News

Posted - January 22 2010

PROPOSED 2010-2012 SPORTFISHING REGULATIONS
From Ken Crutchfield, Executive Director, Fisheries Management
At the April 2009 Alberta Fisheries Management Round Table meeting it was announced that Sustainable Resource Development was preparing regulations for a two-year period starting in April 2010. In summary, three types of changes are proposed; expansion of harvest, harvest restrictions and conservation closures.
Substantive changes proposed to create or expanded fishing opportunities:
 Quality waters have been created on Lovett, Silkstone, and Pierre Grey lakes as well as the three new fisheries developed in the mine end pits (25, 35, and 45) near Edson.
 The use of special walleye harvest licenses have been identified for seven lakes in 2010 that had zero bag limits for walleye (Amisk, Baptiste, Long, Sylvan, Garner, Pinehurst, and Rolling Hills) with another four walleye populations subject to further monitoring in 2010 to determine harvestable surpluses (Battle, Pine,Keho, McGregor). The walleye limit on Calling Lake has been increased for a limited harvest slot.
 New harvest opportunities for trout are being offered at Chester and Running Rain lakes, replacing catchand-release or one fish limits. The pike population at Baptiste Lake can now support a limited harvest, replacing the zero bag limits.
 Year round fishing is proposed for a dozen lakes in the prairies (Corner, CPR, Horsefly, Lethbridge, Lost, Marsh, Picture Butte, Raymond, Shays, Taber, Burdett, and Yellow) where previously heavy weed growthduring the previous open season limited angling opportunities.
 Nine lakes in the northeast (Amisk, Big Johnson, Fork, Garner, Hope, Island (2), N Buck, Skeleton) have pike populations that are not producing large pike but exhibit high catch rates and good densities. Harvest regulations are being tested to determine if these populations are the result of population dynamics or angling pressure.
Fewer waters require additional angling restrictions to maintain or recover populations:
 Adjustments have been made on 15 waters while still supporting harvest opportunities. Reduced bag limits
(Bearspaw Reservoir and Bow River to Ghost, Gregoire, Gardiner, Sturgeon, Pigeon, Rainbow), changes in size limits (Bearspaw, Bistcho, Rainbow), harvest and protected slot sizes (Grist) and gear restrictions (N. Saskatchewan) are proposed for walleye, pike, trout, lake trout, and burbot. Most of these proposals deal with reducing the impact of fishing pressure or to align regulations on waters in the same area. Extended timing closures are proposed to protect spawning fish in Boulton, Hidden, and Fall Creeks as well as Pine Coulee and Sylvan Lake. A few of the stocked trout waters with perch have been assessed and regulations adjusted to reflect management plans. A spring bait ban is proposed for the North Saskatchewan River to protect spawning sturgeon without jeopardizing angling for other species.
Conservation measures are proposed for a few walleye or grayling populations:
 Catch and release regulations are proposed for walleye on Big Island, Hilda, Goodfish, and Sawn lakes to recover or maintain populations that cannot support angler harvest. Grayling populations on seven streams (House, Christina, Goose, Jackfish, Birch, Sunday, and Monday) and Christina Lake in northeast Alberta require a zero bag limit to protect remaining stocks.
Regulation submissions that did not complete adequate consultation efforts have been deferred until the next regulation cycle. Lakes identified as suitable for special walleye harvest licenses in 2011 will be subject to further population monitoring and will be published in the walleye draw brochure (subject to adequate consultation). If circumstances warrant emergency closures, regulation changes will be posted on the web, at access and anglinglocations and through public notices.
Additional administrative changes will be made to the Guide to Sportfishing Regulations to correct or clarify the regulations and waterbody listings. These changes have not been discussed in detail during this round of consultations but represent input from the public over the year and no concerns have been raised.

SPRING LAKE PROPERTY KEYS
The gate lock has now been changed as advertised. If you haven't got your new key yet and want one, then make sure to come to the Christmas Brunch or a January meeting. Bring proof of membership, your old key (if you want a refund on it), and $25 for the new key. Keys are being signed out by Ron Sohnle for the next while. If absolutely necessary you can phone Ron to arrange to drop by his house to pick up a key.

CHANGES AT FLY CRAFT ANGLING – Phil Rowley's Website
http://www.flycraftangling.com/
If you haven't had chance to visit Phil‟s revised website since its launch on November 18, 2009, it's worth doing so. The revised site features a number of changes and improvements in all areas. Some of the highlights and additions include; ·Upgrade and in many cases changing of all digital images. ·In addition to seminar and outdoor show presentations Phil now offers instructional guided fishing within the greater Edmonton area, not only for trout on the fly but for pike and walleye too! ·The Entomology section has had a complete facelift with the addition of improved macro images and new food items such as crayfish. Be sure to take a look at this revised section. ·The Newsletter section has been replaced by Phil‟s new Blog. ·An on-line store will be added soon where you can purchase a variety of products including autographed copies of books, DVDs and Phil‟s unique Quick Release Indicators.

OUTDOOR EDGE COMMUNICATION AWARD

The Edmonton Trout Fishing Club received the Outdoor Edge Communication Award at the Alberta Fish and Game Association annual conference in Edmonton on February 21, 2009. The award was accepted by Peter Little, Membership and Newsletter Chairperson, on behalf of the club. The Outdoor Edge Communication Award is presented to the club which uses the best method of informing their membership, for example using newsletters, websites, club handbooks or newspapers.

The Edmonton Trout Fishing Club was recognized by the Alberta Fish and Game Association for their outstanding newsletter – The Flycaster – which is created by Peter Little, as well as its top-rated website (http://www.edmontontrout.ca/) developed and maintained by Steven Marsh, both of whom are long-time members of the club.  Members are encouraged to submit information to both Peter Little and Steven Marsh to keep the newsletter and website current and relevant.

To contact Peter Click here

WELCOME TO NEW PRESIDENT AND NEW DIRECTOR

Congratulations to our new President, Ron Storrier, and to new Director Arnold Budd, both of whom were voted in at the last meeting.

2009 ETFC AUCTION - PRESIDENT'S FOLLOW-UP

The bottom-line results were that this year’s Auction raised more than $3500 for the Club – representing the 3rd best year on record.  A total of 109 auction lots were donated (along with 9 other lots from FESA that we helped them to sell). There were 48 folks who signed up for bid cards (with some couples sharing one card), and 37 of those successfully bid on items and contributed their cash to the cause.  

Clearly, it takes members willing to contribute items and also folks willing to buy them to make an Auction successful. On the contributing side, the members who deserve special recognition for submitting items that sold for more than $300 in total were Dick Slobodian, Duane Radford, Ron Sohnle, and the perennial leader by a mile, Tak Shimizu - whose combined contributions represent about half the proceeds in total. On the buying side, special recognition goes to Walt Harris/Joan Miller, Tim Reid and Mike Yakemchuk as parting with the most cash (and taking best advantage of the good deals).  The Auction is not only a fund-raiser, but always turns out to be a really fun event, and this one had its share of laughs and kibitzing.

Much of the credit goes to our two able auctioneers, Maurice Fitzgerald and Elizabeth Marsh, whose talents, wit and good humour made the evening as good as going out to a comedy club.  Thanks also to the hecklers in the audience whose contributions were appreciated by all.  I have already spoken to Maurice and Elizabeth about next year, and schedules permitting, they are both willing to help out again. So don’t miss the 2010 Auction if you didn’t make it this year! No Auction happens by itself, but takes planning, preparation and the efforts of dedicated volunteers.  Special thanks go to our “logistics crew” of Doreen & Ray Kelsey, Leo Storrier, Jackie & Gregg Johnston, Bev Sohnle, Rod Mayes, and Peter Little for their help in organizing and administering the Auction. Everything went very smoothly due to their time, efforts, and talents.  Thanks to all members who donated items and/or who bid on them and to our corporate donors this year: Supply Sergeant, Holes Greenhouse, Yellowhead Casino, Kuhlman’s Greenhouse, Citadel, Alberta Culture, City of Edmonton, Fishin’ Hole and Bonnie Doon Dental.  

NEW LIFETIME MEMBER

Congratulations to Barry White for his Lifetime Membership being awarded for the many years of service that he has given to the Edmonton Trout Fishing Club. Well done, Barry and thanks for everything that you have done, and continue to do.

 

SPRING LAKE  The good news is that Fish and Wildlife expect to be stocking Spring Lake again this year on the understanding that the owner of the campground will provide public access to the lake through the campground.  Please make sure to do our part by picking up litter, our own and that left by inconsiderate others, and following the club property rules below.  Stay tuned for information on when the new lock will be installed and when and how you can pick up your new key.

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Any member wanting a copy of the notes that Ken Crutchfield used for his presentation to the club can obtain them by contacting the Editor (780-434-0951)

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Remember to get your new license.  You can get it online at    https://www.albertarelm.com/ 

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VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

We need a volunteer or two to plan one or more fishing trips for club members this year.  All you have to do is set out where and when and a brief description of what's there to catch and camping facilities if appropriate and we'll advertise it to members.  Please consider helping out - without volunteers nothing will happen.

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Peter Little with a nice Swan Lake Rainbow.