It’s difficult to find a glimmer of silver in the dreary news of some 4,000 gallons of diesel fuel being spilled into upper Clear Creek by an overzealous trucker on Loveland Pass last Saturday.
But if there is one it’s found in the statement from Colorado wildlife officials that aquatic biologists discovered no fish killed in the fragile creek paralleling Interstate 70.
State Trooper Greg Manning told The Denver Post there had been reports that some fish were killed prior to wildlife officials being contacted.
The Colorado Parks and Wildlife assessment appears to be corroborated by fishing guides in the upper drainage. Thomas Schneider of Sunrise Anglers in Littleton operates the only guide service permitted for the stretch of river and went to work the morning of the spill 4 miles downstream.
“Fish were visibly in distress, although I had not seen any floating,” he wrote in an e-mail. “They seem to be in the death throes, where they would go on their sides and then flick wildly to right themselves.”
A day later he reported he had yet to see a carcass, adding: “What I have seen is fish in almost a stupor. You can walk right up to them and almost touch them. It’s like their vision is severely impaired.”
With the fish accounted for, he turned his attention to insect life. According to Thomas, there is none.
“The one thing I have noticed is absolutely no bugs in the air,” he wrote. “I have been on that stretch with clients a lot in the last two weeks and the amount of bugs popping (before the spill) was incredible — three or four different caddis, PMDs, midges, beatis and red quills. . . . They have been wiped out.”
The cleanup overseen by the Colorado Department of Health is still expected to cost hundreds of thousands of dollars — billed to Gilco Transportation, the Rifle trucking company responsible for the spill.
Look for better fishing at Lake John.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife biologists anticipate dramatic improvements to fishing in Lake John, northwest of Walden, now that a reclamation project has been completed and is set to reopen for fishing in time for the Labor Day weekend.
“The success we have had with the reclamation is like a reset button for Lake John,” said Kurt Davies, aquatic biologist for the northeast region.
“The lake will be back online by the first week of September and back to growing fish at its maximum potential. The fish we are planting now will see tremendous growth before the lake is even iced up and with the large brood fish we are putting in there, there’s the possibility someone will hook into a real trophy.”
Fishing will open to the public Saturday and fish stocking will continue throughout the fall season.
Fifth annual Carp Slam a big success.
Denver Trout Unlimited reported the most successful Pro-Am Carp Slam in its five-year history last Saturday, as 16 teams of anglers laid into the so-called “Colorado Dorado” in the name of river rest-oration on the South Platte through Denver.
Trevor Tanner and Clint Packo used a “McTage’s Trouser Worm” to land 4-of-17 hookups totaling 111.75 inches while fishing the winning beat at Confluence Park, conveniently opposite the tent that housed “An Evening on the South Platte” awards ceremony.
Barry Reynolds and Michael Gracie measured in at 81 inches for second place, followed by Luke Bever and Nathan Davis at 72.75.
Plans are underway for the Carp Slam VI fundraiser next August.
