Reno Gazette-Journal du lieu suivant : Reno, Nevada • Page 31

Reno Gazette-Journal TT Reno Gazette-Journal ilMINGrLriSHING WILDLIFE ENHANCEMENT Notebook Precious Paiute trout perseveres It. If trout with more than five total spots is not a pure Paiute. "Looking at the Paiute cutthroat is like looking at a naked trout," Coburn said. The trout's coloration is striking. In the clear-as-air alpine water the pastel shades of purplish-pink flanks come through.

There's also an almost-copperish shade of yellow and they have the distinct cutthroat slashes under the lower jaw. The Paiute is native to only Silver King Creek and its tributaries. The natural barrier of cascading Llewellyn Falls is all that separates the Paiute and Lahontan cutthroat. During a visit to Silver King, Coburn pointed out fragile meadows crossed by small streams among peaks reaching more than 9,000 feet. While crossing Coyote Valley, Coburn explained a solar-powered electric fence around a portion of the stream.

The fence is meant to keep out cattle that are allowed to graze here in the summer. Coburn says cattle grazing impacts the Paiute's habitat. Grass grows noticeably taller inside the fences. Before 1890, the Paiute's range was below the Llewellyn Falls barrier in Lower Fish Valley and Long Valley. About 1912 a young Basque sheepherder named Joe Jaunsara carried some Paiute trout in a can above Llewellyn Falls.

This move probably saved the rare species of trout because other fish planted in Long Valley were breeding out the pure Pai-utes. In 1927 a cloudburst and flood eliminated the original barrier which separated the Paiute and Lahontan cutthroat for centuries. Rare species: It's easy to spot but difficult to find. By Richard Dickerson SPECIAL TO THE GAZETTE-JOURNAL As a wildlife biologist, Mary Co-burn sees a lot offish. The Paiute cutthroat stands out.

"They're the most unusual trout you'll ever see," said Coburn. A resident of the Sierra Nevada, the Paiute cutthroat, an endangered species, perseveres in the rugged drainage above the East Fork of the Carson River. As a biologist, Coburn began working with the Paiute cutthroat in 1975. Today she volunteers her talents to help save the imperiled Paiute from extinction. "They're out during the day and they're not skittish," Coburn said.

"They are not afraid because they have never had any predators." A genetically distinct fish, biologists theorize the Paiute evolved from the Lahontan cutthroat found downstream in the Carson River. Earthquakes and landslides built a fish barrier on Silver King Creek, trapping the Lahontans in the creek. An average adult Paiute is 8-inches long although Coburn has seen 4-to-5-year-old fish up to 12-inches. The easiest way to identify the Paiute cutthroat trout is the lack of black body spots. Tests conducted at the University of California, Davis confirm the difference.

A Eric GerstungCalilornia Fish and Uame pnoto SHOCKING: California Fish and Game agents use electricity to stun the trout for counting purposes. Rare fish spawns volunteer effort More recently the Back Country Horsemen of Carson City began providing pack animals. Two summers ago, donated labor helped capture and move 1 ,600 hybrid trout that were living in Silver King. Then, after the pure paiutes were moved to safety, the creek was chemically treated to eliminate any remaining exotic trout. The native Paiutes should return to Upper Fish Valley next summer.

There are fewer than 300 pure adult Paiutes in the Silver King drainage. Obviously the Paiute is in a precarious position. Any natural or man induced disaster could bring extinction. the new route," Coburn said. "We gained about a half mile of stream." Other volunteer work involves replanting riparian vegetation.

Trout Unlimited in California has adopted the Paiute cutthroat in Silver King Creek. TU sponsors volunteer efforts by providing food and advertising for helpers. Through the efforts of individuals such as Leo Cronin, nearly 150 TU members and other volunteers worked to improve the Paiute's habitat during the summer of 1989. Current and retired U.S. Forest Service and California Department of lish and Game employees also donated their time.

Call of the wild Want some good fishing? See this movie The number of ducks migrating south this year is about the same as last year. But migration has decreased since the 1970s. Breeding populations TECTUmM! In millions Percent Species 1991 1992 1970-79 change evada's hunting season gets into full gear with the opening of goose, tundra swan and fall turkev seasons on Saturday. Canada, white-fronted, snow and Ross goose hunting seasons open in all counties except Clark. In northern Nevada, Mason Valley Wildlife Management Area near Yerington is expected to be a popular spot for goose hunters.

The area will only be open Saturdays, Sundays, Wednesdays and some holidays for waterfowl hunting, according to Dave Rice of the Department of Wildlife. Phone 463-2741 for information. Goose hunters should remember that they need a state and federal waterfowl stamp, in addition to a general hunting license, for hunting geese. Nevada's duck season doesn't open until Nov. 14.

Fall turkey season for permit holders only opens Saturday at Mason Valley Wildlife Management Unit, Lahontan Recreation Area and in the Spring Mountains in Clark and Nye counties. Tundra swan season will be open only in Churchill, Pershing and Lyon counties. The wildlife department has allocated 650 one-bird-limit tags for the swan season. DEER STRESSED BY DROUGHT Up to now, biologists have observed subtle physical ailments in Nevada's western deer population due to the drought. Biologist says drought-stressed deer have shown signs of various types of parasites and virus all of which are harmless to humans.

But Mike Hess, big-game biologist for the Department of Wildlife, says he's seen the worst indicators so far. During a recent bird-hunting trip on Mount Rose, Hess says he observed deer that were abnormally skinny and had poor coats. "I saw about 50 head, and I was shocked at the condition of the deer," he says. "What really shocked me was the condition of the does. Many of them have ribs showing and their coats look bad.

Their are a fair number that haven't molted from their summer to winter coats." Hess says that deer in the western part of the state seem to exhibit more of the poor physical conditions than eastern Nevada deer. Eastern deer seem to have benefited from wetter conditions this year, he says. Hess predicts there could be a "catastrophe" in western Nevada if the state is hit with harsh storms in November and December. He says many of the western deer are not in good enough shape to survive such storms. HEENAN LAKE OPEN Anglers shouldn't overlook Heenan Lake in California's Alpine County.

It remains open for catch-and-release fishing on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through the end of October. Tour Du Pont RICHMOND, Va. (AP) The 1 993 Tour Du Pont, the most prestigious multi-day bicycle race in the United States, will be held May 6-16, race officials announced Wednesday. The fifth edition of the event, Mallard 5.4 6.0 8.1 -26 Pintail 1.8 2.0 5.7 -65 Canvasback .49 .48 .54 -11 Bluewinged Teal 3.8 4.3 4.6 -7 Scaup 5.3 4.6 6.3 -27 which the subjects were cast as eaters, not entrees. "River," based on the late Norman Maclean's best-seller and directed and co-produced by Robert Redford, revolves around fly-fishing in Montana.

Some viewers might think the movie treats the sport with more reverence than it deserves, but the only critics who matter are Eastern Sierra orthern Nevada By Richard Dickerson SPECIAL TO THE GAZETTE-JOURNAL Volunteers are working with California Fish and Game to preserve and enhance the Paiute trout population. Under the sponsorship of Trout Unlimited, volunteers restored the stream channel, damaged by non-native beaver. Spring flooding destroyed their dams and left a straight trench that looked like a concrete aqueduct. A lot of spawning habitat was lost as a result of the beaver. "We've put the stream back in its original channel by blocking off the disciples of the art, and they say it's true to the sport and Maclean's book.

"I liked it," said Ben Mintz, a past president of the Sierra Pacific Flyfishcrs and a publicist for the sport. "But I don't think it can be a hit because it's probably too intellectual. Nobody gets shot or blown up." RATING SYSTEM: 1 Excellent; 2 Good; 3 Fair; 4 Poor. PYRAMID LAKE: Not many big fish are being caught, but a lot of small keepers running 16 to 19 inches are coming in along with numerous small shakers. Boaters and bank fishermen are both doing well.

Troller use Tor-P-Dos or Fiat-Fish. Bank anglers are doing best with Tor-P-Dos. A chub hatch has action perking all around the lake. Mark Fore Strike 322-9559. RATING: Vi.

EAGLE LAKE: Trout running 3 to 5 pounds are being caught by trollers and bank fishermen. Trolling a threaded-on nightcrawler 18 inches below a small split-shot is the top technique. Make sure to put at least 100 feet of line out behind the boat and troll in wide circles. Pelican Point, Rocky Point and Troxel Point are the top locations. Rocky Point is the best spot for bank fishing with nightcrawlers under a slip bobber the best bet.

Eagle Lake General Store (916) 825-2191. RATING: 1. MIDDLE FORK FEATHER RIVER: Pressure is nearly non-existent and the scenery is spectacular. Fishing isn't half bad either for rainbow trout running 8 to 13 inches. The area from Nelson Creek to Hot-n-Tot is best.

Use small Vibrax spinners, Panther Martins or No. 3 Ra-palas. Light line is a must because the water is very clear. The Sportsman's Den (916) 283-2733. RATING: 2.

FRENCHMAN RESERVOIR: Boaters working from car-toppers and bank fishermen are catching rainbow trout running 12 to 14 inches on the average. The best area is on either side of Lunker Point. Bank fishermen are doing best with Inflated nightcrawlers, salmon eggs FISHING REPORT LOS ANGELES (AP) Whatever the reviews, the new movie "A River Runs Through It" has to be one of the top two or three motion pictures ever about fishing. Don't get excited yet. It's a short list, topped by "The Old Man and the Sea" but ruling out "Jaws," "Orca the Killer Whale" and "Moby Dick," in Lahontan 9 Res.

Donner 9fuarson Ll5CatsonCitv Eaale I Almanor Susanvllle I Qjlncy Frenchman Pyramid Davis 1 'jj Boca Res Indepen- I 9gf0F dance Trucke PffSS WildHorsek 3j Winnemucca I Elko 1 Humboldt R. 1 RV AUSti" I Tonopah I Fishing License Taboo" Topaz Walker Resident Non-resident $15.50 $45.50 i annual annual $6.50 $17.50 3-day 3-day $10.50 $30.50 10-day 10-day Change from 1970-79 to 1992. Gannett News Service mackinaw in 140 to 200 feet of water with ail the regular areas producing pretty well On the south shore that means Camp Richardson, Ski Run and the Al Tahoe Red Buoy, on the nortn snore, top areas are Kings Beach and Tavern Hole. Fish to 17 pounds have been caught in the last week. Jigging with Buzz Bombs or Bombers is a good bet.

The Outdoorsman of Lake Tahoe (916) 541-1660. RATING: 2Vi. TRUCKEE RIVER: Fly fishermen are scoring rainbows from below Boca dam on down the canyon to the Nevada state line. The water is very low, so the fish are concentrated in the pockets with oxygenated water. Nymphs are best with the best action coming in the middle of the day.

Reno Fly Shop. RATING: 2Vi. TWIN LAKES: A few nice browns are being caught trolling Rapalas around the edges of either the upper or lower lake. The most consistent action is for rainbows. Flashers and crawlers or No.

2 Needlefish are the best bet. Ken's Sporting Goods (619) 932-7707. RAT- no. t. WILDHORSE and WILSON RESERVOIRS: Leave your bait at home and try for a big brown trout.

A Rapala or Rebel will give you a shot at a 3- to 5-pound spawner. Anglers fishing with bait are scoring some rainbows. Nevada Jim's Outdoor Sports 753-5467. RATING: 2. SOUTH FORK RESERVOIR: Boaters working the dropoffs are scoring smallmouth bass from 12 to 14 inches and some larger ones as well.

Crank-baits are a good bet along with rubber jigs. It was a year ago when the state record smallmouth was caught from here Nevada Jim's. RATING: 2. Compiled by Guy Clifton Notice Due to a typographic error, the Cellular Phone advertisement on page 36 of the Pep Boys catalog effective through Nov. 7th did not but should have included the following statement: All phones require new activation with Pep Boys' authorized carrier.

Prices wltt be 1300 higher without new activation. Carrier fees and rMtrfctioni may apply. Art Is for Illustrative purposes only. We apologize for any inconvenience tNs may cause. PEPBOYS Source: U.S.

Fish A Wildlife Service or Power Bait. Trollers doing best with flashers and crawlers. Wigqin's Trading Post (91 6) 993-4683. RATING: 2V2. PACKER LAKE: One of the Gold Lakes basin lakes, this is a nice place to get away for a little bank fishing.

Bring along a box of nightcrawlers, some ultralight tackle and you can put together a limit of 12- to 14-inch rainbows. Pressure is light. The Sportsman's Den. RATING: 2. DONNER LAKE: Some nice macki-naw are starting to be caught by anglers trolling in about 80 feet of water.

The heaviest concentrations of fish are in the China Cove area. Trolling with FlatFish or jigging with Buzz Bombs is the way to go. Boat ramp is accessible, but has a sharp dropoff so be careful. NOT RATED. Tourist Liquor and Sporting Goods (916) 587-3081.

STAMPEDE RESERVOIR: Trollers working around the inlets in both the Little Truckee and Sagehen Creek arms are starting to catch some nice brown trout in the 4- to 6-pound range. Rapalas in broken back patterns are the best bet. These should be trolled fast. A few rainbows are also being caught. Tourist Liquors.

RATING: 2. MARTIS CREEK LAKE: Just a couple weeks left in the season here, but the action remains good for rainbows running 1 8 to 24 inches. Fly fishermen using the blood midge are doing the best. Remember, this is a catch-and-release only water with single, barbless hooks required. Anglers are working from float tubes or prams.

Reno Fly Shop 825-3474. RATING: 2. LAKE TAHOE: Anglers are scoring a i SKI TUNE-UP (offer expires Oct. 31, 1992) ieno mountain sports 155 EAST MOANA NEVADA 825-2855 MONDAY-FRIDAY 9-9, SATURDAY 9-6, SUNDAY 10-5 WalkerRj A Bridgeport 'BrldgepdtJ Dave HardmanGazette-Journal Under age 1 6 lish free; add $5 trout stamp fee to all license fees i Resident Non-resident $23.65 $63.50 annual annual $8.40 $8.40 one-day one-day cycling race sets May dates Reno native Greg LeMond of Wayzata, the three-time winner of the Tour dc France, won the event last year. which began in 1989 at the Tour de Trump, will start in Wilmington, Del.

The remaining participating cities and other stage details will be announced at a news conference in Washington, D.C., next Wednesday. TOKrEUU LUKES FROG, RAINBOW OTHER POPULAR PATTERNS PYRAMID LAKE SPECIALS! GOLFERS GOLFERS GOLFERS GOLFERS GOLFERS GOT A TWO MAN TEAM? HANDICAPS WITHIN 10 STROKES OF EACH OTHER? WANT A CHANCE TO WIN 1 5,000 IN PRIZES? INTERESTED IN CASH PAY OUTS FOR A MASTER SKINS GAME? IT HAPPENS AT LAKERIDGE GOLF COURSE ON OCTOBER 24 25. THE THELMA M. JAKSICK MEMORIAL GOLF TOURNAMENT CALL 825-2200 FOR MORE INFORMATION AND ENTRY BLANKS SALE PRICED FROM $1.49 Reg. to $2.29 SALE THRU 1017 ONLY i.