Spiel

What's killing carp? Jul 09, 2008 John Slykhuis / yorkregion.com A couple of dead carp were found floating near the shore at Miami Beach in Keswick. Ministry of Natural Resources officials say dead carp is not a major environmental concern and of no health threat to you . Georgina: The ongoing mass carp die off in Lake Simcoe isn’t the first one. Lloyd Crate, of Crate’s Marina in Keswick recalled a similar incident in the early 1930s. “That was when we first came up here,” he said. “There weren’t any cottages on the lake at that time. “We had to dig holes and bury them. This is about the same as then. The amount of fish that’s out there is unreal.” That earlier die-off continued for about a month, he added. The carp are being killed by a bacteria called columnaris, which is harmless to humans although the stench of the rotting fish can cause considerable discomfort, Ministry of Natural Resources officials said. The ministry does not consider it a “crisis situation at this time ... The ministry simply says the disease must run its course”, said Councillor Dave Szollosy, a member of the environmental advisory committee. The ministry does not pick up dead fish, other than on its own lands, such as Sibbald Point Provincial Park, Jane Sirois, a spokesperson with the ministry said. Die-off locations are monitored and sick carp are being caught and tested. Willow Beach and Jackson’s Point beach were posted earlier this week for excessive E. coli counts, but that had nothing to do with the dead and dying carp, Becky Hester, York Region senior public health inspector, said. Students collecting water for testing are also counting the dead fish when they spot them. “If there’s something unusual at a particular beach, we always document it,” she said. “We have a whole field data report sheet the students fill in when they do the sampling. “We’re testing for E. coli and we haven’t been finding anything unusual.” The students, who must go into the water to collect the samples, haven’t run in to many dead fish since town staff have been quick to collect the carcasses, Ms Hester added. “Fortunately they haven’t had to contend with that.” The town’s beaches haven’t seen any decline in sunseekers despite the widespread reports of the fish dieoff, acting leisure services director Faye Richardson said. The town’s seven-day-a-week cleanup effort is continuing, operations manager Bob Fortier said. Town properties and road ends are being dealt with by staff and residents collecting dead carp are asked to double bag them, place by the curb and call the town for pickup at 905-476-4305, ext. 232. As a precaution, it is suggested residents wear rubber gloves, then afterward, wash gloves and tools with bleach. The cost of the cleanup will be tallied when the contagion has passed. To report dying fish call the MNR at 1-866-929-0994. For more on the disease go the Ministry of Natural Resources website www.mnr.gov.on.ca/239487.pdf

The invaders among us: Zebra mussels well established in N. Channel EDITOR'S NOTE: Beginning this week and continuing over the course of the summer, MaryEllen Shain, a student of conservation biology at Laurentian University and invasive species watch liaison with the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (OFAH), provides Expositor readers with a detailed look at the unwanted intruders that threaten our local ecosystem and provides tips on how to stem the alien tide. Hi everyone! I hope you are all enjoying the fantastic weather this summer! My name is MaryEllen Shain and I am working on behalf of the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (OFAH) to deliver a message about an issue that is very important and often overlooked. While we are all taking advantage of the fun and excitement that our lakes have to offer, we can sometimes forget that these activates can leave our lakes vulnerable. Invasive species are non-native plants and animals that are introduced into a new ecosystem, so they lack natural predators and therefore their populations are able to explode. They aggressively out-compete native species and their presence almost always leads to a transformation of the ecosystem that they invade. There are over 185 known invasives in the Great Lakes including round gobies, carp, rusty crayfish, Eurasian water milfoil and everyone's favorite, the zebra mussel. Invasive species cost the Canadian economy $15-34 billion dollars a year in damages and cleanup. Unfortunately, once an invasive species is introduced into an area, their removal is next to impossible. However, this does not mean that we should give up hope. There are still many inland lakes that remain unaffected and deserve our protection! Since education is our best defence, it has become my job to inform and hopefully convince boaters, anglers, campers, swimmers and anyone else interested to take those steps necessary to keep our lakes clean. Over the course of the summer you will find me around the Island and North Shore posting signs, giving presentations, handing out brochures and writing future articles for the newspaper about different invasives in the area. I will also be taking water samples from a variety of lakes to identify possible contamination. If you would like me to test your lake, or if you have any other suggestions, comments or concerns, please call me at 348-0117. Or, you can call the OFAH invading species hotline at 1-800-563-7711. Zebra mussels Zebra mussels have been a particular concern for us Northerners for a long time. We have all seen their small sharp edges smothering the rocks on our beaches and many of us have suffered the battle wounds of this small freshwater clam without even realizing it. The zebra mussel has been responsible for clogging water intake pipes, is capable of sinking buoys, crashing natural fisheries and is the greatest threat to Ontario's most endangered species, the native clam. The zebra mussel is a small (3-5 cm long) freshwater clam with a brown and cream-colored striped shell. Females can lay up to a million eggs each year beginning from when water reaches 12 C. Unfortunately for us, the cold, calcium-rich waters of Manitoulin Island serve as the perfect habitat for these invasives, yet our lakes contain no organisms which will keep their populations in check. The microscopic larvae (called veligers) of the mussel are free-floating and can easily be transported by water currents, wind and wave action. Because the larvae are not visible to the naked eye, it is very important to ensure that no untreated water is transported from one lake to another such as in bait buckets and hauls. Each adult can filter up to one litre of water a day, increasing the clarity of the water and allowing more light to filter to the bottom. Weedy plants are then able to thrive, dramatically changing the nature of the lake's ecosystem. Between 1988 and 1991 the transparency of Lake Erie increased by 77 percent due to the action of zebra mussels, resulting in the elimination of natural fisheries. The more our lakes become infected with zebra mussels, the greater the overall threat to biodiversity. Zebra mussels were first discovered in Lake St. Clair in 1988 and were introduced, like 70 percent of all other invasives, by the ballast water of large export ships from Europe. The spread of zebra mussels into our inner northern lakes can be attributed to adult mussels hitchhiking on recreational watercraft. Lake Huron is infested. This is why it is important for us to practise precautionary steps to prevent the spread of zebra mussels to our inner lakes. If you are travelling from one lake to another, especially when you know the lake of origin is infected, please take extra care to protect the lakes we love and depend on. Rinse with hot water of 50 C, spray with pressure of 250 psi, or dry for five days before moving your boat or other equipment to a new lake.

Bruce Power to appeal penalty MOE imposes $24,900 administrative penalty after chlorine discharge into Lake Huron JONATHON JACKSON / owensoundsuntimes.com Bruce Power will appeal a penalty handed down by the Ministry of the Environment for a chlorine discharge into Lake Huron last January that killed more than 800 fish. A news release from the ministry said an environmental penalty order was issued "for a sodium hypochlorite that caused a fish kill at the Bruce B Generating Station. "The discharge of a chlorine-based solution into the cooling water intake of the Bruce B generating station impaired the waters of Lake Huron resulting in the death of hundreds of large game fish," the release said. The initial penalty was $30,000 but it was reduced to $24,900 "based on Bruce Power's compliance history and the use of preventative and mitigative measures," the ministry said. But the company wants the penalty wiped out entirely. "Although Bruce Power takes any environmental event seriously, it intends to appeal the penalty based on its position the release occurred in an area of the plant where water quality in the lake was not impaired and regulatory limits were not exceeded," the company said in its own news release. The release of sodium hypochlorite on Jan. 3 was "accidental" and the company "promptly" notified the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of the Environment, Bruce Power said. "Given Bruce Power's intent to appeal, we will not be commenting further on the details of this situation." Company spokesman Steve Cannon did clarify, however, that the penalty is an administrative one by the MOE and does not represent a fine or a conviction for any offence. The MOE spokeswoman who issued the ministry's news release could not be reached for comment.

UT receives $209,126 to study deadly fish disease, Virus threatens health of Lake Erie species Friday, July 11, 2008 STEVE POLLICK / toledoblade.com The Lake Erie Center at the University of Toledo has been awarded a $209,126 federal grant to study a deadly fish disease that has threatened the health of many species of Great Lakes fish. The grant, announced yesterday by U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D., Toledo), will fund a two-year study into viral hemorrhagic septicemia, or VHS. It is an infectious viral disease present in several species of fish in the Great Lakes, including all-important walleye and yellow perch. VHS has been responsible for several fish kills in the Great Lakes, including a kill of thousands of freshwater drum, or sheepshead, and yellow perch in central Lake Erie in the summer of 2006. It is regarded by government biologists as the most dangerous fish virus in the world, though it poses no harm to humans. For the first time, VHS recently was confirmed in fish beyond the Lake Erie watershed in inland Ohio - among muskellunge at Clear Fork Reservoir near Mansfield. No fish kill has been recorded there to date, but state biologists are on guard to prevent the spread of VHS to state hatcheries. A series of federal restrictions remain in effect on movement of 37 fish species in the Great Lakes basin. "Lake Erie is the heart of our Great Lakes fishery, producing more than all the other lakes combined," Miss Kaptur said. "This virus not only harms our ecosystem, but could deal a crippling blow to our commercial and recreational fishing industries. "Arresting the VHS outbreak, possibly through a vaccine, must be one of our top priorities," she said. Carol Stepien, director of the UT lake center, said that among other things a center research team will be trying to develop is a rapid-detection system that would allow confirmation of VHS in a fish sample within two hours. "We are very excited about [the grant and research]," Ms. Stepien said, "because VHS is a very serious problem." She added that so far this summer no VHS outbreaks have appeared on Lake Erie. Some biologists think that some fish may develop a resistance to VHS over time.

WFN: World Fishing Network; Launches in the U.S. in High Definition on DISH Network TORONTO, June 30, 2008 – Insight Sports, a leading sports media and entertainment company announced today the launch of WFN HD, North America’s only 24-hour high definition fishing lifestyle network. Through a carriage agreement with Echostar’s DISH Network, WFN HD has been added to the satellite television company’s package of high-definition channels on channel 394. “There are more than 50 million sport fishing enthusiasts in North America looking for a dedicated television network devoted exclusively to angling and related lifestyle programming in high-definition,” said Mark Rubinstein, President of WFN. “In just under three years, WFN has emerged as the industry’s leading pure-play fishing television channel. We are delighted to partner with DISH Network and provide WFN HD to the underserved community of sport and leisure fishing enthusiasts.” Available 24-hours a day, seven days a week, WFN HD provides recreational and sport fishing enthusiasts with an entertaining and comprehensive line-up that covers a wide range of programming including American and Canadian angling, saltwater and freshwater fishing, professional competitions, expert advice, international tournaments, travel destinations and conservation. WFN HD’s summer line-up features 21 series in all, exclusive to WFN in high-definition. The HD program line-up includes: Dave Mercer's Facts of Fishing; Bass Edge with tournament pro Aaron Martin; Fishing the Flats featuring Henry Waszczuk; Hooked with Mark Krupa; George Poveromo's Saltwater Fishing; and The New Fly Fisher. The network will add four original HD series during the summer built around several of its most popular personalities: Charlie Moore TV; Reel Road Trip with Mark Melnyk; Hooked Up with Mariko Izumi; and WFN News. WFN HD features extensive tournament coverage; theme nights; the largest selection of international series; and the most diverse species coverage of any outdoor network. WFN offers viewers insight from a variety of professional anglers such as Bob Izumi, Angelo Viola, Dave Mercer and J.P. DeRose. Together, hosts provide viewers with an in-depth look at the sport of fishing and its many facets. WFN HD follows the launch of WFN in the fall of 2005. “These two networks, WFN and WFN HD, will allow us to meet the needs of all cable, satellite and telecommunications operators,” said Mr. Rubenstein. “Whether they have SD or HD bandwidth, we have a proven product that is guaranteed to help them satisfy their existing subscribers and also attract a large and passionate new audience.” About WFN & WFN HD WFN: World Fishing Network was originally launched in December 2005 as North America’s first channel dedicated to covering every aspect of the angling and sport fishing industry. In November 2007, WFN secured an agreement with Verizon FiOS TV as its first U.S distribution partner. Today, WFN and WFN HD are available in more than 20 million households through North American cable, satellite, and telecommunications distributors.

Scientists Find Bird and Human E. coli in Wild Fish July 7, 2008 / great-lakes.org Scientists at the U. of Minnesota have found that some of the potentially harmful bacteria in the Duluth-Superior Harbor come from an unlikely source: the fishes. It's not the fishes' fault, though. They are just carrying around bacteria that are already in their environment. University of Minnesota researchers Dennis Hansen, John Clark, Satoshi Ishii, Michael Sadowsky, and Randall Hicks are the first to discover the sources of E. coli (Escherichia coli) in several species of wild fish. They collected carp, brown bullheads, Eurasian ruffe, round gobies, white perch, and rock bass from the Duluth-Superior Harbor as part of a Minnesota Sea Grant-funded study to determine the sources of bacteria that result in local beach closures. In a peer-reviewed paper recently published in the Journal of Great Lakes Research, the scientists describe that most of the E. coli were found in bottom-dwelling fishes (brown bullheads, ruffe, carp, and round gobies) and the genetic matches were most similar to E. coli found in bottom sediments, Canada geese, mallard ducks, and human wastewater. The researchers didn't test the bacteria for pathogencity. "We didn't find the bacteria in the fish meat -- it's carried in their intestine," said Randall Hicks, biology professor at the University of Minnesota Duluth. "Anglers shouldn't worry about using the fish as food. They should just be careful not to cut open a fish's intestine." If an angler happens to cut open fish intestines during cleaning, Jeff Gunderson, associate director with Minnesota Sea Grant, suggests they thoroughly wash the fish with clean water and cook it fully. E. coli is an indicator of potential pollution. Levels of it are used to determine whether local beaches should be posted with "no water contact" advisories. There are a variety of types of E. coli. The most worrisome for humans is usually the E. coli from other humans (often from sewage overflows). While many strains are harmless, some cause gastrointestinal illnesses. Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, or other more serious conditions people would not want as a reminder of a fun day at the beach. "Fish probably acquire E. coli when they eat food contaminated with feces," said Hicks. Researchers don't expect E. coli to flourish in cold-blooded fish, since the bacterium is more common in warm-blooded animals. "However, it is possible that fish may reintroduce E. coli bacteria into waterways when they excrete their own waste," Hicks said. "Currently, it's probably more appropriate to consider fish as carriers of E. coli from other sources, rather than a new source of contamination in our waterways," Hicks added. Until 1966, E. coli was thought to survive only in warm-blooded animals such as birds and mammals but it has since been discovered in the intestines of wild fish. The source of the bacteria in these cold-blooded animals was thought to be from polluted water and food, but researchers did not attempt to trace it. Subsequently, E. coli was discovered in the intestines of farm-raised tilapia and rainbow trout. The fish were not the source for the E. coli, rather, the suspect was their food, which had been contaminated by pigeon droppings.

Lake Simcoe Carp Die-Off Newmarket, July 7, 2008 Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority A significant die-off of carp is presently occurring in Lake Simcoe. The situation in Lake Simcoe is similar to what occurred in Lake Scugog and the Kawartha lakes in the summer of 2007. Presently, dead carp are being reported across all shorelines in Lake Simcoe with varying amounts based on location. The Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority is encouraging lakeshore residents to clean up their shorelines and place the dead carp in double garbage bags at your curb side for removal. Lake Simcoe municipalities have arranged for special provisions for the collection of dead carp placed curb side as well as disposal at your local waste transfer facility. Please contact your local municipality via phone or check the website for collection and disposal details. Residents involved in the disposal of dead carp along their shorelines are encouraged to wear gloves and wash their hands with soap and water. Also, residents are encouraged to clean and disinfect any tools or containers used as part of the collection and disposal process. To report fish die-offs, call the Ministry of Natural Resources hotline at 1-866-929-0994.

ONTARIO’S NEW LAKE STURGEON INITIATIVE DESIGNED TO REHABILITATE A NATIVE SPECIES, STOP ILLEGAL TRAFFICKING July 7, 2008 ANN ARBOR, MI—The Great Lakes Fishery Commission today expressed its support for Ontario’s efforts to rehabilitate native lake sturgeon and halt illegal trafficking of recreationally caught fish. This measure complements Ontario’s commitment to restoring other key native species in the Great Lakes including American eel, Atlantic salmon, lake trout, and bloaters. Lake sturgeon have declined precipitously during the last century and large-scale efforts—including habitat enhancement, spawning bed creation, stocking, and improved access to spawning areas—are underway throughout the Great Lakes basin to restore this once-abundant species. Ontario’s announcement last week, to restrict its recreational sturgeon fishery to catch-and-release and to prohibit any recreational fishing for sturgeon in the Mississagi River, signals the province’s intent to protect sturgeon from further decline, given its status in Ontario as a species of special concern. Ontario’s efforts are also designed to curb the illegal trade of sturgeon and sturgeon products like caviar, a practice that has grown in recent years and could threaten rehabilitation of the species. The commission stated its strong support for Ontario’s intent to consult stakeholders and Aboriginal people to develop a long-term, province-wide management strategy that will address issues affecting the sustainability of sturgeon populations. Lake sturgeon are a valued part of the native fish community of the Great Lakes. The species is the largest and longest-lived fish in the Great Lakes, with some growing to as large as eight feet (2.5 meters) and weighing more than 300 pounds (150 kg). Sturgeon can live for more than 100 years, though they are slow-growing and do not spawn until a mature age, often as old as 20 or 30 years. Their slow growth and relatively late maturation made them vulnerable to overharvest. Indeed, degradation of river systems where sturgeon reproduce, overfishing, sea lamprey predation, and illegal trade of sturgeon and caviar have taken their toll on sturgeon. Sturgeon are the target of concerted restoration efforts in every Great Lake. “Ontario’s action to reduce sturgeon mortality is a major step forward in the binational effort to protect and restore this native species,” said commission chair Michael Hansen, a professor at the University of Wisconsin—Stevens Point. “Federal, provincial, state, and tribal governments know that strong measures are needed to protect sturgeon and advance recovery. Moreover, the Great Lakes Fishery Commission, and agencies throughout the basin, have made it a priority to implement and encourage measures that will ensure that native species are not lost from the Great Lakes. Ontario’s announcement about lake sturgeon complements its programs to restore other important native species like American eel, Atlantic salmon, lake trout, and bloaters.” “The law enforcement community is particularly pleased with Ontario’s initiative,” said David Bennett of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, chair of the binational Law Enforcement Committee. “Being on the front lines of conservation, law enforcement officers have observed illegal practices involving poaching and caviar trafficking. Law enforcement officers—from both sides of the border and from all federal, provincial, state, and tribal agencies—have called for more consistent regulations throughout the basin and for enhanced law enforcement across boundaries. By allowing recreational fishing for sturgeon, but prohibiting possession—that is, by restricting the fishery to catch-and-release—Ontario has improved the ability of law enforcement agencies throughout the basin to detect unlawful sturgeon trade and to take actions that are appropriate to protect this species.” The Great Lakes Fishery Commission is an international organization established by the United States and Canada through the 1954 Convention on Great Lakes Fisheries. The commission has the responsibility to support fisheries research, control the invasive sea lamprey in the Great Lakes, and facilitate implementation of A Joint Strategic Plan for Management of Great Lakes Fisheries, a provincial, state, and tribal fisheries management agreement. The Law Enforcement Committee comprises federal, provincial, state, and tribal law enforcement officers who meet regularly to share information, plan combined enforcement activities, and execute shared strategies. The committee is convened pursuant to the Joint Strategic Plan. For more information about the commission and the Joint Strategic Plan, visit www.glfc.int.

GRCA plans to study future of Upper Rockwood Dam June 23, 2008 The Grand River Conservation Authority is starting a review of the future of the Upper Rockwood Dam on the Eramosa River in the Rockwood Conservation Area. The review, which is called a Class Environmental Assessment, will include opportunities for members of the public to comment on plans for the dam. The dam, which is about one metre high and it is located at the top of a two meter waterfall. The dam is one of two in the park and is adjacent to the ruins of the old Harris Mill. The dam was likely built in the 1860s around the same time as the mill. The dam has two concrete abutments and three piers. Sets of logs (called stoplogs) are placed between the abutments and piers to block the flow of water in the Eramosa River. When the logs are in place, they create a pond that is about one metre deep and two hectares in area. Upper Rockwood Dam with all the stoplogs in place. The stoplogs have reached the end of their 25-year life span and replacements would cost about $10,000. The GRCA removed some of the logs in 2006. Since then, vegetation has grown up in the previously flooded area. The environmental assessment will consider a range of alternatives that includes doing nothing, replacing the stoplogs and repairing the piers or removing the entire dam. Part of the process will be to investigate the impact of the dam on water quality in the Eramosa River. The Eramosa is a coldwater river, however the presence of the dam creates a pond where the water warms up before moving downstream to the larger pond at the centre of the conservation area. Those interested in providing written comments or receiving future notices concerning the study should contact Naomi Moore, project co-ordinator. Phone: 519-621-2763, Ext. 2293 fax: 519-621-4945 e-mail Naomi Moore

Fishing Line July 10, 2008 Will Elliott / buffalonews.com Lake Erie Pick a port and head to deeper waters for walleyes in goodly numbers from Barcelona to Sturgeon Point. Cattaraugus Creek remains the focal point for perch, but walleye trollers can head east or west of the creek for ’eye activity in warming waters. Surface temperatures, above 70 degrees at sunrise in most open-water areas, have pushed both bait and walleye schools deeper and sent ’eyes to varying depths. “You can find them everywhere in the water column,” said charter captain Bob Rustowicz, who has been heading east toward Evangola State Park and doing well over depths of 80 feet or less. The Barcelona bite continues and trollers out of Dunkirk Harbor have similar successes with rigs set from 20 to 80 feet down over depths of less than 100 feet. Spoons and stickbaits (body baits, plugs, hardbaits) all can catch ’eyes, but worm harnesses get the most mention in all kinds of conditions: sunny, cloudy, choppy, calm, and winds from every direction. Closer to shore, drifters at the head of the Niagara River can limit out on walleyes drifting open currents on either the New York or Ontario side of the lake as it heads into the river. Lighter tackle, including spinners and leaders, works better in these shallow, clear waters. First light is best, but this river-drift bite usually continues throughout the day. Bass have gone deeper, but the good bite continues. When waves get too rugged on open waters, a drift or slow troll around the outer harbor gaps can be big for smallies. Crayfish, leeches and minnows all work well, despite frequent round goby intrusions. Perch schools do a Pogo stick-yoyo run off Cattaraugus Creek. Last week 70-foot depths were the rage. This week, when waves subside, most boaters set up over 55 feet and shallower for the ringback run. “[boaters] average about 20 to 25 fish a day right now, which is a good number to keep and clean,” said Rick Miller at Miller’s Bait & Tackle in Irving. Niagara River The pike bite is still on as grass (weed) masses expand. Shore casters at the foot of Ferry and Ontario streets see a mixed bag of bass and yellow perch. Sliver (white) bass schools have shown mostly around Skull Island. Suspended grass/weed “moss” has lessened in the lower river and both casters and drifters do well on bass with either leeches or bass chubs. Lake Ontario That river bass bite extends out over the Niagara Bar and can be good throughout the day. Both live bait and vertical jigs work well on these bronzebacks. Most of the open-water trolling action occurs on either side of Olcott Harbor. Some boaters head to 300-foot depths and run shallow lines for kings and steelies, but some near-shore chuggers keep trolling speeds above 3 mph and get hits from an occasional coho among the kings and steelies. No solid reports of brown trout have come in yet.

It's the biggest salmon fishing contest in North America -- and you can win July 6, 2008 KWOK WONG / torontosun.com The 12th annual Great Ontario Salmon Derby kicked off yesterday, but Torontonians won't have to travel far or be pro-fishers to reel in more than $450,000 in prizes for the biggest catches. Just ask first-time salmon fisher Donna Cansfield, minister of natural resources, who helped with the kickoff and landed a 23-pound chinook salmon in the process. "Where else can you go in the world, sit on a body of water, catch a salmon and look at the skyline and see the CN tower," said Cansfield, after a 41/2-hour fishing expedition in Ashbridge's Bay, where she also netted a second 19-pounder. Cansfield's catches won't put her very close to winning the weekly prizes during the 50-day Derby -- past leaderboards have been filled with salmon catches of 30 pounds or more -- but she'll at least have fresh fillets to dine on for the next few weeks. The same goes for the 21,000 expected participants of the derby, the largest in North America. "The fish are safe to eat," the minister stressed. "Lake Ontario is in the best shape it's ever been in." For those lucky enough to land a winning salmon, cash prizes, GPS systems, fish finders, rods, and boats are all up for grabs in weekly "mini-contests." The biggest salmon will land a lucky angler a new Toyota Tacoma, a fishing trip in Quebec, and a lot more. But the Derby, National Fishing Week, which also kicked off yesterday, and the province's Family Fishing Weekend have more to them than prizes and a few hours relaxing on a lake. "If we can go and put rods and reels in the hands of children that'll keep them away from computers," said Walter Oster, tournament chairman and the force Cansfield credits for bringing back the Derby in 1997, after a four-year hiatus. "It'll keep them outside, and put them in a pristine environment."

....If Glen actually hits the possum himself is it still "road kill" or can he now just call it dinner?

....Thats' decent. I hope I can put that info to you use over the weekend sometime.

OINK, OINK !

Sounds like a "done deal" to me.

....Yes please keep us posted Art. I'm guessing it won't affect his typing abilities.

....Every month you say Glen, wonder who thunk that up? I'm sure I could swing it with work no matter the weekend and either way it'd be my B'day present to me. Crikey I may do August as well, nice to have senior picks for holidays!

....Out with the old and in with the new, Upper Canada Marine and Rick have been super to you.

....Happy Canada Day all. Now I have to get busy and head up to Gerritts to drink all his holiday cheer. Couple nice shiny new bikes heading Liams way Bud.

I can say with all honesty that he's been this way as long as I've known him. And this award winning picture, well I'd say you both oughta keep a close eye on her before some modeling agency runs off with her. Good of you to brag for him Monique cause lord knows he wouldn't.

....Now that's a full plate family weekend! And that pike, whoa.....what a hog, nicely done Monique, nicely done!

....Sorry, no website.

....WRONG, wrong all wrong! Take it off and do it again.

....I guess you don't ever let that lucky horse shoe of yours tarnish.

....Fabulous pictures Miss Joey. Looks like you guys had some good fishing after we all left yous. As for are "almost pickerel" fishing well it turns out you didn't even catch a little one! Look at this post to see what I'm talk'n bout. http://www.ofncommunity.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=21063