Out the window :
Friday, February 29, 2008
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Monday, February 11, 2008
Skunked on the Heart of Darkness
First time out with a fly rod this year.
The project work ended in the early afternoon Wednesday. So before we stared the 41 hour Thursday morning flight-wait-flight-wait-flight land in Chicago trip home we headed down to the river. The Niger ( pronounced kneejher ) flows about 10K south of Timbuktu, and it’s port village is Koriume. Rented a pirogue with driver for a short river cruise with our work gang.
The pirogue
The pirogue driver
Casting on the river
I of course had no idea what I was fishing for, or where, or anything. The scenery was interesting. The area around the port village was pretty dense with people. My guess is that it is heavily fished, netted, and trapped for the surrounding near kilometers. I didn’t have the time to really explore as the rest of crew were out for a cruise not a fish. Flyfishing: not a spectator sport.
Something sank here.
There was evidence of fish. This guy was throwing a net for the couple hours we were out on the river. His sum total catch.
Figured I’d leave you with this one. This is a fetish stand. I don’t think they eat the heads for bush meat, they use them for juju. Let me know if anyone needs any of this stuff as tying materials.
The project work ended in the early afternoon Wednesday. So before we stared the 41 hour Thursday morning flight-wait-flight-wait-flight land in Chicago trip home we headed down to the river. The Niger ( pronounced kneejher ) flows about 10K south of Timbuktu, and it’s port village is Koriume. Rented a pirogue with driver for a short river cruise with our work gang.
The pirogue
The pirogue driver
Casting on the river
I of course had no idea what I was fishing for, or where, or anything. The scenery was interesting. The area around the port village was pretty dense with people. My guess is that it is heavily fished, netted, and trapped for the surrounding near kilometers. I didn’t have the time to really explore as the rest of crew were out for a cruise not a fish. Flyfishing: not a spectator sport.
Something sank here.
There was evidence of fish. This guy was throwing a net for the couple hours we were out on the river. His sum total catch.
Figured I’d leave you with this one. This is a fetish stand. I don’t think they eat the heads for bush meat, they use them for juju. Let me know if anyone needs any of this stuff as tying materials.
Saturday, February 2, 2008
The Wisconsin Spring Hearings
Wisconsin has an interesting populist tradition.
They vote on matters of the environment and conservation.
Every spring they have conservation congress hearings.
Last year, a five year regulation on the Prairie River, which has a five mile section of special catch and release trout regulation, was reversed. This is year, due to lobbying by local conservation and fishing groups they are going to retest the vote.
An email to in support of the Prairie River regs to :
Laurie J. Ross
> Natural Resources Board Liaison
> Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
> (*) phone: (608) 267-7420
> (*) fax: (608) 266-6983
> (*) e-mail: Laurie.Ross@Wisconsin.gov
AS well as showing up at the spring congress is important.
All Wisconsin citizens can vote, or people who own property in Wisconsin.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
QUESTION 21 ¡V Prairie River trout regulations
Category 5 trout regulations on a short stretch of the Prairie River in Lincoln County have been the subject of considerable debate since they went into effect on April 1, 2003. The Department would like input on whether to keep these Category 5 regulations to allow for a full evaluation of whether they significantly increase the number of larger trout in that section of the river, or to eliminate these regulations and manage that section of the river as a Category 4 harvest fishery.
The questionnaire presented at the 2002 spring hearings included a proposal for a Category 5 regulation on five miles of the 44 mile long Prairie River among a package of statewide trout regulation revisions. The Category 5 regulation called for a 12-inch minimum size for brook trout, 18-inch minimum for brown trout, an aggregate daily bag limit of one trout, and use of artificial lures only on the stretch of river from R & H Road downstream to State Highway 17 in Lincoln County. The rest of the river retained a Category 4 designation with an 8-inch minimum size for brook trout and 12-inch minimum for brown trout, an aggregate daily bag limit of 3, and no gear restrictions.
The purpose of the Category 5 regulation was to increase opportunity to catch larger trout in a county with few special regulations. This reach of river was considered to be the most likely to be able to produce larger trout because of its forage base. More than 80% of the trout in this reach of the river are brook trout, with the remainder being brown trout. Artificial lures were required because hooking mortality with bait has been shown to be 10 times higher than with spinners or flies. The Category 5 proposal was approved at the 2002 spring hearings (64-18 in Lincoln Co. and 4,662-1,611 Statewide) and by the Natural Resources Board and went into effect for the 2003 season.
The Department routinely evaluates Category 5 trout regulations to determine if they are effective in producing larger trout fisheries. To be definitive, these evaluations must run for at least a generation of the fish species involved, and preferably longer. In the Prairie River that would be 5-7 years for brook trout and 6-8 years for brown trout. In the first 4 years of the regulation, preliminary population data have shown a 135% increase in the numbers of brook trout over 10 inches in the protected reach. There has not been an increase in brown trout, but for both species the regulation has not been in effect long enough to determine whether it is meeting its management objectives.
However, some local landowners and fishermen would prefer to see the fishery managed as a consumptive fishery rather than a fishery managed for larger trout, regardless of the potential positive effects of more restrictive regulations. A resolution requesting a return to Category 4 harvest regulations was approved by a vote of 69-6 at the 2004 Lincoln County spring hearing, and after a series of public meetings Department staff agreed to ask the Natural Resources Board to consider this resolution after allowing for a 5 year evaluation of the Category 5 regulations.
The Department recommends that the Category 5 regulations be retained through the 2010 season to allow for a 5 year evaluation of whether it will meet the management objective of developing a larger trout fishery. At that time the Natural Resources Board can determine whether to permanently institute these Category 5 regulations based on results of the evaluation, or begin an evaluation of the Category 4 alternative.
Action of the Natural Resources Board is required before the 2009 season for the Category 5 regulations to be in effect. If the Category 5 regulations are not approved by the Natural Resources Board, then this stretch of the river will automatically revert to Category 4 regulations (aggregate daily bag limit of 3 trout, 12¡¨ minimum size limit on brown and rainbow trout; 8¡¨ minimum size limit on brook trout, no bait restriction) starting with the 2009 season.
„« Do you favor Category 5 trout regulations (aggregate daily bag limit of 1 trout; 18¡¨ minimum size limit on brown trout; 12¡¨ minimum size limit on brook and rainbow trout; artificial lures only) on the Prairie River in Lincoln County from R & H Road downstream to STH 17 (5 miles) through the 2010 season? At that time the Natural Resources Board can determine whether to permanently institute these Category 5 regulations based on results of the evaluation, or begin an evaluation of the Category 4 alternative. This will allow a full evaluation of the regulation and the capacity of this stretch of river to grow larger trout.
21. Yes ___ No ____ "
So not only will we need people to email in support of the emergency extension, we'll need people to go to the spring hearings.
They vote on matters of the environment and conservation.
Every spring they have conservation congress hearings.
Last year, a five year regulation on the Prairie River, which has a five mile section of special catch and release trout regulation, was reversed. This is year, due to lobbying by local conservation and fishing groups they are going to retest the vote.
An email to in support of the Prairie River regs to :
Laurie J. Ross
> Natural Resources Board Liaison
> Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
> (*) phone: (608) 267-7420
> (*) fax: (608) 266-6983
> (*) e-mail: Laurie.Ross@Wisconsin.gov
AS well as showing up at the spring congress is important.
All Wisconsin citizens can vote, or people who own property in Wisconsin.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
QUESTION 21 ¡V Prairie River trout regulations
Category 5 trout regulations on a short stretch of the Prairie River in Lincoln County have been the subject of considerable debate since they went into effect on April 1, 2003. The Department would like input on whether to keep these Category 5 regulations to allow for a full evaluation of whether they significantly increase the number of larger trout in that section of the river, or to eliminate these regulations and manage that section of the river as a Category 4 harvest fishery.
The questionnaire presented at the 2002 spring hearings included a proposal for a Category 5 regulation on five miles of the 44 mile long Prairie River among a package of statewide trout regulation revisions. The Category 5 regulation called for a 12-inch minimum size for brook trout, 18-inch minimum for brown trout, an aggregate daily bag limit of one trout, and use of artificial lures only on the stretch of river from R & H Road downstream to State Highway 17 in Lincoln County. The rest of the river retained a Category 4 designation with an 8-inch minimum size for brook trout and 12-inch minimum for brown trout, an aggregate daily bag limit of 3, and no gear restrictions.
The purpose of the Category 5 regulation was to increase opportunity to catch larger trout in a county with few special regulations. This reach of river was considered to be the most likely to be able to produce larger trout because of its forage base. More than 80% of the trout in this reach of the river are brook trout, with the remainder being brown trout. Artificial lures were required because hooking mortality with bait has been shown to be 10 times higher than with spinners or flies. The Category 5 proposal was approved at the 2002 spring hearings (64-18 in Lincoln Co. and 4,662-1,611 Statewide) and by the Natural Resources Board and went into effect for the 2003 season.
The Department routinely evaluates Category 5 trout regulations to determine if they are effective in producing larger trout fisheries. To be definitive, these evaluations must run for at least a generation of the fish species involved, and preferably longer. In the Prairie River that would be 5-7 years for brook trout and 6-8 years for brown trout. In the first 4 years of the regulation, preliminary population data have shown a 135% increase in the numbers of brook trout over 10 inches in the protected reach. There has not been an increase in brown trout, but for both species the regulation has not been in effect long enough to determine whether it is meeting its management objectives.
However, some local landowners and fishermen would prefer to see the fishery managed as a consumptive fishery rather than a fishery managed for larger trout, regardless of the potential positive effects of more restrictive regulations. A resolution requesting a return to Category 4 harvest regulations was approved by a vote of 69-6 at the 2004 Lincoln County spring hearing, and after a series of public meetings Department staff agreed to ask the Natural Resources Board to consider this resolution after allowing for a 5 year evaluation of the Category 5 regulations.
The Department recommends that the Category 5 regulations be retained through the 2010 season to allow for a 5 year evaluation of whether it will meet the management objective of developing a larger trout fishery. At that time the Natural Resources Board can determine whether to permanently institute these Category 5 regulations based on results of the evaluation, or begin an evaluation of the Category 4 alternative.
Action of the Natural Resources Board is required before the 2009 season for the Category 5 regulations to be in effect. If the Category 5 regulations are not approved by the Natural Resources Board, then this stretch of the river will automatically revert to Category 4 regulations (aggregate daily bag limit of 3 trout, 12¡¨ minimum size limit on brown and rainbow trout; 8¡¨ minimum size limit on brook trout, no bait restriction) starting with the 2009 season.
„« Do you favor Category 5 trout regulations (aggregate daily bag limit of 1 trout; 18¡¨ minimum size limit on brown trout; 12¡¨ minimum size limit on brook and rainbow trout; artificial lures only) on the Prairie River in Lincoln County from R & H Road downstream to STH 17 (5 miles) through the 2010 season? At that time the Natural Resources Board can determine whether to permanently institute these Category 5 regulations based on results of the evaluation, or begin an evaluation of the Category 4 alternative. This will allow a full evaluation of the regulation and the capacity of this stretch of river to grow larger trout.
21. Yes ___ No ____ "
So not only will we need people to email in support of the emergency extension, we'll need people to go to the spring hearings.
Sunday, January 13, 2008
A good start to 2008
Michigan DNR Refuses to Lease State-owned Land to a Risky Mine in the Upper Peninsula
MARQUETTE, MICH. (January 10)—The National Wildlife Federation today applauded Michigan Department of Natural Resources Director Rebecca Humphries for refusing to lease State-owned land for a controversial proposed mine in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.
“The DNR has made the right decision to not rubber stamp a risky mine that has proven deadly to rivers, streams and communities all over the world,” said Michelle Halley, National Wildlife Federation attorney. “It’s not worth the risk to our economy, health and way of life.”
The Department of Natural Resources declined to make a decision on a land lease after the mining company, Kennecott Eagle Minerals Company, failed to provide information that the agency requested, including response plans in the event of a mine collapse or groundwater contamination that could result from acid mine drainage.
“There is no good reason for the state to allow a foreign-owned company to fence off public land for an indefinite number of years,” said Halley. “The DNR is to be applauded for acting on behalf of citizens and the long-term future of Michigan.”
The land lease application would have allowed Kennecott Eagle Minerals Company to construct surface facilities for a sulfide mining operation on state-owned property in northwestern Marquette County. The property, located on the Yellow Dog Plains, is currently a popular choice for hunting, fishing, wildlife viewing, berry picking and other public uses.
“I commend the DNR for not turning a blind eye to the deficiencies in Kennecott’s permit and having the courage to not automatically green-light a permit to allow this risky mine to move forward,” said Cynthia Pryor, executive director of Yellow Dog Watershed Preserve
Opponents of the land lease noted that it was unprecedented for the State of Michigan to allow an open-ended lease for private corporate gain, particularly when the proposed use was likely to result in long-term pollution.
In addition to possibly finding a new site for surface facilities, further obstacles prevent Kennecott from constructing the mine. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency notified Kennecott in 2006 that an additional permit would be required by the federal agency. Lawsuits and contested cases have been filed against the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality for issuing permits allowing the sulfide mine.
For Immediate Release:
January 10, 2008
MARQUETTE, MICH. (January 10)—The National Wildlife Federation today applauded Michigan Department of Natural Resources Director Rebecca Humphries for refusing to lease State-owned land for a controversial proposed mine in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.
“The DNR has made the right decision to not rubber stamp a risky mine that has proven deadly to rivers, streams and communities all over the world,” said Michelle Halley, National Wildlife Federation attorney. “It’s not worth the risk to our economy, health and way of life.”
The Department of Natural Resources declined to make a decision on a land lease after the mining company, Kennecott Eagle Minerals Company, failed to provide information that the agency requested, including response plans in the event of a mine collapse or groundwater contamination that could result from acid mine drainage.
“There is no good reason for the state to allow a foreign-owned company to fence off public land for an indefinite number of years,” said Halley. “The DNR is to be applauded for acting on behalf of citizens and the long-term future of Michigan.”
The land lease application would have allowed Kennecott Eagle Minerals Company to construct surface facilities for a sulfide mining operation on state-owned property in northwestern Marquette County. The property, located on the Yellow Dog Plains, is currently a popular choice for hunting, fishing, wildlife viewing, berry picking and other public uses.
“I commend the DNR for not turning a blind eye to the deficiencies in Kennecott’s permit and having the courage to not automatically green-light a permit to allow this risky mine to move forward,” said Cynthia Pryor, executive director of Yellow Dog Watershed Preserve
Opponents of the land lease noted that it was unprecedented for the State of Michigan to allow an open-ended lease for private corporate gain, particularly when the proposed use was likely to result in long-term pollution.
In addition to possibly finding a new site for surface facilities, further obstacles prevent Kennecott from constructing the mine. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency notified Kennecott in 2006 that an additional permit would be required by the federal agency. Lawsuits and contested cases have been filed against the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality for issuing permits allowing the sulfide mine.
For Immediate Release:
January 10, 2008
Monday, December 31, 2007
New Year thoughts from Sir Thomas Best
On this New Years eve, let's take a moment to reflect on the wisdom of the past, poetical musings on the art of fly tying, and a hundred and ninety three year old message about the fly fishing pastime, from Sir Thomas Best, and from his tome;
"Best's Art of Angling" the 1814 edition.
Enjoy ...
page 93 & 94:
"As I am now acting the part of Physician, let me advise you, whenever you are out in the heat of summer, fishing, and are thirsty, never to drink water, as the consequences may prove fatal; but, either take a little brandy or rum out with you, in a wicker bottle, or wait till you to come to some house where you can have a little : the effects it has of quenching the thirst, and cooling the body , are instantaneous"
Every Man his own Fly Maker
And lastly this introductory message from 19 decades ago...
"The art of artificial fly-fishing certainly has the pre-eminence over the other various methods that are used to take fishes in the art of angling. It requires a great deal of ingenuity and attention, and the variety which attends it, makes it both pleasant and agreeable. The angler is not confined to any particular part of the water in fly fishing but roves from one place to another, trying his fortune, by throwing his flies in to the different eddies, and the most likely places he meets with, to make a captive of the speckled trout; enjoying at the same time the harmonious warblings of the numerous songsters of the groves; beholding the diversity of the prospects around him, and gaining the health and serenity of mind, not to be purchased by all of the riches in the universe."
-hdw
"Best's Art of Angling" the 1814 edition.
Enjoy ...
page 93 & 94:
"As I am now acting the part of Physician, let me advise you, whenever you are out in the heat of summer, fishing, and are thirsty, never to drink water, as the consequences may prove fatal; but, either take a little brandy or rum out with you, in a wicker bottle, or wait till you to come to some house where you can have a little : the effects it has of quenching the thirst, and cooling the body , are instantaneous"
Every Man his own Fly Maker
And lastly this introductory message from 19 decades ago...
"The art of artificial fly-fishing certainly has the pre-eminence over the other various methods that are used to take fishes in the art of angling. It requires a great deal of ingenuity and attention, and the variety which attends it, makes it both pleasant and agreeable. The angler is not confined to any particular part of the water in fly fishing but roves from one place to another, trying his fortune, by throwing his flies in to the different eddies, and the most likely places he meets with, to make a captive of the speckled trout; enjoying at the same time the harmonious warblings of the numerous songsters of the groves; beholding the diversity of the prospects around him, and gaining the health and serenity of mind, not to be purchased by all of the riches in the universe."
-hdw
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