tempt a strike. The big browns are particularly cagey, but some nice fish can be taken at night.
Clay Henry is a second generation sports writer from Fayetteville. He covers the Razorbacks with a magazine (hawgsillustrated.com), a radio show, and a newspaper column. Since University of Arkansas athletics, particularly football, are almost a religion throughout the state, Clay is a local celebrity. I don’t know a Razorback from a razorblade, but I can see Clay’s appeal. He is a kind and personable man who also happens to be a fly fishing fanatic. Clay is one of the Arkansas TUers I had the pleasure of meeting and fishing with during my trip.
Mutual peer pressure inspired us to get up at 1:30 in the morning, wade up to our waists in the cold water, and throw bird sized streamers for large brown trout. Big browns are almost entirely nocturnal, feeding between midnight and dawn. Clay and I went to a section of river that he knows well, definitely a plus when you can’t see your wading boots. I had some success throwing a neutral density streamer that suspended a couple inches below the surface (see the photos HERE). In addition to a fat brown, I caught a 16 inch rainbow and moved a couple smaller trout. It’s a kick to fish a river in the dark, particularly when you know the pool you are fishing may hold a 20 pound trout. Every strip of the line is filled with anticipation and every strike is an adrenaline rush.
If you live in northwestern Arkansas and you are not an active member of the Arkansas chapter of TU, you are missing out. While my trip to the state was filled with many memorable moments, the best part of the trip was getting to know some of the local TU members. Dennis McCarty, Clay Henry, Larry Tabor, and Bruce Ritter were great hosts and fishing partners. They are also active conservationists working on important projects in northern Arkansas. Their chapter teaches kids, cancer survivors, and interested neighbors about fly fishing and coldwater conservation. They push for catch and release regulations, slot limits, and other responsible protection measures for wild trout stocks. The chapter is also helping fund University of Arkansas Master’s student, Aaron Cushing, who is studying rainbow trout movement on the North Fork. I had the pleasure of meeting Aaron, and spending a day on the river with him as he collected data. Be sure to check back tomorrow for an article about our day on the river tracking rainbows with radio telemetry equipment.
If you haven’t already, CLICK HERE to see the photo gallery. There are some good ones, so check it out.
Posted by ladelfio at 12:07 AM | Comments (1)
An Afternoon with the McNair Fly Fishing Club
Dry Run Creek, a fertile tributary to the North Fork River, is chock full of monster trout. A 20+ pounder was caught here recently and fish over twenty inches are common. Dry Run is a small creek, and the large fish are easily sighted as they swerve in the current for scuds, sowbugs, aquatic worms, and midges...
A young angler with a trophy trout
Before you pack your bags for your next trophy fishing destination, I should tell you that this creek is only open to kids and handicapped anglers. This is probably all for the best as total mayhem would ensue if the general angling public descended on this little creek. Besides, Dry Run is an important haven for the heavily pressured North Fork River fish.
I met four Arkansas TUers, a few parent chaperones, and 25 pre-teen fly fishers at Dry Run a few days ago. The weather couldn’t have been nicer for a day on the water. My TU hosts were Bruce Ritter, Larry Tabor, Dennis McCarty, and Dave Hunt. All four of these gentlemen are active board members in the Arkansas Chapter of Fayetteville. In addition, Dave Hunt runs the McNair Fly Fishing Club, a daring venture that aims to teach 50 junior high students about angling. All spring, the kids have learned about flies and knots and casting and they came to Dry Run to put all these skills together. For the sake of sanity, Dave divides his class in half for this trip, so we had 25 young anglers to assist. In the morning, the kids visited the Wapsi fly tying company factory and a local fish hatchery that drains into Dry Run (a big part of why this creek can support so many large fish). Orvis and other companies have assisted the club in obtaining waders, rods, and other essential equipment.
As the oversized waders were donned and 25 fly rods were lifted into the air, I became concerned that things were about to get out of control. Those worries were short-lived. I primarily fished with two kids, Ted and Lucas. Lucas was quite experienced and needed little help from me. He tied on his favorite scud pattern and went to work, catching many nice trout (see the photos HERE). This was Ted’s first day fly fishing for trout, so I spent most of the time giving him pointers. Unlike some of the other kids who lost focus, Ted was committed to fishing hard the entire afternoon. He was a good caster, certainly better than many adults I have guided, and he was ready to put his skills to work. At first, Ted was missing the strike when a fish took his nymph, but after a little practice he got the hang of it and landed some nice trout. In addition to being a quick study, Ted is scientifically minded and interested in trout biology and ecology. It won’t take him long to become an accomplished angler and it was fun to help him move in that direction.
Many TU chapters are involved with teaching kids about angling. Not only do these valuable programs get kids interested in fishing, they also teach the next generation about trout conservation and coldwater ecology (to find out more about TU's youth education programs click HERE). The McNair Fly Fishing Club is a highly effective program because of the commitment of TU volunteers. Kudos to Dave Hunt and Arkansas TU!
If you haven’t already, check out the photos HERE.
Posted by ladelfio at 12:06 AM | Comments (0)
May 01, 2006
Trout Fishing, Southern Style
Against tremendous odds, my old truck made the drive from Big Sky, Montana to Branson, Missouri. What am I doing driving a rusted out, 16 year old Nissan across the country? Bringing you as much information as I can about unique fisheries and the work of TU volunteers from coast-to-coast, that’s what...
The Branson Strip
I puttered into Branson, a fast-growing resort town in the south-central part of the state, in time to meet John Wenzlick for a late dinner. John, the chair of the Missouri TU Council, didn’t seem to mind my delayed arrival as he had spent the evening fishing Lake Taneycomo, a trout fishery right in town. Lake Taneycomo is the section of the famous White River system between Table Rock and Powersite dams, two hydro-power production sites. I have to admit, I’m still having trouble comprehending why it is called a “lake” instead of a “river” given that this body of water flows in one direction through a defined channel, but the locals don’t seem to mind the semantics so I won’t either. By his report, John had a productive evening on the lake, and we were anxious to float Taneycomo the following morning.
After a stormy night, we awoke to a break in the rain clouds. A textbook “sucker hole,” as my friends from the Pacific Northwest would call it. John and I met Phil Surrat, our guide for the day, at a diner overlooking Table Rock Reservoir. Phil is a professional guide for River Run Outfitters and the president of the Branson TU chapter. Over classic southern breakfast fare including bottomless cups of syrupy coffee, biscuits, and a pancake the size of a flattened armadillo, John and Phil patiently answered my questions about the fishery, Missouri TU, and the southeast in general (for instance, I didn’t know they had armadillos in MO). These two guys know a lot about the fishery. John is an engineer for the highway department and has seen his share of Ozark country. He talks about working in Branson and fishing this lake in the 70s. Phil has fished the lake at every opportunity for over a decade and now that he is a full time guide, he spends most days down on the water.
According to my hosts, the water coming through the dam stays between 48 and 55 degrees throughout the year and is rich in minerals and nutrients. Scuds, sowbugs, midges, and crayfish thrive in these conditions, supporting large numbers of fast-growing trout.
The first three miles of this tailwater are “blue ribbon” meaning, among other things, that no fish between 12 and 20 inches may be kept and bait is prohibited. Fish are regularly stocked by the state. In fact, a hatchery is located right next the dam.
Unfortunately, water flows are managed for hydropower without much regard for the trout fishery downstream. Highly variable flows impede spawning efforts and displace aquatic insects. While I was there, the water was essentially “turned off.” The only flow entering the massive channel was running through the hatchery or seeping through the substrate. Missouri TU worked hard to guarantee minimum flows a few years ago, but the state and Southwestern Power Administration dragged their feet and no agreement was arranged. The last couple years, the area has been in drought, and negotiations have totally ceased.
Lake Taneycomo is so fertile, it supports many trout, despite the variable flows. The smaller rainbows are mirror-like silver, evidence of their cement basin heritage. However, after a few weeks in the river, the fish have grown considerably and display bright red stripes, vibrant black spots, and even white tipped fins.
(See the photos HERE)
The lake is also home to a few brown trout, but rainbows are far more common. The slot limit has really improved fishing quality for 12+ inch fish and many anglers are drawn to the fishery as a result. I was shocked to see dozens of anglers, many shoulder to shoulder, throwing fly lines and midge pupa. According to my hosts, if the weather had been better, we would have seen even more anglers. This fishery is so popular because of the regulations. These anglers are here because they can catch a lot of decent sized trout, possibly even a trophy. The state record for rainbow trout was broken here last year…twice! The fishing pressure gives newly stocked trout a crash course in angler avoidance. Dead-drifts and realistic imitations are a must for the larger specimens. Phil was pleased to see my western fly boxes because the fish often respond well to patterns they have never seen. Still, it was John’s little brown midge with a tungsten bead that produced the most trout. John ties these flies on a small barbless Tiemco that has about as much curvature as a circle hook. The result is the fish get hooked in the upper lip, allowing for a quick release. Because of the heavy angling pressure, including many novice anglers, some of the fish are mangled from rough handling. Barbless hooks really help speed up the release, protecting the fishery.
Fishing pressure also damages the riparian zone. To save the banks, the Branson chapter of TU installed staircases from the parking areas to the lake. This simple addition appears to have channeled foot traffic quite nicely. In addition, Branson TU has implemented an interesting program to encourage the release of trophy trout. The chapter has made trout pins (see the photo gallery) which they give to anglers who report the release of a 20 inch or larger trout. To get a pin, the angler must also fill out a fishing survey for the state department of conservation, helping biologists gain information about the fishery.
Overall, I found my day in Phil’s drift boat to be a fun fishing experience. The banana-shaped vessel is a novelty in southern Missouri, and drew many inquiries. Fishing from the boat provided easy access and allowed us to avoid chest-deep wading, but anglers on foot caught their share of trout as well. Lake Taneycomo is a great trout fishing oasis in a land of bass fishing. I hope Missouri TU can continue to push for minimum flows and conservation-based regulations for this fishery. The rainbow trout try to spawn each spring, but their efforts are largely foiled by the variable water flows. This fishery would greatly benefit from a springtime flow regime conducive to spawning. To make this happen, Missouri TU needs your support. If you are a Missouri TUer, the state chapters would benefit from your active involvement for this and other causes.
Thanks for reading and stay tuned for new postings later this week. As soon as I find another wireless connection, I’ll write about other TU efforts around Missouri and share tales of chasing large browns in Northern Arkansas!
Posted by ladelfio at 01:35 AM | Comments (0)
