Vermont's Wild Trout Waters Threatened

Vermont is well known for it's wild trout fishing. But the recent discovery of algae threatens the survival of these trout.

This isn't the ordinary algae, the kind you find in your fishing tank. This algae, officially called, Didymosphenia geminata (or Didymo, for short) is an invasive, river-clogging algae known to damage trout fisheries in New Zealand and elsewhere. Didymo is also sometimes referred to as "rock snot".

A fly fishing guide discovered the problem while fishing on Connecticut River in Bloomfield one day. He had seen the stuff before, and so recognized it instantly. He brought a sample for testing and scientists confirmed his suspicion.

Biologists last week confirmed the algae's presence in two locations six miles apart on the White River in Royalton, Bethel and Stockbridge.

Unfortunately, it's nearly impossible to kill the algae completely (for many reasons). But anglers can help lessen the spread by disinfecting their gear and clothing (including boats and rafts).

Other problems (such as whirling disease) are also spread the contaminated boats and fishing gear and clothing. So it's a good idea to disinfect your gear, clothes and boats after every fishing trip - no matter where you live!

For more on the story and tips on how to disinfect your fishing gear and clothes, click here.