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Carteret Wildlife Club outing


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#1 fritz

fritz
  • Board of Directors

Posted 15 August 2016 - 02:23 PM

Saturday Aug 6, Scott Smith and I took 15 members (10 adults and 5 children) on primarily freshwater collecting trip in the nearby Croatan National Forest in eastern NC near New Bern. I had done this about 5 years ago at the request of retired fisheries biologist, Gene Huntsman. Since I and most of the group had gotten older I enlisted the help of my younger friend, Scott Smith (of ncfishes.com fame).
We have had a considerable amount of rain recently so my expectations were low. Our first stop was Tucker Creek, a turbid and over the banks creek just outside Havelock. It's claim to fame is that the oldest (and for a long time only) record of the Bridle Shiner was here. Taken in 1962 and never seen again. The fish has subsequently been found at several locations in eastern NC, especially when we sampled its
preferred habitat - deep water with lush vegetation. Alas we did not find it here but Scott did dip net a large Redfin Pickerel and we both caught Pirate Perch whose Latin name amused everyone, Bluepsotted Sunfish, Warmouth, and a Sawcheek Darterthe group heading to Tucker Creek.jpeg the group heading to Tucker Creek.jpeg looking at the catch.jpeg another redfin photo.jpeg

Attached Images

  • pirate perch.jpeg


#2 fritz

fritz
  • Board of Directors

Posted 15 August 2016 - 02:32 PM

I hit the post button too soon,small warmouth.jpeg

We then headed to Brice Creek in the National Forest. Beautiful blackwater stream but not much in it. Got a beautiful Brown Water Snakescott and fitz seining in Brices Creek.jpeg snake catch.jpeg

On to Island Creek, also in the Forest. It is unique in having exposed limestone outcrops. I was very optimistic as we jumped in but very few fish were to be seen. The one that got the group excited was an American Eel. But what got my heart pumping was a Cottonmouth in the water with us and not very happy with our presence.
We quietly slunk downstream and got out.

Attached Images

  • Brice Creek.jpeg
  • Island Creek with Limestone outcrops.jpeg
  • flier.jpeg


#3 fritz

fritz
  • Board of Directors

Posted 15 August 2016 - 02:43 PM

cottonmouth.jpeg

We decided to end the day on western Bogue Bank in the town of Emerald Isle. Scott had discovered the northernmost population
of Sailfin Molly in pools adjacent to a public boat ramp. In addition to mollies, we caught Mojarrs, Spot, Pinfish, Fat Sleeper,
Sheepshead Minnow, Mummichog, shrimp and crabs,estuarine collecting.jpeg dipping for mollies.jpeg looking at sailfin mollies, shrimp, fat sleepers etc.jpeg

All in all a good day!

#4 mattknepley

mattknepley
  • NANFA Member
  • Smack-dab between the Savannah and the Saluda.

Posted 15 August 2016 - 08:10 PM

Looks like a great day to me, Fritz. Sure picked some pretty spots!
Matt Knepley
"No thanks, a third of a gopher would merely arouse my appetite..."

#5 sbtgrfan

sbtgrfan
  • NANFA Member
  • Charleston, SC

Posted 15 August 2016 - 08:25 PM

Love the blackwater streams like that. Thanks for sharing!
Stephen Beaman
Freshwater Aquarist
South Carolina Aquarium
Charleston, SC

#6 Dustin

Dustin
  • Forum Staff

Posted 16 August 2016 - 08:01 AM

For the first time ever, you may have lowered the average age there.  Looks like a great group and some interesting fish.


Dustin Smith
At the convergence of the Broad, Saluda and Congaree
Lexington, SC


#7 fritz

fritz
  • Board of Directors

Posted 16 August 2016 - 09:55 AM

Yep, I was a youngster thus why I was doing all that work

#8 zooxanthellae

zooxanthellae
  • NANFA Member
  • North Carolina

Posted 17 August 2016 - 07:26 AM

For the first time ever, you may have lowered the average age there.  Looks like a great group and some interesting fish.

LOL. You can really feel the love here! 



#9 Matt DeLaVega

Matt DeLaVega
  • Forum Staff
  • Ohio

Posted 17 August 2016 - 06:20 PM

Father Fishmas attracts more chicks than your average fish nerd!  So what, age is only a state of mind, except for those pesky knees? Fixed now, right?


The member formerly known as Skipjack


#10 fritz

fritz
  • Board of Directors

Posted 25 August 2016 - 02:19 PM

Nope, knees still creaky.



#11 Matt DeLaVega

Matt DeLaVega
  • Forum Staff
  • Ohio

Posted 27 August 2016 - 03:10 PM

Bugger.


The member formerly known as Skipjack




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