Danoinark Posted May 2, 2007 Posted May 2, 2007 Baxter Bulletin... AGFC studies death of large trout CHANDRA HUSTON Bulletin Staff Writer COTTER — Arkansas Game and Fish Commission officials are studying the death of a near record-breaking brown trout in the White River. The 37.5-inch long fish was found struggling Monday evening by a guest at Rainbow Drive Resort. Resort workers tried to save the trout, but it later died. The trout weighed 32 pounds after its death, and its girth measured 28 inches. AGFC fisheries technician Eli Powers said the fish could have lost weight after dying. Powers said the fish is one of the biggest to come out of the White River. The largest brown trout caught in Arkansas was 40 pounds, 4 ounces, according to AGFC records. The trout was caught in the Little Red River in 1992. Biologists are trying to determine if warm water temperatures and low oxygen content led to the trout's death. Heather Crunkleton, Rainbow Resort owner, said other dead fish have been found over the past few days. "You can't have 70-degree water and expect trout to survive," she said. Crunkleton said the fish was found after five days of no generation at Bull Shoals Dam. Powers said the water temperature near the North Fork River after some generation Tuesday was 68 degrees. Powers said there's no exact way to tell how old the trout was, but he estimates it could be 12 to 15 years old. "Boy, I hate to see a fish like that die," he said, measuring the massive trout. "That's amazing." Powers said an initial examination of the fish discovered no parasites or obvious signs of trauma. He said the fish appeared healthy. He said the trout could have died because of the high water temperatures and low oxygen or it could have died from age. Powers spent most of Tuesday scouring the river for signs of other dead trout. chuston@baxterbulletin.com Readers comments looks like this trout should have spent more time on the little trout treadmill. maybe he just dropped dead of a little fishy heart attack. they need to do whatever necessary to keep the river healthy. why is there a discussion about minimum flow? just do it. nobody could possibly take a position that chokes out the river. Posted by: davedigger on Wed May 02, 2007 6:28 am -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Have the lights been turned on yet? Have any red flags been raised yet? Do we all need to knock on our own heads and say, "Gee, if we had mimimum flow in the tailwaters, would this trout have survived?!" The full heat of the summer is not even here yet and the river/s are already experiencing elevated temperatures and low oxygen. How many more trout have to die before we say OOOOPPPPPPSSSSSSS!!!!!!!! Lets get minimum flow on the agenda for this coming June-July-August for both Norfork and Bull Shoals Tailwaters. I have always said to my children, "If you don't try to accomplish something, then you have lost the battle without knowing". So, who out there in God's country has the powers to flip the switch up?! Scott F. Sillence Gene's Trout Fishing Resort North Fork River Posted by: genes on Wed May 02, 2007 6:16 am -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I think that the old saying goes, "We are our own worst enemy!" True the lack of generators and depth of the water will lead to warmer water which the trout have a hard time surviving in. Global warming is also hitting us like never before with record breaking temperatures and glacier melting at a record pace. There is also more building along the rivers as never before just so residents can live with the view, rather than visit it's beauty. We are killing the river with all the sedimentation being dumped into it's river from all the construction of new roads and homes along the river. It's no wonder that these beautiful fish cannot continue to survive. We all need to take a look at this situation and see how we can help preserve the river before all of its natural beauty and habitat are all gone. Once it's gone, we can never get it back. Respectfully, Pam Evans Alma, AR Posted by: orensnanna on Wed May 02, 2007 6:14 am -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Poor fishes! It's terrible when man's involvement with nature causes such stress upon their ecosystem. I certainly hope we don't see a notice that this resort is hosting a fish-fry this week.... Posted by: craftylady on Wed May 02, 2007 6:11 am -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Post a Comment View All Comments Here is the url for the pictures and story to follow the readers comments. http://www.baxterbulletin.com/apps/pbcs.dl...1/705020314/-1/ Glass Has Class "from the laid back lane in the Arkansas Ozarks"
Terry Beeson Posted May 2, 2007 Posted May 2, 2007 I certainly hope we don't see a notice that this resort is hosting a fish-fry this week.... Posted by: craftylady on Wed May 02, 2007 6:11 am Can you say "moron?" While this is a sad story and might bring more attention for the need to make some improvements to the tail water systems, the fact remains that fish do die of natural causes. I'll be anxious to see if this is the case here or if they can "prove" that high water temps or low O2 had an effect. TIGHT LINES, YA'LL "There he stands, draped in more equipment than a telephone lineman, trying to outwit an organism with a brain no bigger than a breadcrumb, and getting licked in the process." - Paul O’Neil
WebFreeman Posted May 2, 2007 Posted May 2, 2007 Terry, you are too kind. But I must say, I love the taste of old, decaying fish fried to perfection. Mmm-mmm good! “Many go fishing all their lives without knowing that it is not fish they are after.” — Henry David Thoreau Visit my web site @ webfreeman.com for information on freelance web design.
Root Admin Phil Lilley Posted May 2, 2007 Root Admin Posted May 2, 2007 I get a kick out of people sometimes... Terry's right. They don't grow much bigger so- duh!! It died of old age! Blame global warming??? Our water is COLD cause it was a COLD winter and I think we just had THE COLDEST April on record- nationally. Not disputing the earth in general is warming but I hate the political agendas!
Terry Beeson Posted May 2, 2007 Posted May 2, 2007 I think he died of a combination of high gas prices and the war in Iraq... OH... and the lack of medical care for economically challenged trout... TIGHT LINES, YA'LL "There he stands, draped in more equipment than a telephone lineman, trying to outwit an organism with a brain no bigger than a breadcrumb, and getting licked in the process." - Paul O’Neil
mcp633 Posted May 2, 2007 Posted May 2, 2007 You guys are too funny! If you don't stand behind our troops, please feel free to stand in front of them
Steve Smith Posted May 2, 2007 Posted May 2, 2007 I think he died of a combination of high gas prices and the war in Iraq... Bush's fault then? LOL ___________________________ AKA Flysmith - Cassville MO
Gavin Posted May 2, 2007 Posted May 2, 2007 No its Dick Cheney's fault I hear he fly fishes with a can of corn in his vest.
Terry Beeson Posted May 2, 2007 Posted May 2, 2007 Hmmmm... then again... knowing some of my wife's kinfolks down that way... Did anyone check the fish for gunshot wounds? And if I want my wife to know I said that... I'll tell her myself!!!... Then again... she'd just agree... TIGHT LINES, YA'LL "There he stands, draped in more equipment than a telephone lineman, trying to outwit an organism with a brain no bigger than a breadcrumb, and getting licked in the process." - Paul O’Neil
skeeter Posted May 2, 2007 Posted May 2, 2007 Looks like a sure case of " Trout Obesity " to me. How close is the nearest McDonald's ? Only half kidding here, for a ginamous trout that fish had some weird proportions. Darn shame no one could have tied into it and them told the story of hooking the HMS Queen Elizabeth II as it swam away and spooled you !
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