5 am: Magic on the River

If, one month ago, someone had told me that I would soon be excited to wake up at 5 am, it is highly likely that I would have been quite skeptical. But the thing is… they would have been right. There is something truly wondrous about waking up before the sun rises and hopping into a canoe for a full day of field research. With freezing cold fingers and two layers of pants under my Simms waders, we launch into the river from the log jam or from the bank of the river by Millionaires, searching out the next point on our map of spots that we must cover to complete habitat surveys. It’s best to be on the water as early as possible. This way we can avoid disturbing fishermen during peak fishing hours, and the wind is far weaker in the morning – making for easier rowing. For the last few weeks, I have had the privilege of spending several days on the water with Zach Kuzniar (a grad student at Grand Valley State University in Michigan) who is conducting research on adult rainbow trout habitat use in the ranch portion of the Henry’s Fork. Part of this research involves a series of in-depth habitat surveys: at 200 points on the river we measure water velocity, temperature, dissolved oxygen levels, water level, substrate, and a whole slew of other variables. And it is always an adventure.

A green drake that landed on our boat during habitat surveys - fishermen's dream!

I had the special opportunity to help conduct surveys on the water before the ranch portion was open to fishing, when herds of elk and other animals that are native to that area had not yet been permanently frightened into the woods by the presence of too many people. On my first day on the water, Zach, Chris and I watched an enormous herd of elk running across the river. It was absolutely gorgeous, and I was completely entranced by the natural wonder before me. I felt like I was in an incredible National Geographic TV special. Now that the ranch is open, I have seen far fewer animals, and none in herds. This is a pity, because it is a truly awesome experience to be that close to something that seemed so primal, but which is simply a part of everyday life in the wilderness. It was torrentially down-pouring that entire day, but it was one of my favorite days of the summer because I spent it on the water, in good company, in the name of science. I really don’t know what more I could ask for (perhaps a touch of sunlight, but then again… the rain added to the experience. Plus I get to brag about how hard-core my field research experience is to all of my friends back home!)

Measuring water velocity
(p.s. Check out my Simms waders! They make me feel like a true outdoors woman)

Habitat surveys themselves can get a bit monotonous, but all I ever have to do is look up and take in the breathtaking sight of the Henry’s Fork and I am reminded of why I love being here in Idaho. After a month, the beauty of this place is still remarkable to me. I have never been anywhere so open in my life. I can see for miles, all the way to the crest of the caldera and far beyond it. How many people can say that they can see the Tetons all day while they work? The air here is fresh and my lungs are definitely grateful. After having spent the last five months of my life in London (a wonderful city… but a city with tons of gas-guzzling cars and pollution), the purity of this landscape is such a constant joy to me. Right now I am gazing into our backyard, where a beautiful black horse is grazing in the thick grass…which stretches for miles and miles… until the green blends into the bright blue of the sky, which is endless here. I can't dream of a better place to spend my summer.

:D Arielle 

Welcome to the Reel World

 This is the true story…of seven strangers…picked to work in a watershed…live together and blog about their lives…to find out what happens…when people begin to catch fish…and start getting reel…The Reel World: Henry’s Fork Edition.

MTV seriously dropped the ball when they didn’t get the rights to follow Henry & the Forks (trademark pending) around this summer.  With California (x2), Idaho, Michigan (not really an intern, but we let him hang out with us), Mississippi, New York, and Pennsylvania all represented, we’ve got a variety of demographics covered.  It has been an interesting social experiment the past three weeks living with such a diverse group, but I can’t imagine a better situation.  After spending long days together, we all gravitate back to the living room at the end of the day (sometimes because we’re too tired to make it to our rooms) to rehash the highlights of the day, e.g. spending twenty minutes “mowing” the field for Henry’s Fork Day only to realize that you have to put the blade down on a ride-on mower for it to actually cut the grass.  (In my defense, I had only ever used a push mower, also known as character building.)  Another example, the time Jeff (a.k.a. Nugget) ate an entire box of expired Raisin Bran cereal in one afternoon (true story). 

             It’s stories like those above that, for me, will be the most meaningful takeaways from this internship.  I’ve learned so much about conservation management and the inner workings of a nonprofit in the past three weeks, but it’s the people I’ve met, the stories I’ve heard, and the memories I’ve made so far that really make me appreciate the intangibles this internship has to offer. 

            Now that we’ve got the blog up and running for the summer, keep a look out for posts from the rest of the interns!

Peace, love, and oreo balls,

 

Bess

 

Introducing Henry & The Forks - Summer Field Crew 2013

            So many wonderful, new, exciting things have happened since I arrived here in Idaho three weeks ago that I hardly know where to begin. I have tucked myself into a canoe before sunrise to assist with habitat surveys on the ranch portion of the Henry’s Fork River, gaining field-research skills I could never learn in a classroom. I have wrestled with trout of all sizes at the Buffalo fish ladder, discovering the incredible (and humbling) strength of these creatures so much smaller than myself. My new intern friends and I have spent days hauling the remnants of the Thurmon Creek weir through the forest, learning about the inglorious but nonetheless important side of field-research. And somehow, in the midst of all of this, 22-inch-long rainbow trout have miraculously appeared on the end of my fishing line! It has been a busy blur of summer days well spent, with plenty of learning, laughing, and country music to boot.

Arielle with her first trout: a 22-inch rainbow

            When I first accepted this internship, I had only an inkling of what this summer would hold. I knew that I would be assisting with field-research, that I would finally get to spend my summer outdoors again, and that I would be moving into a house with six other interns from across the country. Little did I know that I would be making some truly amazing new friends who share my passions for the outdoors and conservation. I also didn’t know that I would have a very hard time learning how to hold a live fish… but that with lots of kind encouragement and coaching, I would learn how to gently but deftly handle those little guys in no time. I still have much to learn out here beneath these beautiful Idaho skies, and I can’t wait to see where the next seven weeks will take me and the rest of the 2013 field crew.

            So here I am, a girl from the suburbs of New York City, writing to you from rural Idaho – and loving every moment of it. Stay tuned for more blog posts from me and the rest of Henry & The Forks (as we interns have named ourselves) as we keep you updated with stories of our summer adventures! 

Sunrise on the Henry's Fork