2024-03-26: GRR Weekly Meeting, Minutes

[John Pierce]

Victoria Golden Rods and Reels Fishing and Social Club
held at Esquimalt Anglers 1101 Munro St
in Person and Zoom Meeting Minutes,
Dated March 26 2024

Place: Esquimalt Anglers and Zoom 10:00am

Chaired By: Bill Thomas

Secretary: Bob Comerford

Called to Order: 10:00 AM

Member Attendees in Person: Mike Galbraith, Barry Freeman, Lyle Freeman, Norm Kent, Dale Scheel, Ken Evans ,Lee Takayanagi, Gary Florentine, Terry Seny, Gord Fest, Ian Cameron, Kobus Erasmus, Tim Witoski, Pierre Malo, Sandy McElroy,, Bill Thomas, Winston Jackson, Jim Scott, Dennis Gedney, Grant McKenzie, Peter Laugren, Gerry Walsh, Dave Robinson, Ryan Arsenych, Colin Chadwick, Jochen Moehr, Jens Kristensen, Bob Comerford, Mich Collins.
Members Attending by Zoom: Brian Canfield, Michael Cory, Wendy Gedney.

Motion to accept the minutes last meeting: Moved by Barry and Ian.

Items Arising from the Minutes:
1. Dale was asked if he could bring in a sample of a blood worm fly with gills.
2. We have a list of volunteers for the Thursday Smolt trap monitoring. We could use a few more people. So far Grant, Ian, mike, Bob and Bill have volunteered. Please contact Bill Thomas.
3. When we have a speaker scheduled please try and keep that Tuesday free so we can have good turn out.

Treasurer: Fairway card, 5% comes back to club.

Sunshine Wendy Gedney: Barry contacted Jim McDonald, all is well.

Social Bob, Mike: Elk Lake Chili Potluck some time in May.

Membership:

Fresh Water Dale:
1) Barry and Dale were out Prospect Lake, fishing slow.
2) Barry Dale Thursday at Langford Dale caught a 20" cutthroat and landed 11 with a 19" rainbow. Used a Booby eared and Bunny haired leach.
3) Big fish are being caught Langford right now
Tip of the week. Find a lure that looks good to the fish.
4) Mike caught a 20" plus fish at Langford lake using the doctor death lure. Ian lost a big one.
5) After the fish out which produced few fish, a whole lot of catchable fish were put into  prospect lake. Go get em!
6) Winston: Went to the  dive shop for neoprene socks that would fit his waders.
7) Winston hooked into big one by the first buoy by park. Fish didn't fit in his net and got away. Lesson learned, always bring your big net.

Salt Water Peter:
1) Peter's Boat is ready for launch but installing a radar tower. He will wait till April for good currents.
2) Check out the latest fisheries notices for April. Area 19 and 20 most area's are closed except certain areas.

FishOuts: April = Langford Lake.

Fly Tying: Miniature chironomid, this Sat. size 18 .

Hatchery: Crisis lost 20,000 coho smolts. Sent for lab test, possible lack of oxygen. Numbers down.

PSS: Million dollar fish way. No salmon because of obstruction. Engineers have looked at problem.  Awaiting more funding. 6 fish ways on Millstream. Five to Llama farm and 6th at the road. Auction  April 12 18 April online viewing.

BCWF:

ACS: Minutes to come

WFA: 

Library:

Legacy Fund: 

Gillie Club:
1. If you see a successful fisherman ask him what they are using.
2. Cluxuwe and Campbell River sign up sheet available.
3. Leaky rivets in boat. Epoxy product. Works good. See Dennis.
4. Problem with restarting motors in Spring use Aspen fuel to winterize motor. Check on line. See Dennis for how to use it.
   
Speakers Program: The following speakers have been booked for club. Please mark these dates on your calendar so we can have good turnouts
April 9, 2024 Fisheries & Oceans, Wales and mammals
April 23, 2024. Conservation Officer Service. Officer Rick Dekelver
April 30 GRR Mohamed. Fishing with Age
May 14, 2024 Fisheries & Oceans. Shellfish- bivalves & Crustaceans
May 28,2024 Fisheries and Oceans. Current update on Area18,19, and 20 Salmon Fishing Plan

Fund Raising: Maritime Swap meet has been canceled. April 21 Sidney at Mary Winspear sale of fishing related items. Ian has saltwater gear.

Environment: Mick reported on a number of initiatives from the Provincial to the local level:

1/ the work of the Watershed Security Coalition continues . The goal is to create a Provincial  fund of at least $100 million annually to support a BC strategy. Several recent announcements show that progress is being made in various sectors. UBCM is disbursing $39 million to local governments and First Nations for flood / climate change adaptation. Songhees Nation are receiving $150,000 for a continuation of work around Rock Bay and Pauquachin First Nation are approved for $2.33 million to rebuild 220 metres of shoreline to pre-erosion levels. City of Victoria is applying with neighbouring municipalities for coastal flooding adaptation and is receiving a letter of support from Gorge Waterway Initiative (GWI).

2/ Drought adaptation funding is being administered by BC Investment Agriculture Foundation for the agricultural sector.  This includes money for water storage projects and should help in maintaining minimum flows for fish.  BC Ministry of Agriculture and Food and Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship are jointly holding a number of educational sessions on drought management.  We are starting to see an increased presence and programs from the new Stewardship ministry. How these sector specific approaches and funding allocations will impact the Watershed Security Fund have yet to be determined.

3/ the Highways ministry announced $39 million to be spent this year on improvements to two bridges over the Colquitz River . This is part of a bus on shoulder project around the McKenzie interchange. We will be learning more about this portion . Last summer we participated in a tour of related work on a Galloping Goose trail bridge over Craigflower Creek.  Mick has coordinated a morning tour Monday April 15 of Craigflower Creek for BC Conservation Foundation (BCCF) and  stewards and government representatives interested in improving hydrometric monitoring. Any  club members interested in the tour please contact Mick. Phone landline 250-598-3294

Website:

New Business: Time to renew your fishing license.

The Outdoor show: We get a double booth for no cost. Six volunteers needed. Needed Sign up sheet available. See mike Galbraith. Fly tester by Tony. Banner and new business cards needed. Power point slide show. Barry has screen. Led lamps bought for light on flies. Friday 26th 27th 28th six people for set up. Two people for each shift. If you sign up and you cannot make it you have to find someone to replace you.

Executive Meeting: After next weeks meeting
 
Meeting terminated: 11:05 by Norm.