tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23529530138982950962024-03-05T23:10:26.713-05:00The Fish Biologists<a href="http://www.fishingcommunity.org">FishingCommunity.Org</a> (FCO) established this blog as a venue to interact with professional fisheries biologists to share, learn and discuss any and all things related to fish biology, behavior and aquatic habitats. Conservation of fish and fish habitat is critically important, and this blog is intended to promote a greater interest, awareness and appreciation of our fishing resources and help ensure our fishing heritage is maintained into the future.Paul Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12570659427434067792noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2352953013898295096.post-37879281040625402042015-08-05T10:50:00.001-04:002015-08-05T10:51:44.992-04:00Fisheries Program: BLM FISHERIES STUDY ASKS: HAVE WE FOUND THE NORTHE...<a href="http://fisheriesprogram.blogspot.com/2015/03/blm-fisheries-study-asks-have-we-found.html?spref=bl">Fisheries Program: BLM FISHERIES STUDY ASKS: HAVE WE FOUND THE NORTHE...</a>: BLM FISHERIES ALASKA BLM FISHERIES STUDY ASKS: HAVE WE FOUND THE NORTHERNMOST RAINBOW TROUT IN THE WORLD? The Gulkana Wild River rainb...Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03654635412706734823noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2352953013898295096.post-27152948284542859762015-08-05T10:46:00.001-04:002015-08-05T10:52:02.084-04:00Fisheries Program: Sea Squirt Invades BLM Submerged Lands in Alaska<a href="http://fisheriesprogram.blogspot.com/2015/08/sea-squirt-invades-blm-submerged-lands.html?spref=bl">Fisheries Program: Sea Squirt Invades BLM Submerged Lands in Alaska</a>: BLM FISHERIES ALASKA SEA SQUIRT INVADES BLM SUBMERGERED LANDS IN ALASKA An invasive marine invertebrate called "rock vomit,&q...Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03654635412706734823noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2352953013898295096.post-81685404837856692952015-08-05T10:43:00.001-04:002015-08-05T10:52:15.709-04:00Fisheries Program: Alaska Town Manages World-Class Trout<a href="http://fisheriesprogram.blogspot.com/2015/07/alaska-town-manages-world-class-trout.html?spref=bl">Fisheries Program: Alaska Town Manages World-Class Trout</a>: BLM FISHERIES ALASKA ALASKA TOWN MANAGES WORLD-CLASS TROUT You may have heard of the plight of the Village of Kivalina, perched on...Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03654635412706734823noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2352953013898295096.post-84834800093649421352015-01-06T15:14:00.000-05:002015-01-06T15:15:27.655-05:00Cold Bass Have Bright Lipstick Red Lips<br />
Seriously, they do!<br />
<br />
So I was fishing this weekend in the Cool Spring Lake in the Wilderness Presidential Resorts near Spotsylvania, Virginia with my good friends at FishingCommunity.Org. It's early January and the air (and water) is well settled into being cold...but the day was warming up unusually nice so our morning fishing session was on...our early dawn fishing action proved non-existent to slow...but bank fishing for leaves was fair to good...sigh.<br />
<br />
Paul and I gave up to go get some coffee and get ready to work. Pete ended up getting a little action as the day warmed up. He mentioned that the largemouth he caught had bright red lips. After the obligatory female fish jokes, I didn't think much more about it.<br />
<br />
However, the afternoon fishing proved much different! At least for those using silver blue fox spinners with a quick retrieve. Check this guy out!<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPcZmF4GCn-4gUemzJwLZNH2KipZKmnlOK9Y6Wcb_HdZc4Hg8CJKmbZlcgwTiH8c8lN4TXTJaPdWBEomADmhbbIfiySLJh9lnew8BG-5fAxS-AorF02Qi-YEwIrjjYzskQg7QfA4kM1bgt/s1600/IMG_2042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPcZmF4GCn-4gUemzJwLZNH2KipZKmnlOK9Y6Wcb_HdZc4Hg8CJKmbZlcgwTiH8c8lN4TXTJaPdWBEomADmhbbIfiySLJh9lnew8BG-5fAxS-AorF02Qi-YEwIrjjYzskQg7QfA4kM1bgt/s1600/IMG_2042.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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<br />
I also hooked into several nice smallies and they all were all robust and healthy like that. They were all also noticeably slow in fight and lack of any surface water explosions from being cold.<br />
<br />
And...they also all had very bright red upper lips as well as in the gills and back mouth. But they were definitely feeding. Kinda freaky. <br />
<br />
Check it out...<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4kgLpiT1ZGl0RIVjdD8AWbBBvQQWiVRr2pF7P3TyYzZhUJA5uhe9R57qSRb5I_yswipwtz1dnkOgyaRdXhFyge_YUy3fe1GmNoZw1yDyAeifi-AuPRoEAkmhs1GiQ2XPgDxS4RxLD6ELd/s1600/IMG_2044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4kgLpiT1ZGl0RIVjdD8AWbBBvQQWiVRr2pF7P3TyYzZhUJA5uhe9R57qSRb5I_yswipwtz1dnkOgyaRdXhFyge_YUy3fe1GmNoZw1yDyAeifi-AuPRoEAkmhs1GiQ2XPgDxS4RxLD6ELd/s1600/IMG_2044.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit0F0zZ_W99Mf0begvLRp0P86YTyRda7J9nzeaDwfC33JngdmALsxN8iC8sr1UwloeqF9v429B7m_lap3ZWv78KfvP_mMGBXKrPDTueG6iSvSatUwLPHI37gn-z6M_g59H_-Zajw3gjz2w/s1600/IMG_2046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit0F0zZ_W99Mf0begvLRp0P86YTyRda7J9nzeaDwfC33JngdmALsxN8iC8sr1UwloeqF9v429B7m_lap3ZWv78KfvP_mMGBXKrPDTueG6iSvSatUwLPHI37gn-z6M_g59H_-Zajw3gjz2w/s1600/IMG_2046.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
So what the heck is going on here?<br />
<br />
There are several theories going around:<br />
- some think it is bacterial infections,<br />
- some think it is sores from from rooting around for buried food or making nests,<br />
- some think it from a diet of certain food items such as crawdads,<br />
- some think it is a seasonal hormonal thing, and<br />
- and some think it is from being cold...sort of like a physiological blush reaction.<br />
<br />
Here's what I found out:<br />
- no one really knows, but it pretty much happens everywhere,<br />
- it happens to large and smallmouth bass and some other species...but not all...it doesn't happen in lots of other fish<br />
- it happens when the water temperature (and fish) are getting cold and different species mouths turn red starting at different temperatures,<br />
- it doesn't appear to have any effects to the health or feeding of fish,<br />
- it doesn't appear to be any type of wound...just blood closer to the skin, and<br />
- it does appear to make the fish more kissable...(sorry, can't help it)<br />
<br />
So, here is my theory:<br />
- the reddening appears to occur distinctly in the fish's toothpad and similar functional mouth (pharyngeal) areas. Those patch lines are pretty distinct and repeated.<br />
- these tooth and mouth areas also happen to contain lots of other taste and nerve receptors used for sensing all kinds of things like whether to keep swallowing a food item (such as a tasty minnow) or spit out a food item that is "not right" (such as Paul's frog lure).<br />
- the red may be increased blood flow to these areas related to the sensing organs...and I think there is something going with that. Perhaps more or less nerve or pain sensitivity, more or less tasting, more of less ability to feel certain prey, or<br />
- something else entirely different and unrelated...and still remains a mystery.<br />
<br />
Fish on!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03654635412706734823noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2352953013898295096.post-75285372648772718092014-11-05T16:16:00.000-05:002014-11-05T16:25:54.655-05:00Northern Snakehead...to loath or respect?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM0jZ8dQ5g1C0a5aEevi1KCJWOkhDBtHG-w3THb_M2tZXP2lVAvrkzq4wBDAeIjzsODArgGR4K5RaTckK-gYkuzHCiL3YgHYnJD6QKx-OaW0Fr68L6Veg9Lcqmi_t00Ss_uFZvngxk0Qx3/s1600/northern-snakehead-fish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM0jZ8dQ5g1C0a5aEevi1KCJWOkhDBtHG-w3THb_M2tZXP2lVAvrkzq4wBDAeIjzsODArgGR4K5RaTckK-gYkuzHCiL3YgHYnJD6QKx-OaW0Fr68L6Veg9Lcqmi_t00Ss_uFZvngxk0Qx3/s1600/northern-snakehead-fish.jpg" height="95" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
The northern snakehead (Channa argus) is one of many types of snakehead fish native to China, Russia, North Korea, and South Korea. Here in the United States, we consider the fish to be a highly invasive species. <br />
<br />
So what does that mean for us? The snakehead is both feared and respected as "invasive" because: 1) it is not from around here; 2) has an ability to spread; and 3) believed to be causing damage to the environment and native fisheries.<br />
<br />
As for snakehead they are destroying our native fisheries by eating every fish, insect and amphibian in sight, physically taking up space and aggressively defending areas, and they are reproducing like crazy and spreading very quickly. Since the aquatic ecosystems around here didn't evolve with anything like this, the snakehead are like an NBA player in a pee wee basketball league...and they can really eat and get big! That just ain't fair!<br />
<br />
Now they are throughout the Potomac and several other states:<br />
http://nas.er.usgs.gov/taxgroup/fish/northernsnakeheaddistribution.aspx<br />
<br />
So how do we stop 'em?<br />
There is not much we can do other than keep them from spreading. Ensure no new introductions and try to knock them back as we find them. You can report sightings at the link above and until we find a better way we to try to kill em all.<br />
<br />
Here the story, back in 2002 (only 13 years ago) a snakehead was found in a pond in Crofton, Maryland. They drained the pond and found (and killed) two adult and a bunch of babies. Someone later admitted they released two adults into the pond (sigh). In 2004, multiple snakehead were found in the Potomac River and breeding was documented (sigh).<br />
<br />
Snakehead can live outside water for several days and young can wiggle across land into new waters.<br />
<br />
They are still a popular food item in Asia and much respected for their virtue as snakehead parents are known to sacrifice themselves to protect the babies. <br />
<br />
They are listed as injurious wildlife under the Federal law making it a crime to transport them...<br />
<br />
They like slow backwater areas and they put up a big fight...I hear they taste good. Be sure to kill if you catch em'Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03654635412706734823noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2352953013898295096.post-65997936614143429392014-11-05T14:57:00.002-05:002014-11-05T16:26:14.906-05:00Shad fishing and our American cultural legacy<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Over here in the Washington DC area, the shad run is coming up in
April/May and I am already getting stoked. Over here in the Potomac the American
shad runs overlap with hickory shad. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Last
year's run was intense, albeit brief, but man was that fun. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">The
shad run over here is a very important part of history and shad fishing has
been identified as very culturally important to many of our early native people
and presidents. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">As
Americans, they are part of our cultural identity!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>George Washington loved to eat shad and honed
shad fishing into a business and fed his workers and sold the fish in the
market. </span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Since
then, the shad fisheries on East Coast have really taken a pounding from over
fishing, water pollution, and hundreds of passage barriers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They have to migrate to and from the ocean
and face multiple challenges throughout.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Through
hatchery programs and catch and release fishing, they are slowly recovering
from near rock bottom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Did
you know that shad are actually a type of herring? Shad have also evolved an
ability to detect ultrasound. This ability is thought to help them avoid
dolphins that find prey using echolocation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz-RyywPOQkJm_4QEv5wBVqxqNCYk-sGqu6XULLuymLwiFzxEeDhSbxnk1PSnSCm_07b6wnUwMpXFmUXyfK1WQxN1HSkVt70pu2MM2kZ9wtN9LEa-Jhu8TvBdEm0fGHS1EAOhheoX90yIH/s1600/american_shad.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz-RyywPOQkJm_4QEv5wBVqxqNCYk-sGqu6XULLuymLwiFzxEeDhSbxnk1PSnSCm_07b6wnUwMpXFmUXyfK1WQxN1HSkVt70pu2MM2kZ9wtN9LEa-Jhu8TvBdEm0fGHS1EAOhheoX90yIH/s1600/american_shad.gif" height="141" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><strong>Here
are some more fun facts about American Shad:</strong></span> </div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">•<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">A.K.A.
“common”, “white”, “Atlantic” shad<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">•<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Large
shoulder spot may be followed by 4-6 fainter spots<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">•<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Lower
jaw doesn’t extend much more than upper jaw<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">•<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Historically
recognized regional food fish with high commercial value<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">•<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Current
world record 11 pounds, 4 ounces <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">•<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Average
20-24 inches (up to 30), the largest of all the shads<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">•<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Schooling
and highly migratory (anadromous)<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">•<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Spend
3 to 6 years in the ocean before migrating upstream<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">•<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Feed
primarily on plankton, but also small crustaceans and small fish and eggs <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">•<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Females
spawn around age 5 or 6, males at age 4 or 5<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">•<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Spawning
occurs after sundown in gently sloping gravel or sandy bottom areas<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">•<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Females
broadcast batches of around 30k eggs into the water, males then fertilize<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">•<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Each
female can produce up to 600k eggs<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">•<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Eggs
are semi-buoyant and carried downstream with the current, hatch in 7-10 days<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">•<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Start
spawning once water temperatures have reached 55-68 degrees Fahrenheit<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">•<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Can
survive and make several spawning runs per lifetime (around 22-45% in the
Potomac are repeat)<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">•<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Feeding
instinct triggered by factors such as water turbidity and temperature<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">•<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Male
fish are feisty jumpers and put up a good fight, female (roe) not as much<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">•<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Generally
stay fairly deep in the water column near the bottom unless water is high<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">•<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Generally
fished for with shad darts, and small spoons and spinners<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">•<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">They
taste great, generally low in accumulated toxins, and very high in omega 3 but over
here are <i><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">catch and release only</span></i>!<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicvhVvWO_kwqtf720WmWCv1zoeaT2hHd8vleWITlqJoxpyvulp3r9v01ngMD7JwSh-CWXflBHMMwCfS1jC_MQ0R1jRoBRMvFKnmyB466rkN1B92wTIOm0MY2Q0kHRS-KjKKCXUo955oSMC/s1600/hickory.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicvhVvWO_kwqtf720WmWCv1zoeaT2hHd8vleWITlqJoxpyvulp3r9v01ngMD7JwSh-CWXflBHMMwCfS1jC_MQ0R1jRoBRMvFKnmyB466rkN1B92wTIOm0MY2Q0kHRS-KjKKCXUo955oSMC/s1600/hickory.jpg" height="123" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Here are
some neat facts about Hickory Shad</strong>:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">•<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> <span style="font-size: x-small;">
</span></span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">A.K.A.
“hickory jacks” or “tailor” shad<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">•<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Smaller
cousins to the American shad in the herring family<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">•<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Current
world record 2 pounds, 14 ounces<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">•<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Average
12-20 inches<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">•<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Bluish-silver
on the sides with a gray-green back <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">•<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Dusky
shoulder spot may be followed by several faint spots<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">•<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Lower
jaw extends much further than upper jaw<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">•<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Females
are larger than males<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">•<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Low
commercial value, but a popular sport fish<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">•<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Feed
primarily on small fish, but also will eat small squid and crustaceans<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">•<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Schooling
and highly migratory (anadromous)<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">•<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Spawning
run usually precedes that of American shad<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">•<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Spawning
occurs in a diversity of physical habitats ranging from backwaters to sloughs<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">•<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Can
survive and make several spawning runs per lifetime (around 30-60% here in the
Potomac are repeat)<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">•<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Females
spawn between age 3 to 9, males at age 2 to 7<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">•<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Hickory
shad don’t really feed during the spawning run<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">•<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">It
is believed that they hit the lures in aggressive spawning defense<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">•<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Generally
fished for with shad darts, and small spoons and spinners<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">•<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span></span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the Potomac, they are <i>catch
and release only!</i></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03654635412706734823noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2352953013898295096.post-33270550511495570342014-10-20T12:55:00.000-04:002014-10-21T15:22:44.399-04:00What would YOU like to Ask the Biologist?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizJqGefGfsCxG3mg9l9scpaHJVzD8d8y2HOhAymPlA7R68Th3OrE-3FsVouezkl7QGNb7CY9eYtjovOE44xFLX49k3Tm9KHWTIL3nZUoWxFBNEqM9IsgjNsetSig40Wu1Lw1cq-Qms7wm2/s1600/PeterThinking.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizJqGefGfsCxG3mg9l9scpaHJVzD8d8y2HOhAymPlA7R68Th3OrE-3FsVouezkl7QGNb7CY9eYtjovOE44xFLX49k3Tm9KHWTIL3nZUoWxFBNEqM9IsgjNsetSig40Wu1Lw1cq-Qms7wm2/s1600/PeterThinking.jpg" height="200" width="135" /></a><br />
<h2>
Our biologists are interested in providing <span style="color: #990000;"><b>YOU</b></span> - the beneficiary of this blog - information on the topics related to fish and their supporting aquatic habitats that you care about. </h2>
<h2>
<br />With this in mind, please help us help you by providing our biologists with the questions or topics you are most interested in. Once a question in answered, please feel free to return and start a dialogue with our biologists.</h2>
<h2>
<br /><span style="color: #990000;">Post your question(s) in the comment section below.</span></h2>
Paul Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12570659427434067792noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2352953013898295096.post-39472721309313339962014-10-14T15:57:00.002-04:002014-11-05T16:26:39.806-05:00Face upstream in surface flow seams to find fish<div dir="ltr">
Wanna find fish that are feeding? Look for seams in surface water flow, especially where stream and river currents meet and form eddies or backwaters. </div>
<div dir="ltr">
</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVgK2Fm3b5puWnlA3NpqlkQNJXH51eERjDCX4JM3SspNQ1yJoX0XKmjmtkqiVgwgRPsK0sYXGTUiODL1E-H5ts6mim2unX-0EFvG_dS105WuOToMgxczno1BUqD6zsM69FF2WZWZc-EzCY/s1600/BLM_Fisheries_Oregon_Fishing+the+North+Umpqua+-+Roseburg+BLM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVgK2Fm3b5puWnlA3NpqlkQNJXH51eERjDCX4JM3SspNQ1yJoX0XKmjmtkqiVgwgRPsK0sYXGTUiODL1E-H5ts6mim2unX-0EFvG_dS105WuOToMgxczno1BUqD6zsM69FF2WZWZc-EzCY/s1600/BLM_Fisheries_Oregon_Fishing+the+North+Umpqua+-+Roseburg+BLM.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Fish don't want to waste a lot of energy to stay in a current, but when they are open to feeding they love to be where food washes out of a current and is presented to them for easy pickings. I would too. Plunge pools, eddys, backwaters, around logs, and behind boulders are all excellent places to find stream flow seams and pretend your lure is also seeking out a place to take a break from the current.</div>
<div dir="ltr">
<br />
Here one waiting for a snack...<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrDEarRf0kPG6Doji89E-bO3U4oZ7CVLStqFa207mtkRprrWG16AGDq8lS27X4TO7-1kwnMSyFN9_bLYkwi6tLh9IHNI4OD3Aezk31tmcFx5PI40T50Stpsl75zGfLmGYdcEzWFitTN5xt/s1600/BLM_Fisheries_Idaho_Jul+12,+2010+Wildhorse+Cr+redband+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrDEarRf0kPG6Doji89E-bO3U4oZ7CVLStqFa207mtkRprrWG16AGDq8lS27X4TO7-1kwnMSyFN9_bLYkwi6tLh9IHNI4OD3Aezk31tmcFx5PI40T50Stpsl75zGfLmGYdcEzWFitTN5xt/s1600/BLM_Fisheries_Idaho_Jul+12,+2010+Wildhorse+Cr+redband+2.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Wanna avoid spooking fish and present your lure to look like a real fish?<br />
</div>
<div dir="ltr">
Also keep in mind that juvenile fish will move both up and downstream almost always facing upstream. This makes sense as it gives them an ability to control position as fish don't swim backwards very well. So when presenting a lure facing and swimming downstream, in the fish world that ain't right. Fish will pick up on that. Only an injured fish would do that. <br />
<br />
Guess which way is upstream?<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN7f3ZAYQO3IZ_22O0bV6a7F_2iDgsS82kFW2nSc1ljS-U2iLjWDr28SoUcESejaN_5th9iQ39A643Q1i9NtpnlCJbmzaKjAkr1anCcZVW7MLcHFFWOfl6AydDMuVzkBWVRjo-tcHwEqSS/s1600/BLM_Fisheries_California_Juvenile+Coho+Salmon+--+Baker+Creek.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjXau-PfY7UdGp-Zxlvur443pKtDu7gTBREeGMOo0F3AutyAAcEKk2juukUijmKJTTJVNhyphenhyphen6hNmbN_eyMi9dLTn2503b4Q51VE_pJ2cXkNUkaEdeTN-5jll8drEAFB901ZEnJnKXF8Ym2x/s1600/BLM_Fisheries_California_Juvenile+Coho-South+Fork+Elk+River.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRu5BTnszZDctpdqDXkmXTnguA-SLkZy5I5a0HrFG8C1H0PJqqmS5bGKGuAM7ua3S6_baL1DB5Qzr0yJozkg3HlnCwpqXYbSkxd1Z6MNFzjG3c4od1JF3bjk-UISPlxukCTFgXlb1oFUco/s1600/BLM_Fisheries_Oregon_Juvenile+coho+2+-+Roseburg+BLM.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRu5BTnszZDctpdqDXkmXTnguA-SLkZy5I5a0HrFG8C1H0PJqqmS5bGKGuAM7ua3S6_baL1DB5Qzr0yJozkg3HlnCwpqXYbSkxd1Z6MNFzjG3c4od1JF3bjk-UISPlxukCTFgXlb1oFUco/s1600/BLM_Fisheries_Oregon_Juvenile+coho+2+-+Roseburg+BLM.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjXau-PfY7UdGp-Zxlvur443pKtDu7gTBREeGMOo0F3AutyAAcEKk2juukUijmKJTTJVNhyphenhyphen6hNmbN_eyMi9dLTn2503b4Q51VE_pJ2cXkNUkaEdeTN-5jll8drEAFB901ZEnJnKXF8Ym2x/s1600/BLM_Fisheries_California_Juvenile+Coho-South+Fork+Elk+River.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjXau-PfY7UdGp-Zxlvur443pKtDu7gTBREeGMOo0F3AutyAAcEKk2juukUijmKJTTJVNhyphenhyphen6hNmbN_eyMi9dLTn2503b4Q51VE_pJ2cXkNUkaEdeTN-5jll8drEAFB901ZEnJnKXF8Ym2x/s1600/BLM_Fisheries_California_Juvenile+Coho-South+Fork+Elk+River.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Small fish almost always stick to the stream margins where there is lower stream veleocity. Sticking to the banks also provides a measure comfort by providing cover from predators both in terms of water column and as well as have a whole bank side to not worry about...except for maybe getting picked off by herons.<br />
<br />
It's a tough life! It's no wonder juvenile fish always have that scared look in their eyes and usally move under cover of night.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMOXE-Y-nSSw42ZtPwOn5n7gC2q76LWZW2xzmrZB1EIl7EyJZ-RwDbnDRZI50IMx-fBzDBcJk36pdTAxL52eYB_4bO-qlYnTwGHrEvI-1smvaVGfLcKZN-5FZC-seX2Jh3zh6gapvrJspW/s1600/BLM_Fisheries_Oregon_Juvenile+coho+-+Roseburg+BLM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMOXE-Y-nSSw42ZtPwOn5n7gC2q76LWZW2xzmrZB1EIl7EyJZ-RwDbnDRZI50IMx-fBzDBcJk36pdTAxL52eYB_4bO-qlYnTwGHrEvI-1smvaVGfLcKZN-5FZC-seX2Jh3zh6gapvrJspW/s1600/BLM_Fisheries_Oregon_Juvenile+coho+-+Roseburg+BLM.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Instead of spooking them by dropping lures directly into these spots, try to present them by casting upstream and floating downstream into these seams. <br />
<br />
Practice reading the surface flows and you will be rewarded.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeI4E3BMxOB7LJjnvjC4XCB2ypJTgcP_ClkriGmgDHjvRJbSmwzXOMUmrpnpZcKTh0wH-kzKZ0hwfMsA9grJrLpoRs_sj6mRrAih-pHX1nobBZZ1OAiqqKy3so93uF67y9wwsuzeh6lL00/s1600/BLM_Fisheries_Oregon_North+Umpqua+Spey+Fish+on2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeI4E3BMxOB7LJjnvjC4XCB2ypJTgcP_ClkriGmgDHjvRJbSmwzXOMUmrpnpZcKTh0wH-kzKZ0hwfMsA9grJrLpoRs_sj6mRrAih-pHX1nobBZZ1OAiqqKy3so93uF67y9wwsuzeh6lL00/s1600/BLM_Fisheries_Oregon_North+Umpqua+Spey+Fish+on2.JPG" height="280" width="400" /></a></div>
Fish On!<br />
<br />
<br />
(Photos Courtesy of BLM Fisheries Oregon, BLM Fisheries Idaho)</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03654635412706734823noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2352953013898295096.post-69791539553274125402014-10-14T15:05:00.004-04:002014-11-05T16:27:08.671-05:00Climate change and the future of fish<div dir="ltr">
Global warming, global cooling, melting glaciers, ozone holes, new weather extremes and mutant frogs...climate change is a formidable concept. With all the media and political posturing around the concept it is difficult to really grab just what climate means for the future. </div>
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Fish like this very nice dolly varden in places like this sweet glacier fed river in Alaska are certain to change:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTKDqmQoqRazX3l5u2ZLhV9-7yl2kLolUyu6kFb86VZyscfWMd5OXMbdDHmhZSTTliuFXARK9TF-f0VoMpZZgpti9CDbGsW052b5B4GMLuzRKBO4rzJriTa3zBSKsAyuBtSSlp0xmIpGof/s1600/BLM_Fisheries_Alaska_P6230025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTKDqmQoqRazX3l5u2ZLhV9-7yl2kLolUyu6kFb86VZyscfWMd5OXMbdDHmhZSTTliuFXARK9TF-f0VoMpZZgpti9CDbGsW052b5B4GMLuzRKBO4rzJriTa3zBSKsAyuBtSSlp0xmIpGof/s1600/BLM_Fisheries_Alaska_P6230025.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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It is interesting how we tend to thing of climate change as something new, or that things are suddently now going to change with a new and increased awareness. It is also interesting to see how socially we talk about, posture and paint climate change as an entirely bad thing. Could it be possible that there are some good things that we might expect to see?</div>
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Just to be clear, I'm not trying to downplay the importance for considering climate change, but want to philosophize upon it for a bit.<br />
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(I am half chinese after all...and consider myself a "part-time" philosopher).<br />
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It is an interesting challenge to think about how we are supposed to address managing our aquatic resources for climate change. Just what is it that we are expected to do to address climate change? Is it to stop the environment from changing at all and maintain the exact same weather patterns into a foreseeable future? Perhaps there is a misception that our society has painted where any change in climate is not supposed to happen and things are supposed to stay as we know it forever. </div>
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Obviously the middle ground here is that we would want to slow the rate that humans are exasberating the situation and all take ownership and stop trying to point out and blame who is in the wrong...it is easy to get into an ethical debate on climate change. Whatever the case, projected climate change scenarios run across the board, and let's just say human negligence of our environment is not a good thing and not natural and we want our natural environment to be able to respond and adjust within a reasonable context.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBReAAZdZbp99kmjUPyz8hksVkDuQzrUqzfuOpbkYFAa-1XqthaF705tjMzRcBJyGj4XGiOAidtfWJf-BAvn_NLRgyqcydn-PJjyHepP1R_3cHXWcvc5xUQ6UxZO8axsmVVr2T65GwBVsS/s1600/BLM_Fisheries_California_Coho-South+Fork+Elk+River.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBReAAZdZbp99kmjUPyz8hksVkDuQzrUqzfuOpbkYFAa-1XqthaF705tjMzRcBJyGj4XGiOAidtfWJf-BAvn_NLRgyqcydn-PJjyHepP1R_3cHXWcvc5xUQ6UxZO8axsmVVr2T65GwBVsS/s1600/BLM_Fisheries_California_Coho-South+Fork+Elk+River.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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As for our aquatic resources, here are some situations that we are likely looking at over the near future:</div>
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In the headwaters: increased warming in many cooler areas will result in more snow melting quicker and earlier, this could lead to less summer base flows and more flashiness and extremes in flood events, more landslides and less sustained precious summer flows coming off of the mountains. </div>
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Here's a debris torrent in Oregon. While it povides much needed large wood for fish habitat, too much will scour out the river channels and dump some major fish habitat smothering fine sediment loads.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSq4VGD7gRZBBgXligFo29OS9viqbigXM-QC2ipaaheMaK7CxPyWWA68DbayGDWR6eiqQAUfsU1Y069Rxvoa7en4neoBDATZFYQFGQavD5UEYqgW6Po-BaIR7zuztecP9miZ7XQLos4zWH/s1600/BLM_Fisheries_Oregon_SFk+Lobster+6+May1975+S1076.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSq4VGD7gRZBBgXligFo29OS9viqbigXM-QC2ipaaheMaK7CxPyWWA68DbayGDWR6eiqQAUfsU1Y069Rxvoa7en4neoBDATZFYQFGQavD5UEYqgW6Po-BaIR7zuztecP9miZ7XQLos4zWH/s1600/BLM_Fisheries_Oregon_SFk+Lobster+6+May1975+S1076.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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If you are cold water fish like a trout, you are not a big fan of the summer low flow and warm water situations and fish that depend on the cold flows higher in the mountains like cutthroat and bull trout will feel the crunch and drying smaller streams will either strand fish or make them move to unfavorably downstream areas or...die (sigh). For extremely cold water species like bull trout and headwater dependent species, or grayling that looks especially bad. </div>
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In the midde and lower stream reaches: some areas would also experience some cooling trends and with all the water flowing out earlier in the year, they may be in a better place...warm water species like bass and sunfish may end up in a better place and start moving upstream with warming waters. This could be good or bad and invasive species like nonnative minnows, sunfish, carp (snakehead?) may get some big jump start increase their world dominance.</div>
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As as biologist what will be particularly intersted to me will be to watch how fish adapt and change to all this. Species like salmon and trout may start to spawn earlier or later, and start spawning in lower reaches. Juvenile fish may start growing faster, migratory fish will may start residualizing and stop migrating all together. Our trout fishing hole may become the place to catch trophy bass. Fish may hybridize even more and many will likely get extirpate or go extinct all together and die. </div>
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TBD...<br />
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(Photos courtesy of BLM Fisheries Alaska, BLM Fisheries Oregon)<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03654635412706734823noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2352953013898295096.post-80450178925819982252014-10-14T13:46:00.002-04:002014-11-05T16:27:33.950-05:00Invasive aquatic species...increasingly common and increasingly annoying <div dir="ltr">
Ok let's face it, no one likes the taking over of fish habitat by aquatic plants and animals. Plants like water hyacinth and aquarium plants like elodea can quickly over run and ruin some otherwise great fishing spots. </div>
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Invasive animals like the dreded zebra and closely related quagga mussel can not only take out a fishery, but also cost tax payers billions of dollars. In fact, knowingly transporting a living zebra mussel across many state borders will get you a full out APB and police bulletin to stop you.</div>
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So, just what exactly is the big deal? Ever dump your old aquarium plants or unwanted aquarium pets out in the local pond or creek? </div>
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Well several people have done just that and now plants like brazilian waterweed (aka elodea) are blanketing spawning grounds like this example in California. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0CYGDKeqxonj5Jh8EC7ZG_GYZ9hZVkWJTnbQDAOFB4l8HPiBNcRvwNaG6sthj0pqQbOOK6ZvCo1c8GhQYKHHwIfnuIB1NHXsj7jp-T1Z7D9FmHsYGjBhN6ibL77ksMNAT4Z3kdUR3LGaP/s1600/DCP_0178.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0CYGDKeqxonj5Jh8EC7ZG_GYZ9hZVkWJTnbQDAOFB4l8HPiBNcRvwNaG6sthj0pqQbOOK6ZvCo1c8GhQYKHHwIfnuIB1NHXsj7jp-T1Z7D9FmHsYGjBhN6ibL77ksMNAT4Z3kdUR3LGaP/s640/DCP_0178.JPG" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
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The gravel is overgrown and no longer mobilizes in the river, forcing fish to spawn in the few remaining pockets of clean gravel...likely digging up eggs already in there. This can make for some very unproductive spawning success. </div>
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Here is a pond example:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpAu4GNuS2kEH45-AMP2sjK0apDnEmq3yPF8s0_wvURwjlvFun9NBgSyG_MH4P7qTYEImHcswo-evi6DVhy1KbjqzSqaGRfNiiNaDhNJpiAefe_OQcZDi3zkitnAEwat3XIJlscWj4MCXH/s1600/OakPond.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpAu4GNuS2kEH45-AMP2sjK0apDnEmq3yPF8s0_wvURwjlvFun9NBgSyG_MH4P7qTYEImHcswo-evi6DVhy1KbjqzSqaGRfNiiNaDhNJpiAefe_OQcZDi3zkitnAEwat3XIJlscWj4MCXH/s640/OakPond.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
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Or the crawdad that the innocent science teacher ordered online from a scientific supply gets released in good will after the semester ends quickly bullies and pushes out the native daddies and disrupts the whole invertebrate communities...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0OYQH33Ff6lyHkbO4RkO49AiVpcNiWVrpbZpP40hyphenhyphen_xJPuBFHNdb-8wCTJVEhMC6q5N-adqcP8Q7iKmlnj58i1CUgCp72Rn0qWnkRVyra5_gGydpgfU54FwrTw0bbl7HSTi1U93HQqS9B/s1600/tough.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0OYQH33Ff6lyHkbO4RkO49AiVpcNiWVrpbZpP40hyphenhyphen_xJPuBFHNdb-8wCTJVEhMC6q5N-adqcP8Q7iKmlnj58i1CUgCp72Rn0qWnkRVyra5_gGydpgfU54FwrTw0bbl7HSTi1U93HQqS9B/s640/tough.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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Here is an unique example of several species of cichlid fish released in a pond in Idaho that are now completely self-reproducing. These guys are native to places in Africa and South America..kind of a funky novelty fishery, but environmentally it just ain't right. Imagine if these guys were put into an isolated pupfish pond floods and these guys get in to larger river systems such as the Snake River...that flows in the greater Columbia River basin!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaNUCrUmmX4C2zsvOaXRupnsVzTEdZo2h9AfWvXe_wQnavrCAS8XoEaqV-mfcbfJoSZ3Ri0KFbwOna9zPnW7JHPYkm8cQ20_ATR-eqGPwcEHLFmFcZu1-QFAs0-p0f4VjldJJZH71eJPEF/s1600/BLM_Fisheries_Idaho_Barney+HS+cichlids+Sept+2011+(1).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaNUCrUmmX4C2zsvOaXRupnsVzTEdZo2h9AfWvXe_wQnavrCAS8XoEaqV-mfcbfJoSZ3Ri0KFbwOna9zPnW7JHPYkm8cQ20_ATR-eqGPwcEHLFmFcZu1-QFAs0-p0f4VjldJJZH71eJPEF/s1600/BLM_Fisheries_Idaho_Barney+HS+cichlids+Sept+2011+(1).JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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The risks are very real and very significant...let's all be extra cautious for our aquatic resources!<br />
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(photos courtesy of BLM Fisheries Idaho)<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03654635412706734823noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2352953013898295096.post-66871720103515517942014-10-14T13:31:00.001-04:002014-11-05T16:28:10.478-05:00Water pollution and mutant fish<div dir="ltr">
Would you drink the water that you're catching fish in? </div>
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Beyond all kind of natural things like rotting poop and ecoli bacteria, there are all kind of things flowing into (an falling in from the sky!) into our fishing holes besides water that shouldn't. We're talking water pollution and this is a very big deal. Dead fish, mutant fish, even transgender fish and we're seeing more and more of them each day. </div>
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Just look at how many rivers, streams and lakes are listed by EPA as impaired on the web site:</div>
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http://nac.unl.edu/atlas/Map_Html/Clean_Water/National/Percent_impaired_wate_nat/Percent_impaired_water_nat.htm..</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh7DOHiQPBldw4bGDE1v4QQcMOgXl6ylxrPr06wFHK9LLJo_I8tLfHkn5OHGu89j6bqOn76G5lDZpM7LDjDXBB6hDSwTaGJH_R-6W6CjpRuxm0aKrIJaHjAlvRYooBHkx3PZPvLVDCySjM/s1600/Percent_impaired_water_nat.gif" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh7DOHiQPBldw4bGDE1v4QQcMOgXl6ylxrPr06wFHK9LLJo_I8tLfHkn5OHGu89j6bqOn76G5lDZpM7LDjDXBB6hDSwTaGJH_R-6W6CjpRuxm0aKrIJaHjAlvRYooBHkx3PZPvLVDCySjM/s640/Percent_impaired_water_nat.gif" height="305" width="400" /></a></div>
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Pollution in the forms chemicals, oils, hormones, etc can come from runoff from our homes, gardens, farms, industrial areas, sewage and (sadly) people just dumping all kinds of crap directly into the water. Sewage can also introduce pathogens and other disease causing agents of yuck for humans, fish, and most any form of life that touches the water.</div>
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It is interesting how we tend to think of our fisheries as somehow being able to withstand supernormal amounts of invasive species, low flows, warm waters, low oxygen and huge bombardents of nasty toxic chemicals. It is actually quite impressive of how much of these a fish can actually withstand, at least for a little while, that is before they die a slow and painful death...but anyways...</div>
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Pollution affects fish in many different and compounding ways...and combine that increased stress from a changing climate. First off, fish get stressed...very very stressed and this makes everything worse. Fish skin loses protecive slime and atibacterial function and rots and wounds form. Liver and gill damage start to form and that's gotta hurt. Pants that make oxygen start to die and rot consuming even more oxygen, fish growth gets stunted, ability to smell diminishes, insects and other foods bases die off from the pesticides and toxic sediment fills every nook and cranny in your spawning gravels and rearing areas. </div>
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In addition, all the phamacueticals that humans are pooping and peeing also affect fish and turning them into and start behaving as transgender. Sad joke here is that all those antidepressants that we are taking have also been documented to be affecting fish...sigh</div>
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So what is it that we can do to help this very critical and out of control issue?</div>
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The way I see it, we can:</div>
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- Choose to be aware of the pathways and mechanisms of pollution and recognize the need for forefront communtiy awareness...and carry this into our local government and political leanings and advocacy. </div>
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- I also choose to not spray any toxic chemicals unless absolutely neeccesary (eg yellowjacket nest in the kitchen) and not chemically fertilize my lawn even if it means I have some rough and yellow patches.</div>
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- Also, storm water and street drainage is a big contributor to the problem and I always love seeing a parking lot bioswale and settling ponds in urban planning. By settling out the water and sediments the toxics and such are significantly reduced from entering water bodies. </div>
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- And finally, I am a fan of full and extended prosecution for all knowing violators who choose to illegally dump/discharge chemicals into my fishing waters. </div>
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I have to admit that the future of water pollution and quality for current and future generations is not at all looking bright...sigh...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg10B6XrtBgIQhAd185UGXayTFSiwCOxLScTNHpG8SyKGWVormauL39sZIsa0MwfpfaqvIRLtYF5pmgBpqT9mMJdOqEWRD2aY8Zssi_jyONPbaHdX8f1Gqa4nz3xwI-SLl7W1sabMG0uZNg/s1600/BLM_Fisheries_Dead+Salmon+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg10B6XrtBgIQhAd185UGXayTFSiwCOxLScTNHpG8SyKGWVormauL39sZIsa0MwfpfaqvIRLtYF5pmgBpqT9mMJdOqEWRD2aY8Zssi_jyONPbaHdX8f1Gqa4nz3xwI-SLl7W1sabMG0uZNg/s1600/BLM_Fisheries_Dead+Salmon+1.jpg" height="261" width="400" /></a></div>
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