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Trout Streams

> Possible Didymo in the East Branch of the Delaware

This discussion is about the East Branch of the Delaware River

The Discussion

Softhackle	September 28th, 2007, 4:47 pm
Site Editor Wellsville, NY Posts: 540	I have seen some reports that the Didymo algae has been found, now, in the East Branch of the Delaware near East Branch, NY. The potential for spreading this "rock snot" as it is called is very high. The problem is it kills off insect populations because it smothers the stream and river beds. For more information regarding Didymo, look here: Didymo Mark
	"I have the highest respect for the skilled wet-fly fisherman, as he has mastered an art of very great difficulty." Edward R. Hewitt Flymphs, Soft-hackles and Spiders: http://www.troutnut.com/libstudio/FS&S/index.html
Shawnny3	September 28th, 2007, 4:54 pm
Moderator Pleasant Gap, PA Posts: 1197	Thanks, Mark. Good to know. -Shawn
	Jewelry-Quality Artistic Salmon Flies, by Shawn Davis www.davisflydesigns.com
Martinlf	September 28th, 2007, 5:03 pm
Moderator Palmyra PA Posts: 3233	Oh no. I hope it doesn't spread, especially into the West Branch or Main Stem. Thanks for the alert.
	"He spread them a yard and a half. 'And every one that got away is this big.'" --Fred Chappell
Softhackle	September 28th, 2007, 7:08 pm
Site Editor Wellsville, NY Posts: 540	Hi, From the way I understand it they BELIEVE they have found this stuff in the East Branch. Tests are being done to confirm it, but from what I seen they are fairly sure it is there. If I see any more information I'll let everyone know. Mark
	"I have the highest respect for the skilled wet-fly fisherman, as he has mastered an art of very great difficulty." Edward R. Hewitt Flymphs, Soft-hackles and Spiders: http://www.troutnut.com/libstudio/FS&S/index.html
Konchu	September 29th, 2007, 8:47 pm
Site Editor Indiana Posts: 505	Most of NY's watersheds are linked by canals and channels now, are they not? This makes for a very scary situation.
Shawnny3	September 30th, 2007, 6:27 am
Moderator Pleasant Gap, PA Posts: 1197	I've been told that neoprene waders soak up microorganisms and carry them from one stream to another much more effectively than breathable waders do. It makes sense, but I don't know how true it is. Can someone more knowledgeable than I confirm this? -Shawn
	Jewelry-Quality Artistic Salmon Flies, by Shawn Davis www.davisflydesigns.com
Lam	September 30th, 2007, 6:29 am
Lancaster, PA Posts: 81	I've read that felt soles may transport the didymo more readily than rubber soles too.
Shawnny3	September 30th, 2007, 6:34 am
Moderator Pleasant Gap, PA Posts: 1197	That's interesting, because felt soles are probably much more likely to be used by serious, well-traveled fishermen than neoprene waders are (though I suppose most breathable waders still have neoprene feet). Does anyone know a good way to decontaminate whirling or didymo organisms (or anything else) without damaging waders or boots? A mild bleaching, perhaps? -Shawn
	Jewelry-Quality Artistic Salmon Flies, by Shawn Davis www.davisflydesigns.com
Softhackle	September 30th, 2007, 7:20 am
Site Editor Wellsville, NY Posts: 540	more on Didymo Take a look at this page for more info and cleaning solutions. We've really got to work together to prevent the spread of this stuff. The news is not too good: From the Post-Standard, Syracuse Didymo found in East and West branches of Delaware River Posted by David Figura September 28, 2007 4:45PM The presence of didymo, an invasive plant species commonly called "rock snot" by anglers, has been confirmed this week by DEC officials on two, well-known trout streams in the Catskills. Steve Lorence, fisheries manager of the Region 4 DEC office in Stamford in Delaware County, said sampling by DEC aquatic biologists has confirmed the presence of the slimy, brown-colored plant on at least five sections of the West Branch of the Delaware River, including the confluence with the Beaverrkill. In addition, it's been found near the Route 191 bridge in Deposit on the West Branch of the Delaware River. Unlike many other aquatic nuisance plants, didymo or Didymosphenia geminata, grows on the bottom of flowing and still waters. It can develop thick mats even in fast-flowing trout streams. In its presence, fishing becomes difficult, the abundance of bottom-dwelling organisms declines, and trout and other fish that feed on those organisms also decline. It resembles rotting cardboard when it dries and rots. Its presence in the Catskill, often touted as one of the premier trout-fishing areas of the state, could mean trouble for an area where millions of dollars in tourism related to fishing is spent each year. The microscopic algae cling unseen to waders, boots, boats, lures, hooks, sinkers, fishing line, and other fishing gear, and remain viable for several weeks under even slightly moist conditions, according to a DEC press release. Absorbent items--for example, the felt-soled waders and wading boots commonly used by stream anglers-- can easily spread it. Canoeists and kayakers can also unknowingly contribute to its spread. Mark
	"I have the highest respect for the skilled wet-fly fisherman, as he has mastered an art of very great difficulty." Edward R. Hewitt Flymphs, Soft-hackles and Spiders: http://www.troutnut.com/libstudio/FS&S/index.html
Lam	September 30th, 2007, 12:17 pm
Lancaster, PA Posts: 81	http://www.gmtrout.com/untitled89/index.html the above web site, among others, offers tips on how to clean your gear to avoid transplanting didymo.
Flybyknight	October 6th, 2007, 4:25 am
Milton, DE Posts: 82	That is really grim news. I keep my camper at the Oxbow in Harvard and consider the East Branch to be my "home" waters. New Zealand has a major scourge of didymo and they are addressing that plague with chemicals on at least one big river, and as I understand it, are having some as yet undetermined degree of success. Dick
	Lightly on the dimpling eddy fling; the hypocritic fly's unruffled wing. Thomas Scott
Martinlf	October 6th, 2007, 11:30 am
Moderator Palmyra PA Posts: 3233	Let's hope they have success in New Zeland, that the chemicals aren't worse than the problem, and that someone takes initiative and nips this in the bud on the Delaware.
	"He spread them a yard and a half. 'And every one that got away is this big.'" --Fred Chappell
AFISHN	July 15th, 2015, 4:13 pm
West Chester,PA Posts: 8	It is definitely in the West Branch
	Tom "..when i'm not AFISHN,I'm a huntin'... "

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