Finding balance

Finding balance…

It’s been over two years since the grass wars of Lake Guntersville began. The flaring tempers and passionate debate between opposing points of view have given way to a compromise between groups that in my opinion, appears to have us all on the right track to what is best for all lake users.

As a full time fishing guide, I spend nearly 300 days a year on the water, and while it may seem that my only interest is fishing on Lake Guntersville, there are other considerations I have to keep in mind. My job is to bring people to North Alabama, and they spend their money here when they come. They spend their money at our gas stations, in our hotels and at our shopping centers. While fishing is my main interest, many of my clients bring their families. They spend time on jet skis, ski boats and pontoon boats. They enjoy many of the aspects of recreation such as swimming, camping, sight seeing, and the many other very diverse tourism resources we have to offer. Without question, Lake Guntersville is at the heart of drawing tourism to North Alabama, as well as being a treasure for all of those of us who live here to enjoy. Finding a balance between industry, clean water, the health of the fishery, wildlife, and recreational use is critical to the future and preservation of Lake Guntersville and the surrounding area.

The return of grasses such as hydrilla and milfoil in the Tennessee River have made a profound impact in the quality of the fishery over the last 3 years. The aquatic grasses have provided a full cycle of food, from willow flies to bait fish. Because of this, bass, bream, crappie and most other species are rebounding at an incredible rate. The added cover and current-break provided by the grass is an invaluable asset to the prosperity of fish in the system, as well as acting as a filtering agent for the water itself. The fishing on Lake Guntersville has improved immensely since the grass began to return in the early 90s, and while we now again have a world class bass fishery, I’d put Lake Guntersville up against any other crappie or bream fishery in the Nation.

I still hear talk about how hydrilla and milfoil are non-native grasses, and the danger they pose because of that fact. It is important to remember that while we have been plagued by certain non-native species in this Country, we have also been blessed by many various non-native plant and animal species. Properly managed, hydrilla and milfoil are essential to Lake Guntersville. Without those grasses, the surface of the water may appear clean, but underneath lies a barren wasteland, unable to support strong fish populations and provide other essential support for wildlife and waterfowl.

The current grass management plan on Lake Guntersville may not be perfect in some people’s view, but it has proven so far to be beneficial to the fishery, and has still left us plenty of room to play. Most of the people I talk to now are happy with the plan between TVA, homeowners, recreational users, businesses and area anglers to manage the grasses in high-use areas. Some areas may need more attention, or better targeting so no one is blocked in by grass, but most high use areas I see each day out there are accessible. We don’t have to spend millions, and dump tons of harsh chemicals into our waterways.

We in North Alabama are setting an example. We have demonstrated that groups of people can search for compromise in order to achieve balance. If we can keep "balance" in mind, and we all remain involved in the management process, the future of our resources and tourism in North Alabama is looking pretty good. When the kids of the future want to go bird watching, or motor out and catch fish in clean water on one of the most beautiful lakes in the world, they can look back and be proud of what we have accomplished today.