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Show Sun Advocate 6A Tuesday May 27, 2003 Second Utah deer tests positive for chronic wasting disease being conducted by many agencies and organizations to learn more about this relatively new By KAREN BASSO anter Sports The Division of Wildlife Resources announced late last week that an adult female deer from southeastern Utah has tested positive for chronic wasting disease. "The deer had been acting sick, so when it died, its carcass was submitted for testing according to our wasting dis- ease surveillance protocol," stated DWR wildlife section chief, Alan Clark. The deer died on April 22 in an agricultural field on the west side of the LaSal Mountains in southeastern Utah, about 10 miles from Moab. Wildlife personnel collected the deer and sent it to the Utah State University Provo veterinary diagnostic laboratory for a necropsy. Ultimately the animal w'as determined to be positive for the disease, which was the official cause of death. This is the second deer in Utah to test positive for the disease. A deer harvested by a hunter last fall on Diamond Mountain north of Vernal also tested positive for the disease which results in death for this mammal. "It's important to remember that there is currently no evidence that chronic wasting disease can be naturally transmitted to humans or livestock," advised DWR big game coordinator, Jim Karpowitz. "It also does not appear to cause catastrophic die offs in deer or elk populations." A great deal of research is disease. "Until more is known, well continue to be diligent with our surveillance and management efforts and provide the public with the most current informa- tion available," Karpowitz stated. Because there is considerable concern that chronic wasting disease will spread into additional Utah deer and elk populations, the Utah w ildlife div ision will conduct random samplings of harvested deer and elk to check for the disease, especially in the eastern Utah area. The wildlife division describes the disease as a relatively rare transmissible disease that affects the nervous systems of afflicted deer and elk. Infected animals develop brain lesions, become emaciated, appear listless and droopy, may salivate excessively and Wear rubber or latex gloves when field dressing big game. Bone out the meat or at least asoid consuming the brain, spinal cord, eyes, spleen and lymph nodes of harvested animals. Minimize handling of the soft tissues and fluids. Wash hands with soap and warm water after handling any parts of the carcass. Contact the DWR for additional information if a sick animal is spotted. Carbon County residents can learn more about die disease by log ging onto die DWR's Internet web site at ww w.w ildlife.utah.gohunt-ingbiggamecw- Another excellent source of information is a national web site ran by the chronic wasting dis- ease alliance at www.cwd-info.or- infor-matio- big game species or domestic livestock. Utah residents who participate in big game hunting should be aware of the recommended precautions the wildlife division has set up to ensure that the disease does not spread. The following tips are not only for the safety of wildlife, but also the safety of Utah hunt- ers. KARl S BASSOS1 should not be harvested. The meat from suspected ill animals should not be consumed by humans. N ADVOCATE Chronic wasting disease continues to be a concern for Utah wildlife officials after a second deer has tested positive for the illness. The disease is common among deer and elk herds and leads to death for each mammal that comes in contact with the illness. Updated fishing report for southeastern Utah Benches Reservoir. Ice is coming off this reservoir. It may e be by the weekend. ice-fre- Stocking will occur shortly. Todd Munford of Fairview recommends chartreuse or rainbow PowerBait, or a gold Jake's Spin-a-Lur- Access remains blocked. The ice is breaking up, and could be open by the weekend. Try night crawlers for the cutthroat and chartreuse PowerBait or Zekes green garlic bait for rainbow trout. All tributaries are closed until July 12. e. Blue Mountains. Fishing continues to be good at Blanding number three with PowerBait. Fishing at Recapture Reservoir has been slow for rainbow trout, but is picking up for northern pike. Most pike are being caught by trolling crankbaits. Foy Reservoir has been good for rainbow and brook trout using baits and spinners. Boulgers Reservoir. The is immiice is melting. Ice-onent. Stocking wi 11 soon occur. Try using chartreuse or rainbow PowerBait or gold Jake's ff Huntington Creek. Fly fishing beneath Electric Lake Dam continues to be fair. The creek is colored and becomes muddy below the forks. Good surface fly patterns include a number 18 griffiths gnat or number 16 parachute adams. Good choices for under the surface includes the number 16 chamois caddis or red number 18 disco midge. Some anglers have had luck with brown leech patterns. Bait which were planted just before the annual kids fishing event early this month. At that time, night crawlers worked best for the nine to 10 inch rainbow trout. Huntington North Reservoir. Fishing continues to be slow for trout, but is picking up for bass. Low angling pressure. In 2003, the bass limit is two; all largemouth bass over 12 inches must be immediately released. Huntington Reservoir (near the top of Huntington Canyon). The reservoir is still with water opening up the shoreline. It will probalong be fishable ably by the weekend. Fairview resident Munford suggests fishing a straight night Duck Fork Reservoir. This body of water is currently without fish, but will be stocked with small tiger trout and Colorado River cutthroat trout this summer. The tiger trout are expected to be large enough to catch in 2004. Electric Lake. The shoreline is open and fishable. DWR By KAREN BASSO I ' Sports writer Utah is filled with lakes, reservoirs, streams and riv-- , ers and these waterways allow anglers to enjoy great fishing year round. That is why the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources is working toward getting children more actively involved in the outdoor activity. In a recent publication produced by the wildlife divi- sion, southeastern region conservation outreach manager, Brent Stettler explained that the division offers several community events throughout the year to promote youth fishing. Recently, the local branch of the DWR conducted kids fishing events at the Gigliotti Pond in Helper and also an event in Huntington. The events allowed children to enjoy the outdoor sport by providing proper gear and bait for those who had none. Events like these are quite common throughout the state and assist parents with the duty of teaching children proper fishing etiquette and technique. The wildlife division is actively involved in youth fishing events by offering a rod and reel checkout program which gives parents an opportunity to enjoy fishing outings without purchasing equipment. Rods and reels can be checked out for free at any DWR office. If a parent already knows that their child likes to fish however, they can buy a beginners fishing outfit for under $20 at most department or sporting goods stores, explained Stettler. The wildlife manager also explains that similar equipment is usually available at discount prices in the spring and early summer. Fishing experts explain that young anglers generally fare better using baits. Typical baits include worms, fish eggs and commercial cheese baits which come in an assortment of colors and scents. Depending on the season and availability, grasshoppers, Cicadas and other live insects are also effective. When children think of fishing, they think of catching. The frequency of bites, the number of fish they catch and the size of fish are extremely important to beginning anglers, explained Stettler. The wildlife official suggests that it is important to provide beginners with a series of successful fishing trips in order to get them hooked on the sport. One of the best ways to get kids hooked on fishing is to take them where panfish are biting, especially in the late spring and early summer, indicated Stettler. Panfish such as crappie, bluegills or perch can be caught in good numbers in very little time. Also, the equipment used to catch panfish is quite simple. A rod and reel, small hook, bobber and a piece of nightcrawler all an angler needs to have a successful out- . . . 1 j . . , i ! f ing. Locally, the Gigliotti Pond in Helper provides young anglers the opportunity to learn how to fish. The pond is stocked with bass, rainbow and bluegill which are relatively easy tosnag on a fishing line. The Helper pond also provides easy access to the water and is handicaped accessible. Best of all, it is a short distance from any Carbon County location. Although there are several rivers and streams, it is suggested that a beginner stick to the wide open reservoirs and ponds. This gives them a chance to learn proper fishing techniques without obstacles surrounding them It is too easy for an angler to snag the rock or tree behind them or across the stream when fly fishing. With a young angler, the chance of doing so is much higher. Nearby reservoirs allow anglers of all ages great fishing opportunities. In order to plan a successful fishing outing, wildlife experts suggest that anglers review weekly fishing reports which are available a number of ways. These are published weekly in the Sun Advocate and are available through the Price DWR office and the divisions website at www.wildlife.utah.gov. Having the right equipment and information will go a long way to providing the beginning angler with a positive and fun experience, something that he or she will want to repeat time and again, stated Stettler. Fishing is a hobby for all ages, and the sooner a person is hooked, the more enjoyable each outing will become. i I ; ts ft b ' Sports Shorts Price RiverLovver Fish reser- voir have increased. Try a size 14 beadhead prince nymph for 13 to 14 inch brown trout. From the railroad bridge approximately one mile below the Scofield Reservoir dam downstream to the confluence with the White River, only artificial Hies and lures may be used. The gate to the DWR property remains locked. access is much easier. Fly fishermen should try brown leech patterns. Near the inlet on the upper side of the reservoir, try a red salmon eggnight crawler combo. Gooseberry Reservoir. Black or brown wooly Creek. Flows from the representative Carl Gramlich suggests fishing the lower reaches near the dam, where trout limit is four. However, anglers may take a bonus limit of four brook trout in addition to the normal trout limit. All tributaries are closed until July 12. Gigliotti Pond. Fishing continues to be good. Kastmaster lures have proven very effective, reports Nathan Somerville. At the annual kids fishing event earlier this month, worms were the best bait. In 2(X)3, the trout limit is four fish. All largemouth bass and bluegill must be immediately released. anglers to fish early in the day for best results. Try PowerBait for shoreline angling and Rapalas or Jake's spinners from a boat. The lake was stocked two weeks ago. In 2003, fishing is prohibited from a boat with a gas engine. LaSal Mountains. Fishing has been good at Hidden Lake for nine to 14 inch rainbow trout with artificial flies or bait. been good for nine inch splake and seven inch tiger trout. Try a black or yellow wooly bugger or worms. The gate remains closed to Oowah and Warner as of May 18. Access is still blocked for Blue, Dark Canyon and Medicine lakes. ice-of- f. Ferron Reservoir. The Ken's Lake. Conservation officer Edward Meyers urges bottom, have produced good results. Fishing at Dons Lake has Cleveland Reservoir. The reservoir is still covered by ice. Please avoid this reservoir until This year, the limit on fish at Electric Lake is four trout which may be taken on any type of bait, lure or fly. Tributaries are closed until July 12. When tributaries open, the limit w'ill be two trout, but artificial flies and lures must be used. The DWR biologist had good luck last Saturday using a deepdiving Rapala near the dam. In 2003, the trout limit is two. No more than one trout may be over 22 inches. All trout 15 to 22 inches must be immediately released. worms, fished slowly along the Spina-Lur- es. g. "This site includes links to n chronic wasting disease on other web sites as well," Karpowitz explained. I would encourage Utah residents to link from it to Wisconsin's site, which has some excellent information about the disease." eventually die. The wildlife division explains that there is no evidence that the disease naturally infects other Animals that appear sick d. Hook Utah kids on fishing Local bullriders encouraged to compete in annual bullriders only event. The annual bullriders only event is scheduled to take place May 31 at 7 p.m. at the the Carbon County Fairgrounds arena. This year, promoters are encouraging any interested bullrider to enter the event. Those interested may receive detailed information and sign up forms by calling 637-817- 6. Raquetball winners announced Scofield Reservoir. Fishing success slowed down considerably this past weekend. Weather and high winds were partly to blame. casters have done well by drifting a night crawler with one split shot. Gramlich suggests using crawler behind a full bubble and three to four feet of leader along the bottom. Once the ice pack an artificial lure. recedes, try using a straight night crawler behind a lull bubble. Keep the night crawler moving slowly for best results. Brown leeches or copper crystal buggers are recommended for fly fishermen. Tributaries are closed until July 12. The reservoir is closed to the possession of cutthroat trout or trout with cutthroat markings. Joes Valley Reservoir. Bi- On the right fork (from Flood and Engineer's Canyon upstream to Electric Lake) only artificial flies may be used. The trout limit is two. On the left fork, only artificial flies and lures may be used. The harvest of brown trout is encouraged. of Crandall Creek above the Genwal Mine is A portion closed to fishing for 2003 to protect Colorado River cutthroat trout. Huntington Game Farm Pond. Good fishing is expected for the remaining rainbow trout C ologist Justin Hart reports that chub meat is still effective for splake. Hart also suggests catching chubs with a worm on a small hook in Seely Cove. . Biologist Hart reports that anglers were using yellow and rainbow PoweiBait or cheese. Fly fishermen were using wooly buggers. One successful angler fished from a boat and used a suspending jerk bait along the rip rap on the west side and around the islands. Others have done well by trolling orangepearl triple teasers. Munford recommends using an egg sac or straight night crawler fished four feet behind a full bubble on the east side. He also describes fishing as fair on the west side for fly anglers using uniform sinking line with brown leeches or red, rust or green crystal buggers with a brown marabou tail. SII C1AL TO SUN ADVOCATF Shane Garcia, Guy Adams, Ed Callor, Jeremy Lamph, Mike Hrcinson, Randi Williams, Shanna Ward and Wendy Meeks display the trophies they collected during a recent raquetball tournament at the Collge of Eastern Utah. In the advanced group, Adams placed first, Garcia second and Brad Jarvis finished in third place. In the interme- diate division, Hreinson finished in first place, Lamph in second and Callor in third place. Finally, in the womens category, Ward placed first, Williams placed second and Meeks finished in third place. 1; J; ' |