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Steward of the Week: Bob Lusk
Bob Lusk exemplifies perseverance. He knew when he was 14 years old that he wanted to make a living raising fish. Today, Bob is considered one of the leading private fisheries biologists in America.
“My passion for water and its inhabitants started as a kid with a fascination with the mysteries of things I couldn’t see, but began to deduce, based on experiences,” Bob explains. “But, today, that passion continues to be fueled by the need to help people learn to be better stewards of our land and water.” Read the rest of this entry »
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Stewardship Tip -Unfertilized Buffer Strips
If you are fortunate enough to live on a waterfront, you may want to consider an unfertilized buffer strip between your landscape or lawn and the water’s edge. An unfertilized buffer strip will reduce and filter the chemicals found in runoff, such as phosphorus and nitrogen, two of the primary components of most fertilizers, and keep them from running into the watershed. You may also want to consider using a phosphorus free fertilizer. Phosphorus tends to run downhill rather than leaching into the soil. A fertilizer such as a 20-0-10 (20 pounds of nitrogen, 10 pounds potassium, no phosphorus) with a slow release nitrogen component will provide nutrients to your landscape while reducing phosphorus runoff.
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Stewardship Tip – Waterwise Plants
According to a recent Intelligence Community Estimate issued by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, agriculture uses approximately 70 percent of freshwater. Domestic and industrial interests, in contrast, use about 19 percent. The estimate states “technology that reduces the amount of water needed for agriculture offers the greatest potential for relief from water shortages.” The estimate identifies the following areas that may mitigate agricultural water shortages in the future:
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Stewardship Tip – More on Fertilizer
Nitrogen, in addition to potassium, is a key ingredient in fertilizer. Fertilizers are typically marked with three numbers on the package that indicate the percentage, by weight, of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. A package, for example, may be labeled with the numbers 10-20-10. These would indicate that the bag contains 10 pounds of nitrogen and 10 pounds of phosphorus. The middle number indicates the equivalent quantity of potassium (the actual weight can be determined by multiplying by .44, this compensates for the weight of oxygen found in the potassium).
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Steward of the Week: Ben Weber
Ben Weber is a humble dude. When we told him we wanted to highlight him, he made the story about his mission – his cause, Vanishing Paradise, and he wouldn’t have it any other way. Together with guys like Andy McDaniels, Chris Macaluso, Land Tawney and others, they led a successful campaign for the RESTORE Act which passed in the Senate and is making its way through the House of Representatives now.
Every angler has their bucket list. It’s not uncommon to find Alaskan halibut, Texas alligator gar, and Amazonian peacock bass on such lists. One location and fish species that should be added to everyone’s bucket list is the redfish from the Mississippi Delta. Read the rest of this entry »
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Canals West Miami-Dade County – FL – Charles Cummins
Steward In Action’s story: It’s not much but I bought a box of heavy duty trash bags and put them in my truck. Whenever I am done fishing I take about 15 minutes and pick up trash that people have left. I use two bags; one for throw away trash and the other for things that our local single stream recycling accepts. Sometimes people will see me doing it; ask me what I’m doing and after hearing ask me if I have any extra bags (which I do) and pitch in.
Result: 150 gals
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Water Log: March 2012
Monster Fish Winter with Dragon’s Custom Rods continues – last month’s challenge was to Be Heard – and we were! Last week was a huge week for conservation because the RESTORE Act passed the Senate, the Land & Water Conservation Fund was re-authorized, the National Fish Habitat Action Plan moved forward in new ways, and that’s just part of it.
Mitch from Illinois made himself heard – Mitch wins a big, beefy custom built rod from Dragon’s Custom Rods.
The third rod in the series could be YOURS if you become one of our One Million Stewards between now and April 10. Just order one or more of our new Stewardship Kits and you’re entered. OR – share your story about what you’re doing to help our waters – that gets you entered, too. Read the rest of this entry »
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Stewardship Tip – Phosphorus and Didymo
Didymo (Didymosphenia geminata) is a type of algae found in fresh water. Commonly known as “rock snot,” didymo can form thick, brown mats on stream bottoms. During blooms, didymo can cover long stretches of streambeds and can disrupt the organisms that live in and on the streambed. This can have an adverse affect on fish by limiting their food supply.
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Quaddick Lake – CT – Alf Anderson II
Steward In Action’s story: Last Aug while on vacation at a cottage on Quaddick Lake in E.Putnam I spent the week fishing this large body of water. 3 different times I hooked on to some discarded fishing line which I took out of the lake. 1 time it was so long it took me almost 30 minutes to get it all and low and behold there was an old and broken fishing pole still attached to one end. And it goes without saying that all litter I find goes in the boat to be trashed or recycled when I get back to the dock.
Result: 300/500 yds of line, an old broken rod, reel & 5 gls of trash were cleaned up
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Steward of the Week: Robert Montgomery
The words of Robert Montgomery have been read by anglers across the nation and the world. Numerous publications have used these words to bring awareness to the concerns of outdoor enthusiasts everywhere and in 2010, he was recognized for his efforts and given the Homer Circle Fishing Communicator Award. This award recognizes fishing industry journalists who “exemplify the spirit, dedication to fishing, extraordinary talent and commitment to mentoring the next generation of fishing industry communicators displayed by Homer Circle during his storied career.” Read the rest of this entry »
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