Tips
Taking Precautions - Stop the Spread of Didymo
The first thing a saltwater angler does religiously after fishing is to wash down his or her gear with fresh water and if a boat has been used, this too gets a thorough going over. While protecting against the effects of salt corrosion isn't a threat to fresh water anglers, preserving the rivers we fish from the risk of invasive plants or pests by washing gear after use is something we should be getting in the habit of doing.
Didymo cells can stay alive in wet waders and fishing equipment for several days! Hunting & Fishing New Zealand is appealing to fellow anglers to take the threat of Didymo spreading further seriously. Obviously we wash our gear down with a disinfecting solution if we've fished in or near a river system known to be infected, but better still would be to get into the habit of doing this anyway wherever else we fish just in case that water too has become infected. We can also keep a watchful eye at car parks and road ends. Visiting anglers can be politely quizzed as to where they fished last and whether they have been disinfecting their gear. An explanation, and the gift of some disinfectant, and a demo (right there and then on their gear - with their permission of course) will definitely help the cause.
Lynda Topp was fishing and filming in the South Island last season when the extent of the Didymo spread became public. As a Kiwi icon, and a well respected fly fishing ambassador she was devastated to learn that some of her favourite rivers were affected. Lynda has attempted to use her profile to bring home the importance of disinfecting gear to fellow anglers.
Didymo cells can stay alive in wet waders and fishing equipment for several days! Hunting & Fishing New Zealand is appealing to fellow anglers to take the threat of Didymo spreading further seriously. Obviously we wash our gear down with a disinfecting solution if we've fished in or near a river system known to be infected, but better still would be to get into the habit of doing this anyway wherever else we fish just in case that water too has become infected. We can also keep a watchful eye at car parks and road ends. Visiting anglers can be politely quizzed as to where they fished last and whether they have been disinfecting their gear. An explanation, and the gift of some disinfectant, and a demo (right there and then on their gear - with their permission of course) will definitely help the cause.
Lynda Topp was fishing and filming in the South Island last season when the extent of the Didymo spread became public. As a Kiwi icon, and a well respected fly fishing ambassador she was devastated to learn that some of her favourite rivers were affected. Lynda has attempted to use her profile to bring home the importance of disinfecting gear to fellow anglers.
