 |
|
|
In This Issue
June 30, 2009
**Note - All Links will open in new windowsAnglers Organize to Fight Invasives Across the country anglers are coming together to fight against invasive species by donating their time, money and efforts. This should be no surprise to any of us, as anglers have always lead the way in the fight to protect our waters from threats of any sort. What is amazing is the diversity of efforts being undertaken and the many different ways anglers are finding to make a difference. While most anglers do not think terrestrial weeds are a problem for them, many are learning that this attitude is dead wrong and they are becoming dedicated in their efforts to eliminate weeds. Terrestrial weed infestations can have significant impacts on a stream. Increased water runoff results in less ground water storage, more sediment transported to our streams and greater fluctuations in stream flow. Additionally, weeds can displace the desirable native vegetation resulting in the loss of overhead cover, streambank erosion, increased stream warming and other impacts. These are just a couple of examples of how weeds impact our fishing and clearly shows that this is a problem for all anglers. In Montana there is a history of anglers working with weed specialists to develop programs that work to control riparian weeds and to reduce the transport of weed seed by anglers. Now, the Center for Aquatic Nuisance Species is working on a new effort that will use anglers and boaters to help conduct the first ever riparian weed mapping program for the Yellowstone River. Volunteers from Trout Unlimited, Walleyes Unlimited, Montana Pike Masters, the Federation of Fly Fishers and Montana Walleyes Forever are giving up fishing time to help with the project. With a goal of mapping nearly 200 miles of the river in 2009, these great volunteers are building new partnerships and relationships as they work to provide valuable information that will help to guide weed control efforts along the river. Much of the weed mapping is scheduled for July and more volunteers are needed. If you are in Montana or are planning to visit in July and are interested in learning more about volunteering a day to help in this effort please contact us at 406-220-2059 or by email at bob@stopans.org. The Yellowstone River weed mapping is only one of the weed projects that Montana anglers are dedicating time and effort to. On June 13, the Madison/Gallatin Chapter of Trout Unlimited teamed with the Gallatin/Big Sky Noxious Weed Project to conduct the first Weed Pull and River Clean Up on the Gallatin River. More than 50 volunteers turned out for a half day of intensive weed removal that left the river banks healthier and lots of new folks educated about the threat and how to help. This was a great effort and is typical of many others being conducted in the west. More than a thousand miles away, anglers are conducting a different type of weed control project. The Texas BASS Federation Nation (BFN) is going after one of the biggest threats to fisheries: the non-native, highly invasive weed commonly known as giant salvinia. The state BASS organization is leading a July 16 weed eradication project on Sam Rayburn Reservoir. According to Tim Cook of McQueeney, Texas, who serves as conservation director for the Texas BFN. "The goal of the project is severalfold, No. 1, obviously, is to remove infestations of giant salvinia. The second main goal is to raise public awareness of how it spreads." According to Cook, The group lined up 75 to 100 boats to show up July 16, hunt down the weed, bag it and bring it to dumpsters for safe disposal. Read the full details about the Texas Bass Anglers Fight Invasive Weeds Although many anglers are willing to give up a day of fishing to fight invasives, they get real excited when they can combine fighting invasives with a day of fishing. A number of groups have recognized this and are developing interesting projects that reduce invasives and educate anglers. In Florida the Save the Glades Tournament has been organized by local anglers who are concerned about the abundance of invasive fish in their waters. The goal of the tournament is to catch and keep as many tilapia, Mayan cichlids, snakeheads and oscars as possible using live bait or lures. All of the fish, which are good to eat, will be donated to local churches to feed the hungry. With cash prizes in excess of $1,500 many anglers were expected to take advantage of the opportunity to enjoy great competitive fishing while doing ecological good. For a completely different twist to the competition aspect we can look to north central Indiana where the 4th annual Houston Bowfishing Classic brings together bowfishing enthusiasts who compete to see who can kill the most invasive carp during the tournament. Dennis Houston, the event organizer , tells that ""Our shoot focuses on ridding our waters of invasive fish," said tournament organizer Dustin Houston of Burrows. With the growing concern with invasive fish in our local waters, a lot of people throughout the state and the nation are focusing on the topic of bowfishing and the removal of invasive fish. Besides the Asian carp, grass carp and bighead carp are becoming a huge problem in our rivers. There are no natural predators for them in our waters because they are not native to our waters. They are a serious threat to game species of fish and are reproducing at an alarming rate in the lakes and rivers in our area." While bowfishing for invasives might not be appropriate in your particular area, this just shows how we can work to combine our pleasure with environmental protection. These examples show how anglers and boaters are getting involved to fight invasives. Are you involved in a similar type of project? If so, we want to hear about it. Send us any info about planned or conducted efforts and we will do our best to let others know about your programs. A New Fish Invader 
Officials
in New Jersey and North Carolina separately reported new reports of
flathead catfish found in their states. The flathead catfish is native
to the Mississippi River drainage in the US but in recent years there
have been increasing reports of this fish invading waters in the east.
These discoveries are alarming because flathead catfish are
large fish with large appetites, feeding primarily on live fish.
Research has shown that their feeding habits can lead to the decline of
native fish in waters where they have been introduced.Flathead Catfish found in White Oak River tells the story of the North Carolina discovery and provides great info about the general threat from these aggressive fish. If you want to learn more about the problem in New Jersey be sure to read Invasive Flathead Catfish Found in New Jersey Mussels and Walleye Fishing When mussels get established in high densities their ability to filter the water has remarkable effects. Probably the best example is in Lake Erie where visibility in the lake has increased from 3 feet or less in the 1970's to 30 feet or more today. While this has created a beautiful lake to look at, the ecology of the lake has been significantly changed. Lake Erie has always been one of the most celebrated walleye fisheries in the world. Today you can still catch great fish but the fishing has changed in many ways. Read Tracy Breen's story from Michigan Sportsman to learn more about The Walleyes of Lake Erie. This is a long and interesting story that explores the new techniques Lake Erie anglers must employ to be successful with walleye. New Felt Free Wader Choices Fishing industry companies understand the threat that invasive species pose to our sport and they are working to develop new product designs that help us make sure we are not spreading invasives. Wader companies have been setting the standard by the way they are responding to the call to reduce or eliminate the use of felt. We have previously covered the new boots and sole materials from Simms that anglers are finding in fly shops across the country and this month two additional premium wader manufacturers have introduced new felt free alternatives. Cloudveil announced the release of their 8x Grippy Rubber Boot which features their new Vibram® IdroGrip™ . The company states in part that "IdroGrip™ is a breakthrough compound that significantly improves grip on slick surfaces. It makes hiking in or around riverbanks much easier due to the durability performance on wet surfaces. IdroGrip provides the ultimate control in both extreme high and low temperatures. This non-felt alternative also plays a part in stopping the spread of invasive species." Our Clean Angling Partner roughfisher.com has provided a first look review of these new boots. Be sure to read their 8x Grippy Rubber Boot Review. Attention
All Companies
If you have new products or programs that you would like to
share
with our subscribers be sure to let us know. Send your info to
newsletter@stopans.org.
Korkers introduced their new Kling-On boot soles in mid June. These soles are the newest addition to their OmniTrax Interchangeable Sole System wading boots. According to information provided by the company, the soles "are designed to excel both in and out of the water, and feature Korkers' proprietary sticky-rubber formula with a uniquely engineered tread pattern. The spongy high-friction rubber soles provide added durability and unparalleled traction, making them ideal for scrambling trails, rock hopping, and wading a variety of river conditions. Studded Kling-On soles feature 100 percent tungsten carbide spikes for extra bite in slippery environments." Over at troutunderground.com they have been periodically updating their reviews and comments about the various new felt free waders. You can follow The Great Rubber-Soled Wading Boot Test as they post updates and reader comments. I am really impressed by how quickly companies are responding and how fast they are adapting technology to create better products. Lets remember that these are still early generation products and I think that wee will see some very exciting new developments in the coming months and years. Help Wanted! The US Invasive Species Advisory Committee (ISAC) is currently accepting nominations for consideration for appointment as a member of the Committee. ISAC was created by presidential executive order and is charged with advising Please
Help
This
newsletter, the
Clean Angling Pledge and all
of our efforts to
prevent the spread of ANS are financed by donations. Please
help us with a tax deductible donation of any amount.
Quick Hits - A brief roundup of stories of interest Researchers fear that stocks of the United Kingdom's Atlantic salmon along with varieties of domestic Brown trout could be under threat from a deadly parasite according to research led Bournemouth University (BU) published in the International Journal of Parasitology. Read about the discovery of Sphaerothecum destruens in the UK. Climate change can significantly change how invasive species fare throughout the country. In the west. researchers have shown that growing seasons are lengthening and snow melt is coming earlier. These changing conditions will allow some invasives to invade new areas and could make other areas unsuitable to invasives that currently exist their. The US Global Change Research Program has produced an interesting web site where you can see how climate change will impact different parts of the US. Weed eliminated, boating restrictions lifted at Lake Manitou In 2006, Indiana was in the news after officials closed Lake Manitou to all public boating to eliminate the spread of the invasive weed hydrilla. Now, after several years of extensive effort, the weed has been eliminated from the 735 acre lake and anglers are again able to launch their boats. This is  a
good news story of the restoration of recreation to a popular water.Record Breaking Carp 79 pounds 4 ounces was the official weight of the record breaking big head carp caught by Iowa resident Tracy Seaton. He was fishing with bow and arrow in the Cedar River near Cedar Rapids IA when he took the huge fish. The catch was confirmed by an Iowa DNR employee and broke the standing record of 76 pounds. The Bighead carp is an exotic fish from Asia and is considered an invasive species in Iowa. They are a popular target for bow and arrow fishers. Lake Bastineau in Louisiana is a very popular bass fishing lake that has been really hit hard by a Giant Salvinia infestation. The problem is far too severe for any type of chemical treatment but, managers hope that the introduction of millions of salvinia eating weevils will help to provide a solution. The weevils have been proven to be effective in other areas and managers have great hopes that they will keep the infestation under control on Bastineau. Visit the Clean Angling Store Be sure to visit the Clean Angling Store and see the new products we have added. When you but something from the store you will show others that you have committed to doing your best to protect our waters from invaders and we will make a small profit that will help us to continue to do our work. The
Clean Angling News is regularly produced by the Center for Aquatic
Nuisance Species. If you have questions,
suggestions or would like to learn
more about ANS please contact us:
Center
for Aquatic Nuisance
Species
P.O. Box 1429 Livingston, MT 59047 406-220-2059 info@stopans.org |