Spiel

Terry offers tips for a successful ice-fishing expedition January 8, 2010 TERRY CURTIS / www.northumberlandtoday.com It's that time of year again when ice fishing fanatics head out in search of their favourite species of fish, and no doubt about it, I'm one of them. Big time! Although the ice fishing season was already open in many areas such as the Bay of Quinte and on some of the lakes farther north in the Bancroft/Apsley districts, the Kawartha Lakes (Zone 17) didn't open until Jan. 1 of this year for the first-ever legal ice fishing season on these waters. So far, the ice is forming quite well across much of the province and anglers at Trenton and Belleville have been dipping lines or a few weeks now, with spotty results for both walleye and perch. And speaking of spotty, watch the ice there. It varies greatly in depth, depending where you are fishing. This seems to be the case right now on a lot of our usual haunts, especially in the Muskoka and Bancroft areas where heavy snowfalls have hindered the formation of safe ice. As usual, at this time of year,Terry's Tipsis offering up a few favourite ice hut rental locations I tend to depend on, including a couple of brand new ones this time around, as well as the latest ice condition information I have for those chosen places. What would a lake trout outing be without a trip to Carnarvon, north of Minden, to visit Don Archer? Don doesn't advertise his huts much. He doesn't have to. Most of his clients are repeat business and have been going there for years, which speaks well for his business. Some of the easiest access lake trout and whitefish ice angling you will ever experience takes place right there on Boshkung Lake and I've been going there since 1980. This is a real favourite lake for me. I spoke to Don earlier this week and he hopes to have safe ice this weekend to put his huts out. Give him a call at 705-489-2846 to book a hut. I also spoke with Carl D'Amour, owner of Grump and Grumpy's Ice Fishing Adventures on Lake Nippissing at North Bay, and they have lots of safe ice in their area. I wrote about this operation in my column last year and it's absolutely the very best jumbo perch fishing I've ever experienced in my life, not to mention the blue back herring, pike and white fish all caught in the same huts, as well as the odd walleye. Carl offers overnight bungalows ($60 per person) where you can fish all day and night in very warm accommodations right on the ice, and they are spotlessly clean and comfortable. I can't wait to return. I plan on being there next week, in fact! Contact Carl at 705-495-0941, 705-495-3106 or www.grumpyfishermen.com For those wanting some walleye and crappie fishing close to home, don't overlook Stiles Fish Huts on Lake Scugog. They offer two-, four-and six-man huts ($35 per person, kids are free), propane heat and minnows are available. Scugog is a real hotspot for huge crappie and they are very eager biters, especially just before dusk. Contact Steve Stiles at 905-925-9742 or at [email protected] . Even closer to home, B.J. Tackle in Bewdley on Rice Lake is offering rental huts for panfish such as perch, crappie and bluegill. They have two man huts for $50 a day as well as four-, five-and six-man huts that rent for $30 per person. Ben is well stocked with pinhead minnows you'll need for panfish as well as bigger minnows for those wanting to travel elsewhere to fish where walleye, trout fishing etc. is permitted. As well as the minnows, B.J. Tackle has any other gear you can imagine for ice fishing on hand, such as portable huts, rods, reels, Suffix line, hooks, jigs -- you name it, it's there! For more information call Ben or Beth at 905-797-2632. Business hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. There you go, a few favourite places I recommend for some great ice fishing. Please keep in mind there is NO ice fishing for walleye, bass or muskie in Zone 17 which includes all the Kawartha Lakes. From what I hear from some well knowing people who will be patrolling the waters, the Proceeds of Crime laws will be heavily enforced, meaning you could lose your ice fishing gear, your mode of transportation to get to the fish (ATV, snowmobile, Argo, car or truck) plus heavy fines if you are caught with an illegal fish. Is it worth the chance? Not for me! Good luck fishing wherever you go. Have fun and fish safe!

Ice fishing off to booming start Jan 14, 2010 Bruce Hain / www.simcoe.com Jim Broome has been looking forward to ice fishing season all year. He has his newly built hut out on the ice on Little Cedar bay, just off Cook’s Bay in Innisfil. / Stan Howe It’s January and that means it’s ice fishing time for both local residents and those who come to Innisfil from afar. Lake Simcoe and Cook’s Bay are two of southern Ontario’s favourite ice fishing locales and the frigid weather of the past 10 days has helped to kick start the 2010 season. Vito and Sue Villani of Love to Fish Simcoe in Belle Ewart have been busy chatting up not only their regulars the past week, but have also welcomed many newcomers to their store on Ewart Street. “I’ve been here for six years,” Villani says. “The ice is good, as long as you know where you’re going. It’s not ready for vehicles yet.” In addition to all the supplies and equipment one would ever need, the Villanis rent 14 huts, now in place out a few hundred metres from shore at the 4th Line. “We’ll be moving them farther out later this week for the whitefish,” he says. “Right now, they’re in about 20 feet of water for people catching perch.” Despite a mild December, Villani says his fishing season, which runs until March 15, began just one day later than last year. Business is booming. “I ran out of fishing licenses this past weekend,” he says. “In a typical week, I get a lot of people, even all the way from northern Michigan and southern Ohio. There are a lot from the 519 area code, too.” Customers have been happy with their catch, he says. “The perch are biting and out by the islands, there are a lot of whitefish,” Villani says. Jim Broome of Belle Ewart is one of the regulars at Love to Fish Simcoe. “I like everything about ice fishing,” Broome says. “I’d rather sit in a hut than in a boat.” This year, Broome probably has the most inspiring ice hut out on the lake. A sub-contractor for a Toronto-based imaging company, Broome has built himself a hut plastered with digital images of tropical fish. “I’ve been wanting to do it for years,” he says. The edifice stands out on the frozen bay with its blue and black roof. “It’s a real eye catcher,” Broome proudly reports. “It took about two weeks to build. The sides are fully imaged, like you would see on a city bus. People have stopped, pulled out their cameras and taken pictures.” As to the fishing conditions, Broome says they couldn’t be any better. He also builds huts for other folk. “The perch are biting like crazy,” he says. “As soon as you get to the bottom, you’re reeling back up with a fish.” Steve Arnold of Innisfil is spending as much time as he can out on the bay this winter. “I’ve been ice fishing for, let’s say, at least 20 years,” Arnold says laughing. “It’s fun, it’s a hobby and it breaks up the monotony of winter.” Conditions to date this year have been “perfect” in Arnold’s opinion. “The fishing has been just great,” he says. “There’s been a good catch of whitefish so far and no problem getting your limit.” Socializing with your fellow fisher folk is a big attraction of the sport, too. “I always make a lot of new friends out there,” Arnold says. “It’s a great way to spend your time.” Fishing tips: • Advise others where you plan to fish and when you will return • Wear appropriate clothing, such as a floater suit • Carry appropriate equipment, such as a set of ice picks • Register ice huts where required, except tent-style huts with a base area of less than seven square metres • Check ice thickness regularly with a spud bar or augur as they move further out on the ice • Ice does not freeze at a uniform thickness across most lakes and rivers, particularly at the start of the winter season when near-shore ice is often much thicker and safer than ice farther out • Ice that forms over flowing water, springs, pressure cracks, old ice holes or around the mouths of rivers and streams can be weaker than surrounding ice • The strongest ice is clear blue in colour. White or opaque ice is much weaker, and ice with a honeycombed look should be avoided?? • Added precautions must be taken when travelling on frozen lakes or rivers • A layer of heavy snow on a frozen lake or river can insulate the ice below and slow down freezing. — Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources

Thin ice takes its toll Jan 14, 2010 Rick Vanderlinde / www.simcoe.com The owner of submerged vehicle works to free his Ford Explorer after it went through the ice about 250-feet from the Innisfil Beach Park boat ramp Saturday. / Rick Vanderlinde It was a wrong turn that ended up costing thousands of dollars. A Bancroft man returned to Innisfil Beach Park Monday to retrieve his Ford Explorer after it broke through the ice about 250-feet from shore Saturday. The man, who didn’t want to be identified, told onlookers who had gathered to watch the SUV being pulled from Lake Simcoe, he was a passenger when the truck plunged through the four-to-five inch thick ice. Onlookers were telling tall tales of police chases and stolen vehicles, when the man set the record straight. “It wasn’t nothing like that. I was the passenger. There was no police chase and no stolen vehicle,” he said as friends tried to hook chains to the submerged vehicle. “We just got mixed up and came on the ice at the wrong spot.” The 55-year-old man said he and a 37-year-old friend drove across the ice along Cook’s Bay from Keswick to the Bell Ewart area, coming ashore at Conc. 5. “We went out shopping and ended up coming to the lake here,” he said. “We thought we were getting back on the ice at the same place we came off.” Instead, the SUV drove down the boat launch used by ATVs and snowmobiles at Innisfil Beach Park and crashed through the ice seconds later. “I’m not too worried about the truck,” the man said. “It was only worth about $500 before it went through.” But the estimated $2,000 cost of the tractor-trailer sized tow truck and an automatic $1,500 provincial fine was hard on the pocket book. The man and the driver also face court costs after they were charged with obstructing police. They were charged because they refused to tell police who was driving the vehicle, the man said. Rod Smith was returning to shore on his snowmobile Saturday when he saw the truck come down the ramp and smash through the ice. “They came bouncing across the ice pretty fast. They didn’t slow down at all, they just went right through,” Smith said. “A man and woman got out as it was going down and another guy barrel-rolled out of a window as the water was coming up. As soon as he got out, the truck went right down.” One of the men told him they thought they were about to cross the ice on Cook’s Bay, Smith said. The threesome left the scene, walking toward the park. “The girl was pretty upset about the whole thing,” he said. Smith, who went back to the site Monday to watch the recovery, said he reported the incident to South Simcoe Police. “They called me back on my cellphone later and said no one was around the vehicle,” he said. However, police later found and questioned the men, which led to the obstruction charges. It took several men about four hours to get the car out of the lake with the help of the heavy-duty tow truck. A chain-saw was used to cut a 150-foot path through the ice so the vehicle could be pulled free. It wasn’t the first vehicle to go through Lake Simcoe ice this year. Tragically, a Georgina Island man was killed New Year’s Day when his Jeep went through the ice near Virginia marina. Wayne Hoeg, a well-known First Nations citizen, had a heart attack during the incident. Ice hut operators and police warn that it is never a good idea to drive on the ice.

Have great day Bernie. Are you planning on spending the day icing some walleye?

All in good time Mike. I think the most common denominator here with the folks who have posted there beautiful boats is that most are not young fellows like yourself. I'd also be willing to bet that most have owned a number of smaller tinnies and such before getting their dream boats. Personally I've been through a number of boats and it all started with a 16' Sportspal. And gosh darn it I wish I still had it. You'll get your boat one day, as they say, "good things come to those that wait", supposedly.

Years ago, many years ago I used to drive my Honda Civic out on Simcoe all the time. But before doing so I asked my insurance provider if I had coverage for this and they said yes! Not sure if I would get it these days.

LOL....I think the guy with the shovel gotsa schnoot full of woodka.

Now that's a fine looking mess of fish. Perhaps I'll see you there Goran.

It's been a few years Tony but I still think I know Bronte Harbour when I see it.

So are these rules working for you Ron? Come on now, be honest.

Binbrook is only 20 minutes away for me and yet I've never ice fished it. However I'm hoping to make it out to the Fishing World Binbrook Crappie Derby this year on Feb. 7th. Are you going to be attending Goran?

Yeah he's killing me too. If he can get 'em well hell I know I can.

If the attacker is hell bent on causing you serious and grievous injury then I'm all for your thoughts re: protecting yourself with any and every means available Peter. In short I agree.

You can read more on it here.... It’s official! largemouth bass caught in Japan ties IGFA All-Tackle World Record

O.F.A.H. applauds legal action to keep Asian carp out of the Great Lakes Ontario supports Michigan's bid to prevent spread of invading species into Lake Michigan January 8, 2010 / www.ofah.org In the early 1990's, the invasive bighead and silver carp, known collectively as Asian carp, began advancing northward up the Mississippi River after having escaped aquaculture ponds in the southern United States. They have since migrated into the Illinois and Missouri rivers, outcompeting native fish along the way. An electric barrier in the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal (CSSC) is one of the last barricades preventing the further invasion of these aggressive fish into Lake Michigan. Should they make it to the lake, the carp will have pathways to the remaining Great Lakes, where they will most certainly have a catastrophic impact. This threat has prompted governments on both sides of the border to take legal action to close all gaps. The State of Michigan has appealed to the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) to force the closure of those Chicago locks and waterways that could allow invading species to enter Lake Michigan, along with a number of additional measures. Minnesota, Ohio, Wisconsin and New York have filed documents to back Michigan's move. The Province of Ontario has filed a legal brief with SCOTUS in support of the preliminary injunction to close the locks in the CSSC, a move the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (O.F.A.H.) strongly endorses. "We cannot underestimate the devastation that the invasion of Asian carp will have on our fisheries," said Terry Quinney, O.F.A.H. Provincial Manager of Fish and Wildlife. "Recreational fishing in Ontario is enjoyed by over 1.7 million anglers, who spend more than $2.5 billion annually. The commercial fishery of the Great Lakes is valued at $200 million. All of that hangs in the balance if Asian carp make it to Lake Michigan." In early December, a crew from Fisheries and Oceans Canada and the MNR assisted in an intense international effort to prevent the carp from gaining access to Lake Michigan while the electric barrier was shut down for maintenance. The O.F.A.H., through the O.F.A.H./MNR Invading Species Awareness Program, was the only nongovernmental organization to participate on the Canadian team. "History has repeatedly demonstrated that once invading species are established, they are virtually impossible to eradicate, so we should be pursuing every possible avenue now to keep these and future threats out of our Great Lakes," added Quinney. With over 100,000 members, subscribers and supporters, and 660 member clubs, the O.F.A.H. is the largest nonprofit, charitable, fish and wildlife conservation organization in Ontario, and the voice of anglers and hunters. For more information, visit www.ofah.org. Contact Francine MacDonald Invading Species Program Manager 705-748-6324 ext 238 Lezlie Goodwin O.F.A.H. Communications Coordinator 705-748-6324 ext 270

Invasive species threatens fishery FISHING: Efforts underway to prevent the spread of Asian carp January 8, 2009 MARK TAYTI / www.wellandtribune.ca Trying to keep Asian carp out of the Great Lakes will be difficult -- if not futile. That's the sentiment expressed by Alfred Marinelli, a member of the Port Colborne and District Conservation Club. Ontario is supporting legal efforts by Michigan and other American states to prevent the spread of Asian carp into the Great Lakes. The move recognizes the significant economic threat these fish pose to the province's fisheries. A legal brief from the province has been filed with the United States Supreme Court sup-porting Michigan's motion for a preliminary injunction to close locks in the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal. The closure is one of a number of measures sought by Michigan to keep this invasive species from passing into Lake Michigan. "They can do all they want with the canal," Marinelli said. "Either accidentally or on purpose, somebody is going to let one in. I'm not happy about it, but I don't see it stopping." Scientific data estimates that in some parts of illinois, the Asian carp makes up more than 90% of fish populations. In 2004, Ontario banned the buying and selling of live Asian carp. Marinelli agrees invasive species can do a lot of damage when introduced into one of the lakes. Oceangoing vessels that pump their ballast water into the lakes are chiefly responsible for introducing these species, he added. Species such as the zebra mussel and the round goby have "balanced out" over time. It is what happens in the interim that troubles Marinelli. "It's the same old story," Marinelli said. "I don't see (the Asian carp) being stopped. Some way, they are always going to get through." Dave Malloy, of Erie Tracker Outfitters in Port Colborne, said the Asian carp has had a serious impact on lakes in Illinois. "They are destroying everything," Malloy said. "It's scary." Malloy said the Asian carp has no value commercially or to the sport angling community. They grow quickly and are "bottom feeders." These combined factors could have dire consequences for perch and walleye habitat in Lake Erie should the Asian carp find its way into the ecosystem. Malloy also believes there is not enough regulation and enforcement to prevent the introduction of invasive species by ships sailing the Great Lakes. "We're not the culprits," he said. "It's the freighters flushing their ballast. The sport fishers have to pay the price. I'd like to see the government clamp down on those guys." One of Malloy's concerns is the potential harm Asian carp can do to the perch and walleye populations in Lake Erie. Malloy said the perch population in Erie has increased significantly in recent years. He said that has helped to compensate for a few "poor hatches" on the walleye populations. "We have just got something good going here," he said. Malloy also believes the Great Lakes have an ability to adjust to some new species. "Zebra mussels were going to be the end of the lake," he said. "The lake is full of gobys, but every fish has learned to eat them. The lake has been able to adapt, so far." Malloy agrees there is a lot at stake when it comes to the Great Lakes fisheries. The Ontario government estimates 1.4 million anglers fish in the province each year, spending more than $2.3 billion dollars on fisheries-related expenditures. The commercial fishery in the Great Lakes is annually valued at about $200 million.

It’s official! largemouth bass caught in Japan ties IGFA All-Tackle World Record Freshwater fishing’s “Holy Grail” now has dual holders; 22 lb 4 oz bass caught by Japan’s Manabu Kurita matches IGFA record held for 77 years by Georgia’s George Perry January 8, 2010 www.igfa.org DANIA BEACH, Fla. USA, -- After nearly six months of waiting, Japan’s Manabu Kurita is taking his place along side Georgia, USA angler George Perry in the International Game Fish Association’s (IGFA) World Record Games Fishes book as dual holders of the All-Tackle record for largemouth bass each weighing 22 lb 4 oz and caught 77 years apart. Today the IGFA approved Kurita’s application for the fish caught from Japan’s largest lake on July 2, 2009. The 70-year old non-profit fisheries conservation, education and record-keeping body, received Kurita’s application and documentation on Sept. 19, 2009. The largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides), was caught from Lake Biwa which is an ancient reservoir northeast of Kyoto. Kurita, 32, of Aichi, Japan, was fishing Biwa that July day using a Deps Sidewinder rod and a Shimano Antares DC7LV reel loaded with 25 lb Toray line when he pitched his bait, a live bluegill, next to a bridge piling. It was Kurita’s first cast to the piling where he had seen a big bass swimming. He only twitched the bait a couple of times before he got bit. After a short, three minute fight he had the fish in the boat. Kurita was quoted as saying “I knew it was big, but I didn’t know it was that big.” But big it was. Using certified scales, his fish weighed in at 10.12 kg or 22 lb 4 oz. When measured, the fish had a fork length of 27.2 inches and a girth of 26.7 inches. The IGFA only has line classes up to 20 lb for largemouth bass, so Kurita had no chance at a line class record as well. IGFA rules for fish caught outside the U.S. allows anglers 90 days to submit their applications from the date of their catch. The documentation was received through the IGFA’s sister association the Japan Game Fish Association (JGFA). IGFA conservation director Jason Schratwieser said Kurita’s application was meticulously documented with the necessary photos and video. Kurita’s fish ties the current record held for over 77 years by Perry who caught his bass on Georgia’s Montgomery Lake, June 2, 1932, near Jacksonville, Georgia. That 22 lb 4 oz behemoth won Field and Stream Magazine’s big fish contest and 46 years later, when the IGFA took over freshwater records from Field and Stream, it became the All-Tackle record now one of over 1,100 fresh and saltwater species the IGFA monitors. IGFA All-Tackle records are now free for viewing by the public by clicking here. Kurita’s name is now on the IGFA Web site with that of Perry’s and will appear in the 2011 edition of the World Record Games Fishes book…. unless that record is broken this year. The IGFA announced the decision at its headquarters with a live video feed carried on Bassmaster.com, one of the most popular fishing Web sites in the world and the official site of the Bass Anglers Sportsman Society (BASS). In North America the largemouth bass, and especially the All-Tackle record, is considered by millions of anglers as the “holy grail” of freshwater fish because of its popularity and the longevity of Perry’s record. That fish undoubtedly helped to spawn a billion dollar industry that today makes up a significant part of the sport of recreational fishing. Schratwieser said, “The moment Kurita weighed his fish, word spread like wildfire. We knew this would be significant so we immediately contacted the JGFA for more information. Established in 1979, and JGFA compiles and translates all record applications of fish caught in Japan before forwarding to the IGFA. “It works out well because they not only translate applications but can also contact the angler if more documentation is needed.” It turned into a lengthy process “Since the IGFA requires three months from the time of capture before a record can be approved, the official word would have to wait until October 2,” said Schratwieser. “However, almost right away rumors began to circulate that Kurita may have caught his fish in a ‘no-fishing zone’. In response, the IGFA immediately corresponded with the JGFA to speak with the angler about this issue and to gather information regarding the legality of fishing where Kurita caught his bass. Official word came back that the location of the catch was not a no-fishing zone, but was an area where anchoring or stopping was prohibited. This spurred more correspondence with the JGFA and the angler, including affidavits asking the angler if he stopped his boat at anytime. Again, the testimony and affidavits that came back indicated that the Kurita did not violate any laws and that his catch was indeed legitimate.” It didn’t end there. A considerable amount of time and correspondence was to continue between the IGFA, JGFA and Kurita, a primary reason it took so long to come to a decision. During this time, the IGFA was also besieged with letters and emails from the bass fishing community, said Schratwieser. “Many were incredulous that the All-Tackle record could be tied from a fish in Japan. Others beseeched the IGFA to approve the record and give Kurita the credit he deserves. Still others wanted to know why the entire process was taking so long. It soon became clear to the IGFA staff that this would be a contentious issue no matter if the record were approved or rejected. “The IGFA was also sensitive to this particular record because in past years there have been several attempts to sue us over largemouth bass record claims. Although none of these claims have been successful, they have resulted in considerable legal fees for the IGFA,” he said. In the end, the IGFA staff concluded it would be both in the best interest of the IGFA and that of Kurita if he submitted to a polygraph analysis. The IGFA reserves the right to employ polygraph analyses to any record application, and this is explicitly stated in the affidavit section of the world record application form. Again, more correspondence was issued to the JGFA to request that Kurita take a polygraph test. He immediately agreed. On December 15, Kurita was examined by a professional polygraph analyst in Japan. The many questions he was given included if he was truthful about the information reported on the application form and if his boat ever came to a complete stop while fighting his fish. The results from the polygraph concluded that Manabu Kurita answered the questions honestly and that the catch was legitimate. George Perry’s 77 year old record was officially tied. Due diligence pays off “Six months may seem like a lot of time to determine if a fish ties a record,” said Schratwieser. “Hopefully, people now understand the amount of due diligence the IGFA conducted on this record. Although we treat all records with equal rigor, the All-Tackle largemouth bass record is nothing less than iconic and the bass angling community deserved nothing less.” Schratwieser added, “The IGFA wishes to applaud Kurita on his outstanding catch and would also like to commend him on his patience and candor during the entire review process. We would also like to thank the JGFA for their diligence and tireless assistance in corresponding with Kurita and fisheries officials.” Biology and bass across the globe; where will the next record come from? Largemouth bass have also been introduced in many countries but in Japan fisheries officials consider it an invasive species. In addition, because bass are not native and are stocked in Japan, many speculated that the big bass was a sterile triploid. However when biologists in Japan examined the ova of the big female, Schratwieser said they concluded that the fish was not triploid. For over 77 years the record stood as bass fanatics theorized when and where the record would be broken. Over the years there have been rumors and unsubstantiated reports of bass that could have tied or eclipsed Perry’s record, but nothing ever passed IGFA criteria. Some anglers did come close, however. Schratwieser said the closest came in 1991, when Robert Crupi caught a 22 lb bass in Lake Dixon, California USA, that still reigns as the 16 lb line class record and the third heaviest approved bass record in IGFA history. “Most people thought that the next All-Tackle record would come from California. Until Kurita’s tie the seven heaviest bass records behind Perry’s came from California lakes. Although not native to California, it appears transplanted bass have adapted quite well to the deep, clear lakes and reservoirs and the abundant trout forage found in some of them. “Little did people know that introduced bass grew big in places besides California, and that there are true monsters swimming on the other side of the world in Japan.” Click here to view the All-Tackle Records.

January 05, 2010 Ontario Supports American Bid to Protect Great Lakes McGuinty Government Taking Steps To Prevent Spread Of Asian Carp NEWS Ontario is supporting legal efforts by Michigan and other American states to prevent the spread of Asian carp into the Great Lakes. The move recognizes the significant economic threat these fish pose to the province's fisheries. A legal brief from the Province has been filed with the United States Supreme Court supporting Michigan's motion for a preliminary injunction to close the locks in the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal. The closure is one of a number of measures sought by Michigan to keep this invasive species from passing into Lake Michigan. Recreational and commercial fishing are vital to Ontario's economy, providing jobs and recreation for many Ontarians: Approximately 1.4 million anglers fish in the province each year, spending more than $2.3 billion dollars annually on fisheries-related expenditures. The commercial fishery in the Great Lakes is valued at about $200 million annually. The U.S. Supreme Court will determine Ontario's participation in the proceedings. QUOTES “Invasive species don't respect international borders. The potential impact of Asian carp on Ontario's economy and ecosystems is a serious concern. We stand with our American colleagues in supporting all steps necessary to prevent their entry into the Great Lakes.” - Donna Cansfield, Minister of Natural Resources QUICK FACTS Biologists fear Asian carp could devastate fisheries in the Great Lakes. Indiana, New York, Wisconsin, Ohio and Minnesota have all backed the Michigan action. In some parts of Illinois, Asian carp now make up more than 90 per cent of the fish population. In 2004, Ontario banned the buying and selling of live Asian carp. LEARN MORE Read about the Invading Species Program, a partnership between the Ministry of Natural Resources, the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters and other organizations to raise public awareness of non-native species introduced to Ontario. Find out more about aquatic invasive species. For More Information Stefanie Millon, Minister's Office, 416-314-2212 Media Desk, Communications Services Branch, 416-314-2106 ontario.ca/natural-resources-news General EnquiriesNatural Resources Information Centre 1-800-667-1940 TTY 1-866-686-6072 (Hearing Impaired)

Well that makes sense. Thank you.

Thank you Wayne, I too really enjoyed that. Admittedly though I was surprised to see a stick instead of a yoke (is that correct terminology?). I was also surprised to find that during the last clip that I was constantly tilting my head to keep the horizon level, just like I was there....LOL Oh and I saw the shoals.

Nice going Doug, nothing like fresh whitey for dinner....Mmmmm.

thanks Jacques, perhaps I should try a BumbleBee pattern next. Hopefully he won't see them Roy. Thanks Lew. Be it musky or trout matching the hatch as it were is the name of the game. I'm starting to catch on.

Oh that shouldn't be too difficult....

I've been driving full size Chevy/GMC vans for the last 21 years. Three years ago I decided to heed the advice of some here and switch up my all seasons for true winter/snow tires. Put them on front and back. Definitely worth having them on!

Well I've never made anything bigger than trout flies Art but I'd be happy to try for you considering all you've done for me. The fundamentals would be the same just have to up scale them a bit, okay a lot. How would you plan on fishing them? While I'm here this one just came out of the vise about 20 minutes ago. Been playing with some new material for the legs.