US expands laws protecting Atlantic salmon

The federal government dramatically extended protection yesterday for the imperiled wild Atlantic salmon in Maine, declaring that the few remaining sportfish in the Penobscot, Kennebec, and Androscoggin rivers and their tributaries are endangered.

Maine officials are not pleased.

LINK (Via: The Boston Globe)

Exocoetidae

(Via: Bits and Pieces)

Hatchery Raised Fish Hurt Wild Steelhead

Oregon research shows that steelhead raised in captivity are hurting wild-born fish. Oregon State University zoology professor Michael Blouin found the captive-born fish inter-breed and pass on their weaknesses to wild fish.

The new research undermines ongoing experiments by state and tribal fishery managers to crossbreed wild fish with fish raised in hatcheries.

LINK (Via: The Columbian)

Como se dice "holy shit" en Espanol?

We're back from the East Cape.  Full report to follow - until then chew on this...

The 15 second mark of this video should make sense of the chaos experienced when a Rooster decides your sardina pattern is interesting. 

It wasn't all swings and misses though - Cock was gripped.

As was Mr. Crevalle.

Bowfin are also called dogfish, mudfish, brindle and WTF is that thing?

The Fish Dog sent us this disapatch and picture of fellow guide Karl Wiexelmann with a bowfin buck in full spawning mode.

Karl is an Erie, PA, based fly fishing guide, all walk & wade- Scott Pro, Patagonia user. Steelhead 9 months of the year, with warm water in May, June, July. Has a very interesting program of fly fishing for bowfin. The males get a bright lime green coloration on their fins during spawning. They look like something out of Jurassic Park and you can get them to eat a fly.

Steelhead recovering through Hood Canal program

Scientists have spent two years rearing wild steelhead in hopes of restoring threatened Puget Sound populations.

Steelhead hatcheries typically feed their steelhead a heavy diet to boost their size for release after their first year. But the slowly fed 2 year olds seem to survive at a much higher rate. In fact, holding fish for an extra year appears to be so successful that it may become the norm -- particularly for a new breed of hatcheries aimed at increasing natural populations rather than just producing fish for sport and tribal fisheries.

LINK (Via: Oregon Live)