Take it Easy on trout

[Ufatz]

Hey fellas, please take a look at my post in the fly fishing section. We have to take care of the resource. Thanks.

[Rugbyguy]

Just wanted to bring this post back to the top of the page. Most any trout caught on these hot days from warmer than usual water will most likely die, even if you watch it swim away. Hopefully, with some more rain and cooler temperatures our streams will get closer to normal levels and temperatures for this time of year. Until then, I'd recommend going after some smallies, peak of the summer for brozebacks right now.

[monkplunk1]

Great point, and one I do not see emphasized enough. MN and WI are some of the only states that do not restrict fishing for trout during periods of warm weather.

I sent an email to Bentley's asking they post a message similar to yours on their reports page, but have yet to hear back. I guess they do not want to suggest to their clients not to fish, ie buy items from them, etc.. Thanks again for the reminder!

[monkplunk1]

Received a response from Bentley's - thanks Andy. Although I do not agree with the assertions made I think it's admirable that ANdy responded quickly and confirmed that he too is concerned about the welfare of trout during the dog days.

My final reply:

Thanks Andy. While certainly not apples to apples there is not a spring creek in either WI nor MN not affected by prolonged heat and drought. I have taken readings recently on the Rush, Kinni, Whitewater (all branches), the Beaver and many others, as well as spoken to several folks more knowledgible than myself. As soon as one gets away from the springs temps rise dramatically. Also, fish are extremely vulnerable as they tend to stack up on these areas during these times. Also, ground water tables are severely low right now, which significantly limits their effectiveness when it comes to cooling entire watersheds.

The purpose of including the Blackfoot report was not intended to compare stream types, etc., rather to show what I feel is simply a different mind set in terms of summer conservation of cold water fisheries. While, I agree our spring creeks are less impacted I feel that there are several creeks/rivers that are significantly impacted by said heat. The streams I list above are all included. I certainly questions these so called experts on their assumptions. Anyway, thanks for taking the time to respond. Hopefully, fishers will take it upon themselves to go fish warm water for now.

Thanks!

On 8/4/06, Bentley's Outfitters <[email protected]> wrote:

Thanks for the comments and the concerne. I have spoken with many people

within the trout fishing community, from the local Wisconsin and

Minnesota DNR's to anglers, shop owners, and conservation groups around

the country about this very subject. The Midwest's Drift less Area is a

region with unique geology. The area is primarily old limestone sea

floor that is exposed and is rich with subsurface aquifers. These

aquifers (ground water) put forth a constant spring flow of water which

has been cooled by the earth. These springs stay relatively constant in

temperature summer and winter. That being said, the water does cool or

warm when it reaches the surface depending on the season. There in lies

the difference between our streams here, and the report you have sent me

from your old stomping grounds.

The streams in your report are all freestone streams based off mountain

snows. Once the snow is melted the streams referred to in the report

will cease to exist. They are much more affected by heat since the snows

are exposed to the surface sun, wind, and rain. The spring creeks are

not affected this way since their source of water is below ground and

protected. Remember we are much closer to sea level than the west and

water flows down hill. Temperatures on our spring creeks do warm during

these hot periods and as good stewards of the waters we should be

concerned about our trout when the temps get hot. According to the

experts, steps to close fishing during hot periods, weather voluntary or

mandatory has not been necessary.

Thanks

Andy

-----Original Message-----

To: [email protected]

Subject: Bentley's Outfitters Web Site Contact Form

The following information has been submitted from the Bentley's

Outfitters Web Site Contact Form

MN and WI are some of the only states not to, either

legally or voluntarily, restrict fishing during extreme warm periods. I

see you asking folks to play fish quickly, etc.. While good advice, it's

simply not enough during these dog days. Over the past month I have seen

many dead fish on streams as I drive over bridges, etc.. We, here in the

midwest, need to take a lesson from our friends in other states. Take a

look at the latest report from my old stomping grounds for example.

Thanks for your attention to this.

Blackfoot

8/3/2006

REPORTS: New mandatory hoot owl restrictions go into effect today on the

'foot. In addition to the no fishing between noon and midnight up here,

most of the tributaries will close TOTALLY to fishing. These include The

North Fork, Gold Creek, Montoure Creek, Belmont, Copper Creek, and the

Lander's Fork.

[Ufatz]

Huh? Whats this about "freestone streams....snowmelt...when it all runs off the streams dry up? Is that a joke? Has he ever SEEN the Blackfoot? Get your information from biologists, NOT fishing tackle sales people. Of course a pure spring fed creek will stay cooler, as long as you are reasonably close to the spring. I've fished a few thousand hours on Depuy's and Armstrongs and Nelsons an....you get the idea. Even they will warm some and the trout DO lay off.

I don't know who Andy is but he needs to talk to a good stream biologist familiar with salmonids.

Okay. Thats my last word. Take care of the trout. Thank you and good night.

[WxGuy]

This really is an apples to oranges thing, no doubt about that. The Blackfoot (a freestone river with its headwaters at Roger's Pass on the Continental Divide) tributaries are getting the afternoon restrictions because of water temperatures into the mid 70s. They had 13 days in July with temperatures in the 90s while typically they get around 7. In Rochester, we had 6 days 90 or above in July, and the hottest day was 93 at the middle of the month. We haven't broke any records, it hasn't been as hot in SE MN as it has in the Twin Cities and central MN, and our ground water is not severely low. So while some of the larger waters that have already been mentioned (Root, Zumbro, parts of the WW) have been running too warm for trout, it's not hot enough to shut down the streams, although the idea has been tossed around for some stream in Wisconsin.

On the warmest day of our latest heatwave, during the hottest part of the day, the highest temperature reading on one local, blue-ribbon spring creek was 66 degrees. That's about 10 degrees cooler than the streams being closed during the afternoons out west. The Spring Creeks of the Driftless do not just have one spring that feeds them, but have many springs that feed them, and the higher quality streams are chocked full of cold spring feeders. I fished a popular Fillmore county stream last year on a 90 degree day and the water temperature was 58 degrees. Just use your judgment, and use a thermometer. Upper 60s and above is too warm.

Yes, some streams have been too warm to fish for trout. Yes, the trout should get a break during the heatwaves. I am not advocating the abuse our coldwater species in any form or fashion. I'm just saying it's not all doom and gloom, and you don't have to throw away your gear for the rest of August. Hoppers are looking GREAT, btw.

Andy's comments regarding the Driftless were very good, and for the record, he's a very experienced midwest fly angler who runs a successful fly shop (hard to find someone who can make that business successful these days) and is far more than just a fishing tackle salesperson. He does know the local area and consults with people who know a lot more than he does (as we all should). No more discussion regarding his credentials is at all necessary here.

The Driftless truly is a gem and home to some very fine trout waters. It's a geographical area that is well worth doing some research on.

[Ufatz]

Okay. A couple final notes as I head out the door. WX guy is right of course, use your stream thermometer. My message was aimed people who don't know about or use them. I am not worried about or suggesting the closure of good spring creeks.A solid reading the in 60's is wonderful. What I AM concerned about is the streams where levels are low, fish are crammed into pools, and along comes somebody with a gob or worms or a Rapala and yards them out. I accept the statements that Andy is a good guy. Just don't tell me that the Blackfoot "runs off snow melt and then dries up." HA! And I will give the MT guides and outfitters credit. They impose resource saving restrictions on THEMSELVES. Thats money out of their pocket fellas. All I am asking is that we spread the message of moderation on trout in small streams. Smallmouth too for that matter, when waters get TOO warm. We all know what I'm talking about. Here comes Bubba with his bucket full of 26 trout he caught in "that one big ol' hole is loaded with 'em man." Okay. Relax. I am through preaching. But I've been at this stuff a long time and its hard to quit. I'm heading out now for some serious fishing. Popped a bass OVER 6 lbs yesterday on a popper made from the cork stopper out of a Wild Turkey 80 proof bottle and some white saddle hackles. Water temp was 72.4 No trout in sight.

[monkplunk1]

So while some of the larger waters that have already been mentioned (Root, Zumbro, parts of the WW) have been running too warm for trout, it's not hot enough to shut down the streams, although the idea has been tossed around for some stream in Wisconsin. How can the streams be running too warm for trout, but not enough to not fish said streams?

On the warmest day of our latest heatwave, during the hottest part of the day, the highest temperature reading on one local, blue-ribbon spring creek was 66 degrees. That's about 10 degrees cooler than the streams being closed during the afternoons out west. I hope you're not referring to Trout Run as it typically runs much cooler than surrounding streams. Also streams out west, or specifically in MT, are being closed when the water temp hits 70 over a sustained period.

While not calling for a mandatory closure, I do feel we here in the midwest need to be mindful of these temp variations. I have seen far too many dead fish over the last month to chalk it up to coincidence.

Thanks all, for discussion.

[WxGuy]

Quote:

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I hope you're not referring to Trout Run as it typically runs much cooler than surrounding streams. Also streams out west, or specifically in MT, are being closed when the water temp hits 70 over a sustained period.

While not calling for a mandatory closure, I do feel we here in the midwest need to be mindful of these temp variations. I have seen far too many dead fish over the last month to chalk it up to coincidence.

Thanks all, for discussion.

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Trout Run does have great springs. It's not the only one though.

You're absolutely right though, I do agree that we need to be very aware of temps and heatwaves, reference my previous comments...

Quote:

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Yes, some streams have been too warm to fish for trout. Yes, the trout should get a break during the heatwaves. I am not advocating the abuse our coldwater species in any form or fashion. I'm just saying it's not all doom and gloom, and you don't have to throw away your gear for the rest of August.

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I'm not trying to encourage any bad behaviour here.

On a climate note, while we didn't break any records (we did tie one day for the warmest low temperature) this past July in Rochester was the warmest in 32 years.