Author: mattblyth

Trout in the Classroom – Fish Release

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The trout in the classroom project conducted the fish release for all the TFF sponsored tanks on the horseshoe section of the Guadalupe on April 28th. Over all the schools released over 1200 trout around the 2-3in long mark. We had several teachers, students and parents in attendance. This marks the end of another successful program and one that has grown from one tank in one school to now 14 tanks spread across Houston from Deer Park to Klein Collins. We will start again in early January of 2019!

Matt

Trout In the Classroom Release Date

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As you can see the club trout tanks continue to do well. We have lined up a release date for the fish in the Guadalupe on April 28th. This was the only date that I could coordinate between 7 different high schools where most could attend – however we may end up having more than one release if needed. If any club members are able to attend the release then please let me know!

Cheers

Matt

 

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Saltwater Flyfishing In New Zealand

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Back in February I spent a week in New Zealand and split my time between both salt and freshwater. Whilst everyone is familiar with the trout in NZ, not many people know that there is also a fantastic shallow water flats fishery there. We were in a place called Golden Bay, which sits at the top end of the South Island. Each summer as the water warms, huge stingrays cruise the flats (think car hood sized, not the little texas ones). Following the sting rays come yellow tailed kingfish looking to eat what ever the rays stir up. Normally a deepwater species, kingfish are a member of the jack family and fight just like the rest of them. All fishing is on foot and in water from knee to chest deep. The sting rays can be seen from far away as they are jet black and then its just a question of running through the water to get close enough to cast at one to see if there are kings following. They will hit streamers and top water and  fight like demons! The weather was a mixed bag and really affected the trout fishing – will post the trout pics when I get them. Enjoy! Fishing was organized through the excellent aussieflyfisher.com

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Trout in the Classroom

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As you can see our baby trout continue to do well and are now looking like miniature rainbows, complete with par marks and white tipped fins. We had a few loses over spring break but the majority came through without issue. Hard to believe we are already getting close to release time and are targeting the end of April or early May as potential dates. If any club members would like to attend the release (on the Guad) then please contact me directly and let me know!

Cheers

Matt

Trout in the Classroom Update

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A quick video update  – once again we had close to a 100% hatch rate from the eggs (there are always a few who don’t make it far at this stage) and so far all 13 tanks have healthy young trout, now feeding and ready for release from the eggs traps into the tank it’s self. Wont be long now before they color up and develop par marks!

Cheers

Matt

2018 Trout In the Classroom Project

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The 2018 Trout in the classroom project began last Thursday when I collected roughly 1300 trout eggs from TU and delivered them to this year’s schools. Thanks to the donations from TFF we are now up to 13 Houston area science classrooms running trout tanks. This year’s schools are as follows:

  1. Katy HS – Kathleen Brown
  2. Katy HS – Coach Williams
  3. Katy HS – Jennifer Greenland
  4. Seven Lakes HS – Carlton Colmenares
  5. Mayde Creek HS – Sharon Carswell
  6. Mayde Creek HS – Ashley Griffiths (new)
  7. Mayde Creek HS – Helena Townsend (new)
  8. Cy Lakes HS – Eileen Gariepy
  9. Morton Ranch HS – Leigh Anne Colonna
  10. Morton Ranch HS – Gene Smith (new)
  11. Deer Park HS – Kirby Schmidt
  12. Klein Collins HS – David Henderson
  13. Westbury HS – Lauren Gustartis

The classes will be hatching their trout over the next two weeks and growing them on until they reach 2-3in long. As in previous years we will be releasing them on the Guadalupe in early May. I will be posting regular updates on the progress and if anyclub members have questions or would like to get involved in helping out then please give me a call.

Matt (832 444 4206)

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Need 4th person for Devils River Trip!

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We have a 3 day guided Devil’s River trip planned for the weekend of October 13th-15th and we are short a 4th person. I realize its relatively short notice but if you are interested then please let me know! The trip is with Reelfly Fishing Adventures and is fully guided with two anglers per raft. We will travel down there on Thursday afternoon and fish all day Friday, Saturday and 3/4 of a day on Sunday before driving back to Houston, arriving late Sunday night. Camping will be in extremely comfortable hammock tents on the river. Targeting big smallmouth bass, largemouth, carp, gar and anything else that swims past. There is a certain amount of rough river wading required when traversing the rapids and portages. This will be my 3rd time fishing the river and the the first in the fall. Each time the fishing has been fantastic with almost all fish caught sight fishing in crystal clear water. If you are interested please call or message me on 832 444 4206. Thanks!
Matt

 

Matt Blyth and a nice smallie on the Devil’s River
Matt Blyth and a nice smallie on the Devil’s River 2

Trout In The Classroom update

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The trout continue to do well (although we have had some losses thanks to school maintenance crews unplugging filters and chillers and not plugging them back in)! As you can see from the video these mini rainbows are healthy and active. We are starting to look at release dates for May on the trout section of the Guadalupe. If any club members would like to help out then please let me know.

Cheers

Matt

Trout in the Classroom Update

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Hello everyone! Just a quick update to let you know that the 10 TFF sponsored trout in the classroom tanks are still going strong. Most of the trout are now free swimming and growing fast. If anyone has questions or would like to help out with the program then please give me a call.

Matt Blyth (832 444 4206)

2017 Trout in the Classroom

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The TFF sponsored 2017 Trout in the Classroom project got off to a flying start last week. Thanks to the kind donations from TFF through the club fund raising and also with three new schools acquiring the necessary equipment themselves, we are now up to TEN tanks in high schools across Houston! This is a doubling in size of the project in one year and all the new teachers signed on after hearing about the success of tanks in our classrooms through their school system. We now have tanks in the following schools:

  1. Katy HS – Ms Kathleen Brown (Aquatic Science)
  2. Katy HS – Coach Williams (Aquatic Science)
  3. Katy HS – Jennifer Greenland (Aquatic Science)
  4. Mayde Creek HS – Sharon Carswell (Aquatic Science)
  5. Morton Ranch HS – Leigh Anne Colonna (Aquatic Science)
  6. Seven Meadows HS – Carlton Colmenares (AP Environmental Science)
  7. Klein Collins HS – David Henderson (AP Environmental Science)
  8. Cypress Lakes HS – Eileen Gariepy (Aquatic Science)
  9. Westbury HS – Lauren Gustartis (World Geography)
  10. Deer Park HS – Kirby Schmidt (Aquatic Science)

As usual the rainbow trout eggs were supplied by Trout Unlimited and came from a hatchery in Washington state. Each school received approximately 100 eggs and some have already started to hatch. Over the next few months I will keep everyone updated with their progress. Meanwhile if you have any questions then feel free to get in touch with me.

Matt Blyth (8324444206)