DRF Picnic This Saturday in Hancock!

[Big_Spinner]

Feel free to send the attachment to all your friends!!!!


IT'S FISHY, IT'S FOOD, IT'S FUN, IT'S FREE

Village of Hancock Fishing Access Site

First Annual Junction Pool Picnic

HANCOCK, NY

SATURDAY April 17 2004

JOIN US!

"The Attack on the Killer Knotweed" 9:00 am
Hoop to Hoop Fly Casting Contest 11:00 am
Junction Pool 5 Star TEXAS BBQ 12 Noon
Dogs/Chili/Burgers/Soft Drinks and whatever you want to bring!
New Sign Dedication!!! 1:00 pm
Upper Delaware Favorite Fly Exchange 1:30 pm

Fishing and Fly Casting Lessons throughout the day!!

Rte. 97 South from Hancock and
look for “Day on the Delaware” signs


Sponsored by

The Delaware River Foundation
524 West Main St.
Hancock, NY 13783
607.637.3220
Check our website for more information
www.delawareriverfoundation.org

 

[Big_Spinner]

Looks like good weather for Saturday!!!!

Come One! Come All!!

See you there!!!

Jim

 

[Future Fanatic]

Hello Jim,
Could you explain what all the fuss is about with the Japanese knotweed. I understand that it spreads like crazy and is tough to eradicate (first hand knowledge ), but why is the DRF so intent on getting it under control? Have you (as a group) determined what the best course of action is, where you have chosen to "fight it"? Thanks!
John

 

[Unregistered]

From a website on invasive species: "Japanese knotweed spreads quickly to form dense thickets that exclude native species and are of little value to wildlife, leading to it being described as an environmental weed (Holzner, 1982). Beerling and Dawah (1993) point out that “…if maximizing phytophagous insect diversity is considered important on nature reserves then clearly F. japonica represents a threat to the aims of the conservationist.” The extensive rhizome system of this weed can reach 15 to 20 m in length (Locandro, 1973) and enables the plant to achieve early emergence and great height, which combine to shade out other vegetation, and reduce native species diversity (Sukopp and Sukopp, 1988). At the end of the season, a mass of dead stems remains that further inhibits native plant regeneration and leaves river banks vulnerable to erosion as well as to flooding (Child et al., 1992). Such flooding facilitates the further spread of propagules downstream in the form of fragments of stem and rhizome that rapidly colonize scoured banks and islands. Additionally, the fibrous stems are slow to decompose and may alter rates of decomposition (Seiger, 1997). Once established, F. japonica is very difficult to eradicate and removal efforts may have further adverse impacts on the soil or other plants. In arid areas of the United States, F. japonica has the potential to have significant detrimental effects in scarce and already stressed riparian systems (Seiger, 1997)."

 

[Future Fanatic]

Thanks, umm, unregistered. I have no reason to doubt any thing that was written, (except maybe the part about the plant leaving "river banks vulnerable to erosion". It even goes on to say that it can "rapidly colonize scoured banks..." which might actually stop the banks from being eroded). But which of these reasons (if not another) spurred the organization to take action. I'm pretty sure that there must have been an observation on the part of some that prompted it.
One issue that seems universal in protecting our water resources is the stopping of fertilizers and algae producing nutrients from entering water systems; it would seem that having such vigorous plants pulling these from the riverbanks and the water itself would be beneficial. The brittle and generous amount of plant material that dies off each year would probably be forced downstream each spring with the spring runoff and the nutrients from their decomposition would be well downstream with them. Not that I'm saying that it is ok to just move the problem downstream, but the ecosystems downstream are probably more tolerant of excess nutrients than the fragile one up here.
I'm not trying to find fault with the eradication process, but I'm trying to understand it. Could someone point me to an area within the system that these plants have caused erosion? I'd really like to see what that looks like. Thanks for the info and thanks in advance for any more.
John

 

[Big_Spinner]

Hi John

Hope you can make it to the picnic Saturday. Junction Pool access on the main stem is a classic demonstration sight to show you the effects of knotweed on erosion of banks.

River bank Soil exposed by knotweed (remember that the root system is not fiborous like a grass) can erode up to 12 inches in just one spring. This leaves knotweed roots and cobblestone. The net effect to the river is that it widens the river channel.. a wider river channel menad shallower, warmer water. Not good for a cold water trout fishery.

The Delaware River Foundation recognized the threat 3 years ago and took action. Admittedly, a small section of knotweed is the target, but you have to start somewhere. THE DRF has as a primary mission to help achieve better and sustainable flows on the Upper Delaware for trout, but we also recognize other issues that will effect trout and bug health on the river. Knotweed and small spawning stream restoration are both projects that we can work on as we move forward for better flows.

Check our website and also the D.R.I.P.P. website. (Delaware River Invasive Plant Partnership) for more info.

Please try to make the picnic, you will see what knotweed is all about.

Hope to see you all on Saturday!!

Sunny, 70 degrees and a promise of rising fish! AND FREE FOOD!

What could be better than that!!!???

 

[Future Fanatic]

I KNOW knotweed! I mowed a large stand of it into oblivion. It is one tenacious plant. It took several seasons to watch it push up it's last sprout. Now, it's decayed roots in that part of the yard are helping to push up daisies. (sorry, I couldn't help it.) I find it so hard to believe that those clumps and attached roots allow erosion to take place. I would have bet that the plant was used to prevent erosion! What is your prefered method of getting rid of it?
I may be able to swing down to Hancock this Saturday. It seems that my "big plans" for the East Branch and Beaverkill may be washed up. (how fast can those flows come down ?

Now let me get this right... you PROMISE rising fish? We're not just talking about fish bobbing up and down in the current are we?
John

 

[Big_Spinner]

Hi!

LAst chance to get to the PICNIC!

Remember! FREE FOOD!!!!

See ya there,

Jim Serio

 

[Future Fanatic]

Jim,
Thanks for the invitation. Thanks also for the conversation and the 25 cent tour.
John

 

[Big_Spinner]

Glad you enjoyed it!!!

Talk to you soon,

Jim

 

[Andy B]

Sorry I missed your picnic today. You had great weather for it. Due to my tying obligations to the Fly Tyers Rendevous in Roscoe I could not make it. I would be interested in attending your next gathering.


Andy B

 

[Jonboy]

Thanks Jim

Hi Jim,

I was one of the "Jon's" with Dennis today. I just wanted to thank you for offering lunch. You were very kind. You guys seem like a great organization. Thanks again-

Jonboy

 

[willowhead]

Sounds like the "Picnic" was a real fun time Jim. I was thinking of you guys (and of course all the guys tying at the Rockland House), while at the vice on Fri. and Sat. in Idaho. The 11th Annual E.I.F.T./F.F. EXPO was a huge success. So many wonderful tyers and so much money raised. The auctions are always incredable what with both silent and live, and of course all the bucket raffles. There were lots and lots of seminars also; on fishing and tying of all kinds, casting demos, and so many other facets of the sport were also discussed and focused on by the pros. Tell you what, if you ever really want to see what a single independent club can do, to raise both awareness of and money for, conservation issues, check out the 12th Annual E.I.F.T./F.F. EXPO. Now sing........ I'll be there,............. i'll be there.......lol. The Upper Snake River Cutthroats are an incredable group, both TU and FFF affiliated. They sure know how to throw an event. mark.........