2024-05-07: 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 7 May 2024

Place: Esquimalt Anglers and Zoom Chaired By: Bill Thomas

Secretary:

Called to Order: 10:00 AM

Meeting Attendees: See attached sign-in sheet (25 members plus 4 on Zoom).

Motion to accept last weeks minutes: Moved Dale, second Ira. Accepted unanimously.

Items Arising from the Minutes:
1) Ian gave a report on the Outdoor Show held April 26-28. See Show Report attached to these minutes.
2) Mohamed reported on the Fanny Bay event held last weekend.

Treasurer: Sandy reported on the financials for April-as distributed by her. The club is in good financial shape. Motion to accept financial report as distributed, moved Lyle, seconded Sandy Mc, Approved unanimously.

Sunshine: Wendy Gedney. No report.
Sandy Mc noted that there will be an event 25 May at Peter Hope Lake in honour of the late member Ron Duncan, when his ashes will be scattered in the Lake

Social Mike: There is a chili cook-off social event to be held 22 May at Beaver Lake.

Membership: Nothing to report. We have several potential members from the Outdoor Show

Fresh Water: Dale:
1) Dale reported that local Lake fishing had been a bit slow. Dale offered to take out in his boat any new members who would like an introduction to his knowledge of local lakes and appropriate fishing techniques.
2) Tim was skunked in the Whistler area. He declared a wish to float down the Cowichan River drift fishing. Anyone interested contact him and maybe an event can be scheduled
3) Bill is going up the interior to fish Deka Lake near 100 Mile House.
4) Mike took his boat plus electric motor and had the battery go flat out
on the Lake. Suggested only discharging battery to 50% before a recharge. Discussion ensued!

Salt Water:
1) Peter said it had been slow. Ling cod season opened 1 May. Rock fish could be good locally.
2) Lyle-Be sure to research where you want to fish-extensive areas are closed to rockfish
3) Halibut near Sooke has been pretty good if you know where and when to fish
4) Norm went out but no luck. He emphasized the need and LEGAL REQUIREMENT to have a "descend and release tool" to avoid damaging rock fish o return to the water.

Fish outs: May 23: Prospect Lake:

Fly Tying: No report in Dave's absence

Hatchery:
1) Bill reported that not much was happening at present. Also, there is a great deal of satisfaction with the kid's program-to the extent that some kids name the fry in their program.
2) 40,000 fry had been released in Goldstream, 16,000 of which were pit- tagged.

PSS: PSS is holding an invasive species removal project with local schools

BCWF: Dave C will submit a report on the BCWF AGM.

WFA: No report

Library: No report. (As we no longer have a formal library maybe this item should be removed from the standard agenda.)

Legacy Fund: Now stands at $4644, due to successful income from sales of donated items.

Gillie Club: No report.

Speakers Program: Lyle had received cancellations of two speakers for May. He will instead deliver a talk on spawning history in BC and on Vancouver Island particularly.

Environment (Mick)
1) Mick passed out a draft of the signage for the new Elk Lake dock which honours the various bodies involved in the initiative and facilitating the new dock. They include Dirk Mitchell who was the initiator, and our club which helped raise the money and coordinate the effort. Several other groups were involved (Apology from the scribe-I neglected to get all the names and will do so at next meeting). Also from scribe-Mick is not named on the sign but he played a major part in getting this done, and deserves out congratulations.)
2) Smolt counting at Craigflower and Colquitz Creeks is going well, with encouraging numbers. This is an excellent volunteer initiative.
3) Water Quality Monitoring at Elk Lake will be reviewed Monday 13 May regarding effect of dogs and birds

Website: No report. (Note-John P privately let me know that chatline was out of action as of the following day, Wednesday. This set of minutes will be sent to chat, and also to individual key members in case it's still down.)

New Business: None

Executive Meeting: Executive met following the meeting. See separate minutes

Meeting Terminated 11:14: Moved by Mohamed, seconded by Kobus. Approved unanimously

Attached:
1) Sign-in Sheet 7 May.
2) Report by Ian on Outdoor Show.