A waste???

[MikeA]

Last week they stocked Nices Mill, as usual within a few days the big rains came.... The water was even with the Dam. I wonder how many of those fish were swept miles away from any access never to be seen again? Not picking a fight I just wonder if many make it through the heavy flow.

[bd]

The last Trout Management Plan actually mentions this issue - spring rains wash away many of the trout they stock.  The Plan suggested that the Urban Stocking Program should give more preference to ponds and lakes when selecting new stocking sites.

I kind of figure ALL of the urban stocking trout are "a waste," so what's the difference if a few are washed away?

I'd rather see them concentrate on the best of the creeks in the Spring Stocking Program where there is a potential to hold-over fish, and maybe set up some sort of "Delayed Harvest" where the fish are stocked through the fall and winter and then can be harvested by the meat guys in the spring.

bd

[MikeA]

Like I said in my spring creek post, why not put them in all the water fountains downtown.... Maybe even make it a drive through so you just hang a pole out the window with some corn on a hook.

[dbradyh]

All of those thoughts were going through my head when I was fishing today.... Especially BD's remarks about the posted signs being nailed up on every other tree.
Many of these creeks could be year round streams if better managed and an asset to the property owners. Instead, they are in danger of disappearing.
Laurel Creek is the worst example of this practice because all the land is private now and historically it held a year round trout fishery. I don't even think lodges or guides make use of this water yet the state continues to dump trout in.

[grumpy]

I agree with all the above.

Grumpy

[wm1]

Like Grumpy, I agree with all of the above; but........ I assume that the winter stocking in warm waters produces revenue for TWRA.... at least I hope so.
William

[Leo deMonbreun]

It's all about money folks!  I feel pretty certain that they are not driving that much revenue from winter stocking on some of these streams, but they sure don't want to lose federal $$$ and if they cut back on some of these streams as they should, they are sure to loose some bucks in support.  Why not divert those to streams that the sportsman can benefit from rather than stocking streams that are on mostly private land.

[grumpy]

They are suppose to stock so fisherman do have access, i'm sure some of these streams have changed land ownership over the years 7 public access has been taken away, so should the trout

Grumpy

[wm1]

Nice Mill Dam Report:
Not all of the recently stocked trout were swept away. The high water has actually spread them out nicely. It also has spread out the few people that are fishing. I have enjoyed having a place to trout fish within a few minutes of my home and I know that they are "hatchery" fish, but aren't most of the trout we fish for. Twice today I saw a fish surface and I cast my wooly bugger right above him and he took it. Hey, they may be stockers, but they are still a lot of fun. Besides, I need the practice that they provide. The high water makes it even more challenging so if you go, be careful.
By the way, I do catch and release, but I am thinking about grilling some before warm water does them in.
My two cents worth.
William

[Leo deMonbreun]

I don't think anyone would want to crucify you over a few trout out of Nice's mill for sure.  They won't make it past June anyway.  Fire up the grill and break out the lemon and garlic!!   

[bd]

I feel pretty certain that they are not driving that much revenue from winter stocking on some of these streams, but they sure don't want to lose federal $$$ and if they cut back on some of these streams as they should, they are sure to loose some bucks in support. 

Are you sure they're getting federal $ for the winter and spring stocking?  I don't know of any reason why they would. 

The federal "mitigation" money only goes to stock tailwaters.  The idea was that the dams (federal projects) destroyed fisheries due to the cold water discharges, so the feds were obligated to stock trout to mitigate the economic impact of the lost fishery.

bd