Stewardship Tip – November 7th, 2008 – Clean your waders!
Myxobolus cerebralis (Mc), a parasite that infiltrates the head and spinal cartilage of fingerling trout, multiplies rapidly. It causes fish to swim erratically and, in severe cases, die. When an infected fish dies, millions of tiny Mc spores are released into the water. When Mc spores are ingested by tubifex worms, the spores change inside the worm and are released in a highly infective form, Triactinomyxon (TAM). TAMs are free-floating in the water until they infect trout, causing spinal deformities and decreased abilities to feed. This parasitic infection is known as whirling disease.
Whirling disease is usually transmitted by infected fish and fish parts that carry the parasite. It is also possible anglers could carry Mc and TAM spores on fishing equipment.
Clean your waders: To help prevent the spread of whirling disease from one watershed to another, rinse all mud and debris from equipment and wading gear and drain water from boats before leaving an infected drainage. This will remove most spores from equipment. However, if you are fishing heavily infected waters, clean your gear with 1 part chlorine bleach to 32 parts water; let the solution stay in contact with the equipment for 10 minutes. This will kill TAM stage 1. To kill mature myxospores, soak your equipment in a 10% solution of bleach and water for 10 minutes. As bleach is hard on waders and equipment, rinse it thoroughly after soaking.
Why it is important to the fish: Whirling disease threatens many of our finest trout streams. It has caused severe declines in population. Many organizations have been dedicated to researching and understanding the disease and many strides have been made. As anglers, it is important that we take the time to clean and disinfect our equipment, while we may not be able to totally eradicate whirling disease, we can help to prevent its spread.
There are many aquatic nuisance species (ANS) that threaten fish. The list is long and includes hydrilla, New Zealand mud snails, zebra mussels, and DIDYMO. Our friends at ANS Task Force have identified many ANS. Our friends at Protect your waters have many tips to help us prevent their spread.
This week’s sponsor-partner: Coleman
Nearly 100 years ago, a young man with an entrepreneurial spirit and a better idea began manufacturing lanterns in Wichita, Kansas. His name was W.C. Coleman. The company he founded would change life in America. Today, the Outdoor Company has become synonymous with family camping through its broad line of affordable, high quality products, as well as back-country expeditions through its Exponent brand. Their partnership makes this week’s “Stewardship Tip” possible.
Rising demand for our weekly Stewardship Tip and a new partnership with Fly Cast America now makes the Stewardship Tip available in Spanish. Ahora, reciba el Stewardship Tip en español. Gentileza de Fly Cast America.
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