The NZMS has made it's appearance into Piru Creek's Wild Trout Area according to CDFG survey. It is important that when fishing this stream that you follow the wading gear cleaning recommendations. When on patrol in that area educate persons in and around the stream of importance of these procedures.

The following from the Office Of Spill Prevention and Response, the article "Controlling The Spread Of New Zealand Mud Snails On Wading Gear" is the best tried and tested solution to controlling the spread. THe complete article can be found on the web by typing in the title.

Using A 50/50 solution of formula 409 disinfectant.

The following procedures for cleaning NZMS infested wading gear can be followed upon exiting NZMS infested waters. Wading gear should be cleaned prior to leaving the site. If this is not possible then wading gear should be completely sealed inside of a large plastic bag and cleaned before it is used in any other waters. Three different cleaning protocols have been tested and found to be effective using specific cleaning solutions:

1) Immersion Procedure

a. Remove wading gear upon exiting NZMS infested waters. Avoid allowing infested wading gear to come in contact with interior surfaces of vehicles or camping gear such as tents or trailers. NZMS can be transferred to any surface they come in contact with and they could later be transferred back to cleaned wading gear. Turn waders right side out and remove insoles from wading boots.

b. Place waders, wading boots, boot insoles and the streambed contact end of a wading stick, if used, in a container of sufficient size to allow the gear to be completely covered by a cleaning solution.

c. Pour sufficient cleaning solution into the container with the infested wading gear to completely cover the gear. It may be necessary to weight down the gear to ensure that it remains immersed in the cleaning solution.

d. Allow the wading gear to remain in the cleaning solution for at least 5 minutes.

e. Remove the wading gear from the cleaning solution one piece at a time and inspect it to make sure that all debris that could harbor NZMS has been removed from the gear as well as any NZMS that could be lodged in cracks or crevices. If necessary, use a stiff plastic bristled brush such as a kitchen brush to remove any remaining debris and mud.

f. Rinse wading gear in clean water. DO NOT USE WATER FROM THE NZMS INFESTED SOURCE. This may reintroduce NZMS to the wading gear.

g. Return cleaned wading gear to it appropriate storage container.

2) Dry Sack Procedure

a. Remove wading gear upon exiting NZMS infested waters. Avoid allowing infested wading gear to come in contact with interior surfaces of vehicles or camping gear such as tents or trailers. NZMS can be transferred to any surface they come in contact with and they could later be transferred back to cleaned wading gear. Turn waders right side out and remove insoles from wading boots.

b. Place waders, wading boots, and boot insoles into a dry sack (recommended size: 65 liter). Walking sticks will need to be cleaned separately outside of the dry sack to avoid rupturing the sack.

c. Add 8 to 10 liters of cleaning solution to dry sack and the seal dry sack.

d. Pick up the dry sack and shake it back and forth using a rolling motion to ensure that the contents are thoroughly coated with the cleaning solution. Continue shaking for approximately 30 seconds.

e. Let dry sack sit undisturbed for at least 5 minutes. Then repeat the shaking and mixing for another 30 seconds.

f. Open the dry sack and remove the contents one piece at a time and inspect it to make sure that all debris that could harbor NZMS has been removed from the gear as well as any NZMS that could be lodged in cracks or crevices. If necessary, use a stiff plastic bristled brush such as a kitchen brush to remove any remaining debris and mud.

g. Rinse wading gear in clean water. DO NOT USE WATER FROM THE NZMS INFESTED SOURCE. This may reintroduce NZMS to the wading gear.

h. Return cleaned wading gear to it appropriate storage container.