Ethnic Cleansing on the Tellico River

1
Ethnic Cleansing on the Tellico River

• A species fight for survival

2
Background

• Brook Trout have been a native species of many
  Atlantic coast watersheds for thousands of years
• Sport fishing has become so popular that
  non-native species are stocked so that Trout
  Unlimited members have more fish to catch
• The United States Forest Service allows
  non-native Brown Trout and Rainbow trout to be
  stocked in the Tellico River ecosystem.

3
Rainbow Trout

• Rainbow trout are transplants from Western
  watersheds and, in addition to being heavily
  stocked throughout this area, have established
  some wild presence where conditions are favorable
  for spawning. They come readily to lure or fly,
  grow large in fertile streams and do indeed
  reflect the colors of the rainbow from their
  silvery skins.http//www.pressboxonline.com/stor
  y.cfm?id499

4
Brown Trout

• Brown trout, hearty creatures native to Europe
  and Great Britain, were introduced to our streams
  around the turn of the century. They continue to
  form a significant leg of the trout triad. They
  are both stocked and wild and are known as the
  wildest of the three species.
• http//www.pressboxonline.com/story.cfm?id499

5
Brook Trout

• Brook trout are our only native species. They
  comprise the majority of our wild trout
  populations, many of which are found in
  Shenandoah National Park, in national forests and
  in state forests and parks. Brookies prefer cool,
  shaded mountain streams fortunately they have a
  fine selection in our mountains. These beautiful
  animals are truly jewels of the
  stream.http//www.pressboxonline.com/story.cfm?i
  d499

6
Genocide

• Rather than respect Mother Natures delicate
  balance, Trout Unlimited has decided to play God
  and press for the stocking of non-native Brown
  Trout and Rainbow Trout. The native Brook Trout
  simply cannot compete with the fast growing
  Rainbow Trout and the voracious and aggressive
  Brown Trout.

7
Genocide

• Brook Trout numbers have been declining by the
  decade.
• Trout Unlimited is fearful that others will catch
  them at their Act as God, and press the Forest
  Service at every opportunity to exclude other
  Sportsmen from their own private Eden.

8
Genocide

• Forest Service biologists have attempted to
  increase Brook Trout numbers
• Brown Trout and Rainbow Trout have been poisoned
  with the toxic chemical rotenone
• yet ironically, continue to stock these
  non-native Trout in the same watershed at the
  behest of Trout Unlimited.
• CAN YOU SEE THE HYPOCRICY?!

9
Please Help

• Will this Brookie live or be doomed to starvation
  at the hands of bigger Rainbows and Browns?
• She needs your help now. Please call the United
  States Forest Service and demand that Rainbow and
  Brown Trout dumping halt immediately and a
  closure of all Brook Trout fishing until this
  species recovers!! You are her only hope.

Nantahala National ForestTusquitee Ranger
District123 Woodland DriveMurphy, North
Carolina 28906828-837-5152