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ROCK SNOT
The Federation of Fly Fishers is disseminating information about a new threat to our waterways called “Rock Snot.” It looks just like what comes out of your nose. The FFF is leading an international effort to reduce the spread of this disease called Didymosphenia geminata. This alga is native to many cold water streams in the northern latitudes where it usually presents no problem. However, biologists in recent years have discovered the alga has become an aggressive invader. It is spreading around the world and is forming impenetrable mats that can be up to two feet thick and covers the entire bottom of the stream and makes it impossible to fish. It is already having biological impacts and the science community has yet to discover all of the damage that it causes. At this time it has and is spreading to Arkansas, West Virginia, North & South Carolina, Texas, Missouri and almost every western mountain state. It is a national bio-hazard and threat in New Zealand and has also spread to the UK and much of Europe. FFF is one of the leaders in educating the public regarding these issues and implementing programs that will serve to protect and restore our aquatic resources. It is recommended at this time that we take the following steps to prevent spreading this invasive alga.
They are:
1 - Make sure to wash your gear before you leave a stream.
2 - Inspect your gear to make sure you are not transporting mud, vegetation or any other visible material.
3 - Dry your equipment thoroughly before you use it on another water.
4 - Never transport live fish or other organisms from one water to another.
More information can be obtained about Aquatic Invasive Species at
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