Shenandoah River Smallmouth Alive and Swimming!

The Shenandoah River is making a rebound and the smallmouth bass appear to be well on their way to recovering.  Back in 2004, smallmouth bass were found to be dying and pollution was suspected.

In 2006, the river was so bad that it shut down Jeff Kelble’s fishing guide business. He then took up the fight for the survival of the river and its inhabitants by becoming the Shenandoah’s River Keeper.

Jeff has identified numerous polluters on the Shenandoah and pushed for clean them up by pursuing legal action and threat of legal action.  Now after 6 years, his work may be almost done. Smallmouth bass are making a come back and signs are encouraging.

The concern about fish populations began in 2004 when an increasing numbers of dead fish were found lining the bottom of the North Fork of the Shenandoah. The next year, fish kills were reported on the South Fork.  Source

Scientists continue to unravel the mystery of the fish kills that occurred in the North and South Fork of the Shenandoah River in 2004 and 2005. Since those kills, the population of highly prized smallmouth bass has recovered completely and fishing has returned to legendary status. This recovery drives the quest for answers to what happened eight years ago this spring so we can take steps to avoid a recurrence.  Source

I hope that Jeff can restart his guiding business. Please watch this video to see the level of commitment and passion he has for his river.

https://youtu.be/xmVwfpn8XvI

Please share with anyone you know who cares about the Shenandoah!