Steve Moyer From TU National, presenting an update on TU s positions on issues facing Long Island

Transcription

1 Vol. 36, # 2 Oct 2008 T.U. PHILOSOPHY We believe that trout and salmon fishing isn't just fishing for trout and salmon. It's fishing for sport rather than food, where the true enjoyment of the sport lies in the challenge, the lore, the battle of wits, not necessarily the full creel. It's the feeling of satisfaction that comes from limiting your kill instead of killing your limit. It's communing with nature where the chief reward is a refreshed body and a contented soul, where a license is a permit to use not abuse, to enjoy not destroy our cold water fishery. It's subscribing to the proposition that what's good for trout and salmon is good for the fisherman and that managing trout and salmon for themselves rather than the fisherman is fundamental to the solution of our trout and salmon problems. It's appreciating our fishery resource, respecting fellow anglers and giving serious thought to tomorrow. Next meeting: Tuesday, Oct 21at 7:30 PM Steve Moyer From TU National, presenting an update on TU s positions on issues facing Long Island Remember Oct meeting is not at VFW - go to St. Frances de Chantel RC Church School at 1309 Wantagh Ave, Wantagh see the calendar pg 2 for directions. Fall is in full swing and as I write this I am enjoying the cool waters of the west while some of you are up to your ears in fish out in Montauk (see pg. 9). Trout in the class room is off to another growth year with more new schools. (see pg 10 for thank you letters). Also get involved with the fall egg stripping at Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery. See pg. 5 Our conservation team is hard at work keeping their eye on the ball, well the Delaware anyway. See Garth Pettinger s article on pg 3 along with Joe Odierna s update on LIF- FAC and notes from Jeff Plackis on pg 5. It is a busy season with the dataloggers coming out on the 5th, DEC Fall fishing Festival on the18th, Art Flick s FIRST BANQUET on the 24th - Call George Costa for info and I hope to see you there Then we have our Casting Clinic at Connetquot on the 25th - call Boyd Shockley to volunteer Whew! And that ain t all. Lots going on at the Massapequa Creek Preserve - see pg. 7 and TU announced at the annual meeting that they (we) will be asking wader manufacturers to stop producing felt sole boots to help prevent the spread of disease and other aquatic nuisances - see pg 4. And don t miss the Meet Our Members feature this month so you can get to know one of my favorites - Peter Dubno (pg. 6). I hope to see you all at the October meeting... REMEMBER - Not at the VFW - See pg 2 for address and directions. Until then - let s remember to do what we can to Educate, Conserve, Protect and Restore! Best fishes, Jay Mooney 1

2 069 L.I.T.U. OFFICERS President: Jay Mooney (516) Vice President: Peter Harris (631) Secretary: Rick Lewis (516) Treasurer: Tom LoProto (516) Editor: Tom McCoy (631) Publisher: Sol Harz (631) Circulation: Joe Odierna (631) Membership: Sol Harz (631) Paumonok Published monthly September through June by the Long Island Chapter of Trout Unlimited. Information, photos and articles on conservation and fishing are welcome. Please send material for publication, advertising inquiries and comments to the Editor: Tom McCoy, 97 Eatons Neck Road, Northport, NY LIE Northern State Pkwy All articles remain the property of the writer and may not be reprinted without prior permission. Oct 1 Oct 18 NOTE: Oct 21 Oct 24 Oct 25 Directors Meeting, Marriott Residence Inn Plainview 7:30 PM **1st WEDNESDAY** DEC Fall Fishing Festival Hempstead Lake State Park October Meeting is at St. Frances de Chantel RC Church School ( behind the church) 1309 Wantagh Ave, Wantagh (So. State to Wantagh Ave - go South, it is on the East side of the road south of Jerusalem Ave. General Meeting, 7:30 PM **3rd TUESDAY** Art Flick Banquet - I m going, are you? Call George Casting Clinic Connetquot River State Park Volunteers Needed! Wantagh State Old Country Rd Rte106 Rte 107 VFW Hicksville Go to for a more complete calendar And much more Southern State Pkwy 2

3 There is a lot going on in our world - that is the world of cold water preservation and conservation. Make sure you go to and sign up for action alerts so you will receive timely notices of threats that YOU can do something about. Since the TU action alert went out on Friday afternoon, almost 1,900 people have sent s requesting that the DRBC delay the vote. Comparing Apples and Oranges by Garth Pettinger: UDR THERMAL STUDY NYC DIVERSION SAFE DRAW - 9/17/2008 NYC continues to insist on being entitled to withdraw an average of 800mgd from the Delaware system per the 1954 US Supreme Court Decree even though the authorized diversion amount from the Decree was based on the drought-of-record of the time; rather than be bound by the revised Delaware system diversion safe yield of 480mgd, resulting from the subsequent, and more severe drought, which became (and remains) the new drought-ofrecord. Well, let s put the new drought-of-record aside for the moment, and try to follow along with NYC s thoughts. If we stick with the 54 Decree: then the safe yield of NYC s entire system (without pumping) per the Decree, shall not be less than 1,665mgd. And, in accordance with the Decree: 83% of the difference between NYC s system safe yield and NYC s estimated annual usage; should be available for the ERQ Bank: (NYC system safe yield NYC estimated annual usage) x 83% = ERQ Bank (1,655mgd 1,257mgd) x 83% = 339mgd Objection - from NYC: The NYC system safe yield is only 1,290mgd, per the new drought-of-record (Orange #1); therefore the ERQ calculation becomes: (1,290mgd 1,257mgd) x 83% = 28mgd While we are on the subject of safe yields: how come there s a 25% reserve capacity (that s not included in the safe yield calculations) in the Catskill and Croton systems; and no reserve capacity consideration in the Delaware system? (Orange #2) and doesn t having this reserve capacity also affect (reduce) the overall NYC system safe yield results, and subsequent ERQ calculations? On an annual basis: NYC has consistently taken less than 800mgd from the system indeed, the average annual (Jan-1 to Dec-31) diversion over the last 8-years has been 529mgd so why not recalculate the ERQ accordingly, and release the excess (unused portion). Objection from NYC: NYC is entitled to 800mgd, and any unused portion thereof. (Orange #3). No one owns the water; and storing (hoarding) the unused portion in the reservoirs leads to both increased flood risk and shortages for the downstream users. A classic example of this practice appears on the next page but you re not supposed to notice these things. Smoke and mirrors; razzmatazz; and a little tap-dancing LIFFAC Update New Fish Regulation book is a treat - it lists all conservation officers with contact information and much improved information and illustrations. The meeting had a full agenda covering everything from the closing of the Connetquot fish hatchery to hearings on use plans for state parks on the Island in Jamesport and Huntington. Also fish ladder updates on the Carman s and Peconic. There will be a warm water angler survey this year and those who are interested in more information can contact DEC. For more on the Connetquot Hatchery go to: or for related information. Joe Odierna 3

4 Trout Unlimited Asks Manufacturers to Eliminate Production of Felt-Soled Waders and Equipment by 2011 Effort will help prevent spread of aquatic nuisance species in America s rivers and streams. SALT LAKE CITY At its annual meeting today, Trout Unlimited (TU) asked fishing equipment manufacturers to stop producing felt-soled waders and wading shoes by 2011 to help stop the spread of aquatic nuisance species (ANS) by anglers in America s rivers and streams. Many waders, wading boots and shoes used by anglers have felt-soled bottoms that are used to provide traction while walking in water. Felt is a material that transmits aquatic nuisance species such as New Zealand mud snails, the invasive algae called didymo and the parasite that causes whirling disease, a disease fatal to trout. Felt soles can very easily become impregnated with mud and other organic matter, and become difficult or impossible to clean and disinfect. While the elimination of felt soles on waders and boots will not entirely prevent the spread of ANS, this action will help reduce the risk and help protect our precious aquatic resources, said David Kumlien, executive director of the Whirling Disease Foundation. This action will also help make the public more aware of the threat of ANS and hopefully will motivate them to change their behavior and practices related to other aquatic recreational activities that may also contribute to the spread ANS. New technology and materials provide viable alternatives to felt. Some manufacturers are already using these newer materials on wading shoes and angling products. Preventing the proliferation of aquatic nuisance species (ANS) is central to TU s mission to conserve and protect North America s trout and salmon fisheries. The impact of ANS to native species is substantial, second only to loss of habitat, and is responsible for causing losses in biodiversity, changes in ecosystems, and impacts on economic enterprises such as agriculture, fisheries, and international trade. The costs of preventing and controlling invasive species are not well understood or documented, but estimates indicate that the costs are quite high. It s like a war on our streams, rivers and lakes, with a new enemy rearing its ugly head each week. First, whirling disease, then mud snails, then some invasive aquatic plant, said Jack Williams, Trout Unlimited s senior scientist. We have to be more aggressive in our battle against the spread of invasive species. ANS are present in many rivers, streams and lakes around the country. For example, zebra mussels were first found in Lake St. Clair near Detroit, Michigan in 1986 and now infest waters from Vermont to Oklahoma. Each year $30 million is spent in the Great Lakes to monitor and control zebra mussels, which are responsible for massive changes in the Great Lakes ecosystem including elimination of native mussels and creating toxic algae blooms. Additionally, zebra mussels are creating significant impacts on Great Lakes fishery resources and fishery restoration efforts. The invasive algae didymo, often called rock snot, is present in rivers throughout the country, from the Upper Connecticut River in New Hampshire, to South Dakota s Rapid Creek. Didymo was first seen in New Zealand, in The country has placed a ban on felt boots for the upcoming 2008 season. A number of U.S. states where aquatic nuisance species are found have reportedly discussed the possibility of outlawing felt-soled wading equipment. For more information about invasive species and what anglers can do to prevent the spread of ANS, go to LONG ISLAND S FLYFISHING SHOP SALT & FRESHWATER All Major Brands Able Reels - Bauer - Loop Reels Tibor/Pate - G. Loomis - Sage St. Croix - S. A. Mastery - Lamson - Rio Simms - Columbia - Cortland We can outfit you for trips from Montauk to Mongolia. Richard Siberry The Camp-Site Sports Shop 1877 New York Ave. Huntington Station, NY Tel

5 Trout in the Classroom GROWS again! We are adding 6 new schools to the program here on Long Island bringing our total to 23. Clearstream Elementary School, Valley Stream Carbonaro Elementary School, Valley Stream East Rockaway Junior High School Roslyn Elementary School Freeport High School Port Washington High School Farmingdale High School Massapequa High School Massapequa Elementary School Massapequa Middle School Syosset High School Bayshore High School East Port Jefferson High School Walt Whitman High School - Huntington Half Hollow Hills East - Dix Hills Port Jefferson High School Plainview- Old Bethpage Middle School Lindenhurst High School Meadow Elementary School Baldwin Commack High School Bayport High School Barton Elementary School Patchogue Smithtown Elementary School Egg stripping will be held shortly at the Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery and Museum. We will be stripping brook trout eggs during the first week of November including election day and we could use some volunteers. You can call Norm Soule at the Hatchery at to volunteer for a session. It's a great time and a nice experience. Contact John Fischer for more information. MUST READ MATERIAL! TU has just released a new report titled, Tapped Out: New York's Water Woes. This report points out quite possibly every current problem we face in NY State and is something that has been long overdue for NY! It details where laws and systems fall short in protecting the State's waters. You can get it in PDF from Take a close look at page 7!! Nice to see Long Island representing! Oyster Bay Project Continues to Progress The RFP has been assigned and a survey of Mill Pond determining the contours of the bottom as well as a sediment survey will be scheduled. We are in this process to determine how we can open access to the upper watershed for native brook trout which are in the area. In November there will be a public meeting to keep the community and public informed of the project. Data Loggers coming out October 5th Jeff Plackis 5

6 An interview with Peter Dubno Ed: How did you come to be interested in fishing? PD: I think I was 6 or 7 years old when my grandfather took me to the Adirondacks to spend 10 days with relatives on a lake. He would take me down to the small dock and he would tie a drop line on a long stick with a cork bobber and a worm on a hook which came from a small metal can with a strange name I could not pronounce. It was spelled P-F-L-E-U-G-E- R. I caught a few sunnies and a small bass. I could hardly believe there was another world under that water. After all, at my age lakes were for swimming in, right? Ed: When, where and how did you catch your first trout? PD: The first trout I can remember was on Kent Creek (the stream feeding Kent Pond) in Killington Vt. on a spinning outfit and worm below a plunge pool. It was gorgeous! I started fly fishing when I saw it being done on the Esopus. They were catching fish and I was looking at my untouched worm. Diane (my super wife) suggested that I take up fly fishing. It looked so cool. That was in Later that summer, I bought a fly fishing outfit from Beckmann s Tackle (now defunct) in Lynbrook. I caught my first trout on a fly on the Roeliff Jansen Kill. My fly looked so good on the water that day, that I almost dove in to eat it. Ed: It seems like you have been around TU forever How did you come to join and when? PD: In 1980, while taking a fly tying course at the Angler s Ruff (defunct), my teacher, Val Antonucci, suggested that I check out LITU which met in Bethpage at the St. Martin of Tours Church. I learned so much about trout, fly fishing, and conservation that in the next four years I was the Vice President of the chapter. I became the President in Ed: The Banquet seems to be your specialty as you MC it like a pro. How did that come about and what is it that appeals to you? PD: In those days, the early 80s, the banquet was the domain of the Vice President of the chapter. Sometimes, I scratch my head as to why that tradition ever stopped! The first banquet I chaired was in 1984 and it was held at the South Shore Inn. We only had bucket raffles and a live auction. The other board members were very helpful to me and gave me all the leads I needed to make contact with the right people. We had to split the proceeds with National! Whoa, that was a big chunk. That chapter netted maybe $2,000. That had to hold us through the entire year. It was an important job and was the lifeblood of the chapter. It feels good to do a tough job and have it turn out successful. The Banquet has grown to what it is today with the steady and competent help of Boyd Shockley (co-chairman), Sol Harz, John Fischer, and Brian Nazinitski. Many others in the chapter have also given their time and good efforts towards a successful event, which Ed: You do a great job. Let me say thanks for all of us. One of the other amazing benefits you provide us members is the ability to get together with a bunch of guys each summer and head West, without breaking the bank. How long have you been fishing the West and organizing these rendezvous? PD: My first trip out west was in 1988 with Ken Gaherty (past president ) to the Yellowstone National Park area... and the park was on fire! A haze hung over the town of West Yellowstone, where the streets were unpaved but had five fly shops! With daily updates, we were able to maneuver the car around the park to fish various streams and to get away from the park we fished the Madison River. That has been the HOOK that keeps bringing me back! Nothing back East fished like the Madison. The fish were all wild, strong, beautiful, and big! For 15 of the last 20 years I been able to convince other buddies to come a visit this amazing place. It is addicting. Ed: Modesty aside, you happen to be one of those guys who always catches a fish and usually more that the rest of us. Has it always been this way or was there a time you were mortal? PD: I believe I have been blessed with a few physical attributes that have contributed to my general fly fishing successes. First, I m 6 feet tall, so I get a good command of most target reaches of streams. I am fortunate to have excellent balance and keen eyes. (So I m not a clutz but not exactly a ballet dancer either.) LITU has educated me in the ways of trout, bugs, streams, where trout live, how and when they eat, how to make better casts, how to get that drag-free-float. It has also made me aware of all the great rivers there are to explore the U.S. Put this all together and you get a lot of smiles. Oh, and by the way, I m still mortal. I can get skunked like everyone else. Ed: What is it about TU that you love so much? PD: Read the above! Plus it s a great way to give back to the resource. Ed: Any advice for new TU ers or Trouters? PD: The best advice I could give to any TU er or Trouter is to get involved! You ll learn so much about this sport, meet terrific and caring people, have a higher regard for the resource, and you ll be putting yourself in some of the most beautiful places on the planet. My mother was right when she told me as a little boy that it is better to give then to receive. Listen to mother! 6

7 Massapequa Creek Streamflow Augmentation and Stormwater Management Project Began in August In early August 2008, the Department of Public Works will undertake a major stream corridor enhancement project within the 423-acre Massapequa Preserve, located on Merrick Road and Ocean Avenue in Massapequa, announced Nassau County Executive Thomas R. Suozzi. This project has several components aimed at restoring, enhancing and protecting one of the most valuable freshwater wetland habitats remaining in Nassau County. The major components of the project include: Augmenting the Massapequa Creek stream flow with 800 gallons per minute of water that will be withdrawn from the de-commissioned Brooklyn Water Works infiltration gallery piping located below ground near part of the preserve by Sunrise Highway. The withdrawn water will be pumped northward in a new pipeline buried below the bike path (which will be completely replaced) and discharged into the stream channel at several locations just south of Linden Street. The aim of augmenting the flow is twofold: to allow the stream to flow more consistently during dry weather; and provide colder water to the stream in an effort to provide habitat for cool-water fish species (trout). Dredging/berming portions of two ponds to segregate the stream flow from the storm flow, thereby enhancing the aesthetic and ecological values of the ponds. Conducting stream channel improvements to prevent erosion and loss of wetland vegetation while restoring its suitability as a trout habitat. The improvements consist of some sediment removal from the channel, stream bank reinforcement, and protection using vegetative erosion control techniques and plantings. Other techniques such as rock weirs and stream diversions will create fish habitat as recommended by Trout Unlimited. Improving the Massapequa Reservoir through the partial dredging of a deep channel near the eastern wing to enhance flow and water temperature. Irrigating a 12-acre red maple swamp with diverted storm water runoff from the newly segregated ponds. These wetland areas are in need of additional irrigation if they are to remain viable as a wetland habitat. Providing storm water treatment at various locations throughout the watershed to prevent floatable trash and debris from entering the stream. These devices will filter suspended solids, nutrients, metals, oil and grease as well as pathogens. The size and scope of the project will necessarily involve some disruption within the Massapequa Preserve. Accordingly, the Nassau County Department of Public Works, the Nassau County Department of Parks, Recreation and Museums, the Nassau County Office of Public Safety, Bove Industries (the contractor), the Village of Massapequa Park and local County legislators will coordinate their efforts to alert surrounding residents and preserve visitors about anticipated construction activities, path closures, and path detours. In addition to the updates provided on this page, there will be posted signs in the preserve. LITU Bamboo Raffle Only 100 tickets will be sold and when the last one is taken, we will have the drawing. Great odds for winning a beautiful Northwoods bamboo Rod provided by Pete Harris and Jay Mooney. Tickets are $10 each and available at the meeting. If you can t make it send your check made out to LITU with a note saying it is for the Bamboo Rod Raffle to: Tom LoProto, 68 Murray Drive, Westbury, NY Please Patronize Our Friends and Supporters Bob s Canoe Rentals on the Nissequogue - (631) Bradley Custom Fly Reels - (845) , Rich & Barb Bradley Capt. Brett Greco Fly Fishing Guide MT & FL, (406) Capt. Eric Lund - Islamorada flats fishing - ewlund@hotmail.com Camp-Site Sport Shop - campsiteli@aol.com, (631) , Richard Siberry Charles Neuner - Fine Hand Crafted Split Bamboo Fly Rods, (631) Cross Current Guide Svc. - Joe Demalderis - Orvis Endorsed Delaware River Club - (570) Fins to Feathers Ltd. Taxidermy - (516) , Rich Glacier Bay Sports - Kayak Rental - Northport (631) Hooks & Brooks Guide Service - (631) , Mark Malenovsky Northwoods Rods - (516) , Jay Mooney - Peter Harris - Making bamboo...affordable Long Island Flyrodders Meet 1st VFW 55 Hickory Lane, 7:30, Massage Therapy - (631) , Jane Ferlise Northport Rod and Reel - (631) Bait, tackle & friendly advice - Dave Flanagan Orvis Greenvale - (516) , Dean Tsantilas Powers & Marshall - Real Estate Analysts & Consultants, (516) , Ted Powers RiverBay Flyfishing Outfitters - (631) Sawdust & Stitches - shadow boxes, art and more - (717) West Branch Anglers Resort (607) C&C Printing - 95 W Main St, East Islip, NY (631)

8 DATED MATERIAL PLEASE DELIVER PROMPTLY Published by the Long Island Chapter of Trout Unlimited Tom McCoy, Editor 97 Eatons Neck Rd Northport, NY Tuesday Oct 21st at 7:30 PM Monthly Meetings On the 3rd Tuesday At 7:30 PM Oct Meeting Location On pg 2 Hicksville VFW Hall, 320 So. Broadway, Hicksville, NY Steve Moyer From TU National presenting an update on TU s positions on issues facing Long Island Subscribers - See page 9-10 for: Fishing Report Photos & More TIC Letters 8

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