mick mccorcle
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Interior Secretary Salazar has asked for a “visible show of support” for the fish and wildlife funding that is threatened in some of the current budget proposals. He has invited Trout Unlimited and several other conservation organizations to send delegations to his office early next week for a meeting, photo/news op, and reception. TU has recruited influential volunteers and staff to attend that meeting.
On the subject of hatcheries, it is a tough one to address. In addition to a variety of volunteer positions with Trout Unlimited, I have served for the last four years on the Texas Parks and Wildlife’s Freshwater Fisheries Advisory Board. I now chair that board. Over that time TPWD has struggled with the state legislature to obtain the $$$ that is rightfully theirs from the freshwater fishing stamp and use it for its intended purpose — capital improvements and maintenance of the state hatcheries and purchase and stocking of fish (especially trout).
The hatcheries are subject to aging, golden algae, water source degradation and other assorted problems. With the state’s budget woes, the $$$ that come in through hunting and fishing licenses and stamps looks increasingly appetizing to the legislators, who have already “borrowed” some of it, forcing TPWD to fund some capital improvements with bonds vs. cash. As a result, a large portion of the current and future funding from the stamps will be used for debt service on the bonds. So while a strong economic case can be made for the value of healthy, productive hatcheries, such logic is seldom heard in times of economic hardship and the pitched battles in the legislature.
I like John Shewey’s book, Spey Flies & Dee Flies for Steelhead & Salmon: Their History and Construction.
When my buddy Jeff and I fished the Kvichak River in Alaska last year for big trout and salmon, Terry and Wendy Gunn suggested switch rods, Scientific Angler Mastery Series Expert Distance Taper lines (105 ft vs the usual 90ft), paired with 30 lb Spiderwire as backing, which takes up less space than dacron.
My Xi2’s, purchased to fish for redfish on the Texas Gulf Coast, are perfect for throwing Clousers or poppers at stripers on Lake Texoma. And my Sage TCR 8 wt throws a mean 350 grain sink tip for dredging them down deep.
Kelly Galloup is a big proponent of big streamers and sinking lines for big trout. I’ll bet he relies on hardware that could be used in the salt as well.
The two best books I know of on the subject are:
Stuart Kirkfield’s The fine bamboo fly rod: A master’s secrets of restoration and repair.
