Photo from SeasonsEnd.org

As Trout Unlimited recently reported, “Forget about record temperatures and shrinking icebergs - the real stories of global warming’s effects in the wild and on the water are told by hunters and anglers.”

While predictions of global warming are serious for all freshwater fish, they are dire for trout. “It doesn’t take a big jump in the temperature of a stream to wipe out a population of brookies,” says Steve Moyer, Trout Unlimited’s vice president for governmental affairs. “And it happens so fast — seems like they disappear while you’re switching your fly from a nymph to a dry.”

The effects of global warming on freshwater fish are especially severe, and are especially severe for trout which, in the lower elevations of the Appalachian Mountains, could see as much as 97% of its population die off.

According to the Virginia Institute of Marine Science, fishing is BIG business in Virginia. Can you say “$1.23 billion” big? Between the threat of offshore drilling and its adjacent spewing refineries in Virginia’s East to the horrendous mountaintop removal and its adjacent spewing power plants in Virginia’s West, Virginia at a time when it can least afford it, will say “Bye Bye” to this cash cow.

“If you’ve ever wondered how to cast a fly or catch that trophy trout, then you’re in luck. Fly fishing is becoming increasingly popular throughout the country and Virginia is home to some of the best fly fishing waters,” writes Virginia is for Lovers, Virginia’s Official Tourism Website, for fishing is also great for tourism. Umm… what trout? And shall we also mention how $ large an industry tourism is to Virginia and how much we risk losing by letting Dominion run amok?

Wake up, Virginia. Dirty energy use is going to kill a lot more than just fish! It’s going to kill economies, communities, and for many an entire Virginia way of life.