tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-924013241079711992.post3628277869209816860..comments2024-03-11T05:03:14.020-07:00Comments on Ernie's Place: South Fork of the Eel mussels.Ernie Branscombhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06391160783604462511noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-924013241079711992.post-78269257363138191962009-12-06T13:14:11.181-08:002009-12-06T13:14:11.181-08:00EKOVOX, Dec. 3, 9:52PM
I was in Hayfork 4 times l...EKOVOX, Dec. 3, 9:52PM<br /> I was in Hayfork 4 times last summer and those dreaded Furry Santa Monica Wonderluster's you speak of are not only on the Trinity River, they are all around Hayfork Crick. I used to work in Hayfork, lived there and in Peanut and us FGN just called em' miners. <br />By the way, they are still there. Where's the dynamite when ya need it or Joe Horn?<br /><br />OregonAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-924013241079711992.post-29973755283562089702009-12-05T09:00:15.398-08:002009-12-05T09:00:15.398-08:00You are observant Ekovox! We went through the Toyo...You are observant Ekovox! We went through the Toyotafarians phase here more in the nineties. They have been supplanted by the Ram-aheads, and the MegaFords...now I think there is where the inbreeding shows... baseball caps,big trucks and sunglasses...like who is that gonna fool?! <br />For awhile the realtors were trying to turn Shelter Cove into a sanctuary for southern californicaters , you know, plot the lots and the city hordes will come... but I think we have that one turned back, for now.<br /><br />Good luck with that mix in Trinity county...keep us posted.<br />For now, the mussels are safe.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-924013241079711992.post-44575777416768644772009-12-05T08:29:23.959-08:002009-12-05T08:29:23.959-08:00...Generations hence, perhaps there will less stig......Generations hence, perhaps there will less stigma upon being a FGN Newcomer. (wink!)<br /><br />That is, until the FGN Newcomer is supplanted by an even newer species. Visible signs are the presence of Toyotatruckafarians. A blend of the FGN's and the Rainbow waternymphs. Yes, a colorful and diverse mix, albeit, possible inbreeding. The greater fear may be the spread of Santarosafication with the retiring Escaladites from Orange County as is being discovered in the northern regions of the county. In the Trinity Valley of Eastern Humboldt, the Vino-Intelligensia is co-existing with the gun-toting Hipnecks. It's doubtful crossbreeding will occur.<br /><br />River mussels are not consumed by any of the aforementioned species.Ekovoxnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-924013241079711992.post-72758880333049028542009-12-04T17:48:01.203-08:002009-12-04T17:48:01.203-08:00Eko- Yes, we had invasive species take over the d...Eko- Yes, we had invasive species take over the deeper pools and swimming holes down here too round that time. Knowing that they were in our swimming holes at the same time as those clad made for some awkward moments, not to mention health worries. Their manes would shed into the water and create hair dams in the riffles that wouldn't wash out til winter rains started. <br />Just like you stated... the invasives stayed around, and some of those Rainbow Waternymphs bred with the more established local species and have given us much of the local fauna we see today. Of course, these invasive species have had to deal with prejudice, mostly from the Fifth (or Fourth)Generational Natives (FGNs). Generations hence, perhaps there will less stigma upon being a FGN Newcomer. (wink!)<br /><br />There is a delightfully diverse and curious mix here on the Northcoast and it is part of its beauty, methinks.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-924013241079711992.post-64727985190128216752009-12-03T21:52:27.253-08:002009-12-03T21:52:27.253-08:00Hey, did you Eel Riverians ever have to deal with ...Hey, did you Eel Riverians ever have to deal with the invasive Furry Santa Monica wanderluster ? We had 'em all over the Trinity River starting in the late 60's and early '70's. They don't seem to be as nearly as prominent as the Rainbow Waternymphs you experienced being planted in your watersheds around the same time. You know, the Fish Cops tried to eradicated them, but like the squawfish, they populated and have stayed in the local envirnonment for quite some time. Just a natural course of nature, I guess.Ekovoxnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-924013241079711992.post-58554510294754807392009-12-03T17:13:46.494-08:002009-12-03T17:13:46.494-08:00Just downstream from the previously mentioned low ...Just downstream from the previously mentioned low water lagoon(upstream from G'ville), are a boulder rapids full of oxygenated water. Haven't been there in two years but two kinds of trout could be seen swimming in the current. The largest might have been 8". I loved that that stretch of the Eel was a preserve of so many once common fish. <br /><br />Used to have the lamprey, ok, eel nests, in that stretch too. <br /><br />Speaking of which, Ernie, how about a slimy segue from mussels to stories of what you did with eels as a boy growing up on the river?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-924013241079711992.post-4441118693996435312009-12-01T22:45:43.459-08:002009-12-01T22:45:43.459-08:00In the early '70s when I arrived at Phillipsvi...In the early '70s when I arrived at Phillipsville we caught sunfish of some kind in the deep spots. In the fall when the river was a bit muddy, I would catch a sucker on worms and cut strips of sucker to catch big "trout", half pounders. I think it was illegal but I'm past he statute of limitations. I have a text from Indian Charlie who tells of catching sturgeon in the hole below the mouth of Salmon Creek. The hole we called the Piling Hole. Gone now, silted in. Iwas surprised when I first saw clams in the river and thought they might make good bait but I don't recall they did. The fish preferred a nice worm or grasshopper. The great bullhead holes were always sprinkled with empty beer cans. I can name names but I won't.Bennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-924013241079711992.post-70933005673015324882009-12-01T11:18:35.259-08:002009-12-01T11:18:35.259-08:00I am too young to be repeating myself--sorry.I am too young to be repeating myself--sorry.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-924013241079711992.post-56733654028406380792009-12-01T09:38:38.231-08:002009-12-01T09:38:38.231-08:00In the summer I show off my mussels in the river, ...In the summer I show off my mussels in the river, but not so much in the winter.<br />Butt seriously, upstream I know a place where there are catfish and some kind of panfish in the Eel. The lagoon like conditions above a certain rapids have created an area where they can live. Lotsa mussel shells as well. <br />Great post Ernie, when I travel through Oregon I use the Umpqua River as an example of an alive river system. The contrast with ours is horrific.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-924013241079711992.post-71309168343281485022009-12-01T09:37:49.011-08:002009-12-01T09:37:49.011-08:00In the summer I show off my mussels in the river, ...In the summer I show off my mussels in the river, but not so much in the winter.<br />Butt seriously, upstream I know a place where there are catfish and some kind of panfish in the Eel. The lagoon like conditions above a certain rapids have created an area where they can live. Lotsa mussel shells as well. <br />Great post Ernie, when I travel through Oregon I use the Umpqua River as an example of an alive river system. The contrast with ours is horrific.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-924013241079711992.post-44915896087736160632009-12-01T09:00:49.263-08:002009-12-01T09:00:49.263-08:00It's funny, usually when I tell people the we ...It's funny, usually when I tell people the we have mussels in the Eel River, they look at me like they are waiting for the punchline.Ernie Branscombhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06391160783604462511noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-924013241079711992.post-72661606346424296142009-12-01T08:54:43.872-08:002009-12-01T08:54:43.872-08:00Oregon
I don't want to talk about pincher bugs...Oregon<br />I don't want to talk about pincher bugs! "I hate pincher bugs!"<br /><br />Dave<br />we used to have tons of catfish in the big mucky bottom holes in the river. You are right, they live in the mud. We used to have tons of Eels in the river, they live in the silt at the edge of the river. usually not more that six inches under water.<br /><br />It really breaks my heart to see all of the gravel in the old deep water river holes.Ernie Branscombhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06391160783604462511noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-924013241079711992.post-56306537725392804622009-12-01T08:20:44.737-08:002009-12-01T08:20:44.737-08:00E...I have seen mussels in a hole upstream of of ...E...I have seen mussels in a hole upstream of of Pville. There are still catfish/bullheads in the river. Before the regs changed some of the old timers used to catch cats on crawlers in the Green Monster at Myers during muddy high water. An interesting thing about bullheads. During low water they can bury themselves in the mud and hibernate til the water comes back.Dave Kirbynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-924013241079711992.post-34710087086545943802009-12-01T05:44:42.947-08:002009-12-01T05:44:42.947-08:00Ernie, you didn't mention the real monsters of...Ernie, you didn't mention the real monsters of the Eel River. Those dang green pincher bugs!<br /><br />OregonAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com