| | Above Photo Credit: Don Orth, Corbin Hilling, Robert E. Jenkins and Noel Burkhead and the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources | Author, former FOMR Board Director and retired Fisheries Biologist, Paul Bugas wrote for the Friends of the Middle River (FOMR) website:
"Now here is an interesting fish! All American Eels are born in the Sargasso Sea (think Bermuda Triangle area in the Atlantic). The larvae begin their migration to the mouths of North American rivers by riding ocean currents. Along the way, they mature into different stages: glass eels, elvers, yellow eels and, finally, silver eels. American eels will often migrate great distances inland from the estuaries.
To catch an eel in Middle River, it first has to migrate up the Potomac River, find the Shenandoah River at Harper’s Ferry, take the South Fork in Front Royal, find North River at Port Republic, then move into Middle River at its confluence with North River. American Eels have been found as far inland as Franks Mill in Middle River. Along the way, migrating Shenandoah River eels must navigate around at least five hydroelectric dams and many other obstacles. Mature eels, often 2-3 feet long, out-migrate to the Sargasso Sea after living up to 20 years in fresh or brackish water. They will spawn once, then die.
Hook-and-line anglers generally do not like them, and casual observers fear them because they are 'snake-like' in appearance. Native Americans and early pioneers subsisted on eels caught in pots or fish traps. Europeans and others find them a delicacy. Ecologically, they serve as both predator (fish, insects, carrion) and prey. Biologists are continuously discovering different layers of their life history and are always trying to find ways to help 'pass eels' around obstacles such as dams. It’s time we respect the eel!" | | Upcoming Science Series Talks Augusta County residents are so fortunate to have the Virginia Museum of Natural History branch campus coming to Waynesboro, and we are lucky that the museum is working in advance of their arrival with the Wayne Theatre to offer science talks. There are two upcoming talks to highlight. The first--about American Eels-- is shown above. The second to mark on your calendar is one that FOMR is creating about Harmful Algal Blooms. Admission is free or by donation. Wayne Theatre, 521 W. Main Street, Waynesboro, VA.
American Eel Talk: Tuesday, January 17, 2023 at 7pm
Harmful Algal Bloom talk: Tuesday, March 14, 2023 at 7pm
| | Highlighting Our E. coli Volunteers
E. coli is a pollutant in rivers that comes from fecal contamination of water. FOMR has a team of about 15 volunteers to evaluate how much E. coli is in our river at various locations, and they do this activity each and every month. It involves taking a water sample, handling the sample properly until it can be delivered to another team member who does the labwork right in their home to determine how much bacteria is in the water. We want our river to be safe to swim, wade and play in and these folks give us the data that helps all of us all understand the risks associated with the river. Todd Holt is our current committee chair. Thank you, Todd! And thank you to all our E. coli monitors for your consistent dedication to this task. Interested in becoming a citizen scientist to help in this activity? Read more HERE. | | December's E coli Monitoring Results
The December E. coli monitoring results are HERE. The data results show another good month for water quality, and an optimistic way to end one year and start the next! | | Augusta County Fishing Expo
FOMR will be at the 10th Annual Fishing Expo in Fishersville on February 11th and 12th. We'll be displaying the new kayak that we will raffle off later this year. Come to see the kayak and do your fishing gear shopping to round out your tackle box! Once again, we are grateful to Bob's Up the Creek Outfitters for generously offering a discount to us to get a great boat again this year!
What: Vendor show with an emphasis on the sport of fishing When: Saturday, February 11th from 9am-5pm Sunday, February 12th from 9am-3pm Location: 277 Expo Road, Fishersville, VA 22939 Cost: Free admission
More info HERE. Organized by Augusta County Bass.
| | Healthy Streams Farm Stewardship Program Conservation Vouchers
From the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay's website: "The Alliance developed the Healthy Streams Farm Stewardship Program (HSFSP) in order to accelerate the establishment of riparian (streamside) forest buffers on agricultural lands. HSFSP offers farmers the opportunity to earn funds to help pay for needed conservation work on the farm."
Bobby Whitesarver explains how conservation vouchers help farmers: "The Healthy Streams Farm Stewardship program awards $3,000 worth of conservation vouchers per acre of riparian forest buffer up to $20,000. In addition, the program allows $1,000 per acre toward maintenance of the buffers." Read more of Bobby's blog HERE! | | 2022 State of the Bay Report
From the Chesapeake Bay Foundation website: "The biennial State of the Bay report shows there is still a long way to go to create a watershed that works for all of us. In 2022, the State of the Bay score remained unchanged at 32, a D+. Of the 13 indicators assessed, three improved and three declined. A big gain for oysters was tempered by a worrying drop for blue crabs, while pollution and habitat indicators showed only modest change. These mixed results reflect the struggle between restoration efforts and powerful forces that are reshaping the watershed." Read the full report HERE.
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We welcome new Board Director, David Wallace, to the crew! David has been active in our paddle program for years, so you may have seen him out and about on the River!
David writes: "My life on the water began as I walked home from school along Tuckahoe creek in Henrico county. Turning over every rock and chasing small minnows into wading pools, I learned about aquatic life without even knowing it.
As I got older, my dad would take me and my two older sisters on the many rivers in Virginia, mainly the Rivanna and the James, and we had some great stories 'paddling for the V.' (Paddlers will know this is the first step towards avoiding rocks in rivers.)
I went to college at Hampden-Sydney where I spent a lot of time, in between classes of course, canoe-fishing at Briery Creek Reservoir and coordinating overnight trips along the James River. And upon completion of college took a ‘gap’ year in Wyoming, fly fishing on the Gros Ventre River outside of Jackson, Wyoming and taught teen-aged kids how to read a river, catch fish on a fly rod, and cook their catch on the campfire. Oh, that was the life…
I’ve been involved with a number of organizations over the years here in Staunton including Trinity Church, YMCA, Shenandoah Green, American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO), Augusta Football club and of course FOMR.
Interestingly, I can think of FOMR members with each of the organizations that I have been involved with, Paul Bugas with Trinity, Joe McCue with the YMCA, Doug Holroyd with AYSO, Bart McDowell with Shenandoah Green among several others. So I guess what I’m saying is that “all streams lead through FOMR…” as there are some incredibly good people with FOMR doing some incredibly good work, both with the Middle River and the Community of people in Staunton and Augusta County." ~David Wallace | Vice-Chair: Marion Bittinger Secretary & Treasurer: Jeanine Botkin
| | January 17 American Eel talk, Wayne Theater, 521 W. Main Street, Waynesboro, VA, 7pm 24 FOMR Board Meeting, 6:30pm
February 11-12 Augusta County Fishing Expo 28 FOMR Board Meeting, 6:30pm
March 14 Harmful Algal Bloom talk: 521 W.Main Street, Waynesboro, VA, 7pm
| Friends of the Middle River Email: info@friendsofthemiddleriver.org |
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