Answer to yesterday's WTBW. So three interesting fish this week, huh? What could they be? And what is up with that wild fish in the middle?! Well, the top fish is probably the most troubling one. BY now most if not all of you have heard of the spreading threat of Alabama Bass across the southeast. The top fish is part of this story. It was collected in Cherokee Reservoir in eastern TN, at the top of the Tennessee River system, and it represents the first genetic evidence of Alabama Bass in this reservoir. It is a cross between Alabama Bass and native Smallmouth Bass, and it was not the only one they found. Despite our best efforts the fish continues to creep slowly westward, threatening storied and important Smallmouth Bass fisheries such as Norris, Center Hill, and Dale Hollow reservoirs. To say nothing of all those in the rivers and streams around and between those reservoirs. Very troubling to say the least.
The bottom fish is another hybrid, this one from a South Carolina reservoir. It is a cross between native Bartrams Bass (54%) and nonnative Alabama Bass (40%). The latter species has been in South Carolina in the Savannah River Basin for many decades but only recently has begun showing up in other river systems. They too are threatening popular Smallmouth Bass fisheries in reservoirs and rivers across the state, and are major threats to the continuance of native Bartrams Bass.
OK, so what's with that middle fish?! What wild colors and markings, huh? Well, this is the only pure and native fish in the bunch and ironically it is an Alabama Bass from the Coosa River system in Alabama. As yall know, bass can occasionally display some really striking combinations of color and bold markings, and this is a great example. And it is also a useful reminder that native species, left in their own environments, offer anglers wonderful opportunities to catch beautiful specimens like this one. Let's leave them where they are....everyone is better off that way.
Look for another WTBW challenge next week!
American Fisheries Society Black Bass Conservation Committee
