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Pahrump Valley Gazette, Thursday, June 12,
1997 29
you're RVing
by Ed Tomchin
Been wondering how you're going to take a vacation
al-" this summer? Money tight?: Can't f'md enough to do
more than take the wife someplace for a week? How
about taking a vacation for thewhole summer and
getting paid for it? r
A working vacation, that is. How Would'
spend the summer
weekends at a fast-paced Californ
week. This guest ranch wants
and work till the
outdoorsy,
Mountains.
for somhing more :remo and
I
Lake Mead host to some nasty parties
by Ed Tomchin
Ever wondered what makes that city over the hill the way
it is, and why we ctoose to live here in Nye County? In the
final analysis, there are probably a lot of reasons on that list,
but it's a good bet water quality is in the top three.
Lake Mead National Recreation Area Park Service offi-
cials announced last week that parasitic flatworm larvae have
infiltrated Lake Mead and it is causing a fairly common
ailment known as "swimmers itch," a skin rash causec[ by this
aquatic parasite.
Three confirmed cases have been reported. One is at
Boxcar Cove, north of Las Vegas Bay. The other two
occurred at Rotary Cove. north of Callville Bay, and Burro
Point, northeast of Hoover Dam on the Arizona side.
The rash resembles a skin irritation such as that occurring
from an insect bite. The parasite, shaped like a blunt tipped
arrow with two long flukes extending from its tail, penetrates
the skin of swimmers and dies looking for its host animals,
ducks or geese. The body .responds to the dead parasite with
an allergic reaction, producing redness, itching, swelling and
possibly welts at the entry site.
The normal life cycle of this parasite does not include
hurrians, but it does invade the human body mistakenly
thinking it a host. The parasite normally lives inside ducks or
geese, where it lays its eggs. The birds then release the eggs
into the lake as part of its normal evacuation processes.
The released eggs then burrow into water snails where,
after a period of growth they return to the waterfowl to mature
and begin the process all over again.
Karen Whitney, park service spokeswoman, said the park
service will make information available about the parasite's
symptoms and precautions that can be taken to avoid contact
with it. However, there are no plans for posting warnings at
various sites on the lake.
The park service advises visitors to swim in water well
away from the shoreline. It is along the shore where water-
fowl gather to feed that the parasite is most likely to be found.
Avoid swimming during or immediately after a wind blow-
ing toward the shore, which could concentrate the parasite
along the shoreline.
Further precautions include briskly drying off after com-
ing out of the water. It is also advisable to shower as soon as
emerging, if at all possible, or at least rinse your body off with
fresh water, then dry off with a brisk toweling.
Whitney says the parasite exists naturally in bodies of
water and is not linked to sewage effluent and urban runoff
which is released into Lake Mead.
Effluent. or treated waste-water, is released into Lake
Mead from Las Vegas' three sewage treatment plants. Urban
runoff, which can be highly contaminated and extremely
toxic, empties untreated into Lake Mead at Las Vegas Wash,
six miles above where Las Vegas draws its drinking water.
Last month, signs were posted along Las Vegas Wash j ust
above where it empues into Lake Mead above Saddle Cove,
warning swimmers and waders to avoid contact with the water
due to potential contamination from high counts of fecal
bacteria and other toxic chemicals.
Last year, biologists found fish with genetically deformed
sex organs near where Las Vegas Wash empties into the lake.
Causes were linked to the biohazards present in the water.
Overall, Lake Mead water is generally of good quality
because it is constantly being refreshed by the Colorado River
and all its tributaries. Only when the waters gather in Las
Vegas Bay does serious contamination begin to develop.
In addition to the millions of gallons of effluent and urban
runoff dumped into the lake at Las Vegas Wash, over 10
million visitors use the lake each year. While most visitors are
careful and concerned, a substantial number of violators
dump their own sewage and waste into the lake, untreated. It
is against the law to dump sewage, defecate or urinate in the
lake. It is also a tough law to enforce and a lot of people are
scofflaws, not realizing the dangers their crude acts can
precipitate.
Studies are being conducted by numerous private and
government agencies to pinpoint the problems and find solu-
tions, but in the meantime, the lake water becomes more
contaminated daily. So, be careful at the lake this summer. As
the lady said, swim well away from shore, don't swim during
or after an on-shore wind, shower and dry as soon as you get
out of the water and, above all, don't drink it.
Free fishing day Saturday, June 14
All Nevada anglers -- residents and non-residents alike--
have the opportunity to enjoy a day of fishing without
purchasing a state fishing license or trout stamp when the
state celebrates its annual "Free Fishing Day" Saturday, June
14.
A spokesman for the state's wildlife agency said that
anglers taking advantage of Nevada's "Free Fishing Day" can
expect favorable success at most streams, lakes and reser-
voirs.
Releases of hatchery reared "catchable-size" trout this
year have been conducted since early February, and good to
excellent water levels will befound at most fishable waters
this year.
According to NDOW, nearly all waters that are normally
stocked with trout have been planted a least once, with many
receiving multiple releases, A number of reservoirs and
streams will receive fish just prior to the June 14 observance.
Anglers are reminded that although the fishing license and
trout stamp are not required to fish on June 14, all other laws
and regulations apply, including limits, bait and tackle restric-
tions, and area closures as printed in the fishing seasons and
regulations brochure.
Specific information on fishing conditions, recent releases
of trout, boating and boat launch status is available through
NDOW's Reno office, as well as offices located in Fallon,
Elko and Las Vegas.
Fishing Report
by Geoff Sehneider
Nevada Division of Wildlife
LAKE MEAD --excellent fishing for striped bass is being found by
boaters in the Overton Arm with the best success coming from the area
between Fish Island and the Meadows.
SeVeral boaters reported catching limits of 20 stripers around Fish
Island: The fish were taken with cut anchovies after they were located with
fish finders.
Stripers continue to he caught in the Boulder Basin with Boxcar Cove,
the Hemenway Wall and Government Wash providing some of the better
action. Shore fishing has been inconsistent with only a few fish being
caught at Hemonway Harbor.
Largemouth bass fishing has been hit or miss for the few boaters who
have been trying their luck. Spirmerbaits are catching fish in coves while
artificial worms are taking bass along drop offs.
IAKE MOItAVE -Striped bass fishing cohtinues to be fairly good around
Cottonwood Cove while the action remains slow in the Willow Beach area.
Boaters have been catching stripers in the 18-inch range by trolling in
the Six Mile Cove area below Cottonwood. Smaller fish are being taken
with anchovies in the narrows north of Cottonwood.
On Saturday a largemouth bass fishing tournament sponsored by Point
Seekers of Riverside, Calif. attracted 18 anglers who caught 44 bass. The
fish were caught with spinnerbaits in coves from Cottonwood Cove to
Eldorado Canyon.
EAGLE VALLEY RESERVOIR -Fishing continues to be good for
stocked rainbow trout, but slow for brown trout. Aquatic plant growth is
now appearing in the lake and is causing some problems for shore anglers.
ECHO CANYON RESERVOIR --Anglers report fair to good sue-
cess for largemouth bass, rainbow trout and white crappie. Mosquitos have
been a problem around sunset.
Nevada Division of Wildlife biologists report that a few crappie have
died because of spawning stress. They say this is normal and occurs each
year during the spawning season.
SCHROEDER RESERVOIR -- Fair success for rainbow trout is
being found in the early morning hours and around sunset. At other times
of the day the fishing has been very slow.
WAYNE E. KIRCH WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA .. Fish-
ing has been fair for largemouth bass at Adams-McGill and Haymeadow
reservoirs. The larger fish are being found on Haymeadow.
The action for rainbow trout continues to be hit and miss at Cold
Springs and Haymeadow reservoirs. However, some anglers report taking
trout with flies from float tubes at Haymeadow.
