The Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) announced last week that the highly invasive freshwater alga, Didymosphenia geminata, more commonly known as "didymo", has been discovered in the West Branch Farmington River, a very popular trout stream in northwestern Connecticut.
The presence of didymo was first confirmed in the northeastern United States in 2007. It has since spread to other popular trout streams in a number of northeastern states (New Hampshire, Vermont, New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, West Virginia and Virginia). This is the first report of didymo in Connecticut.
DEP first learned of the possible presence of didymo in the West Branch Farmington River from several anglers on March 18. One of these anglers also provided an initial sample to DEP.
Following initial review by DEP staff, samples were sent to the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation where biologists have direct experience identifying didymo. Recently Vermont officials confirmed that the sample was indeed didymo.
Didymo is most frequently found in cold, relatively shallow streams and rivers having a rocky bottom, characteristics that are also typical of good trout habitat.
During blooms, didymo can form thick mats of material that feel like wet wool and are typically gray, white and/or brown, but never green in color.
These mats form on the bottoms of rivers and streams and can potentially smother aquatic plants, aquatic insects and mollusks, impact fish habitat, and alter aquatic food chains. Dense mats of didymo can also reduce the recreational and aesthetic value of the affected river.
Since didymo also prefers areas open to sunlight, it is not anticipated that this species will become problematic in smaller headwater streams as long as they have well shaded riparian and naturally forested riparian areas.
Humans are usually responsible for the spread of didymo. Anglers, kayakers and canoeists, boaters and jet skiers can all unknowingly spread didymo.
The microscopic cells can cling to fishing gear, waders (felt soles can be especially problematic), boots and boats, and remain viable for months under even slightly moist conditions.
To prevent the spread of didymo to additional waters, DEP asks that anglers, especially those who also fish the Farmington River or streams outside Connecticut, and other users practice the 3 C's -- CHECK, CLEAN, DRY -- procedures.
- CHECK: Before leaving a river, stream or lake, remove all obvious clumps of algae and plant material from fishing gear, waders, clothing & footwear, canoes & kayaks, and anything else that has been in the water and look for hidden clumps. Leave them at the site. If you find any later, clean your gear and dispose of all material in the trash.
- CLEAN: Soak/spray & scrub boats and all other "hard" items for at least one minute in very hot (140°F) water, a 2 percent bleach solution, or a 5 percent dishwashing detergent solution. Absorbent materials such as clothes and felt soles on waders should be soaked for at least 40 minutes in very hot water (140°F), or 30 minutes in hot water (115°F) with 5 percent dishwashing detergent. Freezing thoroughly will also kill didymo.
- DRY: If cleaning is not practical, after the item is completely dry to the touch, wait an additional 48 hours before contact or use in any other waterway.
Didymo is just one of a number of aquatic invasive species that have either invaded the state or are threatening to do so.
Since its discovery in the northeast in 2007, DEP has taken additional precautions to prevent the introduction and/or spread of didymo (and other invasive species).
DEP's Inland Fisheries Division instituted an operational "Biosecurity" policy for its own field operations, including elimination of the use of felt-soled waders.
Also, as part of its invasive species outreach efforts, informational fliers on didymo were distributed to many of the state's bait & tackle shops and information about didymo has been prominently displayed in the CT Anglers Guide and on its website.
On March 26, a new outdoor show premiered in Norwalk. The first-ever Saltwater Slam was by all measures a success.
There was something for everyone. Most of the seminars were well attended and visitors browsed through the trade show. But it was, in my opinion, the door prizes that got a lot of attention.
One of the biggest winners was 13-year old Patrick Friend of Darien. The folks at Compleat Angler called to tell him he won a day of fishing with Capt. Tom Pitasi, owner of Coastal Fishing Charters in Waterford. Patrick asked permission to put the phone down for a second and let out a celebratory yell. I can guarantee you Patrick will have the time of his life.
Other door prize winners included: Charlie Nolan - Hardy Uniqua 9/10 reel & Simms Guide Jacket; Jack Rosevear - John McMurray Trip & Rio Fly line; Gary Williams - Navionics chart card;
Taku Hirai - Scott S4S 909-4 Fly rod; Paul Dauk - Mud Dog Flies ; Kim Bruce - Old Harbor Outfitters Cutting board & Hat.; Jim Braga - Ken Courtlangus trip, Shimano terramar spin rod, Fishpond backpack; Tony Hill - SA Sharkskin fly line, Rio Fly Line Mike Duclose trip, Fish- On t-shirts ; Jim Slater - West Marine PFD; Kevin Catalano - Shimano Terramar Casting rod; Bill Hoyt - Echo Ion 9' 9 wt Fly Rod.; Jim Golden - Shimano Backpack and Bob Ailleo - Ray Marine Chart Plotter & Rise Fly Rod.
q
Both fresh and saltwater fishing is pretty good despite the snowy forecasts.
Locally, anglers are catching a few stripers around Bruce Park. Gary Feighery caught a 27-inch striper at Bruce Park using a 7-inch Finesse lure. He also caught a couple of smaller fish as well.
Carlos Medina fished the Hudson River and caught a couple of small stripers. His largest fish was a 25-incher. Carlos was using sandworms.
Dave Curtis fished the Housatonic River neat the Sunnyside School again last week. He caught and released 32 schoolie bass. All of the fish were taken using a pink Gag's Whip-It Eel.
Luke Tucciarrone also had a great day fishing Housatonic River. Using soft plastic lures, Luke caught a 28-inch Atlantic salmon.
Tyler Stewart and Scott Magnusson fished the Mianus Trout Management Area (TMA) last week. They both caught and released several trout. Tyler was using a "Jimmy Wigger" (Wooly Bugger to the rest of us) and Scott was using a single hook Rooster Tail.
While fishing a private pond in Stamford, Michael Kellner landed a 3-pound largemouth bass while using a Kastmaster lure. Michael was fishing with his dad. Wayne.
Pete Miller used a specially bred shiner known as the C-4 Shiner to hook a 7-pound laker while fishing at Kensico Reservoir last week. He also caught a couple of smaller brown trout.
Also doing well at Kensico was restaurateur Jean Pierre. He caught a 29-inch, 9-pound lake trout.
Tim Hupal caught a couple of brown trout at Kensico. His largest fish weighed in at 3-pounds and was taken on a shiner.
Martin Armstrong is a member of the Fisheries Advisory Council, a lifetime member in Trout Unlimited and a member of the Outdoors Writers Association.
The presence of didymo was first confirmed in the northeastern United States in 2007. It has since spread to other popular trout streams in a number of northeastern states (New Hampshire, Vermont, New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, West Virginia and Virginia). This is the first report of didymo in Connecticut.
DEP first learned of the possible presence of didymo in the West Branch Farmington River from several anglers on March 18. One of these anglers also provided an initial sample to DEP.
Following initial review by DEP staff, samples were sent to the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation where biologists have direct experience identifying didymo. Recently Vermont officials confirmed that the sample was indeed didymo.
Didymo is most frequently found in cold, relatively shallow streams and rivers having a rocky bottom, characteristics that are also typical of good trout habitat.
During blooms, didymo can form thick mats of material that feel like wet wool and are typically gray, white and/or brown, but never green in color.
These mats form on the bottoms of rivers and streams and can potentially smother aquatic plants, aquatic insects and mollusks, impact fish habitat, and alter aquatic food chains. Dense mats of didymo can also reduce the recreational and aesthetic value of the affected river.
Since didymo also prefers areas open to sunlight, it is not anticipated that this species will become problematic in smaller headwater streams as long as they have well shaded riparian and naturally forested riparian areas.
Humans are usually responsible for the spread of didymo. Anglers, kayakers and canoeists, boaters and jet skiers can all unknowingly spread didymo.
The microscopic cells can cling to fishing gear, waders (felt soles can be especially problematic), boots and boats, and remain viable for months under even slightly moist conditions.
To prevent the spread of didymo to additional waters, DEP asks that anglers, especially those who also fish the Farmington River or streams outside Connecticut, and other users practice the 3 C's -- CHECK, CLEAN, DRY -- procedures.
- CHECK: Before leaving a river, stream or lake, remove all obvious clumps of algae and plant material from fishing gear, waders, clothing & footwear, canoes & kayaks, and anything else that has been in the water and look for hidden clumps. Leave them at the site. If you find any later, clean your gear and dispose of all material in the trash.
- CLEAN: Soak/spray & scrub boats and all other "hard" items for at least one minute in very hot (140°F) water, a 2 percent bleach solution, or a 5 percent dishwashing detergent solution. Absorbent materials such as clothes and felt soles on waders should be soaked for at least 40 minutes in very hot water (140°F), or 30 minutes in hot water (115°F) with 5 percent dishwashing detergent. Freezing thoroughly will also kill didymo.
- DRY: If cleaning is not practical, after the item is completely dry to the touch, wait an additional 48 hours before contact or use in any other waterway.
Didymo is just one of a number of aquatic invasive species that have either invaded the state or are threatening to do so.
Since its discovery in the northeast in 2007, DEP has taken additional precautions to prevent the introduction and/or spread of didymo (and other invasive species).
DEP's Inland Fisheries Division instituted an operational "Biosecurity" policy for its own field operations, including elimination of the use of felt-soled waders.
Also, as part of its invasive species outreach efforts, informational fliers on didymo were distributed to many of the state's bait & tackle shops and information about didymo has been prominently displayed in the CT Anglers Guide and on its website.
On March 26, a new outdoor show premiered in Norwalk. The first-ever Saltwater Slam was by all measures a success.
There was something for everyone. Most of the seminars were well attended and visitors browsed through the trade show. But it was, in my opinion, the door prizes that got a lot of attention.
One of the biggest winners was 13-year old Patrick Friend of Darien. The folks at Compleat Angler called to tell him he won a day of fishing with Capt. Tom Pitasi, owner of Coastal Fishing Charters in Waterford. Patrick asked permission to put the phone down for a second and let out a celebratory yell. I can guarantee you Patrick will have the time of his life.
Other door prize winners included: Charlie Nolan - Hardy Uniqua 9/10 reel & Simms Guide Jacket; Jack Rosevear - John McMurray Trip & Rio Fly line; Gary Williams - Navionics chart card;
Taku Hirai - Scott S4S 909-4 Fly rod; Paul Dauk - Mud Dog Flies ; Kim Bruce - Old Harbor Outfitters Cutting board & Hat.; Jim Braga - Ken Courtlangus trip, Shimano terramar spin rod, Fishpond backpack; Tony Hill - SA Sharkskin fly line, Rio Fly Line Mike Duclose trip, Fish- On t-shirts ; Jim Slater - West Marine PFD; Kevin Catalano - Shimano Terramar Casting rod; Bill Hoyt - Echo Ion 9' 9 wt Fly Rod.; Jim Golden - Shimano Backpack and Bob Ailleo - Ray Marine Chart Plotter & Rise Fly Rod.
q
Both fresh and saltwater fishing is pretty good despite the snowy forecasts.
Locally, anglers are catching a few stripers around Bruce Park. Gary Feighery caught a 27-inch striper at Bruce Park using a 7-inch Finesse lure. He also caught a couple of smaller fish as well.
Carlos Medina fished the Hudson River and caught a couple of small stripers. His largest fish was a 25-incher. Carlos was using sandworms.
Dave Curtis fished the Housatonic River neat the Sunnyside School again last week. He caught and released 32 schoolie bass. All of the fish were taken using a pink Gag's Whip-It Eel.
Luke Tucciarrone also had a great day fishing Housatonic River. Using soft plastic lures, Luke caught a 28-inch Atlantic salmon.
Tyler Stewart and Scott Magnusson fished the Mianus Trout Management Area (TMA) last week. They both caught and released several trout. Tyler was using a "Jimmy Wigger" (Wooly Bugger to the rest of us) and Scott was using a single hook Rooster Tail.
While fishing a private pond in Stamford, Michael Kellner landed a 3-pound largemouth bass while using a Kastmaster lure. Michael was fishing with his dad. Wayne.
Pete Miller used a specially bred shiner known as the C-4 Shiner to hook a 7-pound laker while fishing at Kensico Reservoir last week. He also caught a couple of smaller brown trout.
Also doing well at Kensico was restaurateur Jean Pierre. He caught a 29-inch, 9-pound lake trout.
Tim Hupal caught a couple of brown trout at Kensico. His largest fish weighed in at 3-pounds and was taken on a shiner.
Martin Armstrong is a member of the Fisheries Advisory Council, a lifetime member in Trout Unlimited and a member of the Outdoors Writers Association.
