Podcast available on wildfire impact on fisheries
Blog by: Bill Prater 11/9/2020 (Return to blogs)
For an excellent discussion of the expected impact on the Poudre River watershed, check out a new Colorado Parks and Wildlife podcast on "Wildfire impacts on Wildlife."
The podcast can be found on the CPW website; click here.
The 30-minute podcast covers a broad discussion of the pros and cons of wildlife. (You'll find the main discussion of fisheries comes from northeast region senior aquatic biologist Jeff Spohn, starting about 11 minutes into the podcast). Jeff was heavily involved in assessment and restoration efforts on the South Platte after the Hayman Fire. Based partly on that experience, he says, essentially, that loss of fish will be extensive, and the worst damage to fisheries will come with ash and other debris being washed into waterways with the next big rain or snowfall.
The Cameron Peak and East Troublesome fires are the largest wildfires in Colorado history, burning more than 600,000 acres. In addition to Jeff's discussion of fisheries, the podcast includes assessments by the senior wildlife biologist for CPW's northeast region, Shannon Schaller, and Casey Cooley, who is CPW's forest habitat coordinator.
(Thanks to Walt Graal for letting us know about this).
Blog content © Bill Prater
Comments
droolr
12.02.20 11:58 AM
Maybe Williams fork , granby and grand lake should be opened for salvage fishing this winter . Spring runoff is likely to kill everything. The ash in grand lake might toast Carter lake after passing through the tunnel.
wax
12.03.20 6:53 AM
The Orvis guide to Fly Fishing Podcast last week had a great talk about stream and watershed survival post wildfire.
FishHuntNow
12.03.20 5:07 PM
We'll have to wait and see what impact it has.
About the Author
A past president and editor for the Loveland Fishing Club, Bill John favors smallmouth bass but won't pass up anything with fins. He'd no doubt be skilled at one type of fishing or another, but constantly rotates obsession between spinning gear, bait casters, fly rods and Tenkara. The Prater garage is littered with a bass boat, canoe, multiple float tubes and of course an ice hut. Interested in getting involved in an all-species fishing club for seniors? Drop me a note at billjohnp@gmail.com