Posted on

Ontario Steelheaders Saves the Day

In 2013, Ontario Steelheaders came to the rescue when approximately 35k fish measuring 2-3 inches were scheduled to be killed as the hatchery operation had no room for them and were overstocked.

LHFC Hatchery Tank Pics 004

To save these little guys, the Ontario Steelheaders paid $1,500 to the Lake Huron Fishing Club trout hatchery for these fish and then we took it upon ourselves to transport and stock the fish into the upper headwaters of the Saugeen River. Each year, the trout hatchery can typically only house 60k steelhead yearlings and this year in particular, there was an abundant overstock. Why? The primary reason for the overstock numbers was due to a great hatch rate and less dead eggs/fry ratio. This is great news for the ecosystem and natural reproduction.

Thanks to all of our directors, members and supporters. We have created a club that can step in and take action when needed. This action is a result of our supporters. We turned a negative situation into a positive result and these fish wouldn’t have survived without the support from each and every one of you!

Posted on

HAC Restores Spring Creek

HAC Restores Spring Creek
HAC Restores Spring Creek

The Hepworth Anglers Club (HAC) completed Phase 1 of the Spring Creek Restoration Project in September, 2013. Implementing the recommendations of Parish Geomorphic Ltd., fourteen wing deflectors were constructed and installed in the stream bank at strategic locations, using mats to minimize stream bank damage. Woody debris structures were installed in the bank and numerous boulders were placed in the channel at prescribed locations. Over 280 tons of river stone were placed in three different areas of the Spring Creek to increase and improve existing spawning sites. Completion of Phase 1 will result in an improved quality of cold water flowing into the Sauble River and Lake Huron from Spring Creek and increase Spring Creek’s contribution to the migratory fishery (rainbow and brown trout, chinook and coho salmon) currently reproducing naturally in the stream.

The restoration work was made possible by two grants received by the HAC, (1) Land Stewardship and Habitat Restoration Program (Ministry of Natural Resources) and (2) Recreational Fisheries Conservation Partnerships Program (Department of Fisheries and Oceans). The HAC is awaiting word on its 2013 Great Lakes Guardian Community Grant (Ministry of Environment) application and will be applying for additional grants to complete phases 2 and 3 of the Spring Creek Restoration Project in the future.

Posted on

Fisherman Learns 52 Lessons

Trout Record Flap

Caught — and released to the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources.

Rob Scott, Crane Lake, Minn., is an angler who caught a potential 52lb world-record lake trout in February 2014 fishing a lake near the US/Canada border. The fish was 45 inches long with a 32-inch girth, Rob said.

Worried he may lose his Candian fishing license, and possibly access to fish Canadaian water again, Rob got lucky with a hefty fine plus court costs, The angler won’t get to keep the fish or enter it as a world record catch. The current record is 29 pounds, 6 ounces. so he would have won by a considerable margin. The fisherman did not contest the charges.

But because Rob’s lake trout limit was one fish and he had already kept a 4-pounder earlier in the day, he was over his limit when he kept the big lake trout. He later gave the 4-pound trout to his nephew, he said, but according to Ontario law, he had possessed both fish. “He killed two fish. You’re only allowed to kill one,” the MNR’s Elliott said.

A prime example of why to respect your local regulations and catch limits.

Posted on

Treasurer’s Report Spring 2014

Once again spring has finally arrived. What a nice change after the long, cold winter we all just struggled through, snow shovels in hand. I’m sure you are all getting antsy waiting for the fishing season that is coming. I wish you all fair weather and tight lines.

This is a list of Friends of the Ontario Steelheaders who have chosen to donate to our efforts.

  • Redwing Tackle
  • J&S Tackle
  • Hammond Power Solutions
  • Trevor Garland
  • The Sauble & Area Mens Club
  • Roberts Onsight
  • Toronto Sportsmen’s Shows
  • Jim Weir
  • Wilson’s Fly Fishing
  • Angling Outfitters
  • Centerpinangling.Com
  • Grandriveroutfitters

Financial Report April 2013 – Dec 31,2013

Month Debit Credit Balance
April $4,025.70 $2,475.19 $21,972.98
May $16,069.54 $19,373.21 $25,276.65
June $9,081.17 $19,630.27 $35,825.75
July $745.80 $417.96 $35,497.91
August $4,109.89 $2,880.31 $34,268.31
September $1,886.06 $1,537.79 $33,920.06
October $6,902.56 $3,615.65 $30,633.15
November $8,998.40 $1,650.24 $23,284.99
December $1,427.23 $0.20 $21,857.96

Thank you to the many who give of their time and effort to help maintain the fishery and keep our park in good order.

Harold Curtis
Treasurer

Posted on

Study: Trout Can Inherit Behavior

Brown Trout

The research group discovered that the behavioral traits examined were individually repeatable, i.e., fish showed personality. Furthermore, certain behaviors related to stress tolerance, such as freezing, showed statistical heritability at a level of 14 percent. This means that non-random mortality related to stress tolerance both in fish farms and in the wild can modify the heritable traits of fish populations and thus lead to changes that are difficult to reverse. At worst, these changes might weaken the ability of fish to avoid predators and decrease the fisheries’ catches unless mitigated by acknowledging the potential selection acting on fish personality.

The article is currently in Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology. Read the full article.

Posted on

Membership Update Spring 2014

This past spring I initiated the commemoration of a Honorary Membership Status for those members who have volunteered their time and efforts to the benefit of the Ontario Steelheaders. This was well received and as such, I would like to announce that I am accepting from our membership any nominations that anyone would like to submit for this status. If any of you feel that someone is deserving of a Honorary Membership, please drop me a line and provide the individual’s name and a brief summary as to why you think they deserve this status. I would like to make this an annual event and announce the honorary members during the Spring or Fall derby. The nominations will be discussed at the board of director’s meeting and decided upon at that time. If we have no nominations than obviously no one will be selected.

Now, please keep in mind that all membership dollars received are 100% directed to the Ontario Steelheaders and their goals and objectives. The money received from the actual membership fees is relatively small in comparison to the donations, grants and bursaries from businesses, government organizations, as well as, other community group funds. As such to grant everyone Honorary Memberships wouldn’t allow us to do the work that we do – LOL.

I continue to view my role as Membership Director as being an interactive role. I have the responsibility to ensure that our members receive the information, handouts, memos, updates etc. that our directors prepare for us. You should note that the most recent membership application form provided an option for those of you who wish to opt out of receiving mail through Canada Post and only receive email communications. I realize that for some of our members continue to depend on receiving our communications through Canada Post and this will continue. However for those of you who have selected to opt out and receive email communications only, I thank you, as this does reduce our overall operating costs. However, regardless of how you wish to receive your communications please ensure that I have received your most up to date contact information.

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE – MAKE SURE THAT I HAVE YOUR CORRECT EMAIL ADDRESS AND ALL CONTACT INFORMATION. I have received a lot of returned mail and email’s stating incorrect addresses and if I don’t have your phone number, I have no way of making sure that you receive the information that we are disbursing. As such if you haven’t been receiving any communications then you may want to check in with me to ensure that I have all your accurate information.

I would like to thank everyone for their ongoing support and I look forward to the challenges that lie ahead of us in the coming year. Please feel free to contact me with any concerns or questions regarding your membership or club communications, and I would be happy to assist.

Madeline Walker Membership Director Ontario Steelheaders