Chapter # 493, Ozark Council

 

Mill Creek Habit Improvement Work Day A Big Success

by John Wenzlick, Ozark Council TU Chairman

 
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On Saturday September 15, 2007, contributors to the Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation’s Coldwater Fund got a chance to work on stream improvements on the new segment of trout stream they helped purchase.  MDC biologist Nick Girondo kicked off work on his habitat improvement plan at the new Mill Creek Bohegian Conservation Area.  Members of four area clubs came together to assemble 15 Skyhooks, or Lunker Structures, to be placed along the stream in October.  Mid-Missouri Trout Unlimited who led the fundraising along with Ozark Fly Fishers, Heart of America Fly Fishers and Capital City Fly Fishers came out in force; there were over 30 volunteers on hand.  With instructions from Nick and Dave Mayers, an MDC biologists who has installed several of these structures on Barren Fork Creek; the workers sawed, hammered and nailed together rough sawn red oak 1 ft. x 8 ft. long planks to assemble the structures.  Mark Van Patten, MDC Stream Team Coordinator, meanwhile took a few volunteers to check the water quality on the new public water on Mill Creek and also sample some of the aquatic insects.  Before we headed home, I took a look at the rather flat and straight stretch of channel where the skyhooks will be installed.  Right now, there is one spot with an overhanging tree and root wad in the creek where I spied a couple of nice 8-10 inch wild rainbow trout.  Soon, they will have a new home in an undercut bank formed by the skyhooks where they can be safe from predators and grow up to be 15 – 18 inch lunkers.  All of us look forward to being able to fish this spot some day soon.

 
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09/26/07