TRB ECOLOGY 101 & PRIDE OF PLACE

We've all seen the pictures and heard the thrilling stories of the great buffalo stampedes of the old West. Those involved the massive, furry, four-legged critters that once dominated the Great Plains. But the Buffalo we're talking about today swim in Tellico Reservoir except for a few days in early April each year. That's when thousands of buffalo fish make their spawning runs into nearby Citico Creek. The dark-colored fish quickly turn the creek into a frenzy of splashing water. The fishing's not bad either, as Wild Side Guide Alan Griggs shows us. From show 2504. Visit our website at www.WildSideTV.com to learn more.

Southern Appalachian Brook Trout are a geographically isolated strain of Brook Trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) that are facing a realistic possibility of disappearing. They are a valuable indicator species and the decline in brook trout populations is a reflection of the degradation of our beautiful streams. They are the only native trout (technically a char) to the Eastern United States. Because of the introduction of invasive Rainbow Trout (from the Western US) through state fish stocking programs, they are being out competed and brook trout populations are being even further reduced. Do your part where and however you can to help conserve what little remaining pure Southern Appalachian Brook Trout populations exist. Thank you for taking the time to watch this video and support BlueBlood. If you enjoyed, please share and there are plenty more videos to come!

In 2015 I stayed stationary in Tennessee, snorkeling and filming the rich aquatic life of this states many beautiful rivers. This clip is a short snapshot into the many hours of footage I have captured. A longer documentary will be compiled of my work in 2016 including brook trout, stone nest building, colorful darters, and many other interesting species and behaviors. Thank you for watching, please do your part to protect your local rivers and more importantly, grab a mask and see whats really going on below!

This is a collection of some clips of some of some of the fish species I have observed and filmed while snorkeling in several rivers in Southern Appalachia. The diversity that can be found below the surface of these rivers and others throughout North America is unreal and it is truly a privilege to observe first hand. A fish species list is included at the end. Get below the surface and see what you're missing! This is just the beginning of BlueBlood and I hope to film and share more of what I see. Stay tuned for more projects documenting the beauty of inland North America, underwater. Thank you for watching and please share if you enjoyed this clip!

A short preview of our forthcoming film on the vibrant yet little-known life of Southern Appalachian Rivers. Support this project at www.hiddenrivers.org www.hiddenrivers.org | www.freshwatersillustrated.org