CONSERVATION CORNER FOR September 2023
by Jeff Collins
Hope you had a good summer as it is winding down, it’s been a hot one, not only in Tucson but pretty much all over. That means warmer water for trout that they can tolerate. The White mountains lake and creek waters all reach the 67 degree mark at one time or another. Poor monsoon season didn’t help the cause and all these 110 degree days in the valley! At this writing I would recommend not fishing waters under 8500 feet elevation; still too warm. Cooler nights and hopefully more rain will help the cause. If you plan to eat the fish, that is a different story, you are killing them anyway. Please abide by waters limits.
We haven’t had any projects to report this summer, hopefully I can get it in gear and get a nice camping/ conservation trip going, stay tuned.
We do have local cleanups a the urban lakes monthly. Watch you Facebook OPTU site for updates. We not only clean around the local lakes but send reports of graffiti and vandalism. The Parks and Rec respond quickly to keep our parks nice. I work with Tucson Clean and Beautiful on these cleanups. They supply all cleanup equipment.
As you may have read, the Apache Trout is coming off the Endagered Species Act. There are mixed emotions on this topic, I’ll keep mine in reserve. If you have a comment, please notify AZGFD of you concern or approval, they would love to hear from you.
In New Mexico News, it is now legal to access private land to reach public water. The land owners must provide access. This is already coming with controversy, as most landowners are not abiding to the new law. Should be some interesting stories coming up on this issue. I subscribe to a NM outdoors site and getting updates constantly. I believe other states are watching this closely to see what route they may take. I’ll post updates on OPTU Facebook site.
I just got back from Alaska, Nome Alaska. Been going for about 5 years now, my son and his family live there. I always thought of it as Salmon Flyfishing Paradise. No other fisherman! Just a few gill betters up river. But this year, the Salmon didn’t show up, at all! Wildlife management can’t understand it but there are theories. One being Russian and Chinese trawlers fishing within the 200 mile limit. The only military base up there is in the Aleutians, and it’s an airbase; no Navy or Coast Guard. There is no major harbors either.
Another theory is once so many Salmon are counted entering the river, it opens up to no limit fishing. Another theory is the bad storms and ice they had this year? Anyway I hope it changes for my next trip. I did catch a few large Grayling and some outgoing Smolts.
I have several trips planned for mid to late September in Arizona, one being trophy Browns. I’ll keep you posted and report on any new Conservation Projects upcoming.
We do have some Projects coming this Summer/ Fall
- Kennedy Lake Cleanup
- Lakeside Cleanup
- Silverbell Cleanup
- Fishing to follow cleanups
Topwater is still good early and late for bass
