Jim J

If you own an ISA shirt or hat, please wear it.

I'll be there

Yes, John, excellent job

1000 plants by 11:00!

Thanks

I've never known you to be anything close to a trout snob.

We have happily discussed lots of different species.

Your fly tying events have ISA guys tying smallmouth flies all the time.

You enjoy fishing the St. Joe for all kinds of stuff.

"Watch you talkin bout Willis?"

Yes,

John thanks for checking this out and Mike for the e-mail work.

I will be in Vancouver next weekend.

Gloves are really good idea.

See you at breakfast.

2nd pic from the bottom.....

Hey Paul, The pics of Gordon look great.

Gentlemen,

Prairie Rivers Network is advertising our open Executive Director position (see below). We’re trying to spread the word as widely as possible. If there are any individuals or groups that you think might be interested, I’d appreciate you forwarding this message to them.

Thanks very much for your assistance.

Sincerely,

Glynnis

__________________________________________________

Glynnis Collins

Interim Executive Director

Prairie Rivers Network

809 S. Fifth St.

Champaign, IL 61820

(217) 344-2371

gcollins@prairierivers.org

Career Opportunity in

East-Central Illinois!

Executive Director - Prairie Rivers Network

Champaign, Illinois

Prairie Rivers Network seeks an energetic and self motivated individual to lead an organization working with citizens, state agencies, scientists, and other advocacy groups to protect Illinois’ 87,000 miles of rivers and streams. Individuals with fundraising, program development, and advocacy skills, with knowledge of the Clean Water Act and its implementation are strongly urged to apply.

Prairie Rivers Network is Illinois' statewide river conservation organization and an affiliate of the National Wildlife Federation. Founded in 1967, the organization is headquartered in a dynamic University community just 35 minutes from a nationally designated scenic river. Prairie Rivers works to restore and protect Illinois' rivers for the benefit of people, fish, and wildlife. Our work and our strategic plan are organized in three program areas: Clean Water, Habitat Protection, and Outreach and Education.

For more information about the position, programs, and staff, visit: www.prairierivers.org.

Tuesday, July 03, 2007

SMALLMOUTH IN STRAWBERRY, PART II PDF | Print | E-mail

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Daily Herald

Last week's column created more questions in readers' minds than I was able to answer. So, since the Fourth of July falls on a Wednesday and most people only get one day off, I decided skip the hot fishing tips, and instead try to answer some questions in anglers' minds on the topic of finding bass in the "Berry."

1. "Why is it bad to have smallmouth in Strawberry?"

It may not be "bad" at all. Nobody knows, and that's my point. Strawberry Reservoir is a known quantity. Since the early 1900s, this fertile body of water has been a prolific producer of giant rainbow trout. You'll remember that I've had my issues with turning it into a cutthroat reservoir.

The simple fact is, the DWR really doesn't have as much biological data as one might think. Whenever a new species is introduced (legally or illegally), it's kind of like playing "pin the tail on the donkey" -- the player is blindfolded and can't really predict the outcome.

2. "Can't smallmouth bass and trout get along?"

Yes, in fact they get along very well in other reservoirs. However, my concerns lie in the long-term affects their introduction might have on the forage base. The cutthroats were introduced to control the chub population and smallmouth bass will be able to assist in that effort, but they will also have a field day with their favorite food -- crayfish.

Strawberry produces literally tons of crayfish and, for the most part, the large adults aren't threatened by the trout. But the small crayfish are prime targets for all species in the lake. My fear is that the smallmouth might alter that food supply, and if so, will there be enough to go around?

3. "Can smallmouth bass spawn at an elevation of 7,000 feet?"

This is a great question. A couple of years ago I spoke with one of the directors of the Strawberry project, Roger Wilson. He told me he didn't think smallmouth could reproduce in Strawberry due to the short summer seasons -- the water temperatures are generally too low.

I have other thoughts on the subject. In "Jurassic Park," the character played by Jeff Goldblum made the comment, "Nature finds a way."

He was referring to the sexes of dinosaurs, but I believe the jury is out on whether smallmouth could successfully reproduce in a short season. I believe Nature will find a way and they will reproduce.

4. "What can we do now that they're in the reservoir?"

If you catch one, eat it. They make great table fare and you might help the fishery in the process.

Don Allphin can be reached at remaxdoa@gmail.com.

I just fished the French Broad River in Asheville NC for smallies.

Beautiful river.

Good luck!

Kevin,

Great job and dedication as an officer. You are responsible for the ISA having a Rockford Region.

I am happy to see how much you gained from the ISA as a conservationist, and as a fisherman. I have gained similar things.

Thanks for the kind words.

Good luck.

Sincerely,

Joz

yea, Scott's doing this all by himself as far as the layout and design.

Great issue.

Wonderful mixed bag of articles and great cover.

Guys,

I have about 20 white signs.

I live in Naperville and can meet or leave on my front porch.

Thanks

Jim Joz

All articles that have been written state the same thing.

No damage to mature trees.

They don't eat or bite.

Mate, lay eggs and die.

Only new small platings of trees should be covered with a cloth.

If these things damaged all the trees they were in, there would not be mature trees there from the last hatch 17 years ago.

Jim Kast,

They did some work at Ring Rd and the west branch and our sign there is gone. The park at Washington and Ring rd.

It was one of the originals and was pretty beat.

Also, upstream is a new canoe launch that's almost ready to open. We could probably use one there also.

I DON'T LIVE AROUND WATER.

COULD THIS HAVE BEEN A WOLF SPIDER?

Do they bite?

Only mother in-laws

HA

Found on my front porch.

3 inches across.

Can someone identify?

Did the same thing a few years back.

I have really bad news.

I'm not a rod builder but I'm pretty sure the only thing you can do is shorten where it broke and put a new tip on.

The real bad news is that it will never be the same.

It will be shorter with a different action and not be the "go to" rod of your dreams.

It's all psychological.

Sucks.

Mike,

Thanks again for doing this work.

I appreciate all the hours you give.

Study to reel in smallmouth bass

May 18, 2007

Researchers with the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission and Penn State University are hoping a pilot study using specially tagged fish will help them reel in data about smallmouth bass fishing pressure and harvest on the Susquehanna and Juniata rivers.

“The objective of the pilot tagging study is to estimate catch-and-release rates of smallmouth bass on the Susquehanna River as well as harvest rates,” said Leroy Young, PFBC Fisheries Management Division chief. “This will give us better information than is currently available on the effects of alternative regulations on the smallmouth bass fishery. The results of this initial tagged fish study will also help us determine if a larger effort along these lines would be worthwhile in 2008.”

The data, coupled with data obtained from a related angler use and harvest study, will greatly enhance the agency’s understanding of the fishery and thus aid it in making future fisheries management decisions. Tagged bass are marked with tags that look like a piece of plastic spaghetti trailing behind the pectoral fin. These tags were specially designed so that bass that are caught multiple times can be reported.

The first time a tagged bass is captured, and an angler intends to release the fish, the angler should clip off the outermost portion of the tag and leave the inner portion of the tag containing duplicate information. Anglers should retain the tag and call the toll-free phone number listed on it. Anglers should not pull the tag out of the fish because doing so may injure the fish.

If the bass is captured a second time, the remainder of the tag can be removed and the fish released. Anglers harvesting bass should be on the lookout for both the spaghetti tag as well as a small anchor button under the skin when filleting fish as they may have taken a bass that was caught and released twice before and no longer bears an external tag. Those finding anchor buttons in harvested bass should also call the toll-free phone number printed on the button.

All tags must be reported no later than December 31, 2007.

The tagged smallmouth bass study is part of a larger research project designed to measure catch, harvest, economic expenditures and angler opinions associated with fishing on sections of the two rivers for the period April through October. The Susquehanna River survey reach extends from Sunbury to the Holtwood Dam near the Maryland border. The survey reach on the Juniata River extends from Port Royal to the mouth near Duncannon.

Creel clerks have already begun to interview anglers at access areas using a statistically structured sampling design. In visiting access areas, clerks will ask anglers about their fish catch and the amount of time spent fishing. Creel clerks will also ask how much anglers spend on travel (gasoline and hotel costs), fishing tackle, and other gear such as bait. Finally, anglers will be asked about their satisfaction associated with fishing and their feelings about public and private access on these rivers. In addition to these on-the-water interviews, airplane flyovers will be conducted three times each week to count anglers and boaters who use the river.

“This is a large scale effort to get important information on what is widely considered to be one of the best riverine fisheries in the nation,” said PFBC Executive Director Doug Austen. “The results of the survey will provide valuable information that can then be used in setting the management directions for species such as smallmouth bass, catfish, walleye, carp, rock bass and American shad.”

The Statistical Consulting Center at Penn State worked with the Commission to develop methods to estimate angler effort over the course of the fishing season.

“The Fish and Boat Commission has really stepped up to the plate on this study because we are using some of the newest technology available,” said Duane Diefenbach, professor of wildlife ecology, and assistant leader of the Pennsylvania Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Unit at Penn State. “We are using some of the same techniques that we developed for the hunter surveys done in the state – flying planes up and down the river counting anglers wading and fishing from shore and from boats.

This research is similar in theory to a three-state turkey study being done in New York, Ohio and Pennsylvania that Diefenbach is also the principal investigator on, working with the Pennsylvania Game Commission and the other states’ resource management agencies. “The state agencies are responsible for collecting and tagging birds, just as the Fish and Boat Commission will collect and tag fish for the bass-tagging study,” Diefenbach said. “Penn State is responsible for data collection and analysis. The Fish and Boat Commission will begin tagging fish in the rivers in late May.”

This is the second large-scale river angler survey the PFBC has undertaken in the past decade. In 2002, Pennsylvania partnered with the neighboring states of New Jersey, New York and Delaware to measure catch and harvest of all fish species on the Delaware River and Delaware Estuary. That survey revealed significant recreational activity on that river. The Delaware River survey documented that approximately 120,000 angling trips occurred on the tidal and non-tidal portions of that river combined from March 17 through October.

Utah Fishing & Outdoors Report

Green River Cicadas Are Coming On Strong

Big bugs are the ticket on the Green River. Cicada numbers are on the rise and fish are responding to imitations. It is great fun to fish cicadas. You don’t have to be graceful or accurate. Just splat one on the surface and hang on for a fierce strike. Read tips from Dennis Breer.

Researchers to land smallmouth data from tagged-fish survey

Thursday, May 17, 2007

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Researchers in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences and at the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission are hoping a pilot study using specially tagged fish will help them reel in data about smallmouth-bass-fishing pressure and harvest on the Susquehanna and Juniata rivers.

"The objective of the pilot tagging study is to estimate catch-and-release rates and harvest rates of smallmouth bass on the

rivers," said Leroy Young, chief of the commission's Fisheries Management Division. "This will give us better information than is

currently available on the effects of alternative regulations on the smallmouth-bass fishery. The results of this initial study also will help us determine if a larger effort along these lines would be worthwhile in 2008."

The data, coupled with information obtained from a related angler-use and harvest study, will greatly enhance the agency's

understanding of the fishery and thus aid it in making future fisheries-management decisions. Tagged bass are marked with tags that look like a piece of plastic spaghetti trailing behind the pectoral fin. These tags were specially designed so that bass that are caught multiple times can be reported.

The first time a tagged bass is captured and an angler intends to release the fish, the angler should clip off the outermost portion of the tag and leave the inner portion of the tag containing duplicate information. Anglers should retain the tag and call the toll-free phone number listed on it. Anglers should not pull the tag out of the fish because doing so may injure the fish.

If the bass is captured a second time, the remainder of the tag can be removed and the fish released. Anglers harvesting bass should be on the lookout for both the spaghetti tag as well as a small anchor button under the skin when filleting fish, as they may have taken a bass that was caught and released twice before and no longer bears an external tag. Those finding anchor buttons in harvested bass should also call the toll-free phone number printed on the button.

All tags must be reported no later than Dec. 31.

The study is part of a larger research project designed to measure catch, harvest, economic expenditures and angler opinions associated with fishing on sections of the two rivers for the period April through October. The Susquehanna River survey reach extends from Sunbury to the Holtwood Dam near the Maryland border. The survey reach on the Juniata River extends from Port Royal to the mouth near Duncannon.

Creel clerks have already begun to interview anglers at access areas using a statistically structured sampling design. In visiting

access areas, clerks will ask anglers about their fish catch and the amount of time spent fishing. Creel clerks also will ask how much anglers spend on travel (gasoline and hotel costs), fishing tackle and other gear such as bait. Finally, anglers will be asked about their satisfaction associated with fishing and their feelings about public and private access on these rivers. In addition to these on-the-water interviews, airplane flyovers will be conducted three times each week to count anglers and boaters who use the river.

"This is a large-scale effort to get important information on what is widely considered to be one of the best riverine fisheries in the nation," said Doug Austen, commission executive director. "The results of the survey will provide valuable information that can then be used in setting the management directions for species such as smallmouth bass, catfish, walleye, carp, rock bass and American shad."

The Statistical Consulting Center at Penn State worked with the commission to develop methods to estimate angler effort over the course of the fishing season.

"The Fish and Boat Commission has really stepped up to the plate on this study because we are using some of the newest technology available," said Duane Diefenbach, adjunct associate professor of wildlife ecology and leader of the Pennsylvania Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Unit at Penn State. "We are using some of the same techniques that we developed for the hunter surveys done in the state -- flying planes up and down the river counting anglers wading and fishing from shore and from boats."

This research is similar in theory to a three-state turkey study Diefenbach is leading in New York, Ohio and Pennsylvania, in

collaboration with the Pennsylvania Game Commission and the other states' resource-management agencies. "The state agencies are responsible for collecting and tagging birds, just as the Fish and Boat Commission will collect and tag fish for the bass-tagging study," Diefenbach said. "Penn State is responsible for data collection and analysis. The Fish and Boat Commission will begin tagging fish in the rivers in late May."

This is the second large-scale river angler survey the Fish and Boat Commission has undertaken in the past decade. In 2002,

Pennsylvania partnered with the neighboring states of New Jersey, New York and Delaware to measure catch and harvest of all fish species on the Delaware River and Delaware Estuary.

Please post the link.

Thanks