Here is the latest newsletter from the newly formed conservation efforts, Friends of the Saugeen:
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2016 Annual Spring Steelhead Derby
April 30, 2016, the Ontario Steelheaders is hosting the annual spring steelhead trout derby at the Denny’s Dam Park located on the Saugeen River. Please join us for a great day of fishing, social event for members, families and friends who love to catch steelhead trout. Prizes are awarded for largest steelhead rainbow trout, important information updates and a cozy campfire afterwards. It’s will be a fun day spent fishing with family and friends.
Derby Details
Cost: $10 per adult (juniors are free)Prizes are awarded for:
Derby Start Time: 7AM
Derby End Time: 5PM
- Heaviest Steelhead Trout (1st, 2nd and 3rd places)
- Juniors (Under age 16)
- Live Trout Release (Derby director verifies length, girth and weight)
After the Derby
A huge feast is served at the Rod Jones Pavilion in Denny’s Dam Park with a ceremony, prizes, raffle and more. Overnight camping and day use at Denny’s Dam Park is available for participants and their families. Membership applications are also accepted at the ceremonies. Consider supporting the Ontario Steelheaders by grabbing some merchandise like t-shirts, hats, jackets and more. They make great gifts for family, friends and even yourself.
Here is what you can expect after the derby comes to a close at 5PM:- Large Potluck Dinner
- Awards
- Club Updates
- Guest Speakers
- Draw Prizes
- Winner Ceremony
- Prize Awards To Top Placing Entrants
- Campfire and Overnight Camping
More Information
If you need more information, check out the Denny’s Dam Park page for directions, map and other camping and parking information. You can also contact Scott Redin, if you would like to donate prizes or need more detailed information.
King of the Drift Spring Tourny a Success
The King of the Drift tournament took place this past weekend. Lots of fish lost, sunburn and above average temperatures. Tom Barry from Hamilton took first place this year. From the proceeds, King of the drift donated a whopping 5126.00 to the Ontario Steelheaders for this event which will surely help power up our efforts on the Saugeen River. We want to extend the utmost gratitude to KOTD and welcome the event back in the fall.
We also want to take a minute and extend a special shout out to Ben Lam, Mike Snow and all volunteers and participants who made this a successful event. Watch for KOTD coming again this fall.
King of the Drift: Call for Volunteers
The next King of the Drift is set for Saturday April 16, 2016. The coordinators are looking for volunteers to help with the event. These guys have stepped up and given continuous support and donations to the Ontario Steelheaders. FOr more information on how you can be involved, please contact Ben Lam (226) 978-5775 or Mike Snow (647) 654-1414.
30K Steelhead Rainbow Trout Sorted and Clipped
On Saturday, Feb 20, 30k Saugeen River bound steelhead rainbow trout were sorted and clipped in the Kincardine hatchery set for release in the Saugeen River later this year. President Karl Redin wants to acknowledge and thank all of the Ontario Steelheaders volunteers who came out this past Saturday to clip our yearling rainbows in the LHFC hatchery. They even set a new record for clipping of 30K rainbow yearlings in one day!
Its an uphill battle for us to sustain the Saugeen River steelhead rainbow trout fishery so its important we continue sustain programs and volunteers. I think we can all agree on the fact we all need to volunteer a bit more if we want the fishery to continue to exist. With climate change, politics and other obstacles its going to be a struggle. The entire steelhead population could collapse in a decade if stocking efforts are not sustained. Imagine our next generation may be catching the odd rainbow trout in an entire season.
I likely speak for all of the anglers who come and go from the Saugeen River with stories to tell, we greatly appreciate the effort these men and women who show dedication to ensure we have Saugeen steelhead year after year into the future.
Annual Steelhead Sorting & Clipping
We are going to start sorting and counting our rainbows On February 8th. I am giving a schedule below of times that I will definitely be there to work and to demonstrate to others how to do the work. When someone knows what needs to be done they can come anytime they wish with whoever else wants to work. Following the sorting and counting we will move right into the finclipping.
I have included that schedule as well up until February 20th. Depending how much work is left I will give some more dates for after the 20th. Please try to come out for a couple of work sessions. This is work that has to be done and it is not fair to only leave it up to a few individuals. It is not complicated or particularly hard work. You will definitely never get any more “hands on work” with the fish. Feel free to invite other family members or friends to help as well.
Al Wilkins
Trout Hatchery Manager
519-396-9764
Time/Dates for fish sorting and counting
Monday Feb 8 – 8:30 am to 11:00 am
Tuesday Feb 9 – 8:30 am to 11:00 am
Friday Feb 12 – 8:30 am to 11:00 am
Saturday Feb 13 – 8:30 am to 11:00 am
Time/Dates for finclipping
Monday Feb 15 – 8:30 to 11:00 am
Wednesday Feb 17 – 8:30 to 11:00
Friday Feb 19 – 8:30 am to 11:00 am
Saturday Feb 20 – 8:30 to 11:00 am
*If you choose to participate, please contact Al Wilkens prior to date for scheduling purposes.
King of the Drift: Fall 2015
Hey Folks,
The King of the Drift derby was hosted at the Dennys Dam Park on the Saugeen River earlier this fall on November 7, 2015. Ben Lam was one of the primary organizers and the event proved to be a success.
The derby was focused on combined fish length. Each entrant could enter two steelhead trout and use the combined length of the two fish as a total length. There were 3 entrants who tied for first place. The winner holding the trophy was the longest fish that was caught on artificial bait.
Top Standings
1st
- Length: 53.75″
- Prize: $1550
- Winner: Steve Maragos / Lorenzo Pellizzari / Paul Sousa
2nd
- Length: 53.5″
- Prize: $300
- Winner: Paul Ferri
3rd
- Length: 53″
- Prize: $85 + rod
- Winner: Chad Weir
Other Winners
4th
- Length: 52.75″
- Winner: Eric Russian
5th
- Length: 52.5″
- Winner: Ryan William
6th
- Length: 51.75″
- Winner: Xays Xays
7th
- Length: 51.50″
- Winner: Matthew Wichlacz
8th
- Length: 51.25″
- Winner: Domenic Ciullo / Greg Allen
King of the Drift host events on other Ontario rivers as well. For more information on the next King of the Drift event, please contact Ben Lam.
Hepworth Anglers Club Spring Creek Aeration Project
Utilizing a Department of Fisheries and Oceans “Recreational Fisheries Conservation Partnerships Program Grant”, the are implementing an aeration project on Spring Creek to enhance migratory and resident fish populations.
800 meters of electrical wire was buried to provide power to an oxygen generator to be housed in the shed, currently under construction. The oxygen generator will provide and maintain optimum levels of dissolved oxygen to three of the major springs on Spring Creek, as studies have revealed insufficient levels of dissolved oxygen to sustain fish in the upper portion of Spring Creek, during the summer/early fall. Local contractors Tom MacDonald, Kelsey Lamont and Jim Gulliver are assisting with the project.
Best Regards,
Bill Nafziger
Stream Improvement
Hepworth Anglers Club