Phil Lilley

Big Blue stocked with rainbow trout By DICK JOHNSON, dick.johnson@globegazette.com MASON CITY — Anglers started calling the Iowa Department of Natural Resources a week ago. When, they wanted to know, will the rainbow trout be stocked in Big Blue pond? One hoped it was Tuesday as he would be out of town Wednesday. Well, Wednesday was the day. Big Blue was stocked with 1,500 rainbows, from 10 to 12 inches long. An army of anglers knew it. They were waiting when the DNR truck backed up to the water’s edge. Trout were flopping on the shore within minutes. “Wouldn’t miss it,” said Paul Buren of Mason City as he removed the hook from a good-sized keeper. “I took some time out to shop, came out and caught a few fish. Besides, it’s a nice day.” “Every year when we bring the fish, you’ll see people line the banks,” said Scott Grummer, fisheries biologist with the DNR in Clear Lake. “People are expecting it and they enjoy the opportunity in Mason City.” It was the first of three stockings set for this fall and winter on Big Blue. The others will take place just before Christmas and in mid-to-late January, depending on adequate ice cover. Some 4,500 half-pound trout from the DNR hatchery in Decorah will be released overall. Grummer said one goal is for anglers to harvest most of the fish. They (the fish) probably won’t survive the hot summer months, when the water’s not as cold and there’s not enough oxygen in the deep water they like. Another goal is to get folks out for fishing fun, including those who don’t often get out to lakes or streams. “Having the adults introduce the kids to fishing in an urban setting is a unique experience,” Grummer said. “It’s a winter fishing opportunity.” Anglers are reminded that, in addition to a regular fishing license, an $11 trout fee is required to fish for or possess trout. Iowa residents under age 16 and non-residents under 14 must have a valid trout fee to fish for or possess trout or they must fish for trout with a licensed adult who has a valid trout fee and limit their combined catch to the daily limit. The daily limit is five trout. The possession limit is 10. http://www.globegazette.com/articles/2008/...a4057968139.txt

This is a little scary. Legislators making fish and game rules and decisions. I guess they do things differently in CA.

Valley mostly untouched by new fishing legislation Local anglers not being deeply affected by recent court order. By Marek Warszawski / The Fresno Bee 11/26/08 22:18:54 Central San Joaquin Valley anglers will be among those least affected by a court order restricting fish stocking in California lakes and rivers where native species could be harmed. On Monday, the Department of Fish and Game released a list of waters that can and cannot be stocked with hatchery-raised rainbow trout following last week's order signed by a Sacramento County Superior Court judge. In the Central Region, which spans Fresno, Kern, Kings, Madera, Mariposa, Merced, Monterey, San Benito, San Luis Obispo, Stanislaus, Tulare and Tuolumne counties, only the Kern, Kaweah and Stanislaus (South Fork) rivers are off-limits to the stocking trucks. Ron Samra, manager of the DFG's San Joaquin Hatchery in Friant, said the Kaweah has not been stocked for several years. Most Eastern Sierra lakes were also spared. Only Pine Creek in Inyo County and Sotcher Lake (in Madera County but accessible via Mono County) cannot be stocked. The list is subject to change as the DFG still must prepare an environmental impact report on its fish-stocking programs by January 2010. Although the DFG has stocked trout for more than 100 years to support recreational fishing, studies have shown that hatchery-raised fish compete with native species for food and habitat and in some cases prey on them. Two environmental groups sued the DFG last year to reform its hatchery operations. Judge Patrick Marlette's order covers 25 native fish and amphibians shown to be negatively impacted by stocking, including the California golden trout, Central California steelhead and mountain yellow-legged frog. For the list of affected waters, go to http://dfg.ca.gov/news/stocking. http://www.fresnobee.com/sports/outdoors/v...ry/1039679.html

Winter Rainbows Arc Across Texas Annual Rainbow Trout Stockings Begin Dec. 3 AUSTIN, Texas — For an inexpensive, entry-level fishing experience the entire family can enjoy, it doesn’t get much easier than winter rainbow trout fishing in Texas. Beginning Dec. 3 and continuing until mid-March, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department will stock upwards of 260,000 hatchery-reared rainbow trout at 119 sites across the state. Many of the fish stockings will be conducted at small community fishing lakes, state park lakes and popular river tailraces offering easy angling access. TPWD has been stocking rainbow trout each winter since the 1970s, providing Texans a simple and economical opportunity to go fishing. Catching these hungry fish can be easy, making the experience ideal for both novice anglers and kids. The fish will bite almost immediately after stocking and typically will take a variety of baits, from whole kernel canned corn or commercial soft bait to artificial flies and even small spinner baits. Fishing gear can be as basic as an inexpensive spincast rod and reel combo, a small plastic bobber, a fishing weight and a hook. It’s also a good idea to carry along a pair of needle-nosed pliers to help remove hooks, and a five gallon bucket, small ice chest or a fish stringer to keep your catch. Be sure to keep freshly caught trout cold on ice or refrigerated. The complete 2008-2009 Rainbow Trout Stocking Schedule is on the TPWD Web site. Here anglers can find stocking locations, stocking dates and driving directions to each site. Many locations offer special events for youth prior to allowing the public to fish. Check with local parks and recreation departments or water authorities for additional information. Most sites get an annual dose of more than 1,000 trout. http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/fishboat/fish/..._stocking.phtml Among the winter trout stocking sites are 13 Neighborhood Fishin’ locations in city suburbs across the state. These spots get trout stocked every two weeks in the winter, but catfish are also stocked there in the summer, making them year-round family fishing destinations. Details are on the Neighborhood Fishin’ Web page, which lists the urban area, lake or pond, driving directions, and a TPWD name and contact phone number for each site. Money donated to TPWD from the Toyota Texas Bass Classic is being used to support Neighborhood Fishin’. http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/fishboat/fish/...n_catfish.phtml Other popular fishing holes like the Guadalupe River below the Canyon Reservoir Dam, which includes the tailrace, also receive multiple stockings from December into March. As the only fishable place in Texas where rainbow trout can survive during the summer months, the Guadalupe River will get almost 17,000 trout stocked this winter. One public access point along the Guadalupe River has been leased by TPWD specifically for trout fishing, Camp Hueco Springs. A map and directions to this site are on the TPWD Web site. Anglers should note there are special harvest restrictions in place along a 10-mile stretch of the Guadalupe River below the tailrace. In this area, anglers may retain only one trout per day, which must be at least 18-inches in length, and any trout harvested must be caught on artificial lures. For additional details about the special harvest regulations and the location of that river stretch, please consult the TPWD Outdoor Annual. The special regulations zone does not include the area immediately below Canyon Lake Dam. There, as in other Texas waters, the daily bag limit is five trout and there is no minimum length. A valid Texas freshwater fishing package is required to fish for trout. Youth ages 16 and younger and all anglers fishing from the bank in state parks are exempt from the fishing package requirement. ——— On the Net: http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/troutstocking/

http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2008/11/26/18552940.php California Trout, California Sportfishing Protection Alliance (CSPA), Northern California Council of Federation of Fly Fishers (NCFFF) and Trout Unlimited (TU) are currently engaged in the dam re-licensing process on the McCloud River. Action Alert: Show your support for the McCloud River California Trout, California Sportfishing Protection Alliance (CSPA), Northern California Council of Federation of Fly Fishers (NCFFF) and Trout Unlimited (TU) are currently engaged in the dam re-licensing process on the McCloud River. Our focus is to protect and enhance fish populations and habitat in the long-term and ensure the extraordinary angling opportunities the McCloud River provides. We need your help! Study results are coming in this fall and winter. TAKE ACTION by simply CLICKING HERE http://org2.democracyinaction.org/o/5642/t...etition_KEY=176 to sign on to our activist mail list to show your interest in the McCloud River and to receive regular updates. There are strengths in numbers, so please sign up today and pass it along to all your angling friends who share your concern for the health and accessibility of the famed McCloud River. Pacific Gas and Electric is in the process of renewing its license with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to operate McCloud Dam. McCloud Dam diverts approximately 80% of the McCloud River's flow to the Pit River for hydroelectric generation. Intensive studies are taking place this year to determine hydro-project impacts to the Lower McCloud River and to, among other issues, provide information to assess the potential need for new instream flow standards. The McCloud River ranks as one of the most famous and revered trout streams in the world, and is one of the few remaining great wild trout rivers in California. The McCloud is a designated Wild Trout Stream by the Department of Fish and Game and is home to the renowned rainbow trout that was stocked around the world and continues to be notable for its beauty. Anglers come from around the world to fish in the pristine waters and remote, rugged canyon of the McCloud and its world famous fishery is of great economic benefit to the local economy. Maintaining and enhancing the McCloud's wild trout fishery is our primary goal. To determine what management actions will best meet our goals we will analyze the extensive study results to help answer three questions: 1) What flows seasonally optimize fish habitat for different life stages? 2) How does the dam and flow management influence spawning gravel recruitment and cleanliness? 3) How does dam management influence glacial turbidity events in the Lower McCloud River? CalTrout, CSPA, FFF and TU's approach in these re-licensing proceedings is to recommend flows that are best for the fish and their habitat. We believe these resources need to be the focus for any changes being considered. Collectively we have extensive experience working on FERC hydro project re-licensing proceedings around the state through our collaborative work with the California Hydropower Reform Coalition. Together we work within a complex regulatory environment to advocate what is best for fish and anglers in these proceedings. We recognize the popularity and importance of the McCloud River to the angling community. Over 90% of the visitors to the Lower McCloud River are there to fish the extraordinary wild trout waters. We will place special emphasis on flow management issues that enhance and protect the extraordinary recreational fishing experience, including the ability to wade, because of the unique characteristics and special status of the McCloud River in the angling community. Please sign up today and if you have any questions about the McCloud River or the dam relicensing process please contact: Curtis Knight, California Trout: (530) 926-3755 or cknight [at] caltrout.org. Chris Shutes, California Sportfishing Protection Alliance: (510) 421-2405 or blancapaloma [at] msn.com. Mark Rockwell, Northern California Council Federation of Fly Fisherman: (530) 432-0100 or summerhillfarmpv [at] aol.com. Brian Johnson, Trout Unlimited: (510) 528-4772 or bjohnson [at] tu.org.

http://www.hometownlife.com/article/200811...CHIGAN/81126002 November 26, 2008 Salmon, trout prove Rouge no longer on brink of death Mention the Rouge River to some people in these parts and their thoughts are likely to conjure up images of industrial pollution, smelly logjams or, perhaps, even an open sewer. I’m not one of those people. When I think of the Rouge River, I think about fishing (including for trout and salmon), canoeing and taking hikes along picturesque banks. OK, I’ll give you a moment to get the laughter out of your system. I’m not crazy (well, maybe a little bit). And I’m not thinking about the future. Believe it or not, after a generation of restoration efforts, the Rouge River is steadily coming back to life. Since participating in my first Rouge Rescue about a decade ago, I’ve gotten to know our little river well. Despite its reputation, and all that humanity has done to her, I have come to learn that this river (like all of nature) is resilient and full of surprises. Like in early November, when I took the kids and dog for a walk across the street to Goudy Park in downtown Wayne. As we walked along the river’s edge, I looked down to see a female salmon laying along the rocks. She had just died after spawning near a spot just below some rapids. When I picked her up, eggs were still pouring out of her. I looked upstream about 10 yards, and I saw at least three other salmon swimming around looking for a mate. They were trying fulfill their destiny before dying on the banks of the Lower Rouge River. As chance would have it, Frank Walker pulled up after having done some steelhead fishing in the Huron River in Flat Rock. Walker is a longtime Wayne-Westland teacher, who has brought students down to the Rouge River to conduct water quality tests for years. Now a Plymouth resident, Walker grew up along the banks of the Lower Rouge in Wayne and knows it well. He has been documenting the annual salmon run for about a decade. As we examined the dead salmon, he noticed that it didn’t have a clipped fin, meaning it was a naturally reproduced fish and not the product of a DNR fish hatchery. He’s convinced these fish have been successfully reproducing in the Rouge. You read that right — the Rouge River. It kind of contradicts the old image of the Rouge, doesn’t it. The Rouge watershed, probably the state’s most urban watershed, is also home to trout. The DNR has been planting brown trout in Johnson Creek, a cold-running tributary stream in western Wayne County and part of Washtenaw County, for a number of years. There are also rainbow trout thriving in the Lower Rouge River in Canton Township. A few of the small headwater streams also contain trout. While many people had written the Rouge off as a dead river a long time ago, there has been an army of volunteers, spearheaded by Friends of the Rouge, who were not ready to write its obituary. Thanks to U.S. District Court Judge John Feikens, who has forced local governments to uphold the Clean Water Act, these volunteers have been buoyed by a commitment from local, county and state government to change the Rouge’s fortunes. In the last two decades, millions of dollars have been invested in restoration projects. As a result, monitoring has continued to show improved water quality and overall ecosystem health. Dissolved oxygen levels are higher at most monitoring stations compared to five years ago. Bacteria counts are declining. There have been numerous habitat restoration and streambank stabilization projects conducted throughout the watershed. The presence of trout and salmon is proof that these efforts are starting to pay off. As the river improves, some people are trying to promote the river’s recreational possibilities, including fishing and canoeing. Friends of the Rouge recently led a group of about two dozen people on a canoe/kayak adventure along the Lower Rouge through Wayne and Westland under a canopy of beautiful fall colors. (If you want to watch a short video of the trip, visit www.youtube.com/watch?v=fLtSFLcZeqQ on the Web.) One of the people on that trip was Northville author Doc Fletcher, who penned the book Weekend Canoeing in Michigan: The Rivers, The Towns, The Taverns. He was impressed with the trip. He is doing a followup book about canoeing less-known Michigan rivers and is including a chapter about the Rouge River. A generation ago, that would have been unimaginable. There is still a lot to do to restore the Rouge River, beginning with not destroying important headwater areas and wetlands in the upper reaches of the watershed. But the fact is our efforts are starting to pay off. Saving this river isn’t as farfetched a notion as it might have seemed years ago, when the river was on the brink of death. This is what I and many others think about when the Rouge River is the topic of conversation. Kurt Kuban is community editor for the Canton Observer. He welcomes feedback at kkuban@hometownlife.com or (734) 953-2164.

To be perfectly fair (and balanced), there has been and I'm sure is alot of heterosexual activity in the same locals, but the difference is this is a registered site for same-sex activity and it's reported that this activity has been more bold and "in your face" at times. I don't think parent would want their kids exposed to any sexual activity out in the open, much less the parents or individuals alone.

Tickets have been issued by MDC agents and Branson police but the cases are throw out by our judge. Not sure if it's the judge or a legal matter. That's why supposedly their hands are tied. That's one reason I got the call, I guess. The way I see it is that, say, if I saw something going on either on the trail or in the parking lot, I call the police, they arrive and inspect the situation. If there's something indecent, I press charges and a citation is made. It doesn't make sense to me either but that's what I was told. This has been going on here for years. I remember may be 10 years ago hearing this area was on a national register for just this activity. I personally have seen men in parked cars during the day sitting and suspected... but didn't give it a whole lot of thought. I suspect this is a place where people do their deeds who don't want to be seen or found out about. Otherwise, at least now-a-days, this type of behavior is pretty much out in the open all over. So, that's what has to happen to get these people to move on... private citizens pressing charges. And you thought calling the law on poachers was a pain!!

We are in the process of setting up these personal pages on Facebook and My Space so that we can better communicate with guests. We are posting pics and videos and will soon be offering lodging and boat rental specials, esp last minute deals. If you have either or both- go on and request to be "friends". Thanks!

I've known- heard of this for years but it has recently been brought to my attention that this situation has turned into a real problem. The issue- sexual oriented meetings in public parking lots and hiking trails below the dam around the hatchery. Problem- it's happening day and night. It's reportedly gotten more "in your face" on the hiking trails. And sad thing about it is that not much can be done by law enforcement people but to run them off if caught in the act. Tickets have been issued only to be thrown out because of "profiling". What's need to happen, I've been told, is that a private citizen has to file a complaint against the persons in the activity, while engaged or while still in the area. We have sent families to these trails since it's one of the best run of trails in the area. Imagine you kid(s) coming across a pair of people engaging in a sexual act. This goes beyond calling MDC about poachers. This activity, if not checked, may tarnish the place alot of us hold dear. I'm putting this out there so that those who fish esp at night be aware of the problem. All the Branson police department if you see anything.

Someone "reported" this and it came to me. It's a good report so I didn't want it to go to waste. 11/26 Wednesday. Finally a chance to fish on my day off. Not much wind and a pretty good current line from below big hole to the island below the boat launch. In fact below the launch pool area as it tails out but is still pretty deep I caught my best fish a nice male bow with kype at just under 18". I started from the south side park lot and went up to just below big hole. Lots of small fish on midges, but I couldn't figure them out today. I tried black zebras, wd-40, soft hackle and emergers....0. My bad. Then I walked below the dudes and guides and boats and started slowly stripping a #14 lt. olive scud with no indicator and had 3-4 OK fish, but I tired of that and said to myself, 'let's fish deep' below the rocking chair. The first fly I used was a bead-chain eye clouser and caught several and one that kept the fly. That was when I started fishing the #10 bead-chain eye olive leach yarn leach with twisted fibres tail. Let it sink and slowly, but firmly strip retrieve. Quit at 2:30 Mark

Cork boards? I've looked at the pic a couple of times and am not sure what you mean. The tray is our float display. Oh by the way- the lights are sold.

I have 2 lights I need to move. Brand new still in wrapping. Retail for about $80. I'll sell for $35 plus whatever freight is unless you want to pick them up. Complete with clamp.

Sounds great- thanks for the report! Keep them coming.

See any browns at all? Any bows on or making reds?

Well............. I STILL have not fished it. What can I say. I'll create it, then hide it. No- charge $100 for it. Naaaaa..... Catch 22

Brian is sending me a marked USGS map of the river but I'd like as much input on this map as possible before adding it to the site. I'd like to have: -recommended floats for fishing -camping spots along the river -points of interest I have distances between access points. Thanks- Phil

Water is off again this am.

One other thing- the video on my report shows a ton of dimpling and lots of midges in the air. That's the main reason I posted it, to show the activity.

Forgot to mention- my finder said the water temp was 54 Yesterday. That's 8-10 degrees cooler than just a few days ago. No reason to think it was incorrect but it doesn't make much sense. It shouldn't be cooling down that fast. But I'll take it all the same.

DD= didn't see you on the lake. Sounds like we should have crossed paths. The trout where we were just wouldn't look at hardly anything we were throwing. I did not try a crackleback though. Thought about it. There are tons of light sow bug and scuds all over the place on the flats below Lookout. The trout were rummaging around in the gravel close to the bank- some with their backs out of the water. I usually can fool them then they're feeding like that but they had he baffled tonight.

Report and video on http://ozarkanglers.com

Lead story on OA's homepage. That's where I post news items. If you're not watching the homepage, you're missing out.

Tom J, Linc and myself boated to the dam yesterday about 3 pm and drifted jigs. 1/8th oz sculpin was the best. White didn't work. All rainbows- some small and some medium (14-15 inch). Hitting light- hard to feel the strike. Missed a bunch. Drifted to the boat ramp a few times and then on down thru the flats. Today no generation. I'm going out with Linc to wade the shallow side of the lake below Lookout here in a little bit. Will report back.

Good one, slusaluki with 222 posts.