2006 Activities Summary

 for Federation of Fly Fisherman Intern

Let me begin by saying that I am not a writer, but I do enjoy writing about my experiences. On 30 May 2006, I began an internship for Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GRSM) in the Fisheries Division. This position was funded by the Federation of Fly Fishermen (FFF). I graduated Haywood Community College in May 2006 and this is my first experience working in natural resources. I was told about this position by conversations with Steve Moore and Matt Kulp who both encouraged me to apply.  From day one, I knew I was in for an experience. The work has been everything I expected and then some. Having no prior fisheries exposure, aside from my classes in school, I felt intimidated at first. Fortunately, the people I work with were very helpful in getting me accustomed with the field and its many facets. I have met many people along the way that are eager to share what they know, and I hope to get to know these people better in the future. I have also met some people that I may never see again, but I have been impacted by them nonetheless. The experience I have gained in coldwater fisheries work will be invaluable to me in the future.   I really cannot explain how fortunate I feel to be working and learning in an environment such as GRSM. It is beyond my wildest expectations. I have had the opportunity to work in areas of the park that many visitors may never see. It is very satisfying to know when I go home each day my work means something to me.

            I have gained knowledge in the usage of electro-fishing equipment and three pass depletion methods for inventorying trout streams. A large part of the work has been three pass depletion techniques on a variety of the park’s streams. Having now been exposed to this technique I feel confident in the methods used. I have been taught the importance of consistency in this process.  We have worked a variety of locations this summer from high elevation streams with high densities of brook trout, such as Bunches Creek, to large streams with a variety of game and non-game fishes, such as the Oconaluftee and Little rivers. On several occasions, we were required to stay in the backcountry for some time to complete our work. Lynn Camp was one such area where we did preliminary work for a potential restoration project on this stream. We had to measure large areas of the stream and get stream gradients for possible Antimycin treatments. In addition, we went to Bear Creek in North Carolina where a restoration had been undertaken some time back. We needed to assist the repopulation of this stream by transplanting brook trout from other areas of the park via backpack transporters. A couple of times we were called upon to assist other agencies, such as the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA), with their duties as well. We also were privileged to assist the TWRA in a study comparing the effectiveness of AC shockers to DC shockers. . We were also able to assist the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources and the U.S. Forest Service with a stream restoration project on Crane Creek. We used antimycin as a means to remove nonnative hatchery brook trout so that native southern strain brook trout could be replaced. I think it is very important for agencies to work together to accomplish these goals, and I am happy to be a part of it. On many occasions we had to call on other people to assist us with our work. Not only did other agencies assist, but also many volunteers. Matt and Steve encourage volunteerism. These volunteers become valuable partners and allies in efforts to protect the parks resources, and they get to see their park and how it runs.

            I began to realize that not all of this work is getting to be outside “playing” with the fish. Many days are spent repairing equipment and working with data on the computer. I am thankful for those opportunities as well. I can now build my own set of probes to be used with backpack shockers. I can also do some troubleshooting related to the backpack shockers. For someone with as little mechanical ability as me, that is saying a whole lot. I understand better, though not completely, the interpretation of the data that we gather in our day to day work. I understand the need for diligent and detailed work in this field. I believe it is essential that field technicians at least have some exposure to the data interpretation so they can see the “fruits” of their labor. Water quality becomes more important every day. As a part of our water quality monitoring efforts, we sample four sites on LeConte Creek and Roaring Fork. I went on several of these outings to see where the water is gathered and the labs it is taken to.

            To say the work has been easy would be a lie. To say it has been rewarding work is the truth. The satisfaction I have had each day is immeasurable. I got to see my first hybrid brown and brook trout, called a tiger trout. I’ve been close to bears (though not as close as some), stung by yellow jackets (not my first time), fallen on rocks, fell in above my waders, shocked (it hurts!), bruised, sweated gallons, and walked miles, but without the fear of sounding mushy, I’ve enjoyed every minute of it. I would not trade a single minute of my experiences this summer, and I am very thankful for all those involved in helping me make it happen.

Shane Billings