NOVEMBER 2006
DIDYMO
Please share the following message with your membership.
Fellow Anglers,
As you may know, an algae called "Didymo" (Didymosphenia geminata) has invaded several East Tennessee waters. This colonial algae forms brown mats with white streamers that can look like toilet paper. Didymo is bad news. At times it can densely cover miles of river, making it difficult to fish. It could also smother habitat needed by the aquatic bugs that trout need to eat. So far, TWRA has not observed any changes in fish populations that can be attributed to the algae, but we are still concerned.
At this time, nothing can be done to remove Didymo from these rivers. Didymo can spread to new waters on fishing gear, especially felt wading boots. Didymo is difficult to kill and can live for weeks on damp boots. You can prevent its spread to other waters by thoroughly cleaning your gear before entering new waters. Anglers should clean any gear that is in contact with the river bottom (boots, boats, trailers, nets, etc.). Take the following two steps to clean your gear:
Wipe off any debris from your wading boots and other gear as you leave the river - leave it there.
Before entering a new water, kill the Didymo on your gear- you cannot see it, but it is there. Kill methods:
a. Allow wading gear to completely dry, then let it dry for an additional 48 hours, OR
b. Soak wading gear for one minute in a 2% bleach solution (1 cup household bleach and 3 gallons of water).
Didymo is present on the South Holston, Cherokee, Wilbur/Watauga, and Norris Tailwaters. It is also common in Arkansas tailwaters. It has not been observed in the Hiwassee, Duck, Elk, Caney Fork or Cumberland (KY) rivers. To stop the spread of Didymo and any other invasive species, always use the above protocol before entering new water bodies, regardless of where you are fishing.
There are some photos at the TWRA Region 4 website - http://www.homestead.com/twra4streams/didymo.html
Spread the word - not Didymo,
***********************************************
Frank C. Fiss
TWRA - Fisheries Management Division
P.O. Box 40747
Nashville, TN 37204
615 - 781 - 6519 phone
615 - 781 - 6667 fax
Frank.Fiss@state.tn.us