Spiel

....Wonderful, a lovely report Cliff and kudos to Big Cliff and Sue for getting yous all back together.

....Yikes I'd have pooped myself......twice. Glad you made shore safely and without injury Ric.

....Got it, looks good as usual.

....Good job Steve, congrats to you both. Dalrymple is one of me favourite little lakes, always been good to me for bass and eyes. I hope I can fit a few days in up there before the summer's over.

....A fine family outing inded.

....Though I've never been I'd definitely look into a day on the Bow River, perhaps a guided trip.

....Thanks Bushart, definitely some tips there for us outdoor and BBQ'ing folk.

....I may very well take you up on that someday Ric, thank you much.

....Those is some damn fine "eyes" Marty, yep damn fine! Good to see y'all had a great trip. To bad bout the muskies and the hook on that Double Cowgirl, fortunately it can be replaced and you'll heal (big baby ). So you gonna make the Lakair weekend in September?

....Man oh man I've always wanted to fish stripers and Lord willing someday I will. Good to see you're hooking up Ric.

....I guess you won't have a boat in tow Bill?

....Oh yea, the train.

*spews coffee on keyboard* Thanks!

....Great report Tom. Almost made it there 2 summers ago with TEP but ended up staying in Vermillion Bay due to the algae bloom on LOTW. Stayed at an old motel a few blocks behind Bobby's (got the shirt ) actually right between the tavern and the public launch. I'd go back in heart beat and would definitely take more coin for Bobby's.

....Good stuff Terry. I haven't been up in that area for a number of years now and posts like this have me asking myself, why?

....What would be the synergistic effect of eating Lake Ontario salmon with Grand River walleye? Just out of curiosity.

....Oastler Lake Provincial Park, camped there few summers back with my kids. Didn't do any serious fishing but did get a few smallies on topwater one evening. There's supposedly lake trout as well and I did discover some big hooks down deep on the sonar near the east shore but I didn't have any means of fishing them with the tackle I had. Honestly though I don't think I'd head there to fish but it is a beautiful park with a great beach for the kids. and according to there website there's rainbow trout?

....Sad but so true, this crap still happens today and we still don't have enough officers in the field to deal with it, in fact I'll bet we have less. I hope to hit the lake after the weekend boys are done with it Glen. It's nice when you don't have to fish weekends.

Is Lake Simcoe benefiting from pre-election goodies? Aug 06, 2008 article/113072Laurie Watt / simcoe.com Federal government cash is trickling into Lake Simcoe through a variety of creeks – and announcements from three MPs. In the past month, there have been several funding announcements involving Barrie’s Patrick Brown, Simcoe North’s Bruce Stanton and York Simcoe’s Peter Van Loan. The MPs have handed over anywhere from $6,500 to $315,000. The trickle of funds are part of the federal government’s five-year $30-million commitment to clean up Lake Simcoe, said Brown – and are not merely photo opportunities in the slow news days of late summer leading into what could be a late-fall election. “There’s been about 25 announcements throughout the summer around Lake Simcoe. This is my third,” said Brown, at a Tuesday afternoon cheque presentation. He did not provide a list of projects but a scan of the three MPs websites revealed duplication. This week’s $75,750 will go to stabilize and naturalize the banks in Sunnidale Park, in the city’s north end. Last year, Barrie and the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority upgraded the lower creek, near Simcoe Street. Naturalizing the banks of creeks allows runoff to be filtered before it runs into the creeks and lake – which reduces phosphorous, and therefore limits algae growth, which in turn improves fish habitat. Native plants along the banks improve wildlife habitat, prevent erosion and improve the appearance of the creek. Other projects the local MPs have been involved in include a $6,500 Holland River project in the southern part of the county, as well as a $30,000 contribution to the Kitchener Park naturalization project in Orillia. Last week, Brown presented a $315,000 cheque for upgrades to Hotchkiss Creek, which flows into Kempenfelt Bay near Tiffin Street in Barrie. “There’s no federal election this fall – I guarantee you,” said Brown, stressing the announcements are significant only because of the federal government’s desire to clean up Lake Simcoe. “(The $30 million) is being distributed over five years. There’s no posturing. It’s doing what is right for Barrie, what is right for Lake Simcoe and what is right for Simcoe County,” he said. Barrie Liberal candidate Rick Jones, however, said the Conservative government is putting cash in Barrie particularly, to gain attention. “$30 million over five years – in terms of a priority, the environment is not one with this government. Their allocation of funds reflects that,” he said. The Liberal Green Shift policy would make the environment a priority, Jones said. “Our first order of business would be very significant. We have a policy,” he said, which encourages individuals and corporations to fight climate change. “It’s an all-encompassing program. It’s economically sustainable. It’s comprehensive and touches on the corporate and individual levels. It’s not an after-thought. It’s a priority.”

Lake Nepahwin water quality control study underway Aug. 8, 2008 BILL BRADLEY / northernlife.ca Lake Nepahwin, located in the centre of the city on the other side of Lake Ramsey, is the subject of a study by city staff. The water body, which is one of the deeper lakes in the area, is home to populations of cold water fish, such as lake trout and splake, as well as smallmouth bass, northern pike, brown bullhead, rock bass, pumpkinseed and white sucker. The lake is approximately 127 hectares in size with a shoreline length of 11.8 kilometres, according to a report by K. Smart Associates of Sudbury entitled Lake Nepahwin Stormwater Quality Control, published July 28. There are 1,822 permanent residents and three seasonal occupants along its shores. The City of Greater Sudbury has completed a Municipal Class Environmental Assessment for the lake and its drainage area. The object is to protect water quality and reduce potential flooding of private property by controlling storm-water runoff, said Ronald Norton, drainage engineer with the City of Greater Sudbury. He was commenting after a public meeting at Countryside Arena Wednesday evening for landowners and residents located in the watershed of the lake, from Walford Road, to the Lo-Ellen Park area, to Harrison Drive off Long Lake Road. The problem identified is that there are six major storm sewers that drain into the lake, located along the north, west and southern shorelines. As storm-water enters the sewer system through catch basins and ditch inlets, pollutants, garbage and sediment end up in the lake. In 2007, over 300 truckloads of sediment was removed from the lake by the city. Snowmelt and rainfall in the urban area of the Lake Nepahwin Watershed wash many urban pollutants into the lake, including suspended solids, heavy metals, petroleum residues, floatables like coffee cups and plastic water bottles, salts, fertilizers and pesticides from lawns and gardens, pet waste and wildlife droppings, such as geese. The storm sewers carrying pollutants into the lake at the various locations around the lake are quite large, 30 inches to 78 inches, said Norton. “People whose properties are next to the outlets really notice what is washed into the lake. Their remarks about pop cans, coffee cups, and oil slicks coming out of the outlets and into the lake are the most common comments we received at the public sessions we have held,” said Norton. After receiving more public comments by the end of the month, staff will prepare a report to city council next month on what options are available to filter out contaminants flowing into the lake, as well as a public education program, said Norton. To send comments on the lake e-mail [email protected], fax 560-6109, phone 674-4455 ext. 3616 or drop off a letter at 1800 Frobisher Sreet, off of Falconbridge Road.

New canine teams added to strengthen MNR enforcement Aug. 8, 2008 / northernlife.ca The Ministry of Natural Resources is strengthening its enforcement capacity with the addition of three canine services teams to assist field conservation officers in their investigations and other duties. The new teams will work out of Thunder Bay, North Bay and Bancroft. Three canine teams are already working out of Dryden, Sault Ste. Marie and Sudbury. The teams provide valuable support in tracking violators from poaching or crime scenes, and locating concealed fish and wildlife, firearms and other evidence of crimes. They also play a key role in search and rescue efforts, and take part in education and community outreach activities. “These new canine teams will expand and strengthen the ability of our conservation officers to inspect, enforce, educate and collaborate with other agencies,” said Natural Resources Minister Donna Cansfield. “Since 1990, canine teams have helped Ontario’s conservation officers protect our natural resources and keep our great outdoors safe.” Canine teams are made up of one conservation officer handler and a highly trained dog. Each team must complete a 16-week training course at the ministry canine training centre in Sudbury, and attend refresher training sessions throughout their time of service. Canines accompany their handlers every day to work and ride with them in boats, snow machines, helicopters and all-terrain vehicles. In addition to working with conservation officers, the Ministry of Natural Resources’ canine teams also provide assistance to the Ontario Provincial Police, municipal police services and other natural resources agencies.

Lure company backing Georgina fishing tourney August 06, 2008 / yorkregion.com Georgina: The Aurora Bassmasters announced Normark Canada will throw its support behind the Bass Pro Shops Lake Simcoe Open in Georgina slated for Oct. 25. Rapala’s commitment will put a spin on its heritage and beginnings in the hands of Finlander, Lauri Rapala, with an influx of cash and product that will directly benefit competing anglers. “On behalf of Normark Canada (Rapala), we are proud to lend our support to this exciting event,” vice president of sales John Newton said. This late season tournament could establish new record weights, he aded. Organizers are optimistic anglers of all levels will compete in this event. If you want to be part of this tournament, you are encouraged to pre-apply because the second year field will be limited to 80 teams. Total entry fees per team will be $280. This includes $20 for big fish and $10 for launch. You can pre-apply by sending a $50 non-refundable deposit or the entire amount payable to Aurora Bassmasters: c/o Herb Quan 58 English Ivy Way, Willowdale, ON M2H 3M4. Payment in full must be received prior to Sept. 30. Cheques must accompany a completed 2008 application form available through www.aurorabass.com As new information is made available, it will be posted on the Aurora Bassmasters site at www.aurorabass.com in future.

Lake Superior commercial fisher banned from fishing for 10 year August 8, 2008 Two Thunder Bay men have been fined $8,000 for commercial fishing offences, with one man receiving a ten-year ban from participating in the commercial fishing industry. Daniel Sameluk, 34, pleaded guilty to two over-quota charges and was fined $4,000. Jarvis Sameluk, 64, was convicted in court of two over-quota charges and was fined $4,000. He also received a ban from any involvement in the commercial fishing industry for the next 10 years. The commercial fishing ban was imposed as a result of a range of convictions over more than 25 years. Commercial fishing licence holders are responsible for taking the appropriate steps to ensure that they do not exceed their quota. The over quota fish seized by the ministry were sold for more than $3,800 which was redirected to the Special Purpose Account for funding fish and wildlife work across the province. Justice of the Peace John Guthrie heard the case in the Ontario Court of Justice, Thunder Bay, on November 29-30, 2006, and March 10-12, 2007. On June 24, 2008, the Justice of the Peace John Guthrie rejected the abuse of process application and convicted Jarvis Sameluk on both counts. To report a natural resources violation, please call 1-877-TIPS-MNR toll free, any time, or contact your local ministry office during regular business hours. You can also call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

.....Welcome to OFC Steve.

....So I'm in the midst renovating my oldest daughters bedroom, big job actually. I'm installing new laminate floor which required me to remove the baseboards. What does this have to do with the Saugeen you ask youself? Well behind the baseboard filling the gap at the bottom of the dry wall was rolled up newspaper and the first piece I pulled out and unrolled had an article about the Saugeen River, on the front page no less. Uh, what are the odds? It's in fanatastic condition so I've reprinted the article here for those interested. The Hamilton Spectator - Wednesday April 4 1973 - Home Editon 10 Cents Pochers killing trout for valuable roe Southhampton (CP) - An Ontario conservation officer says poachers are dip-netting, seining, speraing and clubbing rainbow trout along the Bruce Penninsula in a search for roe. Gerry Harris, a conservation officer on the Saugeen River near Southhampton, said yesterday the roe has a high black-market value as bait. All fish-taking is illegal since the season does not open until April 28. "THE RAINBOW run is on full blast-the feeder creeks are loaded with fish," Mr. Harris said. "All hell's lettin' loose." Frank Legace, a conservation officer at Owen Sound, said about 45 charges have been laid so far. Five poachers were caught yesterday morning and fined $100 for fishing by means other than angling. Under the law, the maximum fine is $1,000, and "an officer can seize any equipmetn used by the poacher," he said. Charles Weir, a natural resources official in Toronto said there is illegal about an angler using roe as bait, as long as it is from a fish he caught. "But he must not sell it or barter it to someone else." ANGLERS rate roe as the surest bait for trout and a glass jar full brings a minimum $5. "The price has gone as high as $40 a pint," Mr. Legace said. "If they break it down into pellets (sacks) and insert a hook, they would make even more." He said roe from a prime female trout could bring as much as a $160 in bulk and $225 to $250 when put into sacks complete with hooks.