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The river passes through tall cornfields under shaded deciduous canopies that grew a hundred or more years ago and passes the shadows of the valley’s industrial infrastructure that helped build the backbone of the valley. ‘America.
Its waters support the life of a myriad of species, from eagles that soar in the treetops to deer that wander on tiptoe to sip from its shores to the large fish that thrive on its abundant populations of minnows, crustaceans and invertebrates.
The river is our Mahoning, an increasingly popular destination for fishermen, kayakers and other outdoor enthusiasts, even as it continues to serve the industries that have fueled our country’s growth and defended the freedoms of its people.
Today, perhaps more than at any other time in history, Mahoning is a waterway around which people rally. Anglers fish, kayakers paddle and activists work to recharge their batteries.
Zachary Felger and Stuart Smith are among the growing number of people who have pledged to work to ensure this is never taken for granted again.
Felger is an avid angler who is studying for a Bachelor of Environmental Science degree at Youngstown State University. He is a member of the Friends of the Mahoning River board of directors and co-chair of its public use and recreation committee. He is a strong advocate of fishing opportunities.
“The Mahoning River offers plenty of opportunities for anglers to catch a wide range of species, with a respectable size I might add” said Felger. “The Mahoning River watershed is home to over 60 species, including walleye, muskellunge and smallmouth bass.”
Pollution intolerant species return to the watershed.
“It’s exciting to see the changes that have happened in the almost 20 years that I’ve been fishing it,” said Felger.
“It’s just amazing the transformation that has taken place. Plus, you can eat them now which is a huge bonus. Nothing like a beer-battered Mahoning River walleye.
Smith, from Poland, is a hydrogeologist in private practice. He leads the water quality efforts of Friends of the Mahoning River and is optimistic about its future.
“The Mahoning, chemically, is in fairly good condition”, Smith, who attributes this to the fact that the diffusion channel healed itself both physically and biologically, said. “It’s remarkable and a good indication of better things to come. Like the people of the Valley, it took its hits and renewed itself.
Smith said the most important steps in continuing to revitalize the river include removing some of the low-head dams to restore reasonably natural flow, reduce the bacterial load, and allow natural migration of fish and invertebrates upstream.
“It’s the big deal making the headlines, but a river is the product of its tributaries, and there is work to be done upstream, where our county soil and water district offices all work. days. We all need to control erosion and eliminate waste. You have to work on the vegetation. Just in general, stop neglecting what is a pretty nice big river.
What about the river that smiles Smith?
“Being outside in my favorite parts, seeing herons and various waterfowl, seeing great levels of oxygen in the water, and enjoying the water itself. The old industrial landscape is crossed by a river ”, Smith said.
The industrial heritage of the river seduced Felger when he began to explore Mahoning.
“The stigma of the growing river is what made me want to see what might actually survive there, and I did that while fishing. “ he said.
“Despite what we were told about the growth of the river, we never caught a mutant fish. But we fell in love with the species that inhabit the river.
“On the Mahoning River, every catch was a surprise and that’s always what attracted my cousin and I to fishing growing up.”
Jack Wollitz’s new book, The Common Angler: A Celebration of Fishing, includes a chapter on the joys of fishing in hometown waters like the Mahoning River. He loves emails from readers. Send a note to [email protected].
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