Name:   John C - Subject:   On the Subject of Blue Backs in Lake Martin Date:   1/3/2016 8:46:19 PM

regarding Lanier, in December I went and fished it for stripes with a guide named Henry Cowen. He's considered a nationwide expert in freshwater stripes (interviewed in many magazines, podcasts, author of articles, his flies are famous).

I asked him this very question - are blueback herrings damaging or is it just the scientist that think so. He said that the introduction of bluebacks was the worst thing that has happened to Lanier.

He grew up fishing in the northeast in the salt and is definteliy a knowledgable guy. Here's a copy of a podcast from Orvis where he was interviewed: http://www.orvis.com/news/fly-fishing/podcast-fishing-for-freshwater-stripers-with-henry-cowen/

He talks mostly about stripes and how they move around for shad. Very educational for all types of anglers, not just fly fishermen. Take a listen and decide for yourself if he is "knowledgable."

The reason I am trotting out his bonafides is he isn't just another Bubba that calls himself a fishing guide. He knows his stuff and he says the bluebacks are bad news. So do the scientists. So does the law. That's all I need to know.