Golden Rods and Reels -- Weekly Meeting Minutes
September 14, 2021
Chaired by David C
Secretary ( vacant): Ron E, acting
Location Zoom Videoconference
Attendance 19 members, 0 guests
Convened 9:30 AM
Minutes adopted from June 29, 2021 by Bill T and seconded by Dennis. Passed
Items arising from the minutes - until BC Covid-19 guidelines change future, GRR meetings will continue as online Zoom meetings. Silver Threads can only allow 6 person physical meetings.
Treasurer's Report John F states that he took the summer off, but there were very few financial transactions and he will have an updated report soon. GRR is not currently paying rent to Silver Threads.
Sunshine Report Wendy and Pat are both away. Ray Wallis is doing better - he is ambulatory and will move to a seniors' centre. Chris Wade underwent high-risk surgery and is recovering.
Social Bill T states that the August Corn Roast was a success with a net cost of $200 but some of the items purchased can be used in future events. Likely there will be a GRR Soup Competition in early November at Goldstream, a Thanksgiving Potluck and possibly a Chinese New Year's Dinner at a restaurant.
Membership No change. Potential new member Michael has attended fly tying and Dave R has been teaching him some casting.
Freshwater Fishing Reports
Prospect Lake Barry and Dale have had some success trolling a Tom Thumb on the surface and deep for trout, bass and sunfish. John and Colin have caught fish recently there too - and Colin did well on a non-descript fly.
Durrance Lake No one is using watercraft, but anglers observed fishing from shore and the dock. Still lots of swimmers.
Elk Lake Barry and Dale have been using corn kernels for carp with success and making up a concoction with jello, corn, etc to attract the carp.
Squamish River Jim M informs us that Dave Honey caught over 50 pinks in the Squamish River despite the water being very dirty.
Campbell River Dave did well on all 5 trips in August for pinks
Cluxewe River did not fish well for pinks. Dennis caught 3 in 3 weeks of camping. One can book online now for next summer's cabin rentals and other bookings should open up in mid-October.
Goldstream River There are reports of coho and chinook at the mouth already.
Ron E reminds the membership that the next 3 weeks is likely the peak time for freshwater chinook in the Nitinat, Stamp, and San Juan Rivers. Unfortunately, the regulations are not updated regularly online and so anglers often have to look at postings on the river to learn if there is retention of salmon allowed.
Saltwater Fishing Reports
Poett Nook fished well but anglers have to bring fish in quickly or lose them to the large numbers of seals and sea lions. The road to the marina remains extremely rough.
Haa Nee Naa Lodge had a good coho run while Dave R was there and he caught over a dozen trolling flies
Port Renfrew was spotty this summer according to Ken. Ron E and his son fished 2 days and limited out but much smaller chinook than usual.
Sidney Ron E and his son have been catching chinook but are disappointed at the size of the fish. They aren't much bigger than the winter fish.
Kuquot Sound Dave C, John P and Ron E fished with Murphy's and over 3 days' of fishing maxed out their possession limits on chinook, lingcod, halibut, rockfish and also kept coho. We were so impressed with the area we have booked next year but with Rugged Point Lodge so Dave C can fish on his 70th birthday at the peak of the chinook season!
Flytying There will be another flytying session at John P's residence this Saturday morning. There have been about 7 people attending these sessions. Likely there will be ongoing GRR flytying demonstrations monthly on Zoom.
Library Colin C has run out of space to contain the 130 books at his home and is reaching out for assistance. Ultimately these books will be housed in new shelving at Silver Threads.
Amalgamated Conservation Society Bill T reports that there are 110,000 coho to fin clip at the hatchery and this is going on at a rate of 5-6,000/wk Only regular hatchery staff are allowed to do this currently. Very soon broodstock will be collected and hopefully, pulses of water will be allowed to bring in the chinook early.
BCWF There should be a meeting later this month.
Peninsula Streams has ongoing beach cleanups. Members ( annual fee $10) have insurance coverage for injuries during cleanups. Other volunteers must sign a waiver. Green Shores will be providing multi-year funding to Peninsula Streams which is wonderful.
Legacy Fund Barry reports things as slow with no recent requests. Mick states that the $1000 slated for Colquitz River camera will not be needed as the funds will be provided from other sources.
Conservation Mick will continue to provide updates via emails. There is ongoing progress with regard to oxygenation of Elk Lake, and monitoring of the nutrient loads of inflows to Elk Lake. Alan Chapman, a hydrologist, is studying the drawdowns of water from Thetis Lake affecting the Craigflower River. Mick states that there has been a change in the leadership of various organizations involved with local conservation efforts, and he is optimistic that they will continue to provide good stewardship and pressure on government agencies.
Fundraising Thrifty Cards are in a state of flux that hopefully can be resolved soon when physical cards can be purchased and distributed. Wynn suggested that the COOP gasoline rebate programme would work for GRR if all members had the same card number. Dave C will look into this. Bill T states that the recycling of bottles and cans did not turn out to be much of a fund-raiser for Peninsula Streams and would likely not be worth pursuing for GRR.
New Business John F showed a framed needlework of a creel, rod, a brace of fish and some flowers that needs a new home. Please contact him.
The next meeting will be September 21, 2021, and will again be via Zoom. It will be followed by an executive meeting.