11-19-2005, 07:12 PM
[cool][#0000ff]I think that the kamloops thing is "old business"...especially on Mantua. That is a shallow lake, better suited for "warm water species" and while the kamloops survive, they seemingly will never displace the bass, bluegills and perch.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Flaming Gorge is a lot more like their native habitat. I am an Idaho native and as a kid I fished some of the big northern lakes that had kamloops in them. We trolled for them with giant wooden plugs designed to imitate foot long kokanee, their main food source. In the Gorge, the kokes are becoming a staple in the diets of macks, and having more kamloops would create a greater strain on the koke population. But, they are big and fun.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]About the three year thing, I think it is subject to actual food sources. Those big bows in Yuba were only planted about two years ago, but have grown very fast, and they have quickly become piscivorous. Even the small "yearlings" are dining on the abundant minnows in Yuba.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]A fisheries officer I spoke with at Yuba a few weeks ago said that the upward limit on size for the Yuba bows at this time was about 6 pounds. That's great for two year fish. If they keep growing at the same rate, for the next year, we will have to take marlin gear to whup 'em. Then, even if they expire after their third year, there will still be some fish approaching 10 pounds. I could deal with that.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Bear in mind that I am not a degreed biologist. However, I was on the path to becoming a marine biologist in my college years, and I have worked with several state fisheries groups over my lifetime, so I know just enough to be dangerous...and to raise some questions.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Flaming Gorge is a lot more like their native habitat. I am an Idaho native and as a kid I fished some of the big northern lakes that had kamloops in them. We trolled for them with giant wooden plugs designed to imitate foot long kokanee, their main food source. In the Gorge, the kokes are becoming a staple in the diets of macks, and having more kamloops would create a greater strain on the koke population. But, they are big and fun.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]About the three year thing, I think it is subject to actual food sources. Those big bows in Yuba were only planted about two years ago, but have grown very fast, and they have quickly become piscivorous. Even the small "yearlings" are dining on the abundant minnows in Yuba.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]A fisheries officer I spoke with at Yuba a few weeks ago said that the upward limit on size for the Yuba bows at this time was about 6 pounds. That's great for two year fish. If they keep growing at the same rate, for the next year, we will have to take marlin gear to whup 'em. Then, even if they expire after their third year, there will still be some fish approaching 10 pounds. I could deal with that.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Bear in mind that I am not a degreed biologist. However, I was on the path to becoming a marine biologist in my college years, and I have worked with several state fisheries groups over my lifetime, so I know just enough to be dangerous...and to raise some questions.[/#0000ff]
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