Golden Rods and Reels
Minutes January 7, 2025
Meeting called to order by Bill Thomas at 10:00am
Attending members: Mike Galbraith Ian Cameron. Pierre Maloney, Rick Hornet, Ken Evans. Bill Thomas Lyle Freeman Gary Florentine Norm Jackson Gerry Walsh Ted Leaker Peter Laughren Sandy Raven Jens Kristensen P. Robinson Winston Jackson Ryan A. Dennis Gedney, Ira Prat, Tim Witoski, Mick Collins
Zoom members: John Francis, Brian Canfield, Wendy Gedney, Dave Cook, Tony Otten
Clipping at Hatchery: Bill made a request for a few more volunteers to help out with fin clipping January 9, he has 10 looking for more and Jens, Norm and Wayne all stepped up and Bill was pleased. There will be 2 teams and hopefully they will clip 5000 salmon with a goal of 220,000 Coho to be done at the hatchery this season.
Treasury Report: Sandy presented the Treasury report and we are relatively financially sound. The report has been previously been sent out by Sandy.
Ken asked where the funds in the legacy fund were dispersed to and Bill referenced most goes to non government conservation groups/ projects with Elk lake dock and aeration being a couple examples
Sunshine: Wendy received update that we are all relatively healthy heading into 2025
Social: Mike noted that the Christmas Party was well attended with all having a good time and a good feed. There was a report of only one mishap which involved a platter of Brussels sprouts hitting the floor when a table collapsed- the group consensus was that it was an overall win for the group (apologies to the cook of said sprouts and the loss of a perfectly good casserole dish.) There will be a Chinese New Year's lunch on January 29th at a yet to be determined restaurant.
Freshwater Fishing:
1) Dale was out in the rain on 2 separate occasions on Prospect lake and picked up 14 and 12 respectively on the 2 outings. He was in the rain all day on first day and went back for another rinse on his next day on the lake. Dale used both a black hairball leach and a creamsicle orange fly at about 20 feet deep on the downriggger at 1.4 mph or 2.25308 kmph
2) Tim went to Mathieson lake on the one sunny day we have had in the last 2 weeks and didn't get wet and only got 1 small rainbow
Salt Water Fishing:
1) Peter shared that those that are on the hunt for for a deal on herring this Saturday January 11 "Finest of the Sea" fish store is having its annual herring sale for charity-BC Childrens Hospital Cancer group. 20 pounds of herring for $20 at 7:00 Saturday
2) Peter also noted that halibut fishing opens February 1 and he will be doing his very generous offering of taking a few members out at a bargain basement price of $75 with the bulk of the $75 going towards the club and the rest gas. He will start a sign up sheet and it will be a call to fish when the timing permits.
Sooke is producing a number of small salmon. Ryan managed to land both a 10 and a 16 pound last week.
3) Sooke average size fish was 6-10 pounds with secretary island being the best producer along with Whirl Bay. Downrigger depth at around 80 feet. Other options Victoria harbour fish around freighters.
4) There is a CFB Boat Club fishing derby next weekend and they have about 3 or 4 per year.
Hatchery: Bill reported that 100 area schools will be getting salmon eggs and aquariums to take the eggs through to a releasable fry this year. He is heading to Saturna island Monday Jan 13 to deliver eggs and setups, anyone is interested in helping out contact Bill. This year the hatchery harvested 200,000 chum eggs and 200,000 coho eggs compared to 3,000 last year so good news there!
BCWF: Dave noted that you can save 20% by signing up early for your yearly membership. There will be a regional meeting in Nanaimo at the Nanaimo Fish and Game Club in March.
If someone is willing to represent the club at the ASC Bill would appreciate it, contact him for details.
Gillie: Dennis noted that camping reservations open up January 10 at 10:00 am and for the best spots and they go quick so if you're interested get yourself prepared to jump online at 10:00am. If Buttle lake is on your camping list head to the Ralph campsite as it's the preferred one. Dennis is working on some flies for Cluxewe - California Eel fly....?
He also mentioned that those that fish Elk Lake watch out for the rowers along the back side of the lake as that's where their race course is in good weather, in windy weather they are along the highway. They also cut across the lake to get out to the start points so basically watch wherever you are on Elk Lake. Suggested to bring a whistle or air horn for warn them that you are near.
Fly Tying: Dave Robinson is finally back after sunning himself and is ready to start the Saturday morning fly tying sessions again. There is no pattern set for this Saturday but it is rumored to be an easy one. Coffee talk at 9:00, tying at 10:00 all on Zoom.
Speakers: Lyle is looking for someone with computer skills to help him with the visuals for his upcoming coming whaling presentation. Anyone that feels capable of aiding Lyle pleas contact him directly.
Environmental Report: Mick presented his updates and his notes are below
1/ On Monday January 6 , 2025 Mick distributed the recording link for the UBC Research Project ' Salmon dialogues' . Well worth viewing. He also distributed information on the 'Let the Herring Live' all day workshop on Thursday February 13th which he is helping to promote. The work of Jim Shortreed and the Board organizing the meeting is greatly appreciated. www.savetheherring.org
2/ Gorge Waterway Action society (GWAS) has submitted the annual application to Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC (FFSBC) to continue the work of the Portage Inlet Cutthroat Initiative (PICI).
3/ Mick met online with Jill Robinson, CRD Parks biologist, to discuss ongoing consideration of environmental flows for fish in the Craigflower Creek watershed which includes Thetis Lake Park. CRD Parks is in discussion with BCWF
for a collaborative project to install beaver analogues and conduct a hydrological analysis of increasing water storage opportunities.
New Business: Pierre noted that there are rowing regattas on Elk Lake February 22 and March 2. Also Pierre respectfully has suggested that participants in the group GRR chat refrain from using the "reply all" button vs the "reply" buttons when chatting with one individual vs flooding everyone's email with a side bar threads.
Meeting was moved to be closed by Bill, carried by Ian and Wayne. Meeting closed 11:00 ish