Posted on: Thursday, July 26, 2007
RAY BROOK — The state Department of Environmental Conservation is asking anglers to take steps to prevent the spread of an aquatic nuisance algae, known as didymo or rock snot.
The algae was recently found in Vermont waters but has not been found in New York, the DEC announced Wednesday. Anglers are asked to take precautions to prevent the introduction and spread of this algae.
The algae is potentially devastating to aquatic plants and fish habitat.
Unlike many other aquatic nuisance plants, didymo grows on the bottom of flowing and still waters. It can develop thick mats even in fast-flowing trout streams. Fishing then becomes difficult. As the abundance of bottom-dwelling organisms declines, populations of trout and other fish that feed on those organisms also decline.
There are currently no known methods for controlling or eradicating didymo once it infests a water body, according to the DEC.
The microscopic algae cling unseen to waders, boots, boats, lures, hooks, sinkers, fishing line and other fishing gear, and remain viable for several weeks under even slightly moist conditions.
Absorbent items, such as the felt-soled waders and wading boots commonly used by stream anglers, require special attention.
Anglers, kayakers and canoeists, boaters and jet-skiers can all unknowingly spread didymo.
DEC is urging water recreationists to “check, clean and dry” to prevent the introduction and spread of didymo.
¯Check: Before leaving a river or stream, remove all obvious clumps of algae and look for hidden clumps. Leave them at the affected site. If you find any later, dispose all material in the trash. Do not wash the material down a drain.
¯Clean: Soak and scrub all items for at least one minute in either hot water (140 degrees Fahrenheit), a 2-percent solution of household bleach or a 5-percent solution of salt, antiseptic hand cleaner or dishwashing detergent. Be sure that the solution completely penetrates thick, absorbent items such as felt-soled waders and wading boots.
¯Dry: If cleaning is not practical, after the item is completely dry to touch, wait an additional 48 hours before contact or use in any other waterway. Check thick absorbent items closely to assure that they are dry throughout. Equipment and gear can also be placed in a freezer until all moisture is frozen solid.
If cleaning, drying or freezing is not practical, restrict equipment to a single water body.
While DEC recommends that anglers always take these precautions, it is especially important that any gear used out of state be treated before using in New York waters.
Believed to be native to far northern regions of Europe and Asia, didymo has been expanding its range and tolerance for warmer, more nutrient-rich water conditions during recent years in Europe and North America.
Accompanying this expansion have been increasing reports of massive blooms that reach nuisance levels, forming thick mats of cottony material on the bottoms of rivers and streams that can potentially smother aquatic plants and destroy fish habitat.
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Not much more to say, because a picture is worth a thousand words.
It's OK Pete... you can get closer to Kathy. Afterall, she did just cook you an amazing dinner.
Though many people had some work weekends of their own earlier this month, the "official" work weekend was a success. Hats off to Kathy, Megan and Jacob for all their hard work in the kitchen, while keeping us well fed.
John and Andy Capone had dueling tractors and York rakes. John's rake was bigger but Andy had headlights. The Northland Road and Hill 19 Road got some attention and are dressed up nice. Lines were painted and posted. Road canopy was cut back on the Northland. The grain shed, and wood shed were painted. Many other chores were completed, but I was just too busy to document all of it.
This photo captures work weekend in all it's glory.
The endless battle of rowing all over the pond to pitch a few casts where the trout are jumping is back in full swing. My father and I went out with Marlo and Jude last Sunday. We were trolling with Phoebe's, and Marlo said, "My pole is wiggling." Sure enough, she had a nice one on. They watched him swim in the bucket and were excited about having it for breakfast.
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