Okay everyone, we have a job to do…..protect our fisheries!  I know many of us have been hearing about “didymo” or “rock snot” in the White River system and we think “boy that doesn’t sound good” and go on our way.  Didymo is an invasive alga that can form large thick mats on the bottom of streams smothering aquatic life vital to the food chain that supports fish.  Didymo has been found in the White River in Arkansas.  There was just recently suspect of Didymo in Taneycomo, but I just spoke with our Hatchery biologist this morning and he said that the suspicious alga was not Didymo, our water is still unaffected…at this point.  So, our job is to keep it this way!

I think of the times I hit the water here on Taneycomo early in the day the horn blows, so I check the schedule and no generation is predicted for Bull Shoals, so off to Bull Shoals to finish the day of fishing…..or visa versa.  Bull Shoals horn blows and off to Taneycomo or Roaring River.  Did I take time to CHECK, CLEAN OR DRY my equipment!!??

The Missouri Department of Conservation has prepared a great flier on what to do to help stop the spead of didymo.  They will soon be holding public meetings to discuss this threat and what we can do to help prevent it from speading to Missouri streams.  In the meantime, we can be proactive.  Below are some of their recommendations:

Before entering the water:

CHECK – Remove all visible clumps of algae and plant material from fishing gear, waders, equipment, water shoes and sandals, canoes and kayaks, and anything else that has been in the water. 

CLEAN – Clean your gear in a 2% household bleach solution (1/3 cup per gallon water), 5% saltwater solution (1 cup per gallon water) or dishwashing detergent.  Scrub boats and other “hard” items thoroughly; completely soak equipment, felt-sole waders, personal flotation devices and other “soft” items for at least 20 minutes!!!!

OR

DRY – Allow any item that has been in contact with the water to completely dry; the item should be exposed to sunlight and left to dry for at least  48 hours.

We are fortunate to have so many great fisheries in Missouri.  Let’s give them a “little tender love and care”!

This entry was posted on Thursday, February 24th, 2011 at 11:00 am and is filed under Fishing Reports. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.