October 2005 Conservation Notes
by
PFFers Matt Rossi, Jeff Eberle and Joe Eberle helping
with fences at the Golden Trout Project
Successful Golden Trout Project Trip
Six PFF members (plus an honorary member from Las Vegas) made the arduous drive out to the Monache Meadows section of the Golden Trout Wilderness Area to help take down fences protecting the South Fork of the Kern River from free ranging cattle. Leaving them up all winter damages the fence posts. We also helped some with the electroshock survey near the Schaeffer Barrier – a most fascinating experience. Overall a total of 30 volunteers participated from as far away as San Diego. The many hands made the work go a lot faster and even left some time for fishing. Look for a longer report next month including a picture of a huge brown trout that the DFG gal shocked out of its slumber.
Update on the New Zealand Mud Snails
After an exhaustive two year study into ways of eradicating this tiny pest from wading gear, the CA Dept. of Fish and Game (DFG) finally approved the public release of the final recommendations. The study was financed with contributions from the NCCFFF and CalTrout, with follow-up financing from ABAG (the Association of Bay Area Governments). The overall goal was to find chemical solutions that killed the snails in under 5 minutes, was safe for wading gear, and would not harm the environment.
Starting from an initial list of 10 candidate solutions, the study narrowed the list to two finalists: Formula 409 Cleaner/Degreaser and a copper sulfate solution. Since it is much easier to obtain Formula 409 – Costco sells it in bulk – this is probably the best method for anglers. The recommended procedure is to first brush all potentially contaminated gear (waders, boots, gravel guards) with a stiff brush upon exiting the water. Then mix Formula 409 with an equal amount of water in a gear dry sack or other large, sturdy plastic container. Soak the gear in the container for at least 5 minutes and finally rinse everything in tap water. The remaining chemical solution should only be discarded in a sewer system that is treated such as a City's waste water system. This handout (pdf file) provides more details, including the copper sulfate method.
California waterways know to be contaminated with these foreign invaders include the Owens drainage including Hot Creek, Putah Creek, the Mokelumne River and the Calaveras River. A population was recently been found in the Napa River drainage. A more precise list of infected areas is available from the DFG website.
That's all for this month.
– Rodney