I read with interest the article in the Summer 200 issue of Northwest
Fly Fising magazine describing the WDFW's new CTEP public-private
stocking partnership ('Washington Trout Enhancement Program Has
Lunker Potential', by Terry Sheely, pg. 19. Send me an email offline
if you want a copy of the text.)
In a nutshell, the WDFW has identified some 250 lakes that �qualify�
for the program. Sponsors can then work through Troutlodge, Inc. (to
hatchery at Rocky Ford, http://www.troutlodge.com) and the WDFW to
designate a lake(s) and a dollar amount that goes directly into
purchasing fish to be stocked in that lake. (Other lakes not on the
list may also be considered if they meet certain standards
established by WDFW biologists.)
The planters are "footlong scrappers to 10-pound" and are intended to
"create productive, season-long fisheries that will revitalize
flagging fishing interest and help the state rebuild anemic
recreational trout fishing opportunities." Stocking sponsorships are
tax-deductible under a pending 501(c)3 founding application by
Troutlodge.
A demonstration project was staged last year at Spanaway Lake which
resulted in considerable excitement among fishing- and
recreational-oriented retailers like GI Joes and Top Foods who then
signed up to sponsor a stocking program at Bradley Lake in Puyallup.
Kauffman's Streamborn in Bellevue sponsored the recent plant at
Nunnally and Lenice Lakes last month. Having caught several of
triploid brutes just last week at Lenice, I'm certainly impressed
with the program's potential.
I spoke this morning with Troutlodge's Doug Smith, who said that
lakes are being stocked for as little as $500 by private individuals
and for as much as $35,000 for year-long, sustained stocking programs
at large lakes. Smith said that American Lake is being stocked in
August and that Pass and Leota Lakes are scheduled for this fall.
I'd be interested in joining with other like-minded list members to
explore the possibilities of pooling resources to stock a West side
lake with an eye towards creating a long-term flyfishing only trout
fishery. Any ideas or suggestions?
What are the short- and long-term implications of the CTEP program?
Thanks,
Kent Lufkin
