Rutherford Weekly

Thursday, October 19-October 25, 2023 www.rutherfordweekly.com 828-248-1408 Rutherford Weekly - Page 9 It's a little fi sh, only 6 to 8 inches in length. But the Roanoke Logperch made a very big splash recently. The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) has reintroducing this tiny, endangered species to the upper Mayo River in Rockingham County. In October 2022, the NCWRC received a permit from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to reintroduce this species. A private landowner, The Piedmont Land Conservancy, agreed to allow NCWRC access to its property. The Mayo River State Park assisted in the restocking effort, fi lling in one more puzzle piece to this restoration process. "Today is a great day for the Roanoke Logperch," said NCWRC Assistant Chief of Inland Fisheries Rachael Hoch. "We get the opportunity to partner with private property owners like Piedmont Land Conservancy to reintroduce this imperiled species back home— a place it hasn't seen in over 100 years. This reintroduction is timely, and if successful, it will help to fully recover the species and ultimately lead to delisting the species." The fi sh were spawned by Conservation Fisheries Inc. (CFI) and grown to stocking size at one of NCWRC's hatcheries, the Marion Conservation Aquaculture Center in McDowell County. They were placed in their new home in efforts to repopulate this portion of the Mayo River. Roanoke Logperch live in waterbodies primarily along the Virginia and North Carolina border in the Chowan and Roanoke River basins. It's the only place they can be found in the entire world. "Roanoke Logperch have lived in North Carolina and Virginia for centuries," said Thomas "TR" Russ, a fi sheries biologist at NCWRC. "They have fought their way back from near extinction. They have done their part to recolonize most of the Dan River. Now it is our turn to help them get back to their home in the upper Mayo River." Biologists have identifi ed sedimentation, channel modifi cation and instream barriers such as dams for limiting the species' ability to recolonize. Increased sediment affects the species' ability to forage for food. Dams prevent migration back to their natural habitats in the upper Mayo River. So, the fi sh were stocked upstream of the Washington Mill and Avalon dams in the Mayo River. Biologists say the location has the highest quality habitat in the upper Mayo River. NCWRC biologists will track and monitor the stocked fi sh annually by backpack-electrofishing, seining (a netting process to safely capture fi sh) and/or with visual observations via snorkel and mask. NCWRC biologists say the biggest obstacles to fully restoring the species are water quality issues and dams. But there has been progress to these challenges. In 2020, Lindsey Bridge Dam near Madison was lowered, and multiple fi sh weirs were installed, which slows water fl ow to allow fi sh to travel and decreases bank erosion. This has opened 50 river miles for natural recolonization throughout the upper Dan River in Stokes County. Roanoke Logperch is one of the fi rst species being reintroduced through a 50-year Safe Harbor Agreement between the USFWS and NCWRC that includes 21 imperiled aquatic species. The NCWRC can extend the assurances of the Safe Harbor Agreement to enrolled non- federal property owners for species reintroduction. This project is one example of the vital support of private landowners and dam owners on species conservation efforts. Since 2019, NCWRC, USFWS, CFI, and Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources have been working toward saving Roanoke Logperch from extinction and have made signifi cant progress. Targeted surveys, dam removals and propagation and augmentations have greatly improved the status of this rare fi sh. "The Service's partnership with the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission has been essential in the efforts to reintroduce the Roanoke Logperch to its native habitat," said Janet Mizzi, a USFWS fi eld supervisor for the Asheville Ecological Services Field Offi ce. "This exciting project is one of many we will continue to celebrate this year for the 50th anniversary of the Endangered Species Act. Today, hundreds of species are stable or improving because of the collaborative efforts of Tribes, federal agencies, state and local governments, conservation organizations, and private citizens." For more information on Roanoke Logperch and restoration efforts visit Restoring Aquatic Species to North Carolina. Email: Email: events@rutherfordweekly.com events@rutherfordweekly.com Mail or Drop-Off: Mail or Drop-Off: 157 W Main St, • Forest City, NC 28043 157 W Main St, • Forest City, NC 28043 *Publisher has fi nal decision of which photos appear in print, per available space. We Want Your Kids Sports Photos! •Basketball •Baseball •Softball •Soccer •Archery •Equestrian •Etc! We Want Your Outdoor Photos! We Want Your Outdoor Photos! Hunting, Fishing, Playing Ball, Etc. Hunting, Fishing, Playing Ball, Etc. Sportsman's Corner Sportsman's Corner Email: events@rutherfordweekly.com Mail: 157 W Main St., Forest City, NC 28043 Phone: 828-248-1408 *Publisher has the fi nal decision of which photos appear in print, per available space. It fi nally happened. After 30 years of climbing trees, my tree stand collapsed right under my feet. Let me go ahead and say, thank God for my lifeline and my safety harness. Both worked to perfection. I only dropped about 3 feet and was able to get back on my ladder and retrieve my equipment. Here's a little more detail. I bought this hang-on stand approximately 6 or 7 years ago. It was a larger one made by a popular company. The foot deck was attached to the seat by 2 steel cables. It was very comfortable. For the last 2 years I left it attached to the tree, even though I would loosen all the straps at the end of the year to allow for tree growth. At the beginning of each year, I went back and checked or replaced straps, and then tightened them back to make everything snug. I always attach several additional rachet straps to the stand for added safety. This year was no different. But I never imagined I would need to check the steel cables, especially when the stand was less than 10 years old. Now before you send me bad emails, I understand that fi rst of all, I should take the stand down each year, and secondly, I need to check the cables as well, and thirdly, I probably need to replace the stand after 6 or 7 years. But back to my story. I had already hunted in this stand one previous time this year with no issues. I sensed nothing different this time. It was an evening hunt, so I was able to see everything in good daylight. I tied my bow to a pull cord, attached my harness to my lifeline, and climbed up the tree. I pulled my bow up, hung it on its hanger, and then hung a small pair of rattling antlers on the other side of the tree. I sat down, and then it happened. The platform gave way and I dropped. It happened so quickly; I had no time to even think about what was happening. It was over in less than a second. When I realized what happened, I immediately said, "Thank you Lord." I knew a possible tragedy had been averted. This was a fi rst for me and I am still thinking about 2 thoughts I have landed on (pardon the pun) from this event. First of all, I once thought that maybe individuals who were meeting sudden death had a few seconds to think before the event actually happened. I am now convinced death can happen before a thought can come into your mind. My accident happened so fast; my heart didn't even have time to race. I was as calm while I was hanging as I was seconds before my fall. The second belief I am convinced of is a truth that I have read about in the Bible. It's that, for a Christian, the time between death and being in the presence of God will not even be noticed. Oh, there is one more thought I keep having. Because of these things, let's all make sure we are ready to meet God if our harness doesn't hold. Stay safe out there. By By Gary Miller Gary Miller Aiming Outdoorsmen Toward Christ GARY MILLER Gary Miller has written Outdoor Truths articles for 21 years. He has also written fi ve books which include compilations of his articles and a father/son devotional. He also speaks at wild-game dinners and men's events for churches and associations. gary@outdoortruths.org As the building of the US 211 bypass around Rutherfordton is underway, the areas of the construction project aren't recognizable anymore to the average passer-by. This photo taken off Green Street in Rutherfordton is totally different with houses and trees gone, making ready for the highway. Article & Photo Provided By: Jean Gordon Major landscape changes Brooke USA Foundation's (Brooke USA) Foothills Regional Advisory Council announces the 4th Annual Divertimentos & Dressage taking place on Thursday, October 19 at the Tryon International Equestrian Center. The signature event is sure to delight guests once again with a live symphony orchestra playing classical pieces to the choreographed movements of extraordinarily gifted dressage riders and their Grand Prix horses. This year Brooke USA inaugurates its own musical ensemble the Dorothy Brooke Orchestra dedicated to promoting the welfare of working horses, donkeys and mules and the people they serve across the globe. Named after Dorothy Brooke the founder of the Brooke family of charities the orchestra directed by Kyle Elgarten Assistant Conductor for the Palm Beach Symphony is comprised of leading musicians from North and South Carolina. "The experience of live orchestral music with musical freestyle dressage is simply captivating and unlike anything else I had ever seen. Last year I had the privilege of attending the event and fell in love with Divertimentos & Dressage not to mention that Brooke USA is a charity very close to my heart" said Sharon Decker, Chair of this year's Divertimentos & Dressage. "I can't wait for us to announce the riders who will be performing to works of classical composers as well as pop music and jazz compositions. They certainly are some of the leading equestrians in our country and the world" added Decker. Starting with registration at 6pm guests will enjoy a pre-performance reception with cocktails and hors d'oeuvres. Promptly at 7pm guests will be treated to a one-hour performance. This year for the evening of music and freestyle dressage individual adult tickets are $90. To learn more about other sponsorship and ticket opportunities visit BrookeUSAevents.org. Article Provided By: Jean Gordon Divertimentos & Dressage Returns to Tryon International Equestrian Center WE OUR READERS North Carolina Turns the Tide for an Endangered Fish Species Article by: ncwildlife.org. The Wildlife Commission, along with partners, is reintroducing the Roanoke Logperch, a tiny, endangered species, to the upper Mayo River in Rockingham County.

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