GRR Meeting Minutes March 18,2025
President Bill Thomas called meeting to order at 10:10 am (late start due to technical difficulties)
Minutes from last weeks meeting were accepted, moved by Rick Greenhorn and seconded by Bob Comford
Members in attendance: Mike Galbraith Rich Greenhorn Ken Evans Lyle Freeman Barry Freeman Bill Thomas Tim Witoski Ted Leaker Wayne Lee Sandy McElroy Jens Kristensen Winston Jackson Dave Robinson Jim Scott Kobus Erasmus Pierre Malo Ryan A. Bob Comford, Norm Kent
Zoom attendees: Dave Cooke Michael Corry Wendy Gedney
Items arising from minutes: April fish out date is yet to be set
Social: Mike Galbraith said there was a good turn out at the St. Paddy day dinner, good food and good times had by all. There were a 22 people in attendance.
Fresh Water: Nothing to report
Saltwater: Bob reported that Peter Laughren unfortunately had a fall on a wet dock and suffered a spinal compression fracture. He's in a lot of pain but is recovering slowly.
Fish Out: Langford Lake Wednesday March 26 with hotdogs at 12:00 noon
Fly Tying: Dave Robinson will be singing this weekend so no fly tying
Hatchery: Bill Thomas reported that there 300,000 fry to be ponded next week. Returns in 2024 have been reported to be outstanding numbers. The hatchery overall status fish wise is trending positively.
BCWF: Dave Cooke attended the Region 1 AGM is scheduled for March 15/16 BCWF meeting and it was a very positive event. He highlighted the kids camp scheduled for July 14-18 and encouraged anyone that have children ages 10-14 to attend, it will be held at Countenay Fish and Game club. There were a number of speakers at the meeting and he has passed along some names to Lyle for potential speakers for our meetings. The meeting had approximately 30 people attending and many clubs were represented. There is a women's outdoor skills program planned for Cowichan area for those that might be interested. Dave also made a plea regarding the need for younger volunteers to help out at the hatchery as the mean age of the bulk of volunteers is late 70's....
Gillie: Dennis Gedney will be holding a fly tying session post meeting and also plans to share some info on casting a switch rod.
PSS: Bill has requested that the club donate a couple fly boxes to PSS for auction. The suggestion was accepted.
Herring update: Lyle noted that herring stocks are the canary in the coal mine and mentioned that there have been some positive signs with an area of deposit spanning approximately 20 miles north of Nanaimo. Sandy has been out trying to photograph the herring deposits recently but has had limited success timing wise.
New Business:
1) Bill inquired if anyone is interested in helping out with smolt trap installation in Colquitz River. A group of GRR members will be organized, if interested contact Bill.
2) Craigflower River smolt trap installation was reported to be limited by funding issues.
Meeting Terminated: 10:45 moved by Rick Greenhorn and seconded by Norm
Speaker: Tim Witoski gave an absolutely amazing presentation on "Modifications to Pontoon Boat"
Denis held a session on switch rod casting and fly tying after the meeting.