Northshore Trout Unlimited Site Map:
The President’s Cast
By Chris Tompkins
Carcass Project Update
Special thanks goes out to all our Northshore Chapter members who
helped make our salmon carcass project a big success
this year. We delivered
approximately 10,000 lbs. of Coho carcasses to the three streams that were
chosen. The project goal is to enhance three tributaries (Trout Creek, Lost
Creek, and Troublesome Creek) of the NF Skykomish with salmon carcasses for
added nutrients.
Historically, adult salmon returned on their own and completed
the life cycle by reproducing and dying in the same stream where
they were born. Now, with fewer adult salmon returning to their native
streams, most Pacific Northwest streams do not have the nutrients needed to
sustain juvenile salmonids. Fish carcass distribution programs help
reintroduce some of those essential nutrients back into the food web. The
enrichment project is intended to bolster ocean-derived nutrients in areas
of the basin with these deceased adult hatchery salmon.
Research studies in other areas of the Northwest, Canada, and
Alaska have shown positive benefits to the aquatic environment
through this type of nutrient enhancement. Salmon carcasses provide a
significant amount of the nutrients, which feed stream life.
The process is especially important for young juvenile salmon and
steelhead. By using hatchery
carcasses, the Northshore chapter will directly benefit wild populations of
stream-rearing salmon, steelhead, and resident fish, as well as provide
benefits to wildlife inhabiting the area.
It was great to get a good turniout of members for these events
and there seemed to be a lot of excitement generated for the
outings. The job was a bit
smelly, but f also fun. It’s great to know we are really helping wild
salmon and steelhead with these nutrient supplements. The chapter plans to
continue this program for the next five years.
We will be talking with the hatchery personal and WDFW to see if we
can expand our project next year to include 2 more streams in the area.
For more information, or to volunteer to help next year contact Chris
Tompkins (206) 362-6358,
Washington Council-TU
Announces
2004 NW Youth Conservation
and Fly-fishing Academy
By Dick Nye, Olympia
Chapter
The Washington Council-Trout Unlimited announces the establishment of its
Northwest Youth Conservation and Fly-Fishing Academy to be held from
Monday, July 5 to Saturday, July 10, 2004. The Academy will be located on
Hicks Lake at the Gwinwood Conference Center in Lacey, Washington. Its
purpose is to educate youth about the importance of coldwater conservation
and resource stewardship.
Thirty-two youth, ages 14 to 18, who show an interest in
resource stewardship and fly-fishing will be selected to attend the Academy.
The Academy will be coeducational with acceptance based upon the
recommendation of applicant’s school science teacher or counselor and an
essay indicating his/her desire attend.
Applicants need not be experienced anglers. Applications must be received
by April 15, 2004. Total cost, including meals and lodging, is $275.
Fly-fishing rods, reels, and fly-tying equipment will be made available.
Why a Youth Conservation and Fly-Fishing Academy?
Recognizing the critical need for a new generation of
educated, concerned, and dedicated stewards of our natural resources,
delegates to the July 2000 Trout Unlimited National Convention adopted an
initiative to promote youth resource stewardship education nationwide. The
Washington Council-Trout Unlimited, in response to the nationwide
initiative, is establishing the 2004 Northwest Youth Conservation and
Fly-Fishing Academy.
The sport of fly-fishing is an ideal vehicle for educating
youth about stewardship and to ascertain a positive future for our coldwater
resources. It is an activity that can immerse one in nature and bring about
a passion for the care and respect of all our natural resources.
Academy students will graduate with an understanding,
appreciation, and awareness of Washington's coldwater resources and habitat
of trout and salmonids. In addition, they will develop essential fly-fishing
skills, knowledge of outdoor ethics, and an awareness of sport
fishing opportunities in Washington State. The Academy experience will
truly prepare its participants to become the next generation of resource
stewards and future leaders in conservation. Youth
interested in attending the academy should contact:
Dick Nye, Organizing Chair
2004 Northwest Youth Conservation and Fly-fishing Academy
C/o Olympia Chapter, Trout Unlimited
P.O. Box 7708 Olympia, Washington 98507
Academy Highlights
•Academy
is coeducational
•Fundamental
science classes in ecology, hydrology, aquatic entomology, trout behavior,
fisheries management,and politics of conservation.
•Fly-fishing
classes include gear selection, fly casting, fly-tying, streamside ethics
and etiquette, knot tying, reading the water, and water safety.
•Fly-fishing
opportunities on scenic Hicks Lake and the Deschutes River.
•Hands-on
experience with stream habitat enhancement project.
•On-the-water
aquatic invertebrate sampling activity.
•Faculty
and staff include wildlife resource professionals and noted Northwest
fly-fishing and fly-tying professionals and enthusiasts.
•Career
discovery opportunities.
•Academy
sponsored by Washington Council-Trout Unlimited and hosted by the Olympia
Chapter.
Is it a Dolly or a Bull Trout?
These photos help to define
the visual difference. The top photo is a Dolly Varden. Note that the fish
is brighter, its head smaller, and the mouth doesn’t extend past the eye.
The lower photo is a Bull Trout, with much darker coloration, a much larger
head, and the mouth extending noticeably past the eye.
A 1998 Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Study
found 80 Bull Trout/Dolly Varden populations
in the State. Of these, 14 (18%) were listed as healthy, 2 (3%) were in poor
condition, 6 (8%) were in critical condition, with the status of 58 (72%)
being unknown.
Human activities that degrade Bull Trout habitat include:
disturbing spawning and rearing areas
through mineral prospecting, dredging, and allowing farm animals into
rivers; egg-smothering siltation from road building; water withdrawals, and
removing water-cooling shade through logging and agriculture.