Interesting, like stone run is the only reintroduction I was aware of. What streams or what watershed were the others in and how many?
Yeah, when he said "this is what they were catching 60 years ago" it hit hard. Seems like a well-designed program. They're stream-spawning and only rearing the offspring to fingerling size. I like too that they're looking at the genetics to make sure they're using "heritage strain" fish. WV DNR seems like a pretty progressive fisheries agency. It sounds like they've got a lot of younger guys in there now which probably helps.
I absolutely love that book! Their camping trips sound so cool!
Me too! I've read it several times and it never gets old. It takes you back to a much more simple time in life, when things were still natural and unspoiled. Love it.
Looks like in these special management waters it’s not only catch and release but they make a point to not stock them at ALL.
wvmetronews.com
"“They need to be a large, contiguous and well connected native brook trout watershed,” said Thorne. “This is a watershed idea based on a lot of the research I and other people have conducted. Connectivity between the tributaries and main stems is how we see increased growth in fish. They have larger habitat, more food available, and can move to different habitats during different parts of their life cycle.”"Looks like in these special management waters it’s not only catch and release but they make a point to not stock them at ALL.
DNR looks to enhance native brook trout waters - WV MetroNews
Plan being crafted is the next step in the evolution of trout management after work to improve habitat and water quality for many years begins to pay dividends in West Virginia.
“The proposed plan includes designation of watersheds which are native brook trout waters, are not stocked with hatchery raised fish, have had some level of management or restoration work, and seem to have good support from anglers.”
I’d be happy with even just C and R in a closed watershed like upper kettle and no stocking. You’d essentially lose rainbows immediately and could put no limit/mandatory dispatch on browns in a system that isn’t really a special brown trout fishery at all. I have hear multiple guides saying they don’t even care about the browns on kettle. As far as wild brown trout it’s not really a numbers fishery or a size fishery. Even just that would be something and there’s no question since it’s one of the hardest stocked streams in the state the brook trout would see a huge benefit.
Wish PA fish and boat had the resources of Bucks county TU, then they could be doing reintroductions. Bucks county Tu has one more successful reintroduction than the commission. I’ve toured that site in all seriousness bucks county TU did an amazing job those guys get big time credit seriously. There are so many places in this state you could undam a nasty old spring pond soaking up the sun like that and do the same project.
Yeah, some incredible "brown trout" in that river. Apparently, though, they're willing to put a lot of resources into conserving wild native brook trout. Credit where credit is due.
Looks like in these special management waters it’s not only catch and release but they make a point to not stock them at ALL.
DNR looks to enhance native brook trout waters - WV MetroNews
Plan being crafted is the next step in the evolution of trout management after work to improve habitat and water quality for many years begins to pay dividends in West Virginia.
“The proposed plan includes designation of watersheds which are native brook trout waters, are not stocked with hatchery raised fish, have had some level of management or restoration work, and seem to have good support from anglers.”
Yes, and some of those "brown trout" can be seen being dumped directly into the Elkhorn from "soil pipes".
Never the less, that's a pretty amazing fishery!
