Conservation

Fly fisherman have always been at the forefront of conservation and environmental issues.  It's important to know that there are very real threats to our fly fishing waters out there.  Fly fishing has been steadily gaining popularity as anglers discover the rewards that the challenge from our beloved sport brings, as well as the spectacular solitude.  More and more fly fishermen are traveling the globe looking for that perfect trout or steelhead.

We can journey to Patagonia, New Zealand, Europe, and beyond to find peace and quiet, and beautiful trout with exotic accents.  Unfortunately, we are learning the hard way that we are often responsible for inadvertently cross contaminating streams around the world.  In the United States, many of our rivers and streams are seeing the effects of Didymo, New Zealand Mudsnails, and Whirling Disease.  Many of our lakes, streams and rivers are seeing a decline in trout and steelhead populations as these foreign species attack them and their ecosystems.  It is vital that we take important preventative measures to insure we do not continue to spread these invaders and destroy the trout and their environment that we love so much.

Didymo, or "Rock Snot" is a single cell algae that under the right conditions will blanket the bottom of your favorite streams.  You will notice large underwater mats of this nasty stuff. It attaches to rocks, plants and any other submerged surfaces. One drop of water is enough to spread this stuff. Clean and dry your fly fishing gear thoroughly. 

Many of the streams I fish in California have New Zealand Mudsnail signs posted.  Once these snails are established, they are unbelievably prolific, not to mention very resistant to eradication.  They compete for food with the aquatic insects that make our trout thrive.  In fact, these nasty things have the capability to throw off the entire ecosystem.  No food for the indigenous biological critters means NO more of them.

Whirling Disease affects both trout and Salmon.  They become infected by other contaminated fish.  This disease is really a microscopic parasite.  It gnarls the spines, causes erratic swimming, and often kills the fish.  The problem occurs when an infected fish dies.  The corpse of that fish releases millions of these parasitic spores into the water, and these spores can survive and lay dormant for up to 30 years.  Usually signs are posted, so it is best just to avoid known contaminated waters.  Also, if you come across deformed fish (or any 5 legged mammals for that matter), I suggest you reel in and fish waters not so near that nuclear power plant.

What can you do?  Thoroughly clean your wading gear - ESPECIALLY YOUR BOOTS.  Your wading boots are the culprit when it comes to most fly fishing contamination.  In New Zealand, they have already banned felt soled wading footwear.  They were the first to discover Didymo in the Southern Hemisphere (It is actually indigenous to Europe), and it has spread quickly.  Felt is the perfect place for these organisms to hang onto.  it is hard to thoroughly clean, and many anglers find in unrealistic to let their boots dry the recommended two days (especially if you only have two days to fish).  Simms, the makers of some of the finest wading gear on the planet, plans to totally remove all felt soles on their wading footwear by 2010.  Today's technology brings us very effective rubber "aquastealth" soles that grip wet, slick surfaces as well as felt.  Check out one of our favorite online fly fishing stores for the latest Simms boots with the "Streamtread" soles here.  

So, always clean your fly fishing gear (boots and waders, as well as your float tubes, pontoon, and drift boats), let them dry thoroughly, and think of upgrading to the new generation of wading boot. 

---

Add this page to your favorite Social Bookmarking websites