Truck Rollover Accident Dumps 77,000 Salmon into Wrong Body of Water

The calendar has flipped to May, and that means that Mother’s Day is right around the corner. If your mom or grandmother loves to fly fish, see our Fly Fisherman magazine Mother’s Day Gift Guide, because there are plenty of great gift buying options this year. 

Should you want to take mom on a Mother’s Day caddis hatch trip to a famed trout stream, Fly Fisherman can help you there too. Whether you want to head for Montana, Colorado’s Arkansas River, learn to tie a classic elk hair caddis pattern, or troubleshoot why the hatch is happening and you’re not catching trout, we’ve got you covered.

In the meantime, here’s the latest in fly fishing news as you shop for mom and plan a trip to your favorite caddis hatch stream:

Truck Rollover Accident Dumps 77,000 Salmon into Wrong Body of Water

Last month on April 4, a tanker truck that overturned on a roadway in Oregon, let loose a tidal wave of wrong piscatorial results.

That happened when 77,000 salmon were accidentally dumped into the wrong water body according to the United Press International, took place when the tanker truck flipped over. 

In addition to the accidental spill of salmon smolts (adolescent salmon), the Union County Sheriff's Department indicated that there was a small diesel fuel spill, but not enough to result in a hazardous material spill response.

According to the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW), the truck—driven by an ODFW employee, who suffered only minor injuries in the crash—was transporting 102,000 spring Chinook smolts intended for the Imnaha River. Instead, the tanker truck rollover released 77,000 smolts into Lookingglass Creek, a tributary of the Grande Ronde River. 

Ironically, the smolts actually came from the Lookingglass Hatchery, which raises Chinook salmon for release to aid tribal and sport fishing harvest. The Chinook production is also intended to supplement the wild Chinook population in the Imnaha River, which is threatened.

Stand Up for Colorado Public Access

In the fly fishing world, Tim Romano needs little introduction. He's a great fly angler, an exceptional photographer, and the managing editor at Angling Trade Media.

---

Romano recently sounded an alarm bell, asking for help to ward off a threat to public access in Colorado. It doesn't involve fly fishing access at the moment, but who knows where it might lead?

"I need a little help flooding my county commissioners’ inboxes from folks who feel strongly about public access," writes Romano. "The long and short of the story is that Boulder County, Colorado, has closed federal land (both USFS and BLM) to hunting just west of town, bowing to a few land owners who do not like hunters near their property. This has been in effect for a number of years and I personally fear that if this is allowed to stand what comes next? Fishing? Boating? Biking?"

With public access being a hot button topic all across the West, Romano notes that the U.S. Forest Service is on record stating that "...federal laws preempt state and county laws and that hunting should be allowed on forest service land—in this instance specifically."

Joining the fight is Backcountry Hunters & Anglers, which states: "BHA does not believe that this resolution complies with federal law for closure of federal lands to hunting. Public law 116-9, the “Dingell Act” clearly states that “federal land shall be open to hunting, fishing, and recreational shooting, in accordance with applicable law, unless the Secretary concerned closes an area in accordance with section 4103”. The USFS contends that county enforcement of a hunting ban would conflict with explicit provisions in the National Resources Management Act and with the procedure the Secretary of Agriculture must follow, which includes consultation with state fish and wildlife agencies and public scoping."

BHA also states that "The Boulder County Commissioners have not recognized this federal authority in the current resolution. Commissioners are holding a public hearing May 7th, 2024 at 3:30pm to discuss the possible removal of the hunting prohibition in the currently standing resolution (2022-096)."

If you'd like more information on the upcoming public hearing on May 7, you can find that info here. Public comments at the hearing can be made in person, online through Zoom, or by phone. You can also e-mail written comments to commissioners@bouldercounty.gov. 

And if you'd like to help take action and make your voice heard about this threat to public access through the BHA portal, you can do so here.

NY Brown Trout New IGFA Tippet Class Record

The International Game Fish Association recently announced in a news release and a social media post that it has certified a brown trout caught last fall as a new tippet class world record.

"On November 11, 2023, Kate Miles was fishing Sandy Creek, New York, US, when she landed this beautiful 4.05-kilogram (8-pound, 15-ounce) brown trout, setting the new IGFA Women’s 2-kg (4-lb) Tippet Class World Record for the species," said the IGFA statement. "Kate landed the record fish on an egg-pattern fly after a short fight, and released the fish safely after recording the weight on her certified scale. Congratulations, on an incredible record Kate!"

Biologists Search for Answers in Florida Keys' Spinning Fish Problem

As if there aren't enough problems affecting Florida's amazing aquatic ecosystem, the Bonefish & Tarpon Trust (BT&T) and Lower Keys Guides Association have been reporting on another sinister problem as of late.

That problem has appeared in the Sunshine State's treasured Keys with "spinning fish" being reported. According to BT&T, the affected fish "...exhibiting abnormal, spinning behavior in early October 2023. Fish with the “spins” experience loss of equilibrium, causing them to swim upside down in repeated circles, often following a stressful or stimulating event."

All of this is happening in the Keys' region, with BT&T reporting at one point that "Only two reports have been from the reef, Hawks Channel or shallow and deep gulf waters. The remainder have occurred in our inshore seagrass and flats systems. In mid-February, most of the reports occurred west of Big Pine Key and east of Sugarloaf Key, but have now expanded to the east and west."

It's quite troubling that so far, at least 50 fish species have exhibited these spinning behaviors, along with rays. Treasured sport fish like tarpon, permit, bonefish, snook, jack crevalle, mangrove snapper, redfish, goliath grouper, redfish, lemon sharks, forage fish and even critically endangered sawfish have been affected. In fact, there have been 32 sawfish mortalities reported, along with 404 mortalities reported to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) Fish Kill Hotline.

The first reports of these erratically spinning fish took place last fall according to a CBS News Miami report this week. Thankfully, that same report indicates that a decrease in incidents has been observed in the past couple of weeks and could signal that Florida is on the tail end of the event. 

"Right now, everything is pointing to what is likely a naturally occurring species or multiple species of algae that produce low levels of toxins. These are neurotoxins that would be consistent with the behavioral changes that we've seen in the fish," said Gil McRae, director of the FWC's Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, in the Miami news station report. "As I said, we're not sure why the sawfish are disproportionately affected. In fact, these large sawfish that we have coming in, normally would be offshore at this time of year. So, there's still a lot of things to figure out."

In trying to do just that and figure out what's happening and causing these "spinning fish" instances, the BT&T, the LKGA, and others like the FWC have been exploring four lines of inquiry that included contaminants and synthetic compounds, water column harmful algal blooms, benthic harmful algal blooms, and fish health. There have also been samples taken from more than 300 fish and necropsies on 32 of the 45 sawfish that have succumbed to the mystery fish malady.

So far, no real answers have been found, although McRae told the CBS Miami news team that red tide and dissolved oxygen issues have been crossed off the list of potential causes. Others like BT&T have noted that their initial results show that sampled fish have shown no viruses, parasites, or organ abnormalities, but that there were benthic harmful algal bloom samples identified. The saltwater conservation organization noted that, "Gambierdiscus can produce multiple types of toxins that can have adverse impacts to fish and potentially people."

March Merkin Tourney Crowns Winners

One of the Florida Keys' legendary fly fishing tournaments, the 2024 March Merkin Tournament, was held in mid-March in Key West's Oceans Edge Resort & Marina.

The event's Grand Champion for this year was fly angler Robert Dougherty of Dallas, Texas and his guide, Nick LaBadie of Key West. Dougherty took top honors with two permit measuring a total of 130 centimeters. First runner-up was Mike Ward and his guide Brandon Cyr with a total of two fish measuring 115 centimeters.

The event's largest permit this year was a 77-centimeter specimen landed by angler Jose Ucan of Punta Allen, Mexico and guide Justin Rea of Sugarloaf Key, Fla.

Montana Supreme Court Weighs Arguments in Second Lawsuit over Smith River Copper Mine

A few weeks ago, we told you about a controversial ruling by the Montana Supreme Court, a case where the Big Sky State's high court justices ruled in early March by a 5-2 vote that the embattled Black Butte Copper Mine could proceed.

We also told you there was more court drama to come with additional challenges forthcoming. That drama continues after the Montana Supreme Court heard oral arguments for a second lawsuit involving the mine on the Smith River. Those arguments took place on March 29 according to a report by the Montana Free Press.

The ruling in early March overturned a previous District Court ruling that had invalidated the mining permit previously issued to Tintina (now Sandfire Resources). The Montana high court’s reversal a few weeks ago indicated that the Montana Department of Environmental Quality had followed the law in issuing the mining permit originally.

Why all the ruckus? As we noted previously, according to the Bozeman Daily Chronicle, the mine is projected to produce 14.5 million tons of copper-enriched rock that is mined from 1,888 acres in that 13-year mining window. 

Concerns about the 72-acre tailings pond was the key issue in the original case for Montana Trout Unlimited, who filed suit along with other groups including American Rivers, Earthworks, and the Montana Environmental Information Center according to the paper.

In the more recent case, the Montana Free Press report indicates that while the same environmental groups are making their arguments before the Montana Supreme Court, this time they are targeting a different state agency, the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation. 

The MFP report notes that the conservation and environmental groups contend that the DNRC "...has failed to demonstrate that the mine’s groundwater management proposal will uphold protections afforded to existing water rights holders under the Montana Water Use Act." 

It's a complex situation that we'll continue to follow. Stay tuned, there's obviously more to come in this case.

Texas Hill Country Fly Shop Hangs Up "For Sale" Sign

If you've ever been to the Texas Hill Country, you know it's a special state for fly anglers in the Lone Star State. 

Among the many rivers that dot the region, offering chances to target largemouth bass, Guadalupe bass, panfish species, and more, one of the region's gems is the rainbow trout rich tailwater stream, the Guadalupe River below Canyon Dam near New Braunfels. 

The Guadalupe River trout fishery–on a river that supports a big kayak and tubing hatch in the warmer months–stretches some 24 miles from the dam to the nearby town of New Braunfels and is the nation's southernmost tailwater.

That tailwater fishery was created more than a half-century ago after Lone Star Beer (yup, that's no misprint) provided 10,000 rainbows to be stocked in the cool, swift currents below Canyon Lake all the way back in 1966 according to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Magazine. 

Today, the Guadalupe River Trout Unlimited Chapter (GRTU)—the nation's largest TU chapter, by the way, and host of the popular GRTU Trout Fest each February—and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) both stock the Guadalupe River with trout during the winter season. 

This year, TPWD stocked sections of the Guadalupe River tailrace with more than 20,000 rainbow trout during weekly stockings that occurred from early December through late February. In addition, the GRTU generally has two stockings each year and puts approximately 16,000 lbs. of trout into the river according to the organization.

If it sounds like a cool place to be a Texas fly angler, it is with the river drawing an enthusiastic crowd of anglers throughout the fall and winter months while supporting a number of guide operations. The fishery, along with other rivers and lakes in the region, also helps support a number of fly shops in the area, including the Action Angler Fly Shop, a shop established in May 2001 near New Braunfels and situated along the banks of the Guadalupe, named a "Top 100" trout stream by TU members.

With the shop nestled between the growing metropolises of San Antonio and Austin, the Texas fly shop is up for sale after 22 years in business. With a reported 600 square feet of inventory, fixtures, a great website and social media platforms, and more the shop can be purchased for its current location or it can be moved according to a report in Angling Trade.

Essentially a seasonal business between October and May each year, the full service shop is poised to grow in the brick-and-mortar location and/or online. With the fly shop building, an apartment on top, an additional home, and 4.3 acres with river access, this shop is a prime business opportunity in a region that has seen a 57% population growth between 2010 and 2020.

The current shop owners are accepting bids through November 2024, will accept only serious inquiries by e-mail, and will require a signed non-disclosure agreement before releasing any additional details to prospective buyers.

In Wake of 2023 Pollution Spill, Chattahoochee Riverkeeper Seeks Larger Enforcement Fine

Georgia's Chattahoochee River is a southeastern fly fishing gem, supporting a surprisingly robust wild brown trout population and stocked rainbows not far from the big Atlanta metro area.

That proximity to one of the nation's largest cities can bring trouble, however, including last summer when the Chattahoochee Riverkeeper reports that Fulton County's Big Creek wastewater treatment plant malfunctioned in a dramatic way.

During that malfunction, for nearly three weeks during the prime recreation season, there was approximately 13 million gallons per day of partially treated sewage and dangerously high E. coli bacteria releases into the river and the National Park Service's Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area (CRNRA).

The CRK's routine water quality monitoring efforts is what detected the high levels of bacteria in the river, and the source was backtracked to the Big Creek wastewater treatment plant and its discharge pipe into the river. From there, CRK says that notification was made to both Fulton County officials and the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) about the issue.

After the source was confirmed, the National Park Service took unprecedented action and shut down 15 miles of the scenic river during the height of July recreation. In response to the plant's responsibility, the Georgia EPD issued a draft Environmental Enforcement Order (EPD-WP-9485). That order, and a proposed settlement (fine) of $113,600 dollars, concerned the 53 spills of raw sewage (three having a volume greater than 30,000 gallons along with 25 effluent permit violations at the Big Creek WRF and a reported fish kill. 

CRK doesn't agree with the proposed settlement, noting that "CRK believes this fine is inadequate based on harm to the river ecosystem and public health. Another recent plant malfunction in metro Atlanta in less than a year suggests the repeat of an old pattern that municipalities may rather pay these minimal fines than abide by the Clean Water Act and protect our water."

While the public comment period ended on April 10, CRK encourages interested parties to ask the EPD for an enforcement order that demands a larger penalty, one that will hopefully deter county officials from ignoring plant malfunctions in the future like the one that threatened the health of the river and recreational users last summer.

If you'd like to keep up with the water quality issues on the Chattahoochee, the efforts of the Chattahoochee Riverkeeper as it fights for the watershed, and more, visit the organization's website and its various resources including the RiverCHAT newsletter.

U.S., Canada Strike Selenium Pollution Deal for Montana’s Kootenai River

A few weeks ago, the United States and Canada struck a deal over pollution flowing from the Elk River region of British Columbia coal mines into Montana's Kootenai River and Lake Koocanusa.

According to a Montana Public Radio report, concern over the problem has gone on for years. In fact, Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes chairman Tom McDonald says that the ongoing selenium pollution threatens cutthroat trout and threatened species like bull trout.

"We have to be able to have a clean and healthy environment where we can catch fish and eat fish out of any river system that’s in our aboriginal territory that we’ve relied on for the past 10,000 to 30,000 years,” said McDonald.

Because of this pollution problem, the MPR report notes that the U.S. and Canada have agreed to let the International Joint Commission (IJC) set up a governing body for the transboundary watershed. The IJC will make non-binding recommendations going forward for provincial, state and federal governments. 

According to MPR, Teck Resources, which owns the mines in question, indicates that it wants to learn more about the IJC process and is willing to work with the various parties involved.

---

Lynn Burkhead is a Senior Digital Editor with Outdoor Sportsman Group.