Saugeen River Steelhead Spring Release

Al Wilkens wanted to say a few words to the Ontario Steelheaders:

As Manager of the Lake Huron Fishing Club’s Kincardine Trout Hatchery I want to express my sincere appreciation to all the Ontario Steelheaders who gave up a major portion of “opening day” weekend to move the rainbows out of the Kincardine and Port Elgin fish hatcheries. Your enthusiasm and professionalism ensured that all of our releases went smoothly and all fish were delivered to their new homes safely and in good health. Without the help of the Ontario Steelheaders we would be taking a week or more to release all our fish rather than the day and 1/2 that it took this year. I don’t have the final numbers from Port Elgin yet but from Kincardine you helped move 18 loads of fish that totaled 56,324 fish weighing a total of 4,761 pounds. Not bad for a day’s work! Thanks!

Al Wilkens
Lake Huron Fishing Club

April 23, 2016April 29, 2016

Spring Saugeen Steelhead Transfer Complete

The Ontario Steelheads in cooperation with Lake Huron Fishing Club has completed a another mobile transfer of adult steelhead trout up river. The transfer is conducted with custom aquariums on wheels and travel over 50 miles upriver, aiding the steelhead (rainbow trout) overcome many of the obstacles such as the 20+ dams on the Saugeen River. The fish were really moving over the past week, one thousand adults steelhead rainbow trout averaging 10-15lbs each were lifted at Denny’s Dam and transported in 3.5 days!

The Saugeen River Steelhead transfer program has come to a close and we will not be transferring fish. It is undetermined if the program will be re-implemented in the future. The hard work and resources poured into this program by the hard working volunteers of the LHFC and Ontario Steelheaders is remarkable to say the least. Thank you to everyone involved.

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April 22, 2016April 29, 2016

Friends of the Saugeen: Update

Here is the latest newsletter from the newly formed conservation efforts, Friends of the Saugeen:

Spring Newsletter

April 2016 - HAPPY EARTH DAY

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Welcome to the Friends of the Saugeen!

The Friends of the Saugeen (working name only, this group is NOT official yet and its name WILL be changing) is a new volunteer-driven organization looking to be formally accepted by river users from the headwaters of the Saugeen to Lake Huron. Started in Brockton by several Walkerton residents, the group also includes representation from the Saugeen Valley Conservation Authority, Grey Bruce Sustainability Network, Stewardship Grey Bruce, the Municipality of Brockton and the Walkerton BIA & Visitor Information Centre. These volunteers hope to formally establish the Friends of the Saugeen this spring and, with your input, will establish a name that encompasses all they want to achieve in the coming years.

You are receiving this newsletter because you expressed an interest in the organization at an earlier date. If you wish to unsubscribe please follow the link at the end of this newsletter.

In the weeks and months to come, the Friends will draft a mandate and begin creating a project wish list consisting of short- and long-term goals. Please stayed tuned for more information!

PLEASE JOIN US!

New fish consumption signs to be erected

Eight signs showing which fish are safe for consumption on a regular basis will soon be installed in Brockton. The provincially-supplied signs will be erected by volunteers in the next few weeks. Watch for them at all five river access points within Brockton, as well as three other high-traffic locations in Walkerton.

Quench Buggy to be featured at Walkerton Homecoming

Walkerton Homecoming 2016 will be held from Thursday, July 28 to Monday, August 1. Many events and activities are in the works to entertain and educate those who will be in town for this milestone celebration (www.walkertonhomecoming2016.com). The steering committee has reserved a Quench Buggy to be parked on the festival grounds for the weekend in an effort to reduce the number of plastic bottles that might otherwise find their way onto the ground or into the river. Please watch for this featured attraction, sponsored by the Walkerton Clean Water Centre, and bring your re-usable water bottle to the event! Cold municipal drinking water will be available at the buggy free of charge.

Help us spread the word

Do you know someone who would be interested in joining this volunteer group? Please pass this newsletter on to them and invite them to subscribe to future mailings by sending us an email: info@walkertonbia.ca.

Do you have a question or comment for the Friends of the Saugeen?
Please send correspondence through the Walkerton BIA:
info@walkertonbia.ca
101 Durham Street, Box 1344, Walkerton, ON N0G 2V0
T: 519-881-3413 F: 519-881-4009

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Copyright © 2016 Walkerton Business Improvement Area, All rights reserved.

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April 20, 2016April 21, 2016

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)
Derby Start Time: 7AM
Derby End Time: 5PM

Prizes are awarded for:

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.

April 19, 2016April 20, 2016

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.

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March 7, 2016March 8, 2016

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.

February 22, 2016February 23, 2016

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.

February 2, 2016February 2, 2016

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.

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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.