Nick whom is tattooed with a common Darter...
Years ago several NANFA members converged in Birmingham at Stott Noble's home. I recall Stephen Ellis, Dave Nelly and maybe Ranger Bob attending. I wrote a report about it, back in the pre-forum days on the old NANFA list. Text only. Maybe someone could track it down. We had a good time in the field 2 days, stayed up late talking fish. We grilled wild mushrooms and Stott smoked his Beer Can Chicken. I slept on the stubby couch with cats running up and down me all night.
I snorkeled with the Vermillions, a spring run access, thick vegetation, big creek alongside and low rustic railroad bridge. CFI was going to work with the Vermillions but last minute regulations got involved. Current CFI status unknown.
We seined up Watercress Darters at a park site but the creek was very gnarrly with culverts and rubbled trash.
We dipnetted Rush Darters from a disturbing commercial urban site next to culverts, gravel parking lots and cluttered trash. Amazing that this site is for a lone specie.
This was pre-camera days. We were just out exploring new waters. A NANFA BoD member fussed at us afterwards but Dave had permits so we could legally catch and view the little fellers. The habitats were all very urban.
As for the DarterFest it would be fun to attend but i do not think Stott is active anymore. Bruce is 2 hours north in Huntsville. And unless they have a parade with the 3 Darter species as floating fishes i doubt i could be lured to B'Ham just for the beer. Nice city though. A fine garden and Vulcan overlooks much of downtown. Love the poster and always like to see pretty belly dancers... if any of you bothered to look at the TV link report. The festival did not seem too darter like but surely there are some nice exhibits.
What would be cool is to organize an outing on that same weekend at the next DarterFest. Sounds like a job for an Alabamian fishy representative.
Edited by Casper, 02 November 2015 - 06:41 PM.