Yesterday I checked one stream that I have not fished since summer. I am fairly concerned about it, I did not spook or hook any fish there. I caught one brook trout all day in another stream that also took a big hit this year. This could be just a bad year. But science tells us otherwise... this could very well be the beginning of the end of wild brook trout in CT. That end may be as much as 200 years from now, but unless there is a serious change in the yearly rainfall and unless we start being more careful about the way we use water, it is something we must expect.
I'm really sorry to hear this. You are so right about how we need to be aware of how society is using water. Things need to be changed on a local and statewide level.
ReplyDeleteTie, fish, write and photo on...
States tend to fail in that regard. If we weren't about to have the dumbest president in history, water regulation would have to be national.
DeleteDisruption of regional rain fall patterns, both drought and floods, are a manifestation of climate change. Anglers need to be informed and advocate sound policy to address the threat to our cold water fisheries.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree more.
DeleteI fished a stream today for perhaps 3 plus hours. I had a couple of hook-ups and that was it. The stream is one of the most productive streams I've fished this year...where did the fish go in one week.
ReplyDeleteI have an intensive photo journal....and as far back as 5 years ago the stream I fished Tuesday looks the same as it did 5 years ago.
I don't know what the reason for low rainfall, but I do know I'm not ready to jump on a band wagon that may not true....
Some streams are safer than others. I've watched one small stream dry up entirely this year, and nearly entirely last year. The residents that live around it say they have never seen this before. That stream's entire fish population was killed this year, a population that has existed for thousands of years. Besides, even if the bandwagon turned out not to be true, wouldn't leaning on the side of caution be better anyway? Preventing developments from raping the aquifers and taking precautions to avoid further effecting the climate are beneficial whether or not climate change is the cause of this.
DeletePreventing developments from raping the aquifers and taking precautions to avoid further effecting the climate are beneficial whether or not climate change is the cause of this.
Delete"Bingo" now who's going to be the first....
This seems to be a common theme I've heard from people all over the country. Here's hoping there is no long term damage.
ReplyDeleteUnless we make big changes damage is inevitable.
DeleteI live in the greater Boston area. The drought this year is like nothing I've seen since I've been fishing. I can't imagine the lasting effects of this on the dwindling wild brook trout populations in the area. I wonder about how (if ever) they can repopulate. I'm also always surprised at how productive Brk Trt seems to be in his home waters (judging by his blog) despite the drought. There doesn't seem to be much impact judging by that.
ReplyDeleteWe now have an EPA Chief who doesn't believe in climate change...so, there's that to look forward to.
That is a big part of the issue, certain watersheds are being effected more severely than others. I've fished a lot of the streams that Alan fishes, and the one he is referring to in his comment isn't nearly as badly effected by dry years.
DeleteI would like to weigh in here with my two cents for what it is worth. I think that this drought and low water has had an effect on every brook, stream and river in Conn. When the Farmington River is reduced to minimal flows, we are in trouble. I think this has eben coming for many years and the last few summers with very little or no substantial rain has taken its toll on the trout, in all the rivers. As long a housing developments are allowed to be built in close proximity to our trout streams, we are going to see an effect on the aquifers. I can recall the upper Hammo, in the 1970's prior to being a TMA, had good flows all year round, and probably up until the 1990's when the McMansions were built all along the area where that river flows. Now you can probably walk across the upper river in sneakers and not get your feet wet. I don't know what the answer is but mankind are supposed to be the custodians of this earth, we better take cars!!
ReplyDeleteWhen UCONN had its new water system put in place it sucked a mile of the Natchaug River completely dry. There is no doubt that we are doing in our wild trout populations through thousands of tiny cuts.
DeleteI went to a TU meeting for my local Greater Boston Chapter where they had several speakers from different conservation groups speak. The most stunning was the speaker for the Ipswich River. The guy said he used to catch wild brookies there when he was a kid. In a good year, it's filled with bullheads now, and this year you could walk across it. They showed several pictures of wells dug within feet of the river to support all the housing growth. Millions of gallons get pulled out of it daily now. Completely unsustainable and irresponsible.
DeleteRM
ReplyDeleteTwo words should sum up why there is a decline in the wild brook trout there----"Climate Change"!!!! Thanks for sharing
Thanks Bill, that is something everyone should have excepted years ago!
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