NANFA-- south central KY collecting

Geoff and Julie Kimber (gkimber2_at_earthlink.net)
Sat, 3 Nov 2001 21:59:00 -0600

On thursday, had a lecture to give in Bowling Green KY, which is about 3
hours from my house on I-65 a few miles north of the TN border. Klaus had
just mentioned that he knew where to collect SRBD near that area soI got
directions.

After the lecture, I drove south a few miles and followed directions to
Trammels fork. This first site Klaus recommended was dry so I kept going.
I drove about 15 miles from i-65 and cametowhat I think was trammel fork.
I'm not sure because the river isn't marked.

I jumped down an embankment with my nets and went at it.

I have never tried to seine by myself, but I brought my seine anyway. I
have now learned that one-man seining is not for the faint of heart or arms.

I am pretty sure I didn't collect any SRBD, but I have a bunch of dace-like
fish I keep hoping will color up for me.

I caught my first sculpin, a 6 inch banded. This critter had a huge mouth
and prickles like a beard around its mouth. I was tempted until I wondered
what to feed it.

I collected a few splendid darters. Both male and females are very
attractive. Both fish are pretty much white on the sides and belly with
about 7 black blotches on the side that kind of run together into a line.
The male has red stippling on its belly.

I caught a darter that I think is a river darter. I first thought it was a
juvenile sculpin, but later realized it wasn't. It's still an attractive
fish.

I caught a few fundulus catenatus, which I brought home and accidently fed
to a rock bass. The bass was bigger than I thought and is now in a different
tank. I also caught and released a few fundulus, probably notatus.

I also caught a few redhorse (maybe silver?). One fish was just a couple of
inches long, so I kept it. IT fits nicely in my 90 gallon darter/stream
tank.

On my way back to the car, I cought the largest crayfish I have ever seen.
The thing was as big as my hand. Literally. The spread clawswere exactly as
wide as my hand span (9 inches). It was absolutely beautiful. I have no
idea how it got so big without being eaten by a raccoon, but I put it back
for another chance.

Anyway - I had a great time collecting even though I don't think I caught
what I was looking for. I learned how to seine by myself although 2 man
seining is more productive and less painful. THe site is worth visiting if
you're in the area. Giveme a call and I'll try to join you.

Geoff Kimber
Lexington,KY

/-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
/"Unless stated otherwise, comments made on this list do not necessarily
/ reflect the beliefs or goals of the North American Native Fishes
/ Association"
/ This is the discussion list of the North American Native Fishes Association
/ nanfa_at_aquaria.net. To subscribe, unsubscribe, or get help, send the word
/ subscribe, unsubscribe, or help in the body (not subject) of an email to
/ nanfa-request_at_aquaria.net. For a digest version, send the command to
/ nanfa-digest-request_at_aquaria.net instead.
/ For more information about NANFA, visit our web page, http://www.nanfa.org