Didymo

Warning!!! Warning!!! Please read this crucial information!

Didymo, or "rock snot", is an invasive algae that has recently turned up in the Upper Ct. River above Bloomfield Vt. This algae enjoys clear, clean, largely infertile water which means most all of our trout streams in Vermont are prime candidates for didymo to take hold. This algae forms a thick mat along the rocky streambed and chokes out most aquatic insects, which in turn reduces hatches and food for trout. Soon thereafter, trout populations collapse. Not what we want to see in a state that already does not protect our wild trout populations! If you fish anywhere along the Ct. River, and this includes down below White River Junction (the algae spores obviously float downstream), and/or it's tributaries you have to clean your gear in a 5% bleach or dishwashing detergant solution with hot tap water by soaking all your gear that comes in contact with the water for at least 3 minutes. Felt soles require 30 minutes in HOT water with dishwashing detergent 5% solution. Contrary to the recent Burlington Free Press article, drying your gear for 48 hours IS NOT enough time for felt soled boots to dry.

In New Zealand, they have found Didymo spores living in damp felt soles for weeks after they were last used. Clean them in the solution as directed above, and you should be fine to fish. "Check, Clean, and Dry" is the way to go. Getting rid of your felt soles also can help reduce transmission of didymo, but it does not mean you don't have to clean. Companies like Orvis, Patagonia, Simms, and L.L. Bean all make an "aquastealth" sole. These soles last longer than felt, and they grip better getting in and out of the river. Less than 5 minutes of our time can help keep our fisheries from turning into algae-laden graveyards; and folks, if you don't clean you'll only have yourselves to blame!

 

Visit this web site for cleaning details

Here is an image of the distribution of didymo in North America

DIDYMO - VT/NH Warning Poster