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Didymo
Aug 23, 2007 13:50:22 GMT -5
Post by JoeOverlock on Aug 23, 2007 13:50:22 GMT -5
As most of you are probably aware, Didymo has hit the United States and is just 30 minutes from the Berkshires. I created this category to help contain and track any possible outbreaks here in Berkshire County. If anyone thinks they might have spotted Rock Snot in our waters please contact the state and make a post here so we can all exercise caution while fishing those waters. Below is a warning that Massachusetts just released along with the State contact for reporting potential outbreaks in MA.  |
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Didymo
Aug 23, 2007 18:54:19 GMT -5
Post by AgMD on Aug 23, 2007 18:54:19 GMT -5
Well done Joe!
I make it no secret that the Battenkill is my favorite stream, and no one is more bummed that it has Didymo. Josh and I fished it just a few weeks before it was announced and we were only 2 miles or so upstream of the affected area. Fortunately it was upstream. As it turns out they have also confirmed Didymo in samples that were taken last year. It has been there for a while. I think it is safe to say:
1. it can exist in a stream before it is detected.
2. it is in our local rivers.
3. we can spread it.
4. it can devastate a fishery.
It would seem that if we fish more than one river, we have to start using decontamination procedures every time we come back from fishing. Being an algae only one live cell is needed. Being an algae it is tough to kill.
We need to be more observant of what is growing on the river bottom. We do have some slimy stretches in most of our rivers but in looking at the photos it would seem that this stuff looks quite different.
AgMD
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Didymo
Aug 23, 2007 19:05:45 GMT -5
Post by AgMD on Aug 23, 2007 19:05:45 GMT -5
Also -- you will note the recommendation of washing at 140*. That is seriously hot. Most hot water heaters are set at 120*. The Boquet River Assoc. and the Au Sable River Assoc. recommends as an alternative -- Bleach: Soak for at least one minute in 2% household bleach ( one cup to 2.5 gallons of water)
Absorbent items: Felt -soled waders, for example, require longer soaking times ( 40 minutes) to be compleatly disinfected.
AgMD
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Didymo
Aug 23, 2007 19:37:48 GMT -5
Post by JoeOverlock on Aug 23, 2007 19:37:48 GMT -5
This is a Didymo distribution map for the USA. I found this on the EPA's website.  |
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Didymo
Aug 28, 2007 5:47:57 GMT -5
Post by AgMD on Aug 28, 2007 5:47:57 GMT -5
I decontaminated my gear for the first time the other day. I used a 2% Clorox solution but I noticed that my waders seemed to repel the water. So I put just a bit of dish washing detergent in the mix to act as a wetting agent and found it seemed to work better. I still had to rub the water into the surface to get good wetting. I have well water and it is just a bit hard, though not what you would consider hard water. Treated municipal water may be soft enough that there is no problem.
AgMD
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Didymo
May 4, 2008 14:40:24 GMT -5
Post by flyfishgb on May 4, 2008 14:40:24 GMT -5
I gotta say , this nuts is nasty, I fished over at the E. Branch Delaware the other day and witnessed this nasty stuff firsthand.
I feel like all of my gear is contaminated and honestly the fact that that whole river system has it is a scary thing, and is a major turnoff.
Please be very careful with this stuff as i will now have clean my gear VERY thoroughly.
If anyone has any advice on how to clean flies, and Line i'll take it now. Since my waders are felt sole i'll just leave them as Delaware waders.
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Didymo
May 4, 2008 16:37:39 GMT -5
Post by AgMD on May 4, 2008 16:37:39 GMT -5
I have not seen it for myself but it is just a mater of time. Lots of folks who fish the Battenkill and other waters are dedicating a pair of felt boots for those waters that are infected. It may possible to decontaminate drying thoroughly but felts never dry. Two weeks in a hot sunny car and they are still damp.
Last year I did use the Clorox soak method. This year I will use the old boots in the Battenkill and the new boots in rivers believed to still be clean.
As far as other gear goes--- the check -clean -dry policy is probably a good one. Checking each fly before it is clipped off the line, drying your flies on the windowsill for a few days. Check the knot at the leader/line connection, knots in the leaders. Wash it all with a bit of detergent in hot water. We are told that 140* water will kill it but I would bet that most domestic hot water systems are set to 120* or a bit more.
AgMD
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Didymo
May 4, 2008 20:01:08 GMT -5
Post by bartman on May 4, 2008 20:01:08 GMT -5
My solution to the 140 degree temp issue is to clean everything in the kitchen sink, right next to the stove. I boil water right on the stove and then continually add it to the hot tap water as I'm dunking gear. Makes for some confrontations with the wife when I'm in there with everything for an hour (or more) but I try not to do it around dinner time. ;D
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