Two local conservation groups and several fishing guides teamed up this week to rescue rainbow trout stranded by low water in an irrigation canal on the Big Wood River, one of Idaho's premier fisheries.
Wood River Land Trust staffer Kathryn Goldman, Trout Unlimited members Carl Evenson and Brian Richter, and other local guides teamed up Tuesday, March 15. at the Glendale Canal, southwest of Bellevue. They used a seine net to catch fish that were stranded in the canal when the headgates were shut off. Evenson, vice president of Trout Unlimited's Hemingway Chapter, obtained a permit to net the fish from the Idaho Fish and Game office in Jerome.
Trout Unlimited and Wood River Land Trust are working to engage local fishing enthusiasts and river lovers on the impacts to the fishery for several reasons. "Our work to protect, restore and conserve land in the valley is always connected to the river," said Goldman, project coordinator for Wood River Land Trust. "We are working on a fishery assessment that looks at the factors that most influence the health of the fishery. Alterations to the river, such as water diversions, are one factor that definitely plays a role in the health of the fish populations."
"As a guide you have an impact on the fish, and it's nice to buffer that by having a positive impact on the fishery," said Evenson.
Brian Richter, a guide with Silver Creek Outfitters, agrees and wants others to know about the many factors that impact the Big Wood's fishery. "Awareness is key," he said.
"We're really lucky to have the Big Wood in our backyard. It's a treasure," said Todd Van Bramer, another fishing guide who assisted with the fish rescue.
Trout Unlimited is seeking donations to purchase a seine net for fish rescues in future years. Contact Carmen Northen, president of the Hemingway Chapter, at 788-3618, to make a donation. The groups were scheduled to conduct the second part of their rescue mission on Thursday, March 19.
