Then they worked for several years to remove as many fertile walleye from the system as possible, so they could put infertile (ones that can’t reproduce) back in:
> That plan has allowed for the annual stocking in the reservoir of triploid, meaning sterile, walleye that can’t grow in number should they somehow escape the reservoir and get past the screen and into the Colorado River.
> Ben Felt, an aquatic biologist for Parks and Wildlife, said that “triploid” fish are ones with a third set of chromosomes, rather than two, which makes them infertile. He said newly fertilized eggs put into pressure chambers produce triploid fish that are reared in hatcheries, and eggs subjected to that process at Pueblo Reservoir have been used to produce fish stocked at Rifle Gap.
Sounds like there’s a load of those 15-18″ sterile fish in there now. So to reduce predation pressure on yellow perch (catch rates have been decreasing in fishery surveys) they’re considering increasing the bag and possession limit to 3 fish with a 15″ minimum and no more than 1 of those could be 18″ or longer…which would protect the reservoir’s ability to produce trophy-size walleye:
> …the reservoir is capable of producing walleye approaching state-record size, but aging data shows walleye there grow relatively slowly, with fish exceeding 30″ in length often being over 20 yrs old.
P&W is expected to decide on the proposal in Nov…takes effect Apr 1 if approved.
2. Fishing phenom Tom Huynh gets Northland Fishing Tackle.
> NFT’s President/CEO, Gregg Wollner: “Tom Huynh has proven to be a ‘Game Changer’ in the competitive walleye fishing world. I am thrilled to offer him a product development and marketing platform to bring his techniques to life. I am beyond excited about our future together.”
> NFT’s Marketing Director, Mike Anselmo: “I couldn’t be happier to work with Tom. When it comes to the relationship between his tackle, electronics, boat positioning, and determining fish location, Tom’s ability to comprehend and understand the big picture is truly next level. Tom is very familiar with the Northland brand, but it’s the new product like our recently-introduced Short-Shank Tungsten Jigs, and other pieces in the product development funnel that really help pull the relationship together. We’re making jigs and tackle that are important to him. Tom is quickly changing the way people fish for walleyes, and Northland Fishing Tackle is moving fast and evolving right along with him.
> “We’re going to run hard together in an effort to bring the best new products to consumers, tell great, informative stories, and educate people on hot techniques – and put a bunch of fish in the boat along the way.”
> Tom Huynh: “Working with Northland Fishing Tackle is a great fit. They’re legendary. Currently, I’ve been fishing the 1/8th-oz Northland Short-Shank Tungsten Jig and it’s perfect for what I do. The narrow, aspirin-shaped head cuts through the water great and falls in a really unique fish-catching way…the shape of the hook is perfect and the hook shank is right on. It’s also really sharp for solid hooksets on far casts in deeper water, even though I’m fishing a lighter jig.”
