If one was to only drive through Connecticut on the interstates they would be missing an awful lot. For rural Connecticut would show you the "true" Connecticut.....Now back at the turn of this century there was a big restoration effort along the entire Connecticut river to try to return Atlantic salmon. The Connecticut had one of the largest runs of salmon in the northeast. But do to you know what that was eliminated. I took part in the restoration in the form of salmon fry stocking with CT. DEP. Many springs I wandered down hills and through brush carrying a white bucket of tiny Atlantic salmon. I found this to be very rewarding and was saddened when the program was halted several years ago because of poor results. To this day I believe that the salmon will come back. They may be few but they will once again swim wild and free within the rivers of Connecticut.
On a nondescript hill in eastern Connecticut is a marker. It is now weather beaten and is difficult to read. Maybe a little restoration would be in order.
A closer look at the inscription tells a great deal.
I have been over the years attempting to catch a wild Atlantic salmon in Connecticut. Each year I fish several rivers at various times of the year. I fish salmon flies I have tied and my hope is high.
I remember telling biologist Bruce Williams when he asked me why I do the fry stocking each year. My answer was "I do it so that one day my grandkids can have to chance to fish for and catch a wild salmon"...Well Bruce I'm not stocking anymore but I'm still fishing for that wild one.
Good morning Alan, it's truly sad that sea run Atlantic's appear to be gone from the Connecticut River. Sadly governments throw our money away on so many projects that are far less promising or worthy. I have hope that with conservation being taught to children almost as a religion these days one of them out there will grow to take up this challenge. Maybe I'm wrong but it would seem to be a question of stocking in numbers large enough to substantially overcome losses? To me that sounds like a funding issue-
ReplyDeleteDean F
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Dean the issue is dams. They can't spawn if they can't reach the streams. Between the states and the feds the amount of money used in this project was more then ample. As far as stocking goes I recall hearing that over 1 million fry were stocked in the watersheds in CT.
When you have something try not to screw it up.
Apparently Atlantic Salmon are being farm raised because they are occasionally in the meat department of the local grocery. We like it because it isn't as oily as Pacific Salmon. In fact, we have a couple pieces slated for dinner one of the days on our upcoming camping trip. Good with Asparagus and a rice dish of some sort.
ReplyDeleteMark Kautz
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Mark I do not favor any farm raised fish. Wild self sustaining is for me. Salmon is oily. As far as good table fare goes give me cod or flounder.
Alan,
ReplyDeleteKeep the hope up. Stranger things have happened.
JJ
Beaverdam
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Joe in my world the fountain of hope flows wildly.
I wish I had your optimism, but with fish struggling even in Maine where water temperatures are much better than here, I fear the worst. I certainly feel blessed to have had the perhaps undeserved privilege of shaking hands, so to speak, with one of CT's last sea run salmon.
ReplyDeleteRM Lytle
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Rowan you indeed were blessed with the proof that they can return with lots of help. I'm concerned with the issues facing the salmon. But I feel that showing a positive view is better then getting down.