From the President of the Board

"Vote the River"

 Jerry Eatman, President of the Board

During the 2006 and 2008 election cycles, I began to see the slogan "Vote the Environment" on bumper stickers and t-shirts.  I do not know whether the outdoor equipment company, Patagonia, originated the campaign, or just had the best t-shirts; but it occurred to me then to be a great reminder of the impact our choices, both political and economic, have on the environment.

On a political front, clearly 2010 will not go down in history as the election year when voters chose to "vote the environment."  On a national and local level, the results of the 2010 elections have had a devastating effect on the causes of clean air, clean water and wilderness conservation.  New majorities in Congress and in the North Carolina legislature appear determined to dismantle the state and federal agencies charged with protecting the environment.  Environmental protection laws which have been in place for decades are now being threatened with repeal legislation.  The new leadership in the North Carolina legislature seems to be under the impression that the voters sent them to Raleigh to see just how much damage to our natural resources they could accomplish under the guise of making North Carolina more "business friendly."  Since North Carolina is routinely rated as one of the most "business friendly" states by national business publications, it appears that much of the current anti-environmental protection legislation being considered is less about being more receptive to business generally, and more about catering to certain special interests.

The deluge of new, and potentially damaging, legislation being introduced in the North Carolina legislature has placed a tremendous strain on the resources of conservation groups in North Carolina, including the Pamlico-Tar River Foundation. PTRF is a well respected organization within the conservation community and the staff has been receiving requests from all over the State to help other organizations assess the potential impacts of much of the currently pending legislation. Our staff and many of our members have been deployed across the region in the last few months in an effort to make the case for protection of the Tar-Pam Watershed and other important environmental initiatives. The legislative assault has been swift, effective, and broad in scope. We are facing the grim reality that, in the short run, we are probably not going to be able to achieve any additional protection for water quality in this watershed, and in the long term, we may very well lose much of the arguably inadequate regulatory protection currently in place.

It is critical that our elected officials understand that, whatever mandate they think they received from us to shrink the size of government generally, it was not intended to include loss of protection for some of the world's greatest estuaries. We have a right to expect that our elected officials be good stewards of both our tax dollars and our natural resources. Unfortunately, a poor record on environmental protection issues rarely factors into the election success of candidates outside of certain metropolitan areas of North Carolina-this has got to change. In order to keep the damage to our natural resources from becoming irreparable, this change needs to come well before we next go back to the polls. We need to cast our "votes for the River" now by contacting our representatives and letting them know that they are going to be held accountable for any environmental degradation that occurs on their watch. The staff at PTRF routinely sends out notices regarding important legislative issues along with suggestions regarding citizen involvement. You can contact our staff if you have any questions or you can always contact me. My e-mail address is set forth below. It is more important than ever that our legislators hear from as many voters as possible that environmental issues have the power to make us all single-issue voters.

In addition to contacting our elected officials about maintaining strong regulations for environmental protection, we can cast a "vote for the River" by supporting organizations and businesses which support conservation.  We choose our political leaders on Election Day; but we make economic choices every day with the goods and services we purchase.  Make the choice to support these businesses and let them know that you made your choice based on their commitment to the environment.  It is important for businesses to see evidence that environmental responsibility will be recognized and rewarded by a loyal base of supporters. We are very fortunate here at PTRF to have some terrific supporters in the business community. We all need to make an extra effort to support these businesses.

History is full of examples of great social change accomplished through a combination of political and economic activism by a dedicated and sometimes very small group of citizens. Sounds a lot like the members of PTRF!

Contact me at any time at jre@lyncheatman.com

From the Executive Director

Pamlico-Tar River Foundation Sustainability: Theory to Practice

David Emmerling, Executive Director

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! There is no way we could say it enough. Your confidence in us and the consistent provision of your time, treasure, and talent make it possible for us to stay on an even keel financially and programmatically.  Good strategic planning and careful execution allow us to continue our progress and defense of the river even in the most challenging economic and political times we have faced since the "Great Depression".  While we continue to feel the strain, the challenges provoke an expansion of our thinking. Our priorities are established by continuing to monitor, protect, and restore our river and the reality that to continue our success we must be financially viable.

Increasing financial viability led us to explore the demonstration of our belief that economic development can be achieved without environmental destruction.  We have examples of this but these are projects that occur in other locales and in different economic times. If the potential for environmental conservation paired with broad scale economic development can be realized, we needed to put the theory into practice within our organization. These circumstances and values provoked multiple threads of discussion and information gathering over the last year. This resulted in many discussions and debates that explored the depths and breadth of the associated opportunities and challenges. The process culminated in directives from the board of directors to develop a business plan in the area of eco-tourism that is within the mission of PTRF and is likely to offer an additional, sustainable revenue stream. 

Thus, based on the successful fishing clinic we held in February; the interest in kayaking and kayak fishing; and the existing stable of PTRF kayaks, we began to develop our business plan that included our existing resources and perceived revenue potential. We will need more equipment and additional resources in the future but once we develop our marketing plan, implement it and create a participant flow we will begin to test the program and services on a limited basis. Yet, if we increase our advertising and programs and if PTRF members and donors increase their involvement, the likelihood of our immediate success is increased. So if you'd like to be trained to lead tours or would be willing to donate funds that would be restricted to launching this project contributions would be very welcome. In addition if you have experience in developing an entrepreneurial small enterprise your counsel would be a great help.  The potential exists for this to benefit us in many arenas so contact me to ask questions, donate, or be involved as you are called to do.

Warmest regards to all, David

RIVERKEEPER Renewal and Replacement

         Now that we have your attention, NO, Heather is not leaving but she has been on maternity leave and doting on the fruits of her labor and delivery.  Our newest little Riverkeeper is Anna Madeline Deck and as you can see she is thriving with the good parenting Heather and Ben are providing.

Heather is back from maternity leave this week and you can expect her regular contributions in our next edition.  Join us in welcoming Anna to our PTRF family. Uncle Dave thinks she is the greatest!

Paul is the author of the guidebook Paddling Eastern North Carolina (www.PocosinPress.com)

        Why would prudent people consider loading canoes or kayaks with camping gear and start down a stream without knowing where they will camp? It would be easier to make a reservation at a park, drive in, setup the tent at a site equipped with a number, table, water, and fire-ring. Other campers may be nearby with their lights and music. A ranger will drive by, and wildlife will come to your site-that raccoon searching for scraps.  

Paddling camping trips have more unknowns but bring a greater sense of adventure. Camping on a riverbank takes one closer to a wilderness experience, even though human development is probably not far away.

Some paddlers prefer winter camping, but I dislike the long, cold nights. Spring and fall usually have ideal weather. Summer camping occasionally comes with biting insects and nights too warm for sleeping. On most trips, I have little trouble with bites, but it varies with place, time, and weather. Take plenty of insect repellant. For sleeping in a tent, a small battery-powered fan makes a large difference in comfort. I often use a jungle hammock because it is cooler than lying on warm ground. They are easy to pitch between trees and allow sleeping almost flat. Eno and Hennessy hammocks are popular brands.  

There are many camping options in the Pamlico-Tar Basin. The Tar River usually has enough water, and an easy stretch for a weekend camper is from the Wildlife boat access near Dunbar Road (Edgecombe County 1252) bridge to Riverfront access in Tarboro. The distance is 23 miles, but the NC 33 bridge is 12.5 miles from the put-in, has a Wildlife boating access, and can be used to shorten the trip.

In selecting a campsite, avoid low banks and swampy areas. Look for land that is not posted and is well away from signs of civilization. NC Statutes require properly posted land to have signs conspicuously posted and no more than two hundred yards apart.  

Camping on islands and high sandbars reduces the chances of problems from landowners. The Tar has some large sandbars several feet high when water is low. Check the USGS gauges Tar River below the reservoir near Rocky Mount and Tar River near Tarboro. Flows below 500 cubic feet per second will expose more sandbars. Camping on high sandbars avoids brush and allows breezes. As with all campsites, be aware of possible rising water. Thunderstorms and dam releases can cause water levels to rise quickly. Sandbars are formed as higher water deposits sand in slower currents on the inside of bends. At night make sure boats are well above water and tied off.

Leave all land visited with no trace of your presence. Plants and trees should not be cut. A campfire can attract attention and cause concern of it spreading. If a campfire is built, make it small and contained in a fire-pan to keep from scarring the ground. A small fire on a sandbar near the water is little fire risk and easy to douse.

Equipment needs vary according to boat capacity and personal tastes. The essentials are food, water, cooking equipment, sleeping bag, tent, light, first aid kit plus protection from sun, rain, cold, and insects. Also include a small shovel or trowel for burying human waste. Think of what is needed for car camping and pare it down to acceptable weight and bulk.

If you are looking for a stream more remote than the Tar River, try Fishing Creek between US 301 and Fishing Creek Road (Edgecombe County 1500) at Mabrey Bridge. This covers 36 miles, which can be divided into shorter trips by using intermediate bridges. The creek width runs 20-80 feet, and downed trees are usual. Look for the Fishing Creek near Enfield gauge to be flowing at least 100 cubic feet per second. Consider scouting it first by paddling daytrips without camping equipment to make sure it is suitable for your camping trip.  

If you have not tried a paddling camping trip, this could be the year for a new adventure.

See you on the river.

Tarheel Tarpon

Peter Boettger                              

Megalops atlanticus - The older, big drum that spawn in the waters of the western Pamlico in mid to late summer have traditionally set the sport fishing bar for most recreational fishermen in the region.  But for some there is a higher calling against which to measure one's patience, stamina, and skill.  Just as uncompromising anglers in western NC hold up the muskellunge as the ultimate challenge in sport fishing, their compatriots in the east consider tarpon fishing an elite passion.  For inner banks fishermen the tarpon is the holy grail of game fish.

Rod and reel fishing for tarpon in the Pamlico and its tributaries was reportedly first developed between the mid-sixties and late seventies.  Depending on one's source of information, the identity of the individuals who initiated the fishery and the exact locale tends to vary somewhat.  There is a lot that remains unknown about tarpon, including the significance of their sojourn to Tar Heel waters, which only serves to further elevate the stature of these striking creatures.

Tarpon are known to be a prehistoric species, dating back about 125 million years, and resemble a large herring.  They are primarily denizens of the warm Atlantic seas, from the central coast of Brazil to the west coast of Africa, and all through the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean.  Adult Tarpon have the ability to travel long distances, documented up to 1200 miles.  The northern limit of their summer migration along the east coast of the United States is normally the Virginia barrier islands and lower Chesapeake Bay.

Life for tarpon begins in the spring and summer over 100 miles off shore, where mature adults gather to release their sperm and eggs into the open ocean for fertilization, and is thought to be associated with the full and new moons.  The eggs hatch as larvae looking like tiny transparent eels.  With limited capacity for swimming they travel a gauntlet of various habitats over the next month, until reaching their estuarine nursery grounds in the shallow back bays and creeks as 3-4 inch juveniles, looking like a miniature adult.  These stagnant areas offer protection from some predators who cannot tolerate low oxygen environments.  As they are in adulthood, baby tarpon are equipped with a swim bladder containing spongy tissue that allows them to obtain oxygen by rolling on the surface to gulp air, in addition to taking in oxygen from the water through their gills.  During this period their diet consists mainly of small crustaceans and worms, and is expanded to include shrimp, crabs, and fish as they grow. 

The presence of larvae off the U.S. coast as far north as North Carolina indicates that spawning probably occurs to some extent along the entire east coast range.  A few isolated reports of juvenile and sub-adult tarpon turning up in gill nets, being caught on hook and line, and being found cold stunned reveals that the Pamlico does indeed support young fish from time to time.  However, its suitability to sustain a viable nursery population is highly questionable.

Tarpon grow slowly and do not achieve sexual maturity until approximately 8-10 years of age, with males maturing before females.  Males are sexually mature at just shy of 4 feet and females at about 4.5 feet.  As sub-adults grow they continue to move to larger bodies of water until they join schools of mature adults in the ocean.  The average adult fish is about 6 feet in length, weighs 150 pounds, and is 15-30 years old.  However, females have been documented at over 8 feet and up to 280 pounds.  Longevity of life may exceed 80 years.  Their slow rate of growth and maturity renders tarpon especially vulnerable to overfishing and loss of habitat, and thus, declines in populations are difficult to rebuild.  As in most parts of the world, tarpon are not considered to have much food value and are a catch and release fishery on the inner banks.   

Fortunately for inner banks tarpon fishermen, it is large adults that visit the region each summer.  The season may begin in June and end in early September, depending on temperature and salinity with tarpon appearing earlier and further  in-land in a dry year, reportedly as far upstream as Washington.   Pamlico tarpon prefer to stay in areas with about 10 to 20 feet of water, usually in the open sound and river mouths.  The general belief is that the tarpon bite is better with at least some ripple on the water, although much easier to spot on a dead calm day.  A warm, light to moderate breeze out of the south or west is ideal, and if a north wind should drop the water temperature even a few degrees the fish may quit feeding for days.  The best bite is thought to take place within 3-5 days of a full moon in July and August, often coinciding with the moon rise, or early in the morning during the new moon.

Because of the water depth and relative lack of clarity, inner banks tarpon can be difficult to sight.  Still, die hard tarpon anglers will spend hours scouting to locate a school, which are often seen rolling at the surface on calm days.  Even in a light chop, their silver mirror-like scales reflect the rays of the sun.  Adult tarpon do not always gulp air when rolling and are not obligated to do so under well oxygenated conditions.  Rather, it is believed to be a learned habit, and is not necessarily associated with feeding.   When not actually seen rolling, it is possible to hear tarpon expelling used air from their swim bladders, and then gulping a mouthful of fresh air.  A trail of small bubbles rising to the surface could indicate the presence of tarpon below, releasing spurts of air as they swim.  Schools of tarpon may move in a purposeful direction as they roll, or move about in a more playful, less focused manner.  They are not commonly seen crashing bait fish at the surface, but now and then an individual will jump free of the water for reasons uncertain. 

While scouting for tarpon or when the fishing is slow, anglers can troll top water or subsurface plugs and keep a rod rigged with a lure to cast toward sighted fish. Strikes at luresare uncommon on the Pamlico, but it does happen on rare occasions. Trolling can produce the added benefit of picking up a fresh bait specimen such as bluefish or Spanish mackerel.  Tarpon spook easily, so places known to hold tarpon should be approached quietly.  Schools should be given a conservative distance when attempting to anchor ahead of the fish in their anticipated direction of movement.  The standard accepted distance for fishing from other boats is 200 yards in order to avoid tangling with other boats, anchors, and lines.  Even with the best precautions anglers may need to release the anchor line and move quickly to maneuver a fish away from or out of entanglement with other anglers, channel markers, or other structure.  A small buoy attached to the anchor line serves as a marker for relocating the anchor.  

The primary technique for inner banks tarpon fishing involves enticing the fish to take whole dead or live baits on bottom rigs, or suspended at various depths in the water column beneath a float while at anchor.  Rods, reels, and rigging are similar to that used for big drum except that the tackle should be heavy enough to handle a fish twice the size and strength of a mature old drum, and far more athletic.  To avoid overstressing the fish, the goal should be to fight the fish with maximum pressure, bringing it to the boat in 15 minutes or less.  Tarpon can be caught on lighter tackle, but prolonged fight time will increase the chance of exhausting the fish and make it more susceptible to mortality following release... to be continued in Summer addition of Currents.

Peter Boettger is author of Fishing the Western Pamlico, available in the PTRF office.

City of Louisburg and Franklin County Volunteer's Bring Home Cup For First Time

For their first time participating in the Riverkeeper Cup Cleanup Challenge, Louisburg and Franklin County didn't do too bad; removing an amazing total of 5,000 pounds of trash from our local waterways. That makes Louisburg and Franklin County this year's winners of the Pamlico-Tar River Foundation's 3^rd Annual Riverkeeper Cup Cleanup Challenge! 

This year, we coordinated with Keep America Beautiful for Nash, Edgecombe and Franklin Counties, Franklin County Solid Waste Task Force and Solid Waste Department, and Novozymes, Inc. Close to 200 volunteers in five areas spread along the river participated on Saturday, April 16^th to help give the Tar-Pamlico River and their communities a facelift. Together, more than 8,500 pounds of trash and debris was removed from community waterways, shorelines and public parks. That's about 5,000 more pounds than the previous record.

"Having the City of Louisburg and Franklin County join us this year meant the participation of every major municipality along the Tar River. And that makes the Tar-Pamlico River and the communities that rely on it for drinking water the real winners," stated Pamlico-Tar Riverkeeper Heather Jacobs Deck.

The Cleanup competition began in 2009 in Greenville and Washington and grew last year with the Cities of Tarboro and Rocky Mount joining in, thanks to the coordinating efforts of Keep America Beautiful for Nash and Edgecombe Counties and many dedicated PTRF volunteers. This year, volunteers from Novozymes, Inc, Franklin County Solid Waste and Keep America Beautiful of Franklin County helped organize a very successful cleanup in Louisburg.

Included in the 5,000 pounds that Louisburg and Franklin County picked up were 32 tires, a clothing dryer, broken up desk, containers of used oil and an abandoned boat. Around 20 volunteers fought the impending stormy weather to pull out the win.

Cleanups went on in the four other participating cities. Although the sky looked like it would open up at any minute, 39 volunteers in Rocky Mount pulled out 240 pounds from the Tar River and Sunset Park. In Tarboro, 10 volunteers joined PTRF's Riverkeeper Heather Deck to clean 280 pounds out of the riverfront and public ponds. One lucky volunteer even found $10! Greenville had volunteers from local schools, church groups, and East Carolina University who collected over 2,000 pounds from the Tar River and Green Mill Run for a close second. Modern Woodmen Fraternal Financial was very generous and provided Greenville volunteers breakfast before heading out. Last year's winner Washington had a turnout of 23 volunteers and pulled 1040 pounds out of Runyon Creek, Tranters Creek, Broad Creek, Washington Harbor and the Hill Creek area. Of the 1040 pounds, volunteer pulled out 32 tires and a large automobile window

The City of Louisburg and Franklin County will now receive the Riverkeeper Cup to be proudly displayed in their community. "We couldn't be more pleased with the results. The volunteers braved the potential stormy weather to help clean up their communities and our waterways," stated Pamlico-Tar RIVERKEEPER Heather Jacobs Deck. .

Since 2006, volunteers have now removed more than 11 tons of trash from the river and their communities. 

RIFFLES AND RUNS

R& R SANDERSON FARMS GO AWAY AND DON'T COME BACK ANOTHER DAY

Great news emanated out of Raleigh as these words are being written. The City of Raleigh administration directed their department heads to comment on and critique the Sanderson Farms "environmental document" aka "Project Baseball". The document submitted to the North Carolina Environmental Clearinghouse is masquerading as an "environmental impact statement" but falls far short of that mark and fails to provide even a rudimentary consideration of the full impact of building a poultry slaughterhouse in Nash County.

The staff and board members of the Pamlico-Tar River Foundation aggressively oppose the construction of the plant and the associated hatchery, pullet and broiler houses that come along with it. Our campaign began in early August of 2010 and is continuing. The Nash County Landowners Association, the City of Wilson, and a host of citizens who will be impacted by the proposed slaughterhouse joined us in derailing the first scoping document. Ongoing opposition included speaking at a special program for Wilson county commissioners, attending and speaking at Nash County Commissioners' meetings, attending rallies and educational programs.  

As part of our opposition, we brought to the attention of involved state agencies the first scoping document, and were joined in commenting and opposing approval by them. Similarly we are expecting additional opposition to the second version and are developing our comments now. As concerned citizens who value our river and want to defend clean water and clean air, you too may comment on the clearinghouse document. Comments are due May 13, 2011. The document can be found at (http://www.co.nash.nc.us). If you have any questions or would like support in developing you comments, please do not hesitate to contact Heather Deck or David Emmerling.

R& R WE GOT THAT "Eddy Feeling"

This past April 9^th, PTRF and the Turnage Theater hosted the fast-paced, high action documentary film "The Eddy Feeling", highlighting the history of paddling the Linville Gorge. From the first-hand accounts of two brothers who brought their kayaks to the Gorge in 1976 to the present day, "The Eddy Feeling" follows a mixed group of paddlers as they head down "the Grand Canyon of the East."  The evening began with our sponsors Inner Banks Outfitters, West Marine and Great Outdoor Provision Company displaying kayaks and gears and kicked off the raffle for our fishing kayak raffle, donated by West marine for our Kayakalon. Following the film we had door prize drawings for paddle gear and DVDs of "The Eddy Feeling". About 100 people joined us for this paddling event and participated in various paddle trips along the Pamlico before the movie. It turned out to be a great event! 

R& RJAMMIN' TO HONOR OUR RIVER: River Jam 2011 Presented by Grady-White Boats!

PTRF will be 30 years old this year so it's time to celebrate!  River Jam 2011, presented by Grady-White Boats has been extended into a 3 part event so we can thank our supporters and acknowledge this great milestone!  The festivities start on Friday, May 20^th at the Tipsy Teapot on Evans Street in Greenville from 8 - 12 AM. Bring your family and friends as we celebrate with delicious treats donated by Your Perfect Cake in Greenville and listen to great bands HuDost and The Revelator. Local favorite Billy Stinson will join the stage with river songs to celebrate the Tar River.  

River Jam continues at the Greenville Town Commons Saturday May 21^sst from 2 PM to 9 PM.  Come down and paddle in our kayaks and canoe along the Tar River for FREE, then have an ECU Campus Recreation and Wellness volunteer bring you back.

Go on a guided tour of the Tar River Greenway either on your bicycle (with helmet) or feet, as lead by a volunteer from FROGGS.  

Get some tips on how to fish from a kayak from one of the experts from Great Outdoor Provision Company.

Enter the duck race, 1 for $5 or a "Quack Pack" 5/$20. Enter in for your chance to win a cash prize.

Grab a plate from our pig pickin', made with sustainably raised hog from Rainbow Meadow Farms.  

Local non-profits and environmental groups will be there to share more information about your community and surrounding natural resources.  

Live music will be played from the stage from 4:30 PM to 8:30 PM with bands Matt Walsh, 8-Track and The Revelators.  Before 4:30, enjoy acoustic entertainment at various places along the common.  Last year's River Jam performer "Chambergrass" will be delighting your ears as you wait for your family and friends to get off the river at the boat ramp.  

The night caps off with a lighted flotilla, so the river will glow for all to see.  It was a big hit last year and shouldn't be missed!

That's not all!  After River Jam, head over to Christy's Euro Pub on Jarvis Street in Greenville for our after party. The Revelators will be performing and should be a great time with family and friends as we wrap up our 30^th year celebration.

The River Jam 2011 is FREE to the community, so please bring the whole family! Our river is a beautiful natural resource and PTRF wants people to enjoy the river for what it is; a fun recreational outlet for fishing, boating or just goofing off!

Celebrate the river and our 30 years of protecting and preserving it on May 20 and 21^st and enjoy some good food, lots of live music and support a great cause! Keep checking back to www.facebook.com/pamlicotar for updated details as the event gets closer.

Spring Fishing Report

Richard Andrews

Spring fishing on the Pamlico has been hit or miss. In late March and early April scattered striped bass, puppy drum, speckled trout and flounder were caught in the creeks off the Pamlico and Pungo.  Stripers continue to be caught in town around structure such as the train trestle, submerged stumps, and bridge pilings.  While the fishing can be inconsistent, some excellent days of striper fishing have been reported up in the Tar River between Washington and Grimesland.  Anglers are using a variety of tactics from trolling crankbaits, casting soft plastics such as Zoom flukes and paddletails, and bottom fishing with fresh cut bait.  Spring fishing is getting better as the fish have moved into their spring patterns as water temperatures are on the rise. Water temperatures reached the low 60's in early April and climbed into the low to mid 70's later in late April.   

Throughout May, watch out for the cow-nosed rays that have moved into the rivers and creeks to spawn.  They arrived a bit early this year in the third week of April and usually remain visible in the rivers for approximately 1 month. They make fishing difficult by churning up the shallows and chasing away the bait.  They move progressively west as they make their way into the river.  A good practice is to avoid them and find areas of clear water with no visible sign of them.   

Not all of the speckled trout were killed by the winter freezes.  Scattered trout have been caught from Bath eastward. Scented baits such as Berkeley Gulp swimming mullet in white, chartreuse, or new penny as well as 3-4 inch paddle tail baits are always good trout baits.  Jig head sizes can range from 1/8 to ¼ ounce, depending on the depth.  Matching the color of the jig head to the soft plastic bait in clearer water and using a contrasting color head in stained or murky water is an important concept.  Paying attention to water color and clarity will make every angler a better trout fisherman.