Sunday, June 20, 2010

Saturday Job

WE FISH - THEY WORK
Ag Team Visits West Yellowstone
Invasive Species Check Point

wallpaper size: 1404 x 1221 - thanks guys
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.. We went fishing: fished in Yellowstone National Park, had the Madison River all to ourselves. Didn't see another fisher for 4 hours.
.. The caddis started late, (about 4:00 PM,) and went 'til dark. The few fish that were looking up were good sized, 12" -18", and a bit splashy in their takes.
.. The fish taken on soft hackles were just as large but sipped the flies and didn't know that they were caught until we did.
.. Flow rates on the Madison River are a little low for this time of year, but the the gage height is up about 2', and there is only about 5' of visibility.
.. Report soon on Yellowstone's Hidden River. We're going to do it once more before we spill the beans.
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.. As we fished the river in benign solitude a hard working team of specialists from the Montana Department of Agriculture was staffing the Invasive Species Check Station just north of West Yellowstone.
... There are 4 mobile inspections stations in Montana, and they will be monitoring the major highway entry points through September 15, 2010.
.. Montana, a leader in invasive species monitoring and management, finalized it's Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) Management Plan back in 2002.
.. The Department of Agriculture press release of last week details the operations as part of a multi-state "Inspect - Clean & Dry Campaign to prevent movement of invasive mussels, weeds and disease organisms into the region's lakes, reservoirs, streams and irrigation canals."
.. Boats, personal watercraft, and ATV's were inspected for signs of invasive species and given a thorough power-washing if needed. Educational brochures were given to visitors that were stopped at the checkpoint and information about the problem of invasive species was delivered.

MONEY QUOTE
Invasive weeds and other organisms also are of concern. Within the past two years, Eurasian Watermilfoil, a water weed sometimes found in fish tanks, has been found in Cabinet Gorge and Noxon Reservoirs on the Clark Fork River. A containment plan has been proposed for those waterways, Hanson says. Education is planned for pet stores and plant nurseries that could inadvertently transport invasive species.
..For more information about aquatic invasive species, contact a Fish, Wildlife & Parks regional office or the Montana Department of Agriculture at (406) 431-3209.
.. We appreciate the hard working teams that allow us to fish while they work. Thanks again!
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