From The TCRP

 CARE ABOUT SALMON ?

Want Possible Solutions ?

noteworthy posts

SAY GOODBYE  ??

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COLUMBIA RIVER BASIN

 .. A bold and innovative plan to address the dwindling Pacific Salmon resources is put forth. This is a deep read from the TCRP and United States Congressman Mike Simpson from Idaho.

.. The proposed plan has money, insight, stakeholders, and vision. It is only a proposal but it aims to be comprehensive.

.. There is too much to detail here. It ranges from dam removal through alternative energy sources to agricultural and recreational realignments.

The THEODOR ROOSEVELT CONSERVATION TRUST alerted us to the plan. This is a plan for a solution. It is NOT A SOLUTION per se.

Over three years of time and with more than 3oo meetings held this is a broad initiative to attack the problem of the extinction bound salmon of the Columbia River Basin. There are a myriad of problems and probably several possible solutions. Below the video there are resource links for your exploration and edification.

..

RESOURCES

>>  TCRP ANNOUNCEMENT

>>  MIKE SIMPSON WEBSITE

>>  NORTHWEST IN TRANSITION - SALMON

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WALLPAPER:  BACON AND EGGS (& SPUDS)

Too Fine Of A Point

WILL KOCH'S WIN ?

Zinke Loves Them

ignoring five tribes

ZINKE:   JUST WHAT THE BROTHERS ORDERED

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.. We've seen the problems that Ryan Zinke brought to Montana from California and Utah. Now our nation can see how it's done.
.. There is an insidious coalition comprised of blind outdoor bloggers, land developers, snake oil politicians, and insensitive Utards, that is  funded by billionaire dark money and is visible for those that would see.

SOON TO BE UNDONE ?

.. We've used this space to remind fly fishers that this issue is bigger than traveling to exotic destinations or tying spiffy flies from newly developed synthetic materials. In vain we're sure.
.. It's not getting much press but Zinke is visiting Utah and Bears Ears.
.. He's doing it without any Native Americans. He's doing it with the looters and plunderers.
.. Yesterday WESTWISE ran a brief piece that detailed the road show and it's cast of characters, {LINK WW.}
.. We're gratified to see that MOLDY CHUM has referenced the piece, {LINK MC.}
.. We too, saw it coming a few weeks ago, {LINK FF, FG, FH.} And, the efforts to transfer  our public lands to state control is easily documented as coming from Utah.

SNAKE OIL SALES ?

.. That's where the Koch brothers and Ken Ivory started the AMERICAN LANDS COUNCIL, {LINK MC, TS.}
.. We've seen Ken Ivory in Montana. This is where a complaint was filed with our State Attorney General for fraud, {LINK MT.} The three state ripoff was detailed HERE and THERE.
.. But we digress. The BEARS EARS region is tied to 30 Native American Tribes with ancestral, historical, and contemporary associations with the living landscape, {LINK BE}.
.. It was designated as a National Monument after consultation with stakeholders of all persuasions. It was a multi-year process that included cattlemen, oilmen, land developers, Utah citizens of all religious and ethnic heritages.
.. The conclusion reached was overwhelmingly that this bit of geography should be set aside, {LINK SA, IC,}
.. Of course the whiners with billions are the ones that get to influence the current review. This is a test case for the Zinke, Ivory, Koch cartel. We'll see.

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Parksters Arrive

FISH TALK

Projects Updated

slickest roadshow yet

THE TALE OF THE PLATE

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TOPICS COVERED

.. In beautiful West Yellowstone the NPS roadshow detailed current and future projects in the Native Fish Preservation Program.
.. Updates and progress reports for both streams and Yellowstone Lake were presented.

CUTTHROAT & GRAYLING

.. The team also detailed the efforts to bring regulations in line with preservation goals.
.. This included the continually expanding program to prevent aquatic invasive species. One possibility is the banning of felt soles on waders and wading boots.
..  Details about ongoing actions on the west side of Yellowstone National Park for the preservation of Westslope Cutthroat and the reintroduction of a favored non native  species the Artic Grayling.

UPPER GIBBON PROGRESS

.. It seems that there is an effort to remove the Adfluvial Grayling and introduce Lacustrean Grayling in the upper Gibbon River drainage. This includes the relocating of fish from Grebe Lake  and then replanting the lake with a different non native Grayling species..

ROTENONE APPLICATION

.. Rotenone, (a crystalline isoflavone used as a broad-spectrum insecticide, piscicide, and pesticide,) will continue to be used for removal of the unwanted species from both rivers and lakes.
.. Details about the Grayling projects on Grayling Creek and Specimen Creek were presented and showed a series of age classes in Specimen Creek that suggest an in situ breeding population.

GRAYLING EGGS

.. It's too early to make the same claim for Grayling Creek. However the population in Grayling Creek appears healthy and is getting larger as anticipated.
.. Success is anticipated for these projects for propagating non native species in protected streams in remote and less popular fishing locations in Yellowstone National Park.

COMPLETED vs.  FUTURE RESTORATIONS

.. The progress for both lakes and streams for current and future project elements were summarized in tabular form. Currently there are 45.8 stream miles that have been completed. There are 49 lake acres in the same catagory.
.. These totals will be expanded with future project elements to an anticipated 92.3 stream miles and 281 lake acres.

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SOFTY

.. The 10" of snow that we received over the last 24 hours is about all melted from the warm forty degree temperatures that came with it. Runoff should increase somewhat with the rapid melt. Water color should be interesting as well.

STIFFY

.. The fishing on both lakes and between them is attracting both neighbors and folks from foreign lands. Spawing trout are abundant between the lakes and care should be taken to avoid the very visible redds in this section.
.. Better yet = leave them alone. It is a sort of private matter after all.

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VERY ATTENTIVE FISHER FOLKS

Interested In Native Fish ??

YELLOWSTONE SCIENCE

Native Fish Conservation

download vol. 25, #1

DOWNLOAD AVAILABLE !

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.. Starting in 2010 a focused and concerted effort was implemented to conserve the native fish of Yellowstone National Park.
.. Although, in the past, there have been smaller programs to the same end, this is a park wide and species wide effort.
.. This report from Yellowstone Science is the first significant release of the program scope and results to date. Public meetings and listening sessions have taken place over the last seven years. This report ties together the dribs and drabs of information that have trickled out over the last seven years.
.. The body of the report is 50 pages, including the bibliography and references.

Appended to the report are:

>> Note from the Yellowstone Lake Working group,
>> Note about suppressing non-native Lake Trout,
>> Note about fish population responses to suppression,
>> Women in science,
>> Movement patterns and areas for spawning Lake Trout,
>> Lake Trout supression [sic] alternatives to gillnetting,
>> Protection from aquatic invasive species,
>> Trout facts,
>> Volunteer activities,
>> Schweber note on catching locations.
>> Birds and mammals that eat cutthroat,
.. Download it HERE-1 or HERE-2.

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SIERRA BRIGHT DOT - WORKS!

.. The bright grayness has arrived with a warm mixed drizzle of snow and rain. Perfect fishing weather. The mush will keep the fair weather fishers off of the trails  whoot, whoot!
.. We'll don the gear and brave the warm and wet. Right after breakfast and a nap.

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THE NEIGHBORS GROW GOOD WHEAT

Sharing

YNP NATIVE FISH CONSERVATION

Park Wide PDF Available

for those that really care

JUST LOOK AT HER

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.. Thanks to an alert neighbor we can point you to the "YELLOWSTONE FISHERIES & AQUATIC SCIENCES 2012-2014" PDF.
.. The 56 page document, (YCR-2015-01,) from  the National Park Service, Yellowstone Center for Resources, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming is at THIS LINK.
.. The status report is fairly comprehensive, (finally,) and outlines the program mechanics including: a comprehensive summary of the program, explanation  of the current conservation actions, and a large section on the efforts in Yellowstone Lake. Maps of collection and removal sites are documented as well as the brood stock development in Goose Lake.
.. It will take several readings to digest the report. There's food for thought and fodder for discussion.

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Food For Thought

SOME WINTER COGITATION

Synopses For The Moment

in case you're surfing

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.. There is a plume of smoke in the grass that needs addressing. It is smoke that will soon be on the radar screens of rabid activists and concerned citizens of all stripes. It might be worthwhile to get a jump on these upcoming hot button issues.
1. A house bill that forbids scientists from advising the EPA on their own research.
2. Maximum Sustained Harvest, (MSH,) just don't work on the Olympic Peninsula.
3. Just who does contribute most to wildlife?
4. The Keystone XL Pipeline game of ping pong.
.. We know you don't care about our opinion but you best formulate one of your own as these issues are going to become the foundation of conversation and argumentation for the foreseeable future.
.. Just sayin'.

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TONIGHT'S THE NIGHT

PARKIES VISIT WEST

Current Status Report

who'll show up this time?

HEAR YE, HEAR YE,
NPS HOLDS FORTH IN WEST YELLOWSTONE

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.. The last time this happened very few folks showed up.
.. Of course they wailed and whined about the actions taken - when they were taken.

Dead Lake Trout Dumped (nps photo)

.. There are new regulations to explore. There are progress reports about the conservation plan to be presented.
.. And, there will be some interesting notes revealed about the future actions that are in the planning stages but not yet carried out.
.. Additionally an early season report about the Lake Trout reduction efforts will also be presented.
.. Dear to the hearts of many fly fishers is the holy and religious practice of releasing all fish that have been caught.
.. For some the catechism also includes cursing the native Mountain Whitefish. The removal of limits on non native fish will be a topic at the meeting.
.. The new regulation for mandatory harvesting of non native fish in the Lamar River Drainage will certainly be a point that draws attention. This is a regulation that trusts the public to help in the conservation efforts. Do you trust fly fishers to abide by the regulations?
.. Some fly fishers understand the need to protect genetic integrity and diversity. Others believe that miscegenation is the way of the future.
.. It's an interesting time for the National Park Service and the giant industry built on fishing in Yellowstone National Park.
.. Tonight at 7:00 PM at the Holiday Inn in West Yellowstone, Montana the assembly will take place. We'll see if the religious realeasers can ever stomach the concept of killing some to save others.

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A BEAUTIFUL NATIVE SALMONID: THE MOUNTAIN WHITEFISH

Native Fish Get Boost

$1,000,000 = $2,000,000

Grant Matched By NPS

just a start

SEE THE LAKE TROUT?  SEE THE CUTTHROAT?  YUM, YUM !!

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..The Yellowstone Park NATIVE FISH CONSERVATION PROGRAM has been given a boost by the finalization of the $1,000,000 grant from the Yellowstone Park Foundation.

.. Last December we noted that Yellowstone Park was embarking on a comprehensive program to protect and preserve native fish stocks. That program is now underway with the infusion of funds and the implementation of the plan.
.. The recognition that the native fish and their abundance and distribution and behavior constitute a vital link in the ecology of the park has led to this action. As a food source for grizzly bears, birds, coyotes, otters, and other animals the native species are vital to the health of the ecosystem.
.. This effort is designed to address all aspects of the concerns about the dwindling populations of native fish and will guide management for the next two decades and beyond.
.. A major concern, of course, is the impact of Lake Trout on the native cutthroat population. Efforts to ameliorate this impact will include stepped-up gill netting efforts, research, and plans to create a resiliency in the native fish population.
.. It will probably take six years to accomplish the major goals of the project. During this time future strategies and management plans will also be developed to insure that the native fish population can be successfully managed in the face of:
** Predation by non-native fish such as Lake Trout and Brown Trout,
** Hybridization with non native Rainbow Trout,
** Drought, climate change and fishing pressure.
.. The top priority of this action is to decrease the number of Lake Trout in Yellowstone Lake.
.. Additionally the project aims to:
+ Restore Yellowstone cutthroat trout to waters within the northern portion of the park;
+ Develop a westslope cutthroat trout brood source;
+ Continue long-term restoration efforts of westslope cutthroat trout; and
+ Begin to restore Arctic grayling within the Gallatin and Madison drainages.
.. Information Resources:
-- Yellowstone Park Foundation Announcement,
-- Yellowstone Park Information Document (PDF),
-- FONSI Native Fish Conservation Plan (PDF),
-- Native Fish Conservation Plan EA (PDF),
-- Native Fish Conservation Plan EA;  Chapters 1-5 (PDF),
-- Native Fish Conservation Plan EA; Appendices A-F (PDF),
-- Native Fish Conservation Plan EA; Appendix G (PDF).

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Short Fuse, Comments Needed

20 YEAR EFFORT

Comment Now

no whiners

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.. The NATIVE FISH CONSERVATION PLAN is designed as a major effort to respond to the diminished stocks of native fish in Yellowstone National Park.
.. The Environmental Assessment is now open for public comment.

.. Mark your calendars; only two public meetings are scheduled:

* Bozeman, Montana: January 5th from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., at the Comfort Inn, 1 370 North 7th Avenue
* Cody, Wyoming: January 6th from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., at the Holiday Inn, 1701 Sheridan Avenue.

.. Written comments may be submitted through the project web site, in person, by mail, or at either of the scheduled public meetings. Comments will not be accepted by phone, fax, or e-mail. All public comments must be received or postmarked by midnight, January 31, 2011.
..  Here are the important Links:
==> Project Home Page,
==> Project Plan Process,
==> Meeting Notices,
==> Project Links,
==> Document List,
==> Comment Form.

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.. The scoping meeting in West Yellowstone last April was poorly attended. No feather merchants were present, one local guide was present, and a handful of concerned fishers attended.
.. Input by these few interested parties helped shape the current document that is now open for review.
.. The EA addresses Lake Trout in Yellowstone Lake, other invasive species throughout the rivers in the park, the effects of climate change on native species, and disease.
.. Conservation efforts addressed include: increased gill netting in Yellowstone Lake, establishing barriers and weirs, removing non native species, restoring native populations, and a host of other actions including poisoning fish populations.
.. The key concept is conservation. The actions taken to implement this can be extensive, varied, and vast.
.. It's important that input at this time be concise, reasoned and rational. It will help steer the project and will certainly affect the fishscape of the future.
.. Please understand that, at base, this addresses the question of "What Is The Purpose Of Yellowstone National Park." Several guides have remarked that it does no good to replace one trout with another. They are just concerned with catching any fish.

.. Many guides and fishers of the park will be voicing opinions that catching fish, (the more - the better,) is what the park should provide.
.. There are others that feel it's important to remove all invasive species such as Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout and Brook Trout to foster the recovery of native Cutthroat Trout & Grayling(?).
.. Many feather merchants feel that the role of Yellowstone National Park is to provide fishing opportunities for recreational fishing, (and an economic base for their enterprise.)
.. Some conservationists believe that the only way to enable preservation of native fish is to "restore" the park to "natural" conditions, including removal all planted stocks of fish, (which is a large segment of the current fishable populations.)
.. Definition of terms and concepts will be argued and explored at the public meetings and in the submitted comments. Many oxen could be gored by this project.

.. The subtext of comments will be interesting to observe, as will the rationale behind the proposed actions in those comments.
.. Some fishers of Yellowstone have opined that since Brown Trout have been in the rivers for over 100 years that they are "native."
.. Does that make Lake Trout native if they survive another 70 years?
.. In another 100 years what will the descendants of those fishers say about Rock Snot, New Zealand Mud Snails, and other yet unforeseen invasive species?

.. As the waters warm will we see Yellowstone become a trophy fishery for Carp and Chubs and Largemouth Bass?
.. What will happen if some fool decides to dump Northern Pike or Muskellunge or Lake Trout in Hebgen Reservoir, right at Yellowstone's door?
.. Your input is necessary for the decision making process. We're talking about the future and how history will view the legacy that we leave.
.. Make no mistake about it, this is a significant project. It will last for 20 years, (1/5 of the next 100 years.) It will significantly affect the definition of Yellowstone National Park and it's role in species conservation and recovery.
.. It will also determine who fishes where and for what in the park. It is an historic effort that demands you input and your concern for how Yellowstone is defined: a fun and profitable fishery for visitors seeking "non-native," invasive trout or a refuge for indigenous species - or both.

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Very Important Download

NATIVE FISH CONSERVATION

EA Available

3-part PDF

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.. In Rapid fashion Yellowstone National Park and the National Park Service have completed the Environmental Assessment for the Native Fish Conservation Plan.
.. We just received notification and downloaded the files. We'll study them and let you know our thoughts.

GET THE EA & APPENDICES HERE.

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Speakers Announced

WILD TROUT X

Sept. 28-30, 2010 / West Yellowstone

three headliners

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.. The 3 plenary speakers, and their topics for Wild Trout X will be:

Dr. Barbara Knuth of Cornell University
People and Trout: Implications of Social and Economic Trends for Wild Trout and Associated Habitats.

Dr. Steve McMullin of Virginia Tech
Truth, lies and myths in the age of instantaneous information: redefining the roles of anglers and fisheries professionals in wild trout management.

Dr. Bruce Rieman of the USDA Forest Service
Climate Change and Wild Trout: What Can or Should We Do About It?

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==> ONLINE REGISTRATION,

==> Three Men, Three Rivers (mp4),

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