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(Click Here for Past Recipients)

Scholarship Background

With an increased membership and an improved fiscal picture DVFF made a very big move in 2007 by establishing an annual $1,500 scholarship fund for research in Fisheries Biology and/or Riparian or Limnetic Ecology. The scholarship will go to a selected student of the UC Davis College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Center of Aquatic Biology and Aquaculture (CABA).

The scholarship is named in Bob Wisecarver's honor to recognize his long-standing leadership and contributions to DVFF, and his dedication to fly fishing and the environment. Some pertinent facts and tidbits about Bob fully substantiate his being chosen for this honor:

• When DVFF was formed in September of 1968, Bob became the clubs first President and member serving through 1972.
• In the following years he served as Treasurer, Director and Windknots Editor.
• Under his leadership DVFF instituted fly tying and rod building classes, casting instruction, informative monthly programs and the Windknots.
• Bob has continued to be a great contributor, and has always been one of the club's premier fly-casting instructors.

UC Davis was chosen after the Board of Directors made a concerted search and evaluation of potential universities in northern California. It became very clear after our Jan 30, 2008 visit by Board members to UCD that we truly had picked a world-class research organization. DVFF's scholarship program is currently being administered by Professor Raul H. Piedrahita, Ph.D. - Director, Center for Aquatic Biology and Aquaculture. UCD has a number of professors who lead the field in fisheries research, including Professor Peter Moyle, Ph.D. - Associate Director, Watershed Sciences. Dr. Moyle is the current "go to" fisheries technical expert on the Delta.

The Scholarship Process

The following depicts the typical process for selecting a student for the DVFF scholarship:

The application process starts at the beginning of each year with an award announcement about the March timeframe. The student uses the funds to directly support the research work they are doing to obtain a graduate degree (either masters or PHD). Students should contact the UC Davis Center of Aquatic Biology and Aquaculture to apply.

Diablo Valley Fly Fishermen Bob Wisecarver Scholarship Recipients

2008 Recipient: Alpa Wintzer

As you will see from the brief bio below, DVFF is very fortunate to have as our first scholarship recipient, Ms. Alpa Wintzer. She is truly performing the type of research needed to help stem the tide of the complex problems facing our California fisheries.

"I have always been fascinated by fishes - first, maintaining them in aquaria and then obtaining SCUBA certification, at the age of 12, to observe them in the wild. So, it was no surprise that after leaving my home state of Ohio for Boston University, I found my way into their marine program. My fishy interests were gradually focused towards various aspects of fish feeding biology (ecology, morphology, physiology, etc.) while working at the Ohio State University and completing a Master's degree at the University of South Florida. I then moved to California to work as a biological science technician with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Although it was only to be a temporary position, this experience proved to be pivotal for me in terms of my research direction. During my short tenure, I learned about the complex balance entailed in providing water for residents of dry western states while managing populations of at-risk fishes. To make matters worse, invasive species are widespread in the region, further hindering conservation efforts. I came to understand the need for sound research into these problems.

I am currently enrolled in the doctoral program in ecology at the University of California, Davis. Under the tutelage of Dr. Peter Moyle, the leading expert on California fishes, my desire to work in this field is reinforced everyday. My dissertation research focuses on a trio of invasive hydrozoan jellyfish and their possible implication in the recent pelagic fish decline within the upper San Francisco Bay Estuary. This work will yield crucial information regarding the feeding ecologies of these introduced organisms and whether they compete with at-risk fishes for food resources.

When I am not in research mode, I enjoy participating in public outreach conservation activities, reading, running, molten glasswork, and traveling."