THE OVERMOUNTAIN CHAPTER OF TROUT UNLIMITED
Volume 4
Issue  6  June 1999
" What  The Trout Don’t Suspect They’ll Take"



Resource Committee Offers Proposals for New Holston Regulations

Many longtime fans of the South Holston tailwater have hoped for regulations that would protect and enhance this unique fishery.  Those hopes may be coming closer to fulfillment as a result of research by Tennessee Tech.  TWRA in the past resisted  initiatives  by individuals and organizations to place Holston under regulations other than the rather liberal General Trout Regulations.  They pointed to  lack of data and fear of popular opposition as the reasons for their position. The situation has changed dramatically with the release of Tec's report on Holston Tailwater.
 Citing the high growth rates of stocked and stream born trout, the successful reproduction of Brown trout, and the intense fishing pressure that the Holston receives the report urges TWRA to formulate a management plan that reflects the facts uncovered by their research.
 Last year TWRA was successfully lobbied for regulations that would prevent the snagging of spawning trout.  Chapter members present at that meeting noted the Commission’s eager acceptance of their suggestions and an overall inclination to recognize that the Holston  Tailwater is not just a put-and-take fishery. The Overmountain Chapter’s Resource Management Committee has prepared the following list of proposals for presentation at this Fall’s meeting of The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Commission:
¨ Proposal Number One – Closure to all fishing during the spawning and post spawning periods of Nov. 1st through Feb. 1st  of the area from the TVA access point upstream of River’s Way  to Hickory Tree Bridge.
¨ Proposal Number 2 – Closure to all fishing during the period of Nov. 1st  through Feb. 1st of the area beginning at a point 200 yards above Webb Bridge downstream to Wassum’s farm where Hwy. 44 leaves the River.
¨ Proposal Number 3 – A slot limit which prohibits the harvest of trout between 16 and 20 inches and allows only one trout over 20 inches to be kept.
 Details of the Resource Committee’ work will be presented at the June meeting
Auld Lang Sine at the Firehouse
This month’s meeting at the Firehouse Restaurant will mark the end of a long standing relatinonship between the Overmountain Chapter and that Walnut St. restaurant.  As the result of an increased membership’s participation in monthly meetings we’ve outgrown the upstairs at the Firehouse. In July the Chapter will begin to hold its meetings at The House of Ribs on the Kingsport Highway.
 Help us bid a fond farewell to the Firehouse at this month’s meeting by lifting a "cup o cheer for auld lang sine."
11th Annual Watauga Cleanup Has a Damp Start and Dim Prospects
Early morning rain kept the turnout for the 11th Annual Watauga River Cleanup low.  The hardy souls that did show up were responsible for removing 145 bags of litter and household garbage from the banks and streambed of the Watauga River and other Carter County streams.  A total of 63 individuals made their commitment to preserving and protecting cold water resources mean something in the three hour effort.
 Several area businesses and organizations fielded teams of volunteers.  The Hampton High Ecology Club, B-Cliff Rafting and Appalachian Anglers  each fielded teams of volunteers that focused on specific areas during the cleanup.
 The following area businesses contributed prizes that were awarded at the conclusion of the cleanup:  Appalachian Angler, Smokey Mountain Trout Farm, Virginia Creeper Fly Shop, O’Delly’s, Hunter Banks, Tennessee Aquarium, Comfort Inn, Rustler’s Steak and Bar-B-Q, Mahoney’s, M & M Sporting Goods, River and Streams Outfitters, Culligan Water, Cracker Barrel, and Mountain Sports LTD.
 In assessing the cleanup afterwards, several Chapter members noted the falloff of attendance over the past few years.  The loss of major corporate sponsorship and decreasing interest by the communities and the citizens of Carter County were believed to be the major factors involved in the lower turnouts of the past few years. What the future holds for the Cleanup is still in doubt.
 

Food for Thought                              by Paul Anderson

A recent report from a TU study on conservation programs in Wisconsin provides food for thought for all of us interested in preservation and conservation of trout and their habitats.
  The report notes that Wisconsin leads the nation in stream-miles designated as "high quality" waters and credits the state's tradition of protecting and restoring habitat for naturally-reproducing ("wild") trout through effective long-term fisheries management.   The report continues:
"As some other states have increased their reliance on stocked fish, Wisconsin has directed its hatchery production toward waters that cannot sustain wild trout while investing in the habitat that does sustain wild trout. This approach is consistent with the latest findings in fisheries management, and really puts Wisconsin ahead of the pack when it comes to managing for wild trout."
  Singled out for attention is Wisconsin's Trout Stamp program. The report says Wisconsin is unique in dedicating virtually 100 percent of trout stamp funds to trout habitat acquisition and restoration. Other states typically use trout-stamp funds to underwrite stocking of large, expensive "catchable" trout.
  TU also praises the state's experimental "wild broodstock" program, which attempts to avoid the inbreeding and other genetic problems associated with artificial propagation by using wild fish to supply eggs and sperm for hatcheries. Long-term monitoring is necessary, however, to ensure the program is not causing other problems.
  While acknowledging that Wisconsin's programs are not perfect, TU recommends eliminating so-called "politically-responsive stocking," in which hatchery fish are planted in a particular legislator's district for political gain. Political stocking threatens to undermine otherwise
excellent programs for watershed and ecosystem-based management.   Copies of the report may be downloaded from TU's home page.

Contest Details Finalized for Cane Rod Giveaway

It has to be the finest prize ever offered by the Overmountain Chapter.  Bob King, an experienced and talented rod builder, has completed a 6’ 9" two piece, two tip 4 weight bamboo fly rod that will be given away in a major find raising effort for the Chapter.
 The rod, which will have the winner’s name inked on the shaft, is a delight for the eye and hand of any lover of fine rods.  Its honey colored cane and bronzed guides are accented with gold and crimson wraps of silk.  The delicate cork grip and Bob’s custom reel seat settle into the hand promising many hours of delight on your favorite stream.  If you were to order a rod like it from Bob, you could expect to pay nearly $900.
 Only 100 entries will be allowed in the contest.  When all the tickets have been sold we will hold the drawing for the rod.  Each entry costs $10.00 and gives you three chances to win.  Tickets go on sale at the June meeting.
 Don’t miss this opportunity to own a rod you’ll treasure for a lifetime.  The contest is limited to only 100 entries.  Make sure your name is in the pot.

Whirling Disease Report

New knowledge about the importance of habitat degradation (in providing Tubifex habitat), environmental stress and disease 'point sources" all suggest that our ability and willingness to protect and restore our streams and rivers may  prove the best long-term protection against whirling disease," said TU President and CEO Charles Gauvin.
  Gauvin;s observation were contained in a recent update on whirling disease, a parasitic infection that has been linked to dramatic declines in wild trout populations in several Western rivers and caused some concern among conservationists in the Eastern United States.  Significant research results include new evidence that the Tubifex worms
that carry WD appear to thrive in polluted or degraded streams. Researchers have also developed a DNA-based test to detect the parasite, and have established the most salmonid fishes are susceptible to the infection in varying degrees. Key research has also focused on the role of water temperature on the numbers of disease spores found in a given stream or water body.
 Copies of Whirling Disease in the United States may be obtained from TU (703)522-0200, or downloaded in Adobe .pdf format from TU's website.

The Newscaster is the monthly newsletter of The Overmountain Chapter of Trout Unlimited,  George Grant, Editor.  The mailing address is:
   The Newscaster
   1204 Iris Ave.
   Johnson City, TN 37601

Phone (423) 926-2063

E-mail:  sylfontain@aol.com

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