Albud,
I'm not trying to start an internet shoving match here because I despise them, so don't take this as an attack: what follows isn't directed at all towards you, but rather at those who may have seen your post and been influenced by what it contained.
And let me also say that I do appreciate the work that CRTU does in the Yough watershed—by no means is it my intent to belittle that effort in any way. I've actually worked with your chapter a few times when I and my partner organized float stockings with fish from your hatchery.
That being said, I do wish folks would be a little more circumspect with respect to perceived problems the river may or may not have and realize that public opinion is one of the weightiest factors in protecting a stream or river or helping that stream or river develop into something better than it currently is.
With respect to whether the river is infertile, while it is true that the river and its tributaries do have their issues at times, a quick glance at the PH readings at Confluence from June 1 through today--arguably the area of most concern given its proximity to the lake—will show you that the PH values never dipped below 6.5 with the average value being right around 7. Lastly, a recent comprehensive study--2012--by Youghiogheny River Keeper documents PH readings throughout the entirety of the watershed ranging from 6.8 to 8.3. So the river is rarely, if ever—and certainly not “often in the lower 6s”.
Bug life on the river continues to improve. Just last night I rowed someone down the river through thousands of spinners of varying species while he threw dry flies to fat, happy rainbows conditioned to enjoying that evening meal. And anyone who has spent any time at all on the river over the past few years can tell you that hatches are improving dramatically.
With respect to thermal issues, sure, the Casselman and Laurel Hill add some warm water to the river, and in an ideal world, we could fix that, but, honestly, that isn’t happening. Looking at the bright side though, during the period when those two waterways are at their warmest, they are also at their lowest volume, meaning they add little to the volume of the river on average, and thus only marginally affect the temperatures on the main river. Again, looking at the river on average throughout the same period mentioned above, water temperatures at the Confluence gauge this season never reached 70. Of course, in other, drier and warmer years, afternoon temperatures down towards Ohiopyle will reach 70, but there are plenty of deep, highly oxygenated riffles, spring seeps, and small tributaries that serve as refuge areas, and the fish do just fine provided people aren’t out there beating them up.
Really, the biggest thermal issue on the Middle Yough occurs every September as water temperatures from the dam reach 70 for a typical period of three weeks. But again, there are refuges to be had, and a little responsible angling is all that’s needed to remedy that problem.
Lastly, I think that fish kill occurred in 92? Without some investigation, I'm not sure on the exact year, but it was early 90s. So it was at least 20 years ago. One thing is certain, that kill was the result of a mine blowout on the Casselman River, and thankfully, that problem has been remedied.
Does the river have its issue? Certainly. Show me a watershed that doesn’t.
But the past few years have shown those who call the river home and those who've visited the river on one of our guide trips just how good it is, and how good it could be.
Al, this part is directed at you:
As I mentioned above, for three years running I organized float stockings on the river with our boats and your fish that were, by and large, successful. The third year I enlisted some help from one of the other outfitters as well, and the only reason these stockings didn’t keep happening was because after repeated attempts at contacting your guys, nobody responded.
LHGS is has been and continues to be willing to have our guides work with CRTU on float stockings. With a little bit of notice, we can currently contribute 8 boats to a float stocking, and I’d be happy to take the reins on enlisting help from the other outfitters—I’m sure they’d be happy to contribute as well.
My contact information, and Jimmy’s, is available on our website:
www.laurelhighlandsguideservices.com
One final thing: we all have a common interest here--a great trout fishery on the Middle Yough. And pursing multiple avenues to make that happen is the best way to meet that goal. There is no reason whatsoever that CRTU shouldn't take part in getting the word out to help make this fundraiser a success. Just like there is no reason whatsoever that LHGS or any other outfitter that benefits from the river and the work CRTU does shouldn't lend a hand in those stockings.
