The Department of Environmental Management is asking for assistance from waterfowl hunters after discovering avian influenza, often called “bird flu,” in a mallard shot by a hunter in Johnston.

It was not the same strain that has infected people in Asia and Europe since 2003, and there is no known significant health risk to people as a result of exposure to this virus, nor any associated food safety concerns, according to a DEM news release.

The virus can be transmitted to other birds and has the ability to mutate into high pathogenic strains of the disease in birds. The virus threatens other wild birds and domestic poultry flocks.

In an effort to increase surveillance of the area where the infected mallard was collected, DEM’s Division of Fish & Wildlife is asking waterfowl hunters to provide samples of birds they have shot.

Interested hunters should contact the Division at (401) 789-0281. Sampling does not require that wildlife agency to keep the bird.

With the potential risk to poultry, DEM’s Division of Agriculture is also encouraging farmers and others with poultry flocks in the vicinity of Johnston or in areas where wild migratory waterfowl congregate to call the Division for testing at (401) 222-4700 extension 4511.

Learn to rig

Jim White, skipper of White Ghost Charters and the author of a new book on catching huge stripers in shallow water, is launching an unusual seminar series at Ocean State Tackle in Coventry this winter.

“During this seminar you will get to make five effective fishing rigs, and then, take them home with you,” White says.

The first seminar is scheduled for Jan. 10 from 1 to 3 p.m. at Ocean State Tackle. The store is located at 735 Centre of New England Blvd., inside the shopping plaza where BJ’s, The Home Depot and Wal Mart are located — off Rte. 95 at Exit 7. The shop is half a mile from the shopping center’s entrance.

“You will learn how to rig a Slug-Go and Fin-S Fish quickly and easily as well as how to fish them correctly,” White says. “You’ll tie an effective popping cork rig, rig new hollow body shad baits, and tie a professional pogey snagging rig. Learn how to choose the proper hooks for soft plastics, the correct style of jig heads and how and where to fish them.

“Classes will be limited to 20 anglers so everyone’s questions are answered. The seminar will last at least two hours, longer if necessary.”

There will be a $15 registration fee to cover the cost of materials and refreshments. If the response is greater than 20 anglers, White says, additional classes will be held throughout the winter.

To register, contact him at whiteghos1@aol.com.

Laptew’s new keeper

Mike Laptew, “The Diving Fisherman,” who lives in North Kingstown, is about to release a two-volume DVD, Secrets of The Striper Pros. It’s a keeper.

The three-hour production is on a single disc. It features a lot of anglers and fishing spots throughout southern New England, most of them right here in Rhode Island.

Laptew focuses on shore fishing as well as boat fishing — on reefs, flats and the Bay. He covers artificial lures, bait and fly fishing.

Laptew is the real McCoy: He spends a lot of time on and under the water as a fisherman and film maker. His underwater footage, as always, is spectacular. To shoot the newest video, he used all new high-definition equipment, and the results are made for wide-screen viewing.

Laptew says he’s offering three hours of viewing to give anglers their money’s worth. It’s unlikely that anyone will view the entire production in one sitting because there is so much content to absorb. Watch it with a notebook and pen by your side.

There’s a lot to learn in Secrets of The Striper Pros.

The DVD will be available at Quaker Lane Bait & Tackle in North Kingstown, The Saltwater Edge in Middletown, and online.

Fishing Patagonia

Orvis, the international outfitter based in Vermont, is planning an extraordinary fly-fishing and natural-history tour of coastal Chile along the rugged Patagonian Coast in February. Leading the tour will be Peter Matthiessen, one of America’s leading natural-history writers, and his friend, Tom Rosenbauer, one of the country’s leading fly-fishing authors.

“Today, fishing in waters untainted by human presence is a rarity,” said Dave Parker, managing director of Orvis Travel. “This exclusive Orvis Cruise takes it all away, leaving you with nothing but clear waters, hungry fish, and peace of mind. With…only 26 guests aboard the ship, this is the consummate fishing adventure.” The ship is equipped with jet boats, kayaks, and a helicopter for fly-in remote area fishing.

Author and naturalist, Matthiessen was one of the co-founders of the Paris review in the 1950s. Last month, he received the National Book Award for Shadow Country, a revision of a trilogy of novels he released in the 1990s.

Rosenbauer is a prolific author of magazine stories and books, including The Orvis Guide to Reading Trout Streams, The Orvis Guide to Prospecting for Trout, and several others.

More information is available online at www.orvis.com.

tmeade@projo.com