The second Stream Team event for 2024 was on Saturday, April 27.    Who knew that when you joined FatC and volunteered for Stream Team,  you would develop new skills that went beyond fly fishing, like rappelling down a muddy creek bank on the end of a tow strap.  A new creek, new member volunteer, and new way to enter a creek.    

I, Harold Bates, and volunteers Steve Baker, Ken Welter, Bob Hassett, and new member Marvin Hays met at Panera Bread parking lot in Brentwood Saturday morning.   Due to limited parking, we drove in one vehicle to our new creek location in  Brentwood, Missouri.  Oak Tree Park was our entry point into Black Creek. A heavy rain of almost two inches a few days prior made the creek bank muddy and slick,

but we prevailed with our ingenuity of a tow strap and a bit tree, allowing us to not so gracefully enter the creek. There were plenty of riffles up and down Black Creek.   Of the three kick nets we conducted,  the invertebrate count was low but still scored 22 for a good level.  Water chemistry data was collected, stream discharge data was performed, and a visual survey done on the creek and surrounding landscape.

Then it was time to climb back out using our new mountaineering technique.  Bob (billy goat) Hassett showed everyone the easy way and Marvin (last out) Hays followed in his footsteps. I think a Billy Goat merit badge needs to be awarded, especially if muddy conditions are present. 

Consensus of the group was to continue to monitor Black Creek at least one more time this fall.  Black Creek has several riffles, good flow, even in dry conditions when I first checked it out, and the water is clear and clean.

A big thank you to the volunteers!     Be checking the calendar for Stream Team events this fall At Bonhomme Creek and Black Creek.