Rocky River Chapter
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Conservation News Here :
Watch this column for updates, news and opportunities to help with conservation projectsCLIMATE CHANGEAs anglers we have all witnessed the impact that droughts, floods, and high temperatures have had on our fish populations. Spring floods and summer droughts are nearly as predictable as the change of seasons. A recent study has predicted that in North Carolina in 2060 we will experience an additional 10 – 20 days per year of temperatures exceeding 90 degrees.
The recent Trout Unlimited annual meeting placed a great deal of emphasis on the importance of addressing the issue. Three basic strategies formed the basis of the discussion:
Click on the image below for more information
PLASTIC IN OUR RIVERS AND STREAMS
The photo is a ‘birds nest’ one of our members picked up recently while fishing. It appears to be 20# mono line. Interestingly, it was found on a ‘blue line’ in an area that is a bit off the beaten path.
Plastic pollution and in particular micro plastics are increasingly becoming a problem in many of our rivers in the Southern Blue Ridge Mountains. The Broad, French Broad, Green, Hiwassee, Little Tennessee, New and Watauga river basins have all been tested and shown to contain varying levels of microplastics. They are harmful to aquatic life and also a potential threat to human health. Many of us, myself included have at some point been guilty. Maybe it’s the small tags we trim off or a small/large piece we leave in the trees. In any case it is time that each of us make a conscious effort to not contribute to the problem. If you are interested in learning more about plastic pollution in North Carolina check out this Link. HOT WEATHER AND TROUT
Many of our rivers and streams due to unseasonably high temperatures have warmed to a level where fishing stresses trout and may cause potential harm. Do not fish if the water temperature is higher than 65 degrees. Make sure to carry a thermometer and check periodically throughout the day. |
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RRTU work on the Davidson River January '22
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UV Scud
Fly of the Month 12.22
There is a creature that trout love to eat that lives in and around aquatic grass in shallow waters mostly only hip deep where there is thick aquatic vegetation. They are 100% aquatic, totally underwater always. It is a Crustacean and close relative of the crayfish and shrimp. They are active all year long, all seasons. However, with many other choices to imitate during the spring, summer and fall, these creatures become most important to the angler during the winter months. Their presence in the right habitat can produce at least twenty percent of a trout’s diet. So, it’s presence often leads to larger trout. The creature is a scud! However, we are presenting a special version, the Ultraviolet Scud (tied with materials that reflect a special wavelength of light believed to be more visible to trout).
UV Scud
Many fly fishers refer to scuds as freshwater shrimp. The difference between them is in their legs. Shrimp have three distinct sections with their legs all near their head section. Scud have fourteen sets of legs spread along the entire lower body. An easy way to know the difference is when you pick one up, a scud will curl into a curve shape and a shrimp will try to spring away from you. Thus, the reason most scud fly patterns are tied on a curved hook. The curved shape may well represent a scud out of water or spent and drifting in a current, but while in the water swimming or climbing on vegetation, a scud is not so curved. Tying scud fly patterns on a straight shanked hook can be just as appropriate as an imitation. A challenging and unusual scud fly pattern to consider is a “double scud” or “mating scud” as scud piggy back each other to mate. (from FOTM 02.17 Scud)
There is a creature that trout love to eat that lives in and around aquatic grass in shallow waters mostly only hip deep where there is thick aquatic vegetation. They are 100% aquatic, totally underwater always. It is a Crustacean and close relative of the crayfish and shrimp. They are active all year long, all seasons. However, with many other choices to imitate during the spring, summer and fall, these creatures become most important to the angler during the winter months. Their presence in the right habitat can produce at least twenty percent of a trout’s diet. So, it’s presence often leads to larger trout. The creature is a scud! However, we are presenting a special version, the Ultraviolet Scud (tied with materials that reflect a special wavelength of light believed to be more visible to trout).
UV Scud
Many fly fishers refer to scuds as freshwater shrimp. The difference between them is in their legs. Shrimp have three distinct sections with their legs all near their head section. Scud have fourteen sets of legs spread along the entire lower body. An easy way to know the difference is when you pick one up, a scud will curl into a curve shape and a shrimp will try to spring away from you. Thus, the reason most scud fly patterns are tied on a curved hook. The curved shape may well represent a scud out of water or spent and drifting in a current, but while in the water swimming or climbing on vegetation, a scud is not so curved. Tying scud fly patterns on a straight shanked hook can be just as appropriate as an imitation. A challenging and unusual scud fly pattern to consider is a “double scud” or “mating scud” as scud piggy back each other to mate. (from FOTM 02.17 Scud)
