Saving The Natives
July 30, 2009
Small Native Brook Trout Maine
A battle to save the native brook trout in Great Smokey Mountain National Park in Tennessee and North Carolina is going on. The introduction of nonnative rainbow trout and the damage to pristine streams over the years has just about eliminated the brook trout from the park.
Park fish biologist Steve Moore led the way, poking an electroshocking pole into the swift-flowing stream. The device produced a 500-volt, 0.6-amp charge that knocked out the brookies but didn’t harm them. Moore’s colleagues scooped up the stunned fish and deposited them in the buckets. Soon frisky again, the diminutive brookies measured 5 to 8 inches long.
The Cosby Creek crew, and another on nearby Tom’s Creek, collected 355 brook trout one morning earlier this month. The fish roundup was a major part of a long-term project to restore the colorful trout in 35 to 40 miles of former habitat in park streams. So far, five streams on the N.C. side and four on the Tennessee side have been completed.
N&O
Hopefully their efforts will be successful and the brook trout will once again be plentiful. Having caught both brook trout and rainbows I got to admit that I’m partial to the brookie. I think they fight better and in my book they are a very pretty fish.
Moose Droppings is a place that chronicles my journey, I’ll explore new places and ideas I’ll learn new things and I’ll teach the things I’ve learned to others. Join me on the adventure and hopefully it will help you in your outdoor endeavors.
