Friday, December 07, 2007

The Incredible Disappearing Trout

NOW YOU SEE IT -- NOW YOU DON'T
and the beat goes on
.. Cory Hatch, in the Jackson Hole Daily, details a report by Trout Unlimited that looks at the effects of climate change on Trout & Salmon across the country. Not surprisingly, the outlook for the salmonids is bleak with the continued warming of the earth.
.. Not only trout, but the insects that they feed on are currently being affected. Spawning activity is also impacted, and populations are beginning to recede into refuge areas.
.. The Cutthroats of Yellowstone Country are very susceptible to the effects of the coming warmer earth. Bob Gresswell, a research biologist with the U.S. Geological Survey’s Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center, studies cutthroat trout in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. He has pointed to fish die-offs and fishing closures in Yellowstone and Montana as a probable sign that global warming is already affecting trout populations.
“I worked in the park for 17 years and we never closed the fishery even once [because of warm water],” he said.

.. In separate but pertinent research Lusha Tronstad has shown that Cutthroat Trout are not only affected by their environment, but also affect the environment. River chemistry could be significantly affected with the disappearance of the species.
.. The current status, (biological, legal, environmental,) of the Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout is detailed on the Greater Yellowstone Coalition web site -- HERE.
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.. There is a narrow, but deep, path through the snow at the entrance to Campfire Lodge on the Madison River. The recent bright and snowy days have brought the neighbors to the water for the first prolific snow fly hatch of the winter. The fish are active in the Hebgen Tailwater and can be seen working the surface at the sun/shade interface throughout the day. Small flies are the order of the day for surface action, (size 20 - 24,) but the blurry-eyed can use nymphs just below the film and do well. Try a Yellowstone Badger in size 16 - 18. If you care to double up put a black Woolly Worm with a red tag as a dropper in size 14 - 16.
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.. Rose River Farm recently hosted Project Healing Waters, (PHW, a rehabilitation project for injured soldiers.) National Public Radio has run a series featuring interviews at the farm. You can read about the events and the interviews HERE. The fish are biting on the farm and you should check for Christmas reservations there may be cancellations. If not, do it as soon as you can.
.. If you'd rather not fish --(HUH?) -- try the wine. Or, for a real treat there are a limited number of sides of Angus Beef available ------ YUMMIE!