Jump to content


An example of native fish ignorance with the general public


  • Please log in to reply
4 replies to this topic

#1 Guest_ashtonmj_*

Guest_ashtonmj_*
  • Guests

Posted 25 January 2007 - 10:10 PM

This is definately one of the reasons why I love talking native fish with people just to open the door to a world that most have no clue exists. There is a local fishing hunting show called the Doug and Hugh Show in Tennessee, I think run out of Nashville. They have a live call in portion of the show and I just happened to be flipping right on by it and I caught a the begining of a question that went something like 'Columbia dam and the snail darter. I've never heard of a snail that darts so is it a darter that eats a snail, and how big are these things' and then my reflexes had me on the next channel by accident. By the time I flipped back the call was over. The hosts, one of, maybe both, are employed by TWRA, gave somewhat vaugely correct, but mostly incorrect answers or did not know.

I was surprised on two accounts. 1) How are locals in Tennessee still misinformed about what was possibly one of the hottest political topics of the late 1970's and one of the most famous native fishes? and 2) How were people employed by the state wildlife and resources agency not even aware of the simplest things about it (especially when you consider the fact they would have been young adults during that time period and were both natives to the state)? Of course, being that my thesis has involved studying snail darter distribution and microhabitat, I called in and gave proper information to answer the called and the things the hosts had said incorrectly.

I guess the whole point is that I think one of my greatest interests in natives is educating the public about them, whether they appreciate them or not is up to them, and oppurtunities seem to be everywhere to educate, whether they should be or not.

#2 Guest_fundulus_*

Guest_fundulus_*
  • Guests

Posted 25 January 2007 - 10:39 PM

I was surprised on two accounts. 1) How are locals in Tennessee still misinformed about what was possibly one of the hottest political topics of the late 1970's and one of the most famous native fishes? and 2) How were people employed by the state wildlife and resources agency not even aware of the simplest things about it (especially when you consider the fact they would have been young adults during that time period and were both natives to the state)? Of course, being that my thesis has involved studying snail darter distribution and microhabitat, I called in and gave proper information to answer the called and the things the hosts had said incorrectly.

I guess the whole point is that I think one of my greatest interests in natives is educating the public about them, whether they appreciate them or not is up to them, and oppurtunities seem to be everywhere to educate, whether they should be or not.


Most people have an effective memory that goes back about 3 months. And TWRA people are paid primarily to know about and deal with deer and bass, about which I'm sure Doug & Hugh could wax euphoric. Having said that, I agree with you that it's a sobering example of ignorance. But, that's why we in NANFA are here in part; there's no shortage of things to be done.

#3 Guest_nativecajun_*

Guest_nativecajun_*
  • Guests

Posted 26 January 2007 - 04:43 AM

Yes I share my hobby knowledge when I can. Most people like the guy above said only know game fish and then they call most of them by the wrong name. When I describe a long ear to them and explain that they would be hard pressed to find a tropical fish that pretty I like the expressions I get. Yes this is a great opportunity to share and maybe the ignorant contractors that silt streams "the same stream by my house" over and over in a four year period would take a little more care in containing their newly excavated earth so there would be much less silting.

I live in Ooltewah/Collegedale area. You say you are at Tennessee Tech. I only know Casper so far from this area. We should get to gether sometime for a lunch or better yet a collecting trip. Let me know if you plan one. So far since finding NANFA a couple of months ago I have only collected by myself. So it would be nice to make new friends and learn new territories and fish available in the area. I have had a request for some southern red bellied dace. I told the guy that I think we have them here but I am bad at indentifying dace and so far I think only the black nosed I have identified correctly. So I like making people happy and would not mind a bit as I am getting into the shipping part of the hobby now.

#4 Guest_ashtonmj_*

Guest_ashtonmj_*
  • Guests

Posted 26 January 2007 - 09:20 AM

Yeah like I said, it is definately one of the reasons I joined NANFA, to be part of a group that promotes education of native fish, so things like that occurr less frequently. It was an interesting 5 minute event, and I'm sure I made it sound worse than it was, but it just seems to happen even in something as broad reaching as a television show all too much.

Yes I'm in Cookeville (TTU). Casper and I had talked about a small spring outing and I joined Todd Crail for a day last March. I'm definately interested in a few trips this spring because I should be out of Cookeville by May and likely the state. If we meet up sometime soon I can bring some SRBD's. They are pretty common in small streams/ditches running around Cookeville. They really aren't in your neck of the woods. The closest populations to you are probably in the upper Sequatchie River.

#5 Guest_nativecajun_*

Guest_nativecajun_*
  • Guests

Posted 26 January 2007 - 09:44 AM

Yeah like I said, it is definately one of the reasons I joined NANFA, to be part of a group that promotes education of native fish, so things like that occurr less frequently. It was an interesting 5 minute event, and I'm sure I made it sound worse than it was, but it just seems to happen even in something as broad reaching as a television show all too much.

Yes I'm in Cookeville (TTU). Casper and I had talked about a small spring outing and I joined Todd Crail for a day last March. I'm definately interested in a few trips this spring because I should be out of Cookeville by May and likely the state. If we meet up sometime soon I can bring some SRBD's. They are pretty common in small streams/ditches running around Cookeville. They really aren't in your neck of the woods. The closest populations to you are probably in the upper Sequatchie River.



The red bellied dace would be nice but it is not I who wants them. If I can find out who the H asked me for them I will let you know. I do not mind shipping but if we can skip the double transport that would be a good thing.




0 user(s) are reading this topic

0 members, 0 guests, 0 anonymous users