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Preserving Pike and other non natives
- By Randall Bryett
- Published 01/26/2008
Randall Bryett
Randall Bryett is a keen fisherman whom has tackled everything from bass to marlin on all types of tackle. His passion is saltwater flyfishing and he focuses on living the fishermans dream. When not traveling Randall who is Australian, resides in Northern California with his wife Kate and their two adopted cats.
Being Australian (today is Australia Day) you understand what non- native and invasive species can do to the environment and fisheries. Rabbits, foxes, buffalo, pigs, camels, cane toads, cats, dogs, goats, all sorts of plants and water weeds have been introduced into the Australian Eco system. In general nature has adapted and enforced its own defenses while we tried many methods of control and eradication but with out doubt we failed to correct our own stupid mistakes. Now of interest to us as anglers was the introduction of carp and trout by the English into the system. The trout issue has pitted anglers against anglers and environmentalist alike in Australia but mostly everyone agrees carp are vermin.
I've just finished reading this Preserving Pike and really found some comparable likeness to the problems and arguments from both trout and pike lovers. Montana's fishery is one of many around the world fighting some sort of fishery battle. Everywhere I have gone there is some issue and as the world gets smaller and we travel
with ease so can the elements that cause the problems.
I can not help but think about what Billy Pate attempted to do back in 1979. He had fished Australia and seen the potential of Northern Queensland as a world class sport and game fishery. What it lacked in his mind was Giant Tarpon. Billy and a partner whom had a Boeing jet available were going to fly in juvenile Atlantic tarpon and introduce them into the Australian waters. Of course this plans head was cut off by the Australian government (as was the introduction of Nile Perch) but would it have really been a problem for anglers to catch giant tarpon on the Queensland coastline? In my mind having a non targeted commercial species that offered sports fisherman everything that they seek in one package could be nothing more than win win. As much as the piscatorial world in that area may have had to re adjust to the introduction of such a predator it would rate 1 out of 10 as to what impact commercial fishing/netting and pollution have caused.
Ahhh just dreaming of Australia while thinking about tarpon and living in America. Happy Australia Day!!
Here are a couple of natives!!
I've just finished reading this Preserving Pike and really found some comparable likeness to the problems and arguments from both trout and pike lovers. Montana's fishery is one of many around the world fighting some sort of fishery battle. Everywhere I have gone there is some issue and as the world gets smaller and we travel
I can not help but think about what Billy Pate attempted to do back in 1979. He had fished Australia and seen the potential of Northern Queensland as a world class sport and game fishery. What it lacked in his mind was Giant Tarpon. Billy and a partner whom had a Boeing jet available were going to fly in juvenile Atlantic tarpon and introduce them into the Australian waters. Of course this plans head was cut off by the Australian government (as was the introduction of Nile Perch) but would it have really been a problem for anglers to catch giant tarpon on the Queensland coastline? In my mind having a non targeted commercial species that offered sports fisherman everything that they seek in one package could be nothing more than win win. As much as the piscatorial world in that area may have had to re adjust to the introduction of such a predator it would rate 1 out of 10 as to what impact commercial fishing/netting and pollution have caused.
Ahhh just dreaming of Australia while thinking about tarpon and living in America. Happy Australia Day!!
Here are a couple of natives!!
