David Ader is retired from the financial industry. His days are busier than ever with fly fishing (he’s a board member of the local Trout Unlimited chapter), writing, and rediscovering interests like archaeology (he’s excavating a Native American shelter).
Westporters often want to change, tame or remake the natural world, to fit our needs. Here is one small example of why we should sometimes let nature take its course. David published this originally for Trout Unlimited’s Nutmeg Chapter.
As has happened in the past when a large tree falls into the Saugatuck River off Ford Road anglers tend to balk and insist that it be removed.
When I chat with the random fisherman and mention my affiliation with Trout Unlimited, more often than not said angler will say, “Why don’t you get rid of that thing? It’s your job.”
An especially large one fell just downstream from the bridge that leads to the offices of Bridgewater Associates, now empty and up for grabs.
Tree in the Saugatuck River.
In anticipation of the requests when fishing improves, I along with my buddy Andy McNab approached a number of officials, from the Westport Conservation Commission to the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, and indirectly to the US Geological Survey, and a guy named “Vinnie the Axe” who handles things for me on occasion.
That last bit is not true.
Anyway, after a very informative walk and talk with Jeff Yates of TU and Gerald Berratfati, who leads the Minanus Chapter, we’ve arrived at the conclusion that it’s best to leave the tree alone. Aside from the complications and costs involved in removing it, the tree will move to the bank when we get a strong flow and provide something of a natural revetment in that stretch that would enhance the habitat. Further, I know of several dozen flies I’ve lost in the branches and so the tree offers accessibility to the treasure-hunting angler that didn’t exist when the tree was standing. Nature has worked in our favor.
So, if asked what’s done be done the answer is nothing. The thing to do is let the river do the work, create a bend, and give the fish a place to hide.
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