2025-04-15: GRR Weekly Meeting, Minutes

[John Pierce]

GRR Meeting Minutes April 22, 2025

Meeting called to order 10:01 am by Bill Thomas

Members in attendance: Rick Greenhorn, Colin Chadwick, Ian Cameron, Ken Evans, Barry Freeman, Lyle Freeman ,Gerry Walsh, Ted Leaker, ,Gary Floretine , Tim Witoski, Jens Kristensen, Bill Thomas, Mike Galbraith, Norm Jackson, Dave Robinson, Mohamed Docrat, Wayne Lee, Jim Scott, Dennis Gedney, Ira Pratt, John Francis, Dale Scheel, Peter Laughren, Grant MacKenzie, Winston Jackson

Via Zoom: Sandy McElroy, Wendy Gedney, Michael Corey

Motion to accept last weeks minutes:  Ian Cameron seconded by Barry Freeman

Outdoor Show: Scheduled for April 25,26,27. Mike asked that those that are volunteering but can't make their shift try to arrange a replacement. Otherwise all is in order for the event.

FishOut:
1) Bill Thomas extended a hardy thank you Sandy Raven for doing outstanding work in organizing the fish out at Elk Lake this past Thursday. There were 36 in attendance and all were well fed with both hotdogs and cake. Apparently there were also a few fish caught but not details were shared.
2) Next Fish out is scheduled for May 21 lake to be determined.

Casting Seminar: A list is available for those interested in participating with plans to hold it at Hamsterly Park date May 15 at 10:00 am at Hamsertly Park

Sunshine: Wendy was happy to hear that all members are healthy.

Freshwater Fishing:
1) Dale and Ken were out on Langford Lake and saw no rising fish at all. They did manage to land 7 with multiple strikes but lost them. They were marking at 20 feet deep and the fly of the day was a tigerbarb bunny leach.
2) Tim was out to Mathieson lake in hunt of his fishing rod that he dropped the prior week. 2 attempts were made on 2 different days. Both were unsuccessful and the latest attempt involved casting out a fish stringer and retrieving it. The first 30 feet or so out from the beach is now clear of any branches on the bottom and if you're looking for 2 fish stringers there are 2 in that area as well as a rod and reel. If anyone has an idea of how to retrieve the rod please let me (Tim) know!!!! Yes there will be a reward granted if successful

Salt Water Fishing: Peter was at the meeting in person today following his back injury. He reported that halibut fishing is good out in Sooke and Pedder Bay Area. Victoria waterfront is slow for salmon but there were a number of boat trailers in the lot this morning.

Fly Tying: Dave Robinson noted that there will be no tying this Saturday as he will be at the outdoor show. Florin has sold his house in Edmonton and will hopefully back on line soon.

Hatchery Report: Bill Thomas noted that things are kind of slow at the hatchery but they are still ponding Chum and Coho.

BCWF: no to report.

Gillie: Dennis Gedney noted there is a sign up sheet for Cluxewe trip in July and Campbell River as well. Dennis is looking for topics for discussion for Gillie. Dennis told story of breaking a rod last year on the Sooke, he took it in to Robinsons for repair and the repair time was longer than Dennis was comfortable with so he bought a new rod. He left the broken one with Robinsons to ship off for repair. Time past and the broken rod repair never showed up, upon inquiry Dennis learn that the rod was lost, the supplier sent him a new rod and later found the broken rod as well. So he now has 3 rods for the Sooke.

Side note: Peter advocated for BCWF and GRR to press our local candidates to address the fishery's focus.

Speakers: Lyle Freeman introduced Katrina from PSS who gave a very good presentation on stream / river/ wetlands recovery in the area.

Environmental Report:
1/ last Tuesday Mick had a breakfast meeting with Neil Fletcher and Becky Dodge, BCWF. They discussed a proposed wetland project on Haliburton Brook to be developed with CRD Parks in Elk/Beaver Lake Park. Mick provided background reports on Haliburton watershed.
2/ BCWF is holding a Wetlandkeepers workshop July 4 -6 at Swan Lake Nature House. Mick is assisting Erika Kolli , BCWF with advice on field trips, resource people  and promotion.
3/ Peninsula Streams Society coordinated the Annual meeting of the Colquitz Coalition recently . It was well attended with many presenters . Particularly impressive were photos of coho returning to spawn in Swan Creek.
4/ A meeting was held with Sue Pollard , Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC , and Ron Ptolemy, focussed on Craigflower Coastal Cutthroat. Mick attended with representatives  from World Fisheries Trust , Peninsula Streams and Gorge Waterway Action Society.

Meeting closed at 10:35 Motion by Mohamed seconded by John.