Lane

State fisheries biologists and managers speculate that the virus was introduced into the Great Lakes from ballast tanks of cargo ships, considering a leading source of exotic species such as the zebra mussel, goby and snakehead. What has the FEDERAL government done to protect the Great Lakes from the dumping of ballast tanks into the waters of the Great Lakes? Yesterday the Associated Press reported in the Boston Globe that the new federal order could hamper stocking programs essential to the region's $4.5 billion fishery. "This order will completely eliminate long-established trades of sport fish between state agencies that are crucial to the maintenance, restoration, and enhancement of sport fish programs" in the region, Sam Flood acting director of the Illinois DNR, wrote in a letter to the federal agency". The formal letter can be viewed on the Illinois DNR website. Gov. Rod R Blojevich of Illinois has condenmed the actions of the USDA. Acting Illinois DRN director, Sam Flood can be reached at (217) 785-0075. The USDA federal order WILL BE CHALLENGED IN A FEDERAL COURT.

Pond-Pro, The AHIS/USDA green link works. The link will take you to the APHIS page. On the right hand side there is a section titled, "Hot Topics", click on "The Federal Order on VHS (Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia) Then view the letter in pdf from the National Aquaculture Association to AHIS, by going to www.nationalaquaculture.org/pages/documents/VHSVltrtoAPHIS.pdf If that link does not work, then just go to www.nationalaquaculture.org While you are on the National Aquaculture site, go to the officers section. The vice president and 3 other board members have large bait farms located in Arkansas. I get calls ALL of the time from bait shops that have purchased bait from two of the listed farms. MANY times the baitfish are diseased due to overcrowding and unsanitary conditions at these LARGE farms. Since we are microbiologists, we have traced most of the virolent diseases to the largests farms located in Arkansas. Don't get me wrong, there are some bait farms in Arkansas that produce healthy, quality bait. Do you really want your baitfish and exotic species brought in from the South? Most of the bait distributors in the North, purchase wild NATIVE broodstock in North Dakota (Not on the list) and Michigan. NONE OF THEM DEAL IN GOBIES, GOLDFISH or other exotic species. Pond owners will now be forced to purchase catfish, bass, bluegill, etc, from southern states. These hatchery game fish will introduce bacteriums, viruses, etc, that the wild northern fish has no immunity against. With time these pathogens will be introduced into PUBLIC waters. I am VERY much against the introduction of NON NATIVE species, but the federal order paves the way for just that. The letter from the National Aquaculture Association, claims that fishermen may be to blame. Most scientists,including myself believe that surviving fish will soon develop antibodies to fight this new stain of virus. Dr. Fasial from the University of Michigan has stated that the new strain of the VHS is not as deadly as the European strain. BTW, The only quote, "baitfish", or "feral" fish that has died in large numbers from VHS is the ROUND GOBIE.

Guys, go read the ban. It is only on native species. Zebra mussels are not part of the ban. The ban clearly states that farmed species of catfish, bass, baitfish,etc, can be brought in from other states that are not listed in the domestic ban. You can transport farmed fish including ICH covered trout from other states. The old saying YOU AIN'T SEEN NOTHING YET will definately apply! They will introduce all kinds of new pathogens that will end up in PUBLIC waters. Remember the ban is to protect PRIVATE COMMERCIAL FISH HATCHERIES! There is NO PROTECTION FOR PUBLIC WATERS! Where do you suppose these diseases that have infected the wild populations of fish came from in the first place? PRIVATE COMMERCIAL FISH HATCHERIES. They could careless about wild stocks of fish in public waters. They don't want the public to know about the botulism. The job of the USDA is to protect the cattle, swine, poultry, fish, etc, industry. Don't worry Avid, I will bring your shiners. You know the saying, "Don't Mess With Texas".

Liquidsoap, Channel Catfish and Rainbow trout are on the list of regulated species. The regulation states, "If other species are identified as VHS susceptible, the Administrator will admend this list of regulated species, and will specify the regulated species of live fish on the APHIS Web site at www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/aqua/" If you own a private pond or lake you are PROHIBITED from stocking, "regulated species". Of course you can feel free to stock goldfish, koi, and other ornamental species. They don't even know how they are going to test for VHS, since the strain is new and testing procedures are still being developed. To date the US Fish and Wildlife laboratory in La Crosse WI has conducted the VHS testing on federal hatchery stocks.

First off, I want to point out that VHS does NOT pose a threat to humans. The federal ban is ON NATIVE GAME AND BAITFISH! It does not restrict the species of NON NATIVE baitfish from aquaculture farms located outside the restricted states. In the northern states wild baitfish are collected for broodstock, then spawned at hatcheries. Almost all of the baitfish are native. This BRILLIANT federal order will OPEN the door for Non Native species of baitfish such as goldfish or "Black Salties" to be brought in from hatcheries in Arkansas. In otherwords, goldfish, tuffies and other species will be flowing north! I see no problem with testing bait/gamefish hatcheries, or issuing a ban on the transport of ANY fish coming out of waters contaminated with VHS, but that is NOT WHAT THE FEDERAL ORDER SAYS. Just who do you think will pay for the testing and enforcement? The TAXPAYER will pay for the enforcement, should it stand. I should add, that two months ago I was contacted by someone with close ties to the New York DNR. I was told that they are EXTREMELY worried about the outbreaks of Type E Botulisim on Lake Erie. The numbers of dead waterfowl and fish have significantly increased in the last four years. Type E Botulisim can be FATAL to humans. Two states have formed a task force to track the botulism. The CDC has issued a HUMAN health warning. The rare Type E Botulisim is caused by the ingestion of DEAD ZEBRA MUSSELS by fish. I would much rather the USDA concentrate their efforts on preventing the continued spread of Type E Botulisim which poses a health threat to the human population. These federal regulations are meant to support the BIG aquaculture community at the expense of the of the small northern hatcheries and anglers. The APIS DVM that I spoke with today, admitted that large scale aquaculture farms were probably responsible for the first strains of VHS coming out of Europe, and definately responsible for the LMB (largmouth Bass Virus) here in the US. The federal order CLEARLY STATES that their interest is to PROTECT COMMERCIAL HATCHERIES! Not Federal or state hatcheries!

Fellow members, your help is needed to halt federal regulations that WILL HURT the sportfishing industry. I recieved a disturbing phone call today from a large live bait distributor in Ohio. He informed me that the USDA has placed an IMMEDIATE ban on the interstate transport of BAITFISH and GAMEFISH due to the VHS (Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia) found in wild populations of fish in the Great Lakes. This is a new strain of VHS that was isolated in June in the St Lawrence River and Irondequoit Bay, which is on the southern shore of Lake Ontario near Rochester. Other strains of VHS have been found in Pacific herring on the Pacific coast. This is the FIRST time that the USDA has put a ban on the transport of fish. I was told today by APHIS ( Animal and Plant Inspection Service) that this measure could be expanded to include the transport of gamefish in livewells. That would include tournament angling. The immediate ban was designed to protect the spread of VHS to aquaculture facilities. I recieved CONFORMATION that there have been NO DOCUMENTED CASES of VHS in federal,state or private hatcheries. I also have a copy of a letter from the National Aquaculture Association requesting IMMEDIATE action to prohibit or restrict transport of fish. It just so happens that two of the LARGEST bait farms located in Arkansas are on the board of directors for the National Aquaculture Association. All meetings were held in secret with NO PUBLIC or STAKEHOLDER NOTICE! There is absolutely NO SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE to suggest the spread of VHS to aquaculture facilities due to the transport of baitfish or gamefish from areas outside the Great Lakes. The regulations are BROAD and INCLUDE the TRANSPORT of BAITFISH and GAMEFISH from: Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. All importation of live fish from the Canadian Provinces of Ontario and Quebec is PROHIBITED. We know for a fact that the virus does not replicate in temperatures over 15 Celsius, making the spread to warmer states impossible! These regulations are not based upon scientific FACTS! They could have easily inacted regulations on bodies of water where the virus has been found, but instead they included ALL BODIES OF WATER IN ALL OF THE ABOVE STATES! The Federal Order was issued on October 16th. Documents can be viewed at: http/www.aphis.usda.gov/newroom/content/2006/10/vhsfish.shtml This matter is SO SERIOUS that the American Sportfishing Association along with a few other stakeholders will be meeting with the USDA and APHIS tomorrow morning in Washington D.C. I will reprint a portion of the letter dated 9/8/06 from the National Aquaculture Association. "We are requesting that APHIS immediately implement interim measures to control the greatest POTENTIAL risk vector (distribution of LIVE, infected fish), investigate the sources and scope of the risks of VHSH transmission to COMMERICAL AQUACUTURE, and evaluate the efficacy of interim or PERMANENT REGULATIONS TO PROTECT FARM RAISED AQUATIC ANIMALS from VHSV. The specific method of methods of transmission of the virus have YET to be CONCLUSIVELY CONFIRMED but could CONCIEVABLY include FISHERMAN, FISHING GEAR, BOATS, WATER and LIVE FISH. Therefore, the deminsion of the interim measures need to be carefully considered, and efforts should be made to PRORITIZE development of controls for the greatest risks of transmission. Conversely, low risk vectors or fish that can be SHOWN free of the virus should be permitted ready for passage between states, and scientific methods to confirm such low risks should be established." WOW, TALK ABOUT SPECIAL INTEREST!!!!!!!!!!!! There are 37 species on the Federal list, including ALL species of BASS! I am urging ALL INTERESTED OR CONCERNED sportfishermen to PLEASE contact your US senator and US congressman. The Federal order states that the "Administrator may also designate other States or portions thereof as PROHIBITED AREAS UNDER THIS ORDER! You can view the letter to from the National Aquaculture Association to the APHIS Administrator by going to: http/www.nationalaquaculture.org Several industry stakeholders will challenge this federal order in the federal court system. I have offered to testify as a scientist on behalf of the sportfishing industry, based upon SCIENTIFIC FACTS and not on supposition! Please protect our sport, let your VOICE be HEARD!

Here is how I usually rig a crawfish. I hook the crawfish through the bony horn on top of the head. Bass feed head first, and that includes crawfish. Depending on the situation, I will use split-shots, under a bobber. You can also use a Carolina rig, or drop-shot rig. I would not recommend free lining the crawfish on Fork. Roadwarrior may have other tips as well.

Ronnie/Roadwarrior, We have a few distributors in the Fork area, so all I have to do is make sure that they get us nice big shiners beforehand. Don't worry, we will definately be covered on the live bait. I plan to use both artificials and live bait for bass. I usually use live minnows on crappie at nite. When I lived on one of the big lakes here in Texas, I used to Crappie fish just about every nite. Needless to say, my kids ate Crappie several times a week. Like Matt said, it is not uncommon to catch some NICE bass while Crappie fishing at nite.

Avid, I will make sure that we can get Shiners. I am bringing the crawfish from here, since I want nice BIG crawfish. There are alot of people that Crappie fish at nite with lights on Fork. Fork produces some SLAB Crappies. How many people are interested in nite Crappie fishing? If so, then I will make my special formula that brings in bait fish. I have had good luck Crappie fishing at nite off of docks on just about any lake here in Texas that has plenty of Crappie. Live minnows work the best at nite.

We live in a ever changing world, and that includes the mega corporations in angling like BASS, FLW, PURE FISHING, PRADCO, and the list goes on and on! But the CORE of the tournament angling world is the individual angler. As one poster stated, "GRASSROOTS". The pros formed the PAA (Professional Anglers Association), because THEY are the HEART and SOUL of professional angling. I know alot of weekend anglers that do not fish BASS or FLW, and they are able to finance their love for the sport or passion without the big boys. Some even make a nice little profit to boot! Smaller sponsors get more bang for their buck! They don't care what BASS or FLW is doing, or not doing. Media is even changing! I can now watch the, "Bass Professor" on my computer whenever I want! I can even choose what episode I want to watch, and save parts of the show that have useful tips for future reference. It is the wave of the future. YOU ARE WHAT MAKES THE SPORT, NOT BASS OR FLW! Maybe that is why our little business has been around for 16 years. It is the individual angler that supports this industry! Just my 02 cents for what it's worth.

Bass XL, I sent you a PM! Hope the info helps.

Bass XL, What are your questions. I am a microbiologist and my husband has his microbiology degree from the Department of Agriculture at the University of Florida. His specialty is fisheries microbiology. My degree is in human medical microbiology from University of North Texas. Dealing with fish is easier than humans. Also, David Campbell with the Texas Parks and Wildlife is a fisheries biologist with over 35 years of experience. If we can't answer your questions, he can!

We are going to have a Texas vs Florida big bass contest on our boat. I am a Texan and my husband is a transplant from Florida. He has the advantage of fishing for bass in Florida when he was growing up. My advantage is PATIENCE and DETERMINATION! Any bets on which one of us will get the bragging rights?

Bluegills are notorious for raiding the nests! Mattslures does make a good bluegill swimbait. I sure hope Matt has his new version of his bluegill and tilapia by the end of the year! Another notorious nest raider is the bullhead minnow. Maybe Matt will make a bullhead minnow swimbait as well! IMO, bedfishing is ethical if the fish are released in the same area soon after being caught!

BASS fisherman, You will be fishing with a professional angler. He has caught several 8 to 10lb bass on Fork. I think you will probably do pretty darned good!

Big Bass, I think that you should plan on coming. I have asked some a couple of people who have boats and know the lake if they could come and take someone out. I really think that you will be covered if you come. If you want you can PM me with your contact information. There is plenty of time to get this worked out. Keithscatch is right, if you help out with gas there are plenty of people who would jump on the offer. Think about it!

Suzy Q, Welcome! I am a woman, so women are definately allowed. We will probably outfish the men. It would be great if you could come!

Bassfreak, Fork does have boating lanes for higher speeds. The stumps have caused alot of accidents, so you need to exercise extreme caution. Basically you are fishing a flooded forest. There will be some avid Fork anglers that will be there to help out with navigation,etc.

Glenn, We would love to take you and your wife out with us. It will be fun having another couple on the boat. We will have several lures, so you will have plenty of choices. We can work out the details beforehand. I like to use live crawfish when I am trophy hunting. Tony will probably use artificials. Either way, we should catch some BIG HAWGS! It will be fun!

LBH, I believe that may be the place. The website is: http://www.captainsparadise.com David Short is my contact. He has been bugging us to get out there, so that is where we plan to stay. There is plenty of time to plan the evening social events, but I am sure that we can have an evening get together with barbeque, etc at the lodge for everyone. My better half is a master of the barbeque pit!

I can probably arrange to get some shiners from a distributor. My crawdad man will deliver the craws to me before we leave for Fork. I plan to use both live craws and Matts lures. There is a GOOD chance that someone in the group will catch a Sharelunker (13lbs). We will have our holding tank equipped with pure O2, etc, ready just in case someone in the group catches the BIG girl(s) and wants to donate her to the Sharelunker program. You will get a FREE replica mount, awards, goodies,etc. It should be a blast! Fluke, we had a great time as well. I got an autograph from Zell Roland for you! I will give it to you at Fork! He is a SUPER guy!

I have been out of state, but Glenn informed me about the BR Lake Fork trip. Both myself and my husband will be there. We should have our new 24ft center console Skeeter by then. Our boat should accomodate a couple of anglers besides ourselves. As far as live bait goes, I will be bringing BIG crawdads. So if any of you are interested in fishing with crawfish, please let me know so I can bring plenty. We will be staying at Captains Paradise, which is a new lodge with 21 private rooms, swimming pools, etc. It is a new lodge, and one of our associates is part owner. We will be hunting for the 13lb plus Sharelunker. It will be great to meet the BR staff and other members. We met Glenn, and he is a COOL dude! If anyone needs help, feel free to send me a PM!

Matt, One hand supports the jaw with the inserted needle,straw,etc, and the other hand lightly supports underneath the body. When you start to feel slight pressure on the hand supporting the body, pull out the needle. The air will escape to the surface. The main thing is to practice and take your time. Tim Cook is the one that taught me the fizzing procedure going through the mouth. He will be demonstrating the procedure to the TPW Sharelunker biologist latter this year. Tim is one of the most dedicated conservationists out there, you will not meet a more honest and sincere person! Hopefully his video will be completed by the end of the year. It helps to see the procedure being performed on a live fish.

Keithscatch, Don't really know how to take that last post? But I don't think that I said that Mr. Davis pioneered, "deep water release". He did however develop the particular method that I posted. His method is published in the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources under, "Alternate Release Techniques". It is listed right under Doug Hannons release technique. The publication can be found and downloaded off the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources website. At present the Ontario Ministry DOES not encourage any other methods other than what is listed in the "Alternate Release Techniques", section. The method of fizzing through the mouth is not mentioned in the published document. There are several techniques for deep release, as posted by Garnet. I picked the Davis method, because I feel like it was a simple technique and the equipment used is easy to find and implement by most anglers. My intentions are to help anglers with methods that they may not be familiar with. I am one of the FEW biologists that condone swim bladder deflation by artifical means in a tournament situation.

Matt, you can insert the 18gauge needle through the mouth then lay the fish in a horizontal position or on its side. The reason for this is because it is much easier to feel the fish begin to sink while it is in a horizontal position, than if it is in a vertical position. Most state biologists discourage fizzing, due to the removal of too much air. They have witnessed many fizzed fish sink to the bottom and die. I use a 2inch needle, but a inch and a half will work as well. It is illegal to fizz fish using a needle in Minnesota, so anglers have to use a deep water release, like the Mark Davis method.