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| FishTails |
December 2002 Conservation Update
[December, 2002] - By Jim Summers, Conservation Director, West Virginia BASS Federation
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| Jim Summers planing seeds. |
This has been a long but very productive year for the West Virginia B.A.S.S. Federation. I have just received word
from the West Virginia DNR's Biologist Kevin Yokum that work is beginning on the Roanoke courtesy docks and the
docks at Vandalia will receive a metal gangplank walkway to the docks. Work is expected to be completed in late
winter or early spring.
As some of you all know we are working in cooperation with the West Virginia DNR on a reservoir vegetation project.
The idea is to enhance fishing in West Virginia reservoirs by adding vegetation. Vegetation will add nursery habitat
for black bass species and could provide better bass fishing in general. Even if nursery habitat is not effective
in establishing strong year classes of young bass it will provide additional cover and create great fishing habitat.
Currently our reservoirs have very little vegetation in them. Also by planting annuals, we are assured no uncontrollable
exotic plants will be introduced into our reservoirs. The key to the success of the project is to find an annual
that survives and provides cover through the crucial spawning and nursery periods of late April thru June.
Our plan is to start seeding in order to determine at what draw down level and what areas within selected West
Virginia reservoirs can the maximum yield be attained. We will sew winter wheat in the fall and millet in the early
spring. Additional annuals such as wild rice are also being considered. Winter wheat should grow well, but may
fall victim to wildlife (deer and waterfowl) decimation. We feel that the spring seeding of millet will be the
best bet at this point in time, and must be established before the reservoirs fill up. The timing issue will be
important as germination time, temperatures and early filling by the Corp of Engineers may be problematic. So far
Burnsville Lake is the first test site. On October 25th the WVDNR and representatives of the WVBF sewed 3 acres
of winter wheat on mud flats in three different areas of the lake.
In the future the WVDNR and the WVBF would like to try experimental plantings of native vegetation in an attempt
to establish permanent vegetation on selected reservoirs. Severe drawdowns and climate make West Virginia reservoirs
extremely difficult for vegetation to grow. With permission from the COE, we will set up test plots on selected
reservoirs to determine which plant species have the best survival rates. Even though we have a chance of failing
at this project we feel that establishing vegetation in West Virginia reservoirs would enhance sport fishing so
much we are willing to work with everyone involved and give it our best shot. I will keep everyone updated on our
progress and we will need some more help in the spring to plant millet. Anyone willing to help E-mail me at CONDIR@WVBASS.Com.
You know, the West Virginia B.A.S.S. Federation has attained some lofty achievements this year both statewide and
nationally. So remember one thing, this years achievements should be next years goals. We cannot stop growing we
cannot stop achieving. With you all working as a TEAM we can become the best of the best and our goals should be
to never stop being the best. To all my Federation brothers and sisters, May God bless you all and have a very
Merry Christmas and a Safe and Happy New Year
Jim |
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