Whitewater-Baldy Complex, Gila National Forest, New Mexico, May, 2012
Photo by Kari Greer.
Credit USFS Gila National Forest.
Re-posted from NM TU:
Dave Propst, president of the Bosque Chapter and key member of the Gila Trout Recovery Team, is down in the Gila now, and the news is not good. It looks like 9 of the 14 populations of Gila trout have been affected by the fire. Rescue efforts are under way to salvage fish in watersheds that have burned before rain can wash ash into the streams. Yesterday those efforts ran into a brief snag regarding the use of the use of helicopters in a wilderness area to salvage fish, but Dave informs us that things have been resolved at least for the immediate future.
Photo by Kari Greer.
Credit USFS Gila National Forest.
Re-posted from NM TU:
Dave Propst, president of the Bosque Chapter and key member of the Gila Trout Recovery Team, is down in the Gila now, and the news is not good. It looks like 9 of the 14 populations of Gila trout have been affected by the fire. Rescue efforts are under way to salvage fish in watersheds that have burned before rain can wash ash into the streams. Yesterday those efforts ran into a brief snag regarding the use of the use of helicopters in a wilderness area to salvage fish, but Dave informs us that things have been resolved at least for the immediate future.
The plan is to physically remove the relic Gila populations (Spruce Creek et al), and it sounds like they’ve got a stream lined up in Arizona to hold them. For whatever reasons, these particular fish do not do well in the hatchery environment, so that’s not an option. However, populations such as the Iron creek Gila’s may be toast. And the healthy non-native trout populations in Willow, Whitewater and Mineral Creek will likely be devastated once the rains start.
Damn, those gila's can't seem to catch a break.
Unbelievable photo...thanks Mike.
ReplyDeleteThese are what I consider my home waters. These are the waters that made my religion fly fishing. It breaks my heart seeing this and the recovery process will take decades. I really wanted to take my son to these areas to teach him about our sport, to teach him that solace comes from the outdoors. I'm truly saddened by the devastation.
ReplyDeleteThese are what I consider my home waters. These are the waters that made my religion fly fishing. It breaks my heart seeing this and the recovery process will take decades. I really wanted to take my son to these areas to teach him about our sport, to teach him that solace comes from the outdoors. I'm truly saddened by the devastation.
ReplyDeletescottcan, I am so so sorry. As you are I'm sure aware, we are going through the same thing with the High Park fire near Ft. Collins. I echo your thoughts about never being the same for decades.
ReplyDeleteI feel your pain brothers- trout country in the west is taking a beating this year. Pray for rain.
ReplyDelete