Volume 2, Issue 1 December 2012

The Metro East Anglers Inc. NEWSLETTER The Ringwood Fish Culture Station

Coho Egg Collection 2012: In with the new Regulars to the Metro East Angler’s website all determined at such meetings. The eggs rumors that Bowmanville Creek had some Coho and recipients of its Newsletter know that can come from either a wild source, as is passed over the Goodyear dam this fall. It seems since fall of 2006 the MEA has had its own the case for the Coho and Rainbow pro- that while local volunteers tossed large quantities campaign to bring back Lake grams, or they can be internally provided of Chinook salmon over they also passed a fair salmon. Since the early days, they have through the MNR’s hatchery system. This number of Coho. A small MEA contingent went advocated for their return is how the MEA currently gets down to electro-shock both the Goodyear and the to a very supportive Min- eggs for their pro- Hampton dams. Only a small number of fish were istry of Natural Resources gram. When eggs are collected observed and the only female had already (MNR). In 2007 the MEA from a wild source spawned. Some be- launched this program MNR permits are re- lieve the Coho salmon with the collection of quired to make the “ripen” earlier on Bow- approx. 100,000 wild practice legal. The manville creek com- Credit River eggs, and in MNR issues permits pared with their Credit the fall of 2008, they for wild egg collection River counterparts. stocked 79,808 year- and that document This possibility has lings. This would become specifically states the been noted by the MEA the last substantial Coho Steve Lynas with mature maximum number of crew for future refer- Credit River Coho egg collection for many allowable eggs to be col- ence when egg collec- years . In the years that followed, volun- lected. The permit also tion begins again next teers would find their hard efforts to collect specifies those rivers and creeks fall. permitted amounts of eggs falling short. It available to the licensee for egg Volunteers pick out unfertilized eggs or “bullets "as they are referred to The Metro East Anglers is with great satisfaction the MEA reports collection. Every year the MEA’s that this year permitted number of wild Coho eggs has wish to thank the Ministry of Natural Resources has seen their been roughly the same. Over the years, and its staff for all the help. Thanks to MNR Bi- permitted however, the small returning runs of Coho ologist, Mark Heaton, MNR Fish Technicians, quantities of salmon to their broad stock river, the Aaron Law, Dave Bielhartz, Robert McGowan and eggs filled. Credit, has required the MEA/MNR to add MNR volunteer, Callie Moore. other rivers and creeks to the original per- The typical mit. In an effort to collect the maximum Great Job Done By All planning that permitted amount of eggs, the MEA has goes into pro- always endeavored to leave no stone un- grams, like turned. the ones at However, this year in only two trips to the Bruce Burt measures out quantity Ringwood, is of eggs collected for the day as follows: Credit River the MEA volunteers were able Directors of to secure their permitted amount of eggs. the MEA meet with their MNR liaisons a few Some of the Coho gathered this year were times a year. On those occasions details in various stages of vigor as a result of be- about the MEA programs are determined. ing held for a period of time in pens. Past 1 Specifics like types of species raised, stock- experience indicated that eggs collected ing numbers permitted, stocking locations this way had variable viability, so, to offset for species and the permitted amount of the likelihood that some of the eggs were eggs to meet all goals. These details are poor quality, the MEA followed up on Glenn Anderson loads heath trays with fertilized eggs THE METRO EAST ANGLERS INC . December 2012 Coho Stocking 2012: Out with the Old

Our annual Coho salmon stocking signifies on the Credit. Today there are signs that the suffers from many of the negative environ- both the end and beginning of a season for numbers are starting to improve. This years mental factors that make natural reproduction me. This October The Metro East Anglers egg collection yielded four times that of last for these cold water species challenging. Such stocked approximately 18,000 Coho year- year and we reach our lings into the Credit River. They were a very permitted egg quanti- hearty school with an average weight of 30 ties in only two trips to grams. For those that follow this Newsletter the river. Optimists you will remember that a year ago the MEA see this as a sign that had an unfavourable egg collection. This the MEA efforts in unfortunately translates into a smaller then 2008/2009 are start- permitted stocking number. ing to pay off. How- ever, it is likely a bit too These three stocking runs represent the end early to say for sure. of our first year under its new mandate at What is important to the Ringwood Fish Culture Station. Together note however is that with our partners, The TD Bank’s, Friends of the MEA remains the the Environment Foundation, The Toronto only organization in the Sportsmen’s Show, Rapala Canada and the entire Province of On- Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, our tario carrying a Coho mandate to restore and continue the Coho This years leased stocking trailer proudly displaying sponsor’s logos program with any significant stocking program is moving forward. It is numbers. factors include, but are not limit to, soil ero- important that these generous supporters sion, high levels of salt wash from streets, the are recognized by all those who have come Volunteers from the MEA used a weekend to notable warming of water temperatures over to enjoy these fish species in our environ- take their three loads of salmon high up on time and the run off from storm drains. Ur- ment. The MEA is committed to continuing the Credit River to Norval for stocking . In banization has alter the environment these fish the work necessary in bringing back the the parking lot of, “Nashville North”, the MEA reproduce in so radically that their reproduc- Coho stocking numbers to MNR permitted found the perfect place to back the stocking tion numbers have significantly been reduced. levels, a commitment trailer and unload their, It is believed by some that the natural repro- that we began over six ”precious cargo”. This year duction of Salmon is as low as 5 to 10%. In a years ago when we we leased a stocking truck hatchery environment we can get up to an 80% were considered Ring- and added sponsors logos to survival rate on the eggs we collect. We can wood’s “host club”, by the sides of the stocking then raise those fish beyond their most vulner- the Ontario Federa- trailer. Proudly displayed are able months in the wild and plant them back tion of Anglers and those logos as we make our as yearlings into the same watersheds they Hunters. It was at way to each and every stock- were taken from. Work is being done to im- that time, during our ing location along Lake On- prove stream and river habitat but a continual massive eight to ten tario. stocking program is essential to having these day Chinook egg col- Like all MEA supported water- species available as those habitat projects lections, that Coho sheds the Credit River is heav- slowly improve our urban watersheds. were first seen by us MEA member Tony Hopman is a big help ily urbanized and as such in significant numbers with all aspects of our work By Steve Lynas Metro East Anglers Inc. Community Newsletter We hope that this Newsletter will not only communicate the happenings out at to me at: the Ringwood Fish Culture Station but also provide a collective gratitude to- [email protected] wards those whose charity is so vitally important to this project. It is our de- sire that you will get behind this Newsletter by thinking of ways you can con- If you are not an MEA member yet and want to join. Then please send an email to: [email protected] tribute to it. As we are a community supported organization, this Newsletter can only get better if the community has a hand in its evolution. As we welcome All we need is your name, email address and mailing address. With this infor- all those who want to contribute we ask only that you respect our Partners, mation you will then be put on our MEA Inc. mailing list for future Newslet- Sponsors and Members in any article you feel a desire to write. Interesting ters and any upcoming events. 2 volunteer experiences or other positive stories related to the MEA, the Ring- Rest assured that all precautions are used to ensure your email is not shared wood Fish Culture Station or our Sponsors are a nice way to foster a sense of with any unwanted lists. Emails will be sent as blind copies and nobody else community goodwill. The Board maintains the right to edit material viewed as will be privy to them but you. inappropriate for this Newsletter. If you are interested, please submit articles

THE METRO EAST ANGLERS D e c e m b e r 2012 Whitby Pier Salmon Fishery On Fire Fall 2012

these fish has them “hooked” for life.

Fish on ! Being a year round angler at the har- This year at Whitby Harbour Chinook bour I first started to see Salmon salmon fishing “porpoising” off the Erich spent hours casting for his first Salmon. I was was not disap- pier in early to mid Au- lucky to be there for the excitement when he netted pointing. The gust. It seemed quite a his first bit earlier to me com- great opportu- anglers with opportunities to fish for pared to previous years nities for fish- these large predators. Opportunities ing brought to- I had witnessed them. they normally wouldn't have unless gether some I was able to land my they wanted to river fish. Which, in new and old first Salmon on August my opinion, does not provide the faces to the 22. By the beginning same experience. Out of 55 fish I per- sonally counted this past fall, 49 had pier. With of September fishing really started to turn their Adipose fins clipped. This has large quantities supported my belief of salmon be- on. Anyone Bob Anderson, one of a group of 5 who are typically that the Whitby ing caught off found in their boat. Between the 5 of them they going out an Salmon Pen Imprint- caught triple digit quantities of fish the pier face, hour or so ing Project works and well over the triple digit mark, anyone before sunset would stand a it is starting to show who put their time in landed a sizable very good chance of catching a some real returns. This has also encour- King. Previous years were just not as large salmon. As the word aged me to step up quickly spread about the pier productive in terms of fish quantities and volunteer. Last being caught off the pier. Since late fishery the number of anglers spring I joined other summer 2011 anglers have been ex- started to increase. On an av- volunteers who help periencing fantastic opportunities for erage night the pier would be Matt Chambers holding one of his raise and nurture many Pier caught Chinooks he fall Chinooks off the Whitby Pier. lined from the parking lot to landed this past fall Chinook salmon fry Whitby Pier fishing has provided op- what we refer to as the, “Boat in a large netted pen Launch”. at the Whitby Marina. It is their belief portunities for many people to land that this type of imprinting will help their first Chinook Salmon. One young These fish remained in large numbers improve a fall fishery in the Whitby man I talked with said it was, “the in the harbour until late September. harbour. It is my belief they are right. first game fish he had ever caught.” The last one I saw was caught on Octo- Written by Once these Salmon hit an angler’s ber 17th. The near shore fishery off Matthew Chambers, rod the fierce fighting strength of MEA Member, 2012 the Whitby Pier is providing many

Fishing Tid-Bit: Did you know that Rapala is the maker

of Blue Fox Spinners and that these Spinners were the go to tackle this past fall 3 when members of the MEA fished for Brook and Lake Trout at the beautiful,

The Reserve Beauchene in Northern Quebec. Visit Rapala online at Kyle Anderson with trophy Brook trout caught on Blue http://www.rapala.ca/ Fox spinner at La Reserve Beauchene this fall The Metro East Anglers Inc. December 2012

Coho Egg Collection Snap Shots

4 The Metro east anglers inc December 2012 The Browns are Back: water levels were at record lows once again. Rapala Canada, was represented on stocking We had to pull out all three of our stocking day by President, John Newton. It is always The Metro East hoses for a total length of approximately 70 appreciated by the MEA when one of our spon- Anglers have a feet. With that length sors decides to ac- long history of we just managed to cept an invitation in raising and re- reach the water’s edge this way. We strive to use a couple of these leasing Brown with a foot or two to trout into GTA event opportunities spare. watersheds. In through the coarse of the 2006/2007 The remainder of our our year to invite all season we used Browns, some 25,000, our sponsors. We feel a surplus to help were stocked on No- this is a great way for expand our stan- vember 24th into Ajax’s them to receive posi- dard stocking 26 gram average sized Brown In Rotary Park, Ajax kids from ’s 33rd Scout tive attention for their trout released this year by MEA Rotary Park. Much like location to in- Troop help MEA release Brown trout generosity. It also volunteers clude sites such the Athol Bay stockings helps foster a sense of community goodwill as, Ashbridges Bay, The , The Bur- this represents the continuation of some and illustrates a commitment to working to- lington Canal, Frenchmen’s Bay, The Don River, positive results of what began in 2007. In gether in conservation. Lakefront Promenade, Oshawa Harbour, Whitby that year we stocked Brown trout throughout Harbour and Athol Bay. In that season 81 070 the area. Frenchmen’s Bay got 10 011, Once again thanks to John Newton and the Browns were stocked out of the Ringwood facil- Whitby Harbour got 10 260 and Oshawa support we receive from the people at Rapala ity with a 21.5 gram average size recorded. Harbour got 10 132. It would not be long Canada. We also thank the TD Bank’s, Athol who you might ask? before MEA members started getting reports Friends of the Environment Foundation, The Toronto Sportsmen's Shows, and the Ministry of a notable number of fish being caught in In the heart of beautiful Prince Edward County of Natural Resources. Each has contributed and just this side of Sandbanks Provincial Park the warm water flows that concentrate to making the MEA programs a community lies Athol Bay. Back in 2006 we were privileged throughout that area. It would seem that success. Without the continued support of to partner up with a local club there called, The without a doubt those 2007 stockings had a our sponsors the MEA could not make possi- Central Sports Anglers. In Novem- significant effect on what was fast becoming ber of 2007 we were able to stock 20 212 ble any of the programs we have been working a decent Brown trout fishery in, not only Brown trout yearlings into that area. In a few hard to provide. Athol Bay, but the Greater Toronto Area. short years a notice- Thanks to troop members from Oshawa’s able increase to the This years stocking in Ajax’s, Duffins 33rd Scouts Division and their Scout leaders. Brown trout fishery is creek, started off shaky with about It was a fun said to have occurred. 4cm of snow covering the truck and day by all de- In fact so successful its stocking trailer. It was a bitter cold spite the cold was that stocking to windy condi- their local fishery wind that met volunteers down at the tions. there that when word lake, but all endeavoured to perse- got out the MEA had vere for the adventure that was put- After the kids negotiated a program ting these fish back into our environ- got tired of out of Ringwood which ment. bucketing included Browns they Brown trout This year we invited Scout leader, wanted to be included. Andy Rubaszek prepares for stocking into the river So on November 18th Athol Bay with it’s very low water condition Steve Ernstberger and his troop from we let John of this year the MEA the 33rd Oshawa Scouts to assist us finish up by volunteers made the 2 hour drive from Ring- with the stocking. Much thanks goes out to pulling the plug wood to Athol Bay. There we met with Al Van all the Scout leaders for helping the Metro Dusen and other members of CLOSA to stock on our “fish East Anglers finally get their community in- out 12,000 of our 26 gram average sized year- cannon” volvement badge. lings. I must say that it was déjà vu all over By Steve Lynas again as we arrived at the site location and One of the MEA’s most important sponsors, John Newton, President of Rapala

Watch Brown Trout Released in Athol Bay Click link

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=fhGa_p6bHDU

5

Our website is currently a work in progress so please be patient. It can be found by clicking the

following link

https://www.metroeastanglers.com/ The Metro East Anglers Inc. December 2012

Go to recent news article written about the Metro East Anglers at: http://www.yorkregion.com/news/article/1538019-stouffville-fish-hatchery-get-one-year extension

6 The Metro East Angler Inc December 2012

General Meeting the hydro substantially. 2012 * One action item is currently being looked at is the possibility of a GST rebate. By Steve Rivard, Recording Secretary MEA To be in accordance with being a charitable organization we will be posting the club’s On September 26, 2012 MEA Inc. held our annual General Membership meeting from Charter/Bylaws on the MEA Inc. website. 7:00 to 9:00 pm at the Ringwood Fish Cul- Then next item of discussion was the 2012 ture Station. The meeting was chaired by stocking plan. Coho stocking runs would The Metro East Glenn Anderson and Bruce Burt. commence in early October. The entire Coho Anglers Inc. would like to thank The first topic of discussion provided the inventory of 37,000 would be released in the 2011/2012 end of year finances for the club. Credit River in Norval. The Brown trout will be BELL CANADA for it’s support deliv- ered to a variety of Lake

Expenses Revenue Ontario locations. First Hydro $11514.20 Corporate Donation $20,000.00 10,000 Browns would Phone $1342.17 Corporate Donation $5000.00 be delivered to the Insurance $3072.60 Corporate Donation $6808.00 CLOSA team in Welling- ton. The location of the Bank Fees $224.94 Personal Donations $4700.00 remaining 25,000 fish Security $514.06 PWSFA $2000.00 was still undetermined BBQ/Meals/Drinks $867.34 CLOSA $1000.00 at the time of the Fish Feed $7765.44 CFIP & Hydro $12000.00 meeting; however the following were poten- Transportation $1074.18 Raffle $575.14 tial sites: Frenchmen’s Equipment $3903.65 Bay, Bluffers, Whitby, Office Admin. $1404.50 Duffins. TOTAL $31683.11 TOTAL $52,283.14 Finally the plan for the 2012 Coho collection plan was presented. The budget forecast for 2012/2013 was pre- The MEA is permitted to collect 130,500 sented and is expected to increase over the eggs this year. The river collection sites were 2011/2012 budget for the following reasons: still under review but the primary location would be the Credit River. For future meeting Lake Ontario Annual Stocking Reports can be *A new feeder system is being considered agenda topics, please let one of the board found by clicking link: *The demand for fish food will increase as the members know so that it can be added to the number of fish in the hatchery for the 2012/2013 agenda ahead of time. http://www.glfc.org/lakecom/loc/mgmt_unit/ season has increased dramatically Thanks to all that turned out. It made for a Please Report Resource Abuse when discovered *Expect hydro costs to increase with the warmer productive meeting and great to have some winter last year and conservation measures we at: attempted last year we were able to reduce the face to face conversations. 1-877-TIPS-MNR (847-7667) The Metro East Anglers Inc. is a Registered Federal Charity es- Board of Directors tablished in September 2011, under the following Mission State- ment: Our Mission is to Establish a Conservation Club for the Purposes, Andy Rubaszek….Hatchery Operations of Preserving Protecting and Restoring Rivers and Lakes. This Steve Lynas………..Hatchery Operations will be achieved in Partnership with the OMNR through the fol- lowing activities: Bruce Burt………..Finance/Sponsorship Glenn Anderson…………...President  Raising of fry at a hatchery for release into Lake Ontario Steve Rivard……….Recording Secretary and its tributaries

Ringwood Fish Culture Station  Operation of a fish ladder on the Rouge River to improve 13232 Highway 48 spawning opportunities for in that water- shed Stouffville, Ontario

L4A 7X3

 Operation of 4 pen projects in the GTA and Durham re- Phone(905)640-6204 gions to help acclimatize and imprint over 50,000 Chinook 7 Salmon fry to our area, increasing survival rates and rec- Please visit our online forum at: http://ringwoodfcs.proboards.com

Volume 2, Issue 1 of The Metro East Anglers Inc. Newsletter was produced by Steve Lynas. Please forward any

questions or comments to [email protected]