Not Good News as to the Health of the Rivers

[Danoinark]

From the Baxter Bulletin:

Area trout less healthy, report says

JOANNE BRATTON

Bulletin Staff Writer

Trout weight has decreased in Bull Shoals and Norfork tailwaters due to water conditions below the dams, according to a report released this week by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission.

The study released by the agency's fisheries management division outlines the conditions of both tailwaters, or the areas below the dams, through results of a fish health assessment in November. Biologists determine favorable or unfavorable water conditions by studying visible changes in trout organs.

Biologists have conducted the survey since 1996 to study the effects of low dissolved oxygen content in the tailwaters, according to commission officials. Oxygen dissolved in water is necessary for aquatic organisms and is an indicator of water quality.

Low dissolved oxygen can affect trout through growth, health, feeding rates and mortality, according to the report.

The 2006 report shows better water quality and higher oxygen content below the Bull Shoals Dam compared to the Norfork Dam. Rainbow trout below the Bull Shoals Dam were in better condition than in 2005, but brown trout weighed less than in previous years, according to the report.

Below the Norfork Dam, brook trout were more affected than brown trout, according to the report. The report stated it could be because brook trout live year-round with the low dissolved oxygen content below the dam , while the brown trout migrate to the area in October.

The state standard for oxygenated water is 6 parts per million. In Norfork Lake, the dissolved oxygen gauge readings from October to November show dissolved oxygen was at 0 parts per million at times, according to the report. In November, the commission discovered about 80 dead trout as the result of low dissolved oxygen.

The report indicated lower trout weight in Bull Shoals could be the result of an increasing density of an algae known as didymo. The algae was found in the Bull Shoals tailwater in 2004 and shortly after was found in Norfork Lake.

Biologists say while a direct relationship between the weight loss and algae cannot be established until further studies are done, the algae likely was the cause.

Another factor for the declining weight of trout below the Norfork Dam was the increased amount of sediment input from the Overlook Estates development, the report stated. Development of the subdivision above the North Fork River near the dam has stopped. The Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality is suing the development company, Yellville-based Homeport Land Co., for not installing proper erosion controls and not having a required permit. The company satisfied ADEQ requirements in June but after an August rain, the erosion controls were washed away and ADEQ filed the lawsuit.

Low dissolved oxygen is the result of dams creating reservoirs from the river, said Darrell Bowman, trout management supervisor with the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission.

In early summer, the lakes begin to stratify as the sun warms the upper layer of water. Organic material such as leaves and dead fish eventually collect at the bottom of the reservoir, taking oxygen out of the water, he said. In the fall or early winter the lakes "turn over," or mix, which eliminate the thermal layers.

The rivers receive the water with the lowest dissolved oxygen content because the dams pull water out of the bottom of the lake, where natural decomposition takes place. This results in water with low oxygen content being moved into the river, he said.

To help the issue, the U.S. Corps of Engineers and Southwestern Power Administration pulses the water, allowing it to aerate during periods of non-generation to keep water oxygenated, Bowman said.

Other ways to aerate the water, such as a paddle wheel or minimum flow technology, would have to come from the U.S. Congress, which allots money to the U.S. Corps of Engineers, Corps officials have said.

jobratton@baxterbulletin.com

[snagged in outlet 3]

They could have saved the money they spent on the study and just ask guys who have fished these area's for years. The truth is these fisheries are on the decline and have been for a few years. This is all relative to what it was 15 years ago.

Natural systems have a tendency to hide problems until they are at a critical stage. I think this is what's happening in these tailwaters. Little didymo here, little low DO there, little runoff over there and people claiming it's not that bad. Then poof!!!!!!!!! All the sudden it's worse than expected.

Look at Wotton's Post on Wilson's board. "

"The average size of Bows at BSD zone being caught is around 12 to 14, with a low percentage of fish in the 15 to 18ins range. We are not seeing the large Bows in the 20 ins plus range we have in previous years, and l for one do not believe that there are many fish of that size there these days.

They certainly were not there this past backend. As we would normally expect, and l fished there more or less every day mid Sep to end of October, you do not see em, let alone catch them.

And l know how to do that if they are there.

Since the opening day at BSD,reports from the reliable guides l know that do not BS, we are looking at a 300 to 400 fish caught there, yes a few Browns in the 20 ins plus. The odd one or two in the 20 to 25 plus.

And that includes Steve, Jimmy, and a few others, along with myself.

It is wrong to promote the fact that the so called shad kill is going to give the opportunity for visitors who come to fish here the chances of hooking into trophy trout on a regular basis, it ain't gonna happen, end of story, sure you may get lucky and nail a good one, a 20ins plus fish, which by any normal standards is a very good fish in any river system in the country."

Finally a guide that steps out and tells the truth.

SIO3

[Danoinark]

Excellent post snagged. I for one hate to be skeptical, but I feel the Norfork Tailwater may never recover.

Because of the toxcitiy of Norfork lake I am not sure the river will ever be anything but a dying ecosystem.

Norfork was the first impoundment and is the first to show the signs of being in despair.

Dano

[snagged in outlet 3]

Thanks Dano.

I wish I would have known it was you the last time I was at Quarry. It was in October and you were sitting on the picnic table with another guy right down at the water's edge. My buddy and I walked right in front of you. Wasn't until I got home and read your post concerning the sulfur smell that I realized it was you. Man did it stink down there or what?

Hope to meet you one day.

SIO3.

[Crippled Caddis]

SIO3,

I was the other one with Dano that day---the tall, ugly one. I too wish we could have talked. Dano and I were discussing the ultimate fate of the river in light of what we have witnessed over the past 30 years and could smell that day.

Dano is correct---the future doesn't appear bright for a river that only a scant few years ago was considered to be the premier big Brown trout producer in the entire world. Within a period of a very few months in the late '80s it produced two new world records only to be eclipsed by the 40#+ behemoth from the 'Lil Red in '92.

In one respect we have only ourselves to blame. A few, such as Fox Statler, started warning us nearly a decade ago that the Norfork's health was in decline, but almost to a man we denied it. Certainly the lodges and guides did so in fear of a decline in business, but I think we were all in denial to some extent. Anathema was heaped upon the heads of those who spoke up concerning the river's declining health and they were viewed as 'Chicken Littles'. Their prescience has now been finally recognized---everywhere except where recognition might produce results----the business communities that are completely dependent on continued growth of the local economy which is in large measure fueled by the tourism and population growth that the fishery has brought to the region.

Until the business community becomes convinced that they stand to lose the almost $60M per annum credited to the Norfork fishery by AGFC surveys in 2003 nothing is going to happen. The group or individual who can make that happen will be the hero in this on-going saga of official neglect by the agencies charged with the fiduciary responsibilities to the public for maintaining the health of the river.

[snagged in outlet 3]

Hey Crip.

We were on our annual camping trip that weekend and we had some guys that just recently started fishing the White and Norfork. Of course to them, compared to Bennett Spring, it is an awesome fishery. But I kept telling them how it used to be years ago when we started the trip.

The guy I started going on the trip with was so disappointed in the fishing this year that he said we should start looking around for something better. He commented that it was hardly worth the 4.5 hour drive and the gas money to come down anymore. In addition to the decline in fishing, throw in the overcrowding and the closing of McC's and Mountain Home is losing it's allure as a destination.

SIO3

[John Berry]

I was also amazed by the raw honesty in Davy's post. I also feel that there are possibly more problems than we can handle. At the present, it looks like a bleak future for our fishery.

[Crippled Caddis]

SIO3 wrote:

<The guy I started going on the trip with was so disappointed in the fishing this year that he said we should start looking around for something better. He commented that it was hardly worth the 4.5 hour drive and the gas money to come down anymore. In addition to the decline in fishing, throw in the overcrowding and the closing of McC's and Mountain Home is losing it's allure as a destination.>

Would that the reporter who wrote the article Dano posted that initiated this thread could see your words. They encapsulate in a paragraph the fate of the North central Arkansas economy when the public loses the perception of big fish in the Norfork. What the non-fishing public and 'powers-that-be' fail to understand is that it is that PERCEPTION, reality be da**ed, that fuels area growth. Once the perception is lost then the $ will quit flowing into the local economy.

I'm going to be brutally honest and very politically incorrect with the next statement, but neither detracts from the basic truth. That segment of the public that pursues the perception of trout of legendary proportions is in the upper segment of those with significant disposable income to allow them pursuit of their Holy Grail of fishing. They are the ones who patronize the lodging, eateries, guides, flyshops and other businesses that caters to the visiting angler of above average means. It is their wives who feed local antique dealers, tourist attractions and other businesses with their cash and credit cards. And they are the ones who come here to retire bringing transfers of their wealth to area banks. Banks whose growth has exploded to the point of doubling the number of branches in the last decade. If---or perhaps I should say when, we lose the confidence of that segment of the angling public we'll hear the slamming of doors as those branches fail. 'Joe Local' isn't going to save them with his purchases of a can of Niblets, a dozen splitshot and a 6 pack. There is no elitism intended or implied with that statement---"Just the facts Ma'am" as Joe Friday often said. Certainly those in my own economic sphere can't take up the slack.

The only salvation of the fishery lies in getting that message across to the business and political community before it is too late. Some fear that date lies in the past.

[Terry Beeson]

It's a pretty sad tale when those who have travelled far to fish there for years are starting to look for other places to go due to the decline they have seen in the fishery... I've heard the same tale from several long-time lovers of the White and Norfork.

Honestly, I realize it is a two-edged sword, but I think more of you guys who guide need to start speaking out as bluntly as Davy... and doing it more publicly... Not to say any particular one has or has not... I just would think it would be more "valuable" if a "bunch" of White River system guides along with resort owners and others who make their living from these trout would speak publicly about the demise of the fishery.

Of course, that comes from someone who does not make his living guiding on the river... So take my opinion for what it's worth... and that ain't much...

[snagged in outlet 3]

Hey Crip.

Send a link to this thread to Joanne the staff writer. Also tell her this. Here is a partial list of what some of the guys do for a living that goes on our trip. Most stayed Thursady to Sunday. We had 15 guys this year. 2 flew in from New York.

Doctors

Dentist

Software engineers

Sales directors

Business owners

Cops

Car dealer

Airline pilot

Bond portfolio manager

We always play golf at Big Creek. Eat out several times. This year we were there during the World Series and we are from St. Lou so you know we went to the bar every night. Out of state licenses. Some guys rented a trailer at Gene's. Everybody rented boats at least one day. I couldn't put a number on beer sales. Food, gas, firewood and campsite fees. Many trips to the fly shop. I think you get the idea.

SIO3