Posted on 09/18/2006 1:28:44 PM PDT by neverdem
The bluegill is a freshwater fish of many talents, able to elude predators by hiding in submerged tree stumps and to survive for weeks without food.
Now, with the help of a scientific contraption developed by the U.S. Army and a private company, the fish also is keeping vigil over the Washington region's water supplies, where it might be able to save millions of lives in the event of a terrorist attack.
The scaly sentinels are a key component of the IAC 1090 Intelligent Aquatic Biomonitoring System, a new water-monitoring device that electronically analyzes the behavior of eight captive bluegills to detect the presence of chemical toxins or other contaminants. The system is also in use in New York City and San Francisco.
If the fish show signs of distress in response to something in the water, the system automatically trips an alarm, takes samples, and summons authorities by e-mail and pager so that they can investigate whether there is a threat to humans. It costs $45,000 to $110,000.
"We're basically using it as part of an early-warning contaminant-monitoring system for water in the national capital region," said Stuart A. Freudberg, director of environmental programs for the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments. "This is another tool in the arsenal, if you will, that water utilities use to make sure the water in this region is safe."
Freudberg said the system has been in place for at least six months and monitors water for a number of Washington area utilities serving 4.5 million people. He declined to reveal how many devices are in place, citing security needs.
Ever since Sept. 11, 2001, governments at all levels have sought ways to deter and defend against the next terrorist attack. One scenario that officials fear is an attempt by terrorists to dump chemicals...
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
Yup. A good light duty spinning rig and 8 lb. test mono does the trick. I was out playing the taunter/tauntee just a few days ago. Black crappies put up a good tussle if you hook one in the 8"+ range.Loads of fun if you're just looking to do some pure bank fishing and not load up a jon boat and $500 of tackle. :-)
I took my nephew fishing once and he caught one about that size. He didnt tie it down good and the next morning it was gone. Ive never seen a boy so disappointed.
He was warned to tie it good...I think it pulled his 5 lb rock in that it was tied to.
I pretty much exclusively fish saltwater now. Only catch bluegill when we go upcountry.
The Flathead is a powerful fish. They don't look it but their meat is excellent and can be put up against the flavor of ANY fish.
If you are ever in CT, look me up. We can walk down to a great fishing spot from where I live.
Tasty little buggers, bluegill are.
I fish for them with a 4'6" ultralight rod, with a tiny little spinning reel and 2 lb. test line. I swim 1/32 oz. jigs, rigged with a flippy little plastic worm about 3/4" long. Sometimes they like the brown ones and sometimes they go for the gold metalflake one. If they won't bite this, substitute small worms for the plastic. Usually, though, swimming that plastic slowly with little twitches on a jig gets 'er done.
No bobbers or any such thing. Keep all the slack out of your line and the little gills just inhale the whole thing. Biggest I've caught was 10" long, and it put up a whale-sized fight on that tiny tackle.
Catch a mess of 'em, then filet them carefully, so as not to waste any meat. Roll 'em in milk, then in seasoned Italian breadcrumbs (they come in a round box), and fry 'em lightly in corn oil 'til they're nice and golden.
Serve the filets with just a squeeze of lemon juice, some nice hot biscuits and a green salad. I can eat more of these than you can count, so I have to catch a big mess of the things if anyone else is there.
Yumm!
A #10 hook will get their children, ensuring their rage and subsequent defeat. Mealworms, full metal jacket.
A #24 size hook and a white thread wrapped around the hook for attraction, is all that is needed.
If you have the patience you can catch a large # of them, cut the head off, scale and, gut. Pack them into a jar, pint preferable and, place them into a pressure cooker at 8lbs for 30 minutes. The bones will cook up with the fish, do not add water, only a tea spoon of salt per jar.
After canning you can make some of the best fish cakes you have ever eaten.
Years and years ago my dad caught one using a marshmellow.
"But they are good training for young anglers (like my 7-year old son(."
Want Fun? Try flyfishing for BlueGill using a small sponge-rubber spider. It's a blast and they make great fertilizer too?
I remember floating behind the family boat waiting to be pulled up to go waterskiing. Several of the little buggers were tugging on my leg hairs. It was giving me the heebie jeebies and I was yelling at my dad to "GO!!". It took him forever to pull up the slack and get going.
If you want some unbelievable panfish, it's too bad you can't go to the Scoharie Reservoir in the Catskills. The access was difficult, getting out was a very steep 500 - 600 feet ascent. It took about 10 minutes to catch my breath, but I caught 3 panfish at least 2 lbs each in about 45 minutes during a vaction in the 1980s.
Political Correctness - The Revenge of Marxism long, but worth it
Head-in-the-Sand Liberals (Bush-hating, religion-hating lib's warning about Muslims) In the LA Times no less!
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