TIC rainbows early parole
Posted: Sun Mar 29, 2020 8:22 am
I'm one of those with loathing for current events fused into our forum here, which should be a respite from current events.
But this is worth posting.
Two weeks ago, while I was busy with work and plotting a weekend escape for some flats kayak fishing, most schools were in Spring Break.
We knew school lockdowns were coming, so I asked Dan Cone, GRTU VP Fisheries, to check with TPWD about extending our winter trout release permit so our Trout in the Classroom teachers could rescue and release their trout fry. A few of our 29 teachers had already been able to move their TIC aquariums to home.
Turned out we had to file a new permit application, and happily, TPWD approved our application in just one week (normally six). We have a permit lasting to the end of May, covering from yesterday's early release, and allowing our teachers who can take care of their tanks to still plan classroom outings through the end of the school year.
Half of our teachers successfully petitioned their principals to "pick the locks" yesterday morning. One teacher told me it was No Go until she shared my e-mail announcing Dan's successful Permit effort for yesterday's quickly planned early release.
As in past years, we converged on our gracious benefactor's beautiful home at mile 4 in the Guadalupe tailrace.
We released 2,035 1" to 2" rainbow fry, and reported our results to TPWD as required by our permit.
Austin teachers hard at work
Austin rainbows
Just downriver, we had had fly fishing neighbors
San Antonio and Austin teachers releasing their rainbow fry
Mike McKenna's well-traveled cooler and the catch of the day - four beer cans from the river bottom
(Brandeis HS was easy - Mike's the Principal)
Houston teachers arriving
Fat Houston rainbows
Trudging coolers to flowing water
Lining up to release
Our fly-fishing neighbor fighting an 18" rainbow
Get those fry in the river
Our Houston FFF compatriot Matt Blyth and son
My last San Antonio teacher yesterday, Jason Brown, a former Alaska Hatcheries biologist - he said the last time he did this, he released 14 million salmon fry
My reward for this? The Sattler Lowe's Market was fully stocked with all but paper products, and I took home milk and eggs.
But this is worth posting.
Two weeks ago, while I was busy with work and plotting a weekend escape for some flats kayak fishing, most schools were in Spring Break.
We knew school lockdowns were coming, so I asked Dan Cone, GRTU VP Fisheries, to check with TPWD about extending our winter trout release permit so our Trout in the Classroom teachers could rescue and release their trout fry. A few of our 29 teachers had already been able to move their TIC aquariums to home.
Turned out we had to file a new permit application, and happily, TPWD approved our application in just one week (normally six). We have a permit lasting to the end of May, covering from yesterday's early release, and allowing our teachers who can take care of their tanks to still plan classroom outings through the end of the school year.
Half of our teachers successfully petitioned their principals to "pick the locks" yesterday morning. One teacher told me it was No Go until she shared my e-mail announcing Dan's successful Permit effort for yesterday's quickly planned early release.
As in past years, we converged on our gracious benefactor's beautiful home at mile 4 in the Guadalupe tailrace.
We released 2,035 1" to 2" rainbow fry, and reported our results to TPWD as required by our permit.
Austin teachers hard at work
Austin rainbows
Just downriver, we had had fly fishing neighbors
San Antonio and Austin teachers releasing their rainbow fry
Mike McKenna's well-traveled cooler and the catch of the day - four beer cans from the river bottom
(Brandeis HS was easy - Mike's the Principal)
Houston teachers arriving
Fat Houston rainbows
Trudging coolers to flowing water
Lining up to release
Our fly-fishing neighbor fighting an 18" rainbow
Get those fry in the river
Our Houston FFF compatriot Matt Blyth and son
My last San Antonio teacher yesterday, Jason Brown, a former Alaska Hatcheries biologist - he said the last time he did this, he released 14 million salmon fry
My reward for this? The Sattler Lowe's Market was fully stocked with all but paper products, and I took home milk and eggs.