Fishing Forum

[cool][#0000ff]I just posted this on the float tubing board but thought it might be worthy of putting up on the Utah Board too.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I'll be the first to admit that I do not always clean up my float tubing gear as well as I should between trips. But, when I go two or three days in a row, there just does not seem to be the time...or motivation.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Recently the invasive quagga mussels have been found in many new waters and it appears that they are likely to infest many more. Boaters have been getting most of the blame, and there have been many boats checked at the lakes that have been found to be contaminated. Who knows how many more get through without being checked?[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Since these nasty little critters can be introduced into a new water via eggs or larvae...not just through adult mussels...it is logical that float tubes and pontoons could be vehicles for spreading them as much as boats. Maybe even more since we often carry away some mud and other icky stuff on our fins, boots, waders and the bottoms of our tubes and toons. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I am implementing a new personal policy for doing a thorough cleanup on my tube and other gear any time I am going to a different lake than I did on my previous trip. I may not do a COMPLETE cleanup in between two trips to Jordanelle, but if I hit Utah Lake one day and Starvation two days later, my tube will get a cleaning before it goes into Starvation. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]In the attached pics, I show that I am cleaning everything that came into contact with the water on my previous trip...tube, waders, fins, booties, landing net and fish basket. My understanding is that a thorough cleaning with a heavy duty cleaner degreaser should do the job. I do not have a steam cleaner. But, I may visit a coin-op car wash around the corner from time to time. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Too much fuss? Maybe. But, I would hate to think that I was the cause of an infestation on one of my favorite fishing holes. We all have to do our part and keep our eyes open for other potential contaminators. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]This is really becoming a hot issue in Utah these days with several new waters recently testing positive for quagga mussel presence. I know that California has really put restrictions on some waters and other states are getting more "active" about it too.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Any other thoughts or ideas?[/#0000ff]

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What about fishing line? Or bobbers? Can they carry the quaggas? Think of someone that fishes for a few hours and decides to move lakes due to lack of catching? Just a thought.
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Good idea! I generally clean my equipment after each fishing trip, but I have only used clean water in the past.

When do you think the weather will allow us to get on the water again? I should say when do you want to go to Starvation...good or poor weather!
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Thanks for helping to create awareness and lead the charge Pat. Good advise!
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[quote Fish-or-die]What about fishing line? Or bobbers? Can they carry the quaggas? Think of someone that fishes for a few hours and decides to move lakes due to lack of catching? Just a thought.[/quote]

[cool][#0000ff]Possible, but not likely. Not enough water residue remains after fishing to constitute much of a concern...on line and bobbers.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]My opinion. Might be wrong.[/#0000ff]
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[cool][#0000ff]I am as anxious as you are for another shot at Starvation. But, I hate to drive all the way over just to watch the white caps blow by...or worse, to have them blow me onto the shoreline in a spot I had not planned to beach my tube. Ever had that happen?[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]If you have any better connections with Mama Nature than I do, see what you can do to settle her down a bit.[/#0000ff]
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I agree with you, we should all clean our Tubes or Poons, I also think that in general, most of us that live to fish are very worried about the Quagga Mussels invading our waters that we love to fish. We all must do our best to keep that from happening. If I fished all over the state I might know of some of the waters that have the mussels in them but I don't. I fish maybe 6 lakes all year.
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Wouldn't it be nice if when the Quagga Mussel is found in a new water, that water be posted as such? This way it would give the boaters a heads-up. If I knew that a body of water had the mussel in it I don't think I would go there. I would like the Fish & Game keep us more informed on all of the waters that have the mussels.
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ABSOLUTELY! Bad thing on these is BIRDS can transmit them also.

I would like be kept up to date on where they are also!
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Looks like you are the 'senior' biologist [cool] [laugh].

If nothing else please read this article, it's bland and not very exciting but it's information that will help us keep our lakes, reservoirs and rivers mussel free. [url "http://icb.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/reprint/36/3/271.pdf"]Click Here[/url]
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As usual, TD is ahead of the game ( see post about new rules for Lake Powell above). It is unfortunate that all access will eventually be restricted due to the actions of a few. Bankers hours are bad enough now, but if it keeps the little buggers out of the water, we'll have to grin and bear it.

[quote Therapist]As usual, TD is ahead of the game ( see post about new rules for Lake Powell above). It is unfortunate that all access will eventually be restricted due to the actions of a few. Bankers hours are bad enough now, but if it keeps the little buggers out of the water, we'll have to grin and bear it.[/quote]

From the sounds of it, don't you mean Tube Dude just caught up to what allot have been doing all along....or should have been doing.[]
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[cool][#0000ff]Was that something in your book...or in a post I neglected to read?[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Obviously not EVERYBODY is doing it, so you should have done more to get the word out.[/#0000ff]
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You are right....I should have informed.
In the Fly Fishing stores, they sold sprays several years ago and there was always a concern, but I guess maybe it was just the Fly Fishers. The Felt soled boot thing.
I know Scruffy has been trying to spread the word for YEARS even in his signature.
I took it for granted everyone was.
My concern was always unwanted parasites not to mention mold. Even when we had our RINKER. It got a thoreau washing after each boating.

I have no book but have been asked to put one together...I will stick to Videos, he he, he,he.

I will say....BIRDS and WIND are a contributing factor also.
I can proudly say, it ain't me![]
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[cool][#0000ff]I recognize that many members of the fly flinging community have been more diligent about "hygiene" than a lot of the tubers who fish mostly for non-trout species. The whole thing with whirling disease was a big motivation to "keep it clean", since the primary method of relocation of the parasites was in mud from infected waters. Hats off to all who have already been doing their parts.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I have not been as diligent as I should have been, mostly because I have not knowingly dunked my tube in any waters known to harbor either WD or quaggas. But, since I would rather blame birds, wind or boaters...rather than tubers or tooners...I will clean up my act a bit better in the future.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]In the final analysis, we are all responsible for our own actions. Unfortunately there are far too many folks...boaters, tubers and tooners...who do not care enough to make the extra effort. They are the same kind who leave trash behind, take overlimits, commit other violations and then complain that DWR doesn't plant enough fish...or whine about some of the changes in regulations that they have helped create.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Keep up the good work.[/#0000ff]
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right here is why i keep a few bottles of 409 near where i hang my waders and boots. never even thought about spraying down my tube or my toon, guess ill get me a few more bottles.
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[cool][#0000ff]Good thinking. Just be sure you keep it out of the bar area. Makes a lousy mix for "adult beverages". But, if you do get and substitute it for the other stuff, it will CLEAN YOU OUT. No quagga mussels in YOUR pipes.[/#0000ff]
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least when i fall out of the toon, i wont have invasive's in my pipes to foul the waters!
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If I am not mistaken Chemical cleaners are not the suggested remedy but Hot water over 115 degree's that is the prescribed treatment. [cool]
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[cool][#0000ff]You are right. Recommendations are for powerwashing with the high temp water...for boats. There have been no standards set for tubes, toons, or other small craft. They are made of different materials and are usually only in the water for a short time...and do not have live wells, bilges or other areas that can retain water for long periods of time. Also, most exterior surfaces are easily seen and easily cleaned. Not many nooks and crannies.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I doubt that any case of infestation could EVER be traced to a careless tuber or tooner. Not many of us travel around that much or fish in the infected waters along the Colorado River that seem to constitute the greatest risk. But, any of us who do should make every effort to clean and disinfect our craft after visiting those waters...and to let them dry thoroughly over a couple of weeks before going anywhere again.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I have already scrapped my plans for a tubing trip to Electric Lake, simply because I don't want to have to blast my tube with hot water or chemicals. Plenty of other "safe" places to fish.[/#0000ff]
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I have not been able to find it, but I believe that a bleach solution is effective in killing the larve. You can spray down the exterior with a bleach solution then wipe it down. Question is, will the bleach harm the material of the toon or tube ????