Trout Unlimited Fish Rescue Program

Volunteer Opportunity // Trout Unlimited Canada Fish Rescue VOLUNTEER! 2012 Dates and Locations: (Note: these dates are subject to change based on weather and irrigation demand) Sept. 29:  WCD (High River) Sept. 30:  WHC (Calgary) Oct. 13-14:  CBRHC (Carseland) Oct. 17-19:  LNHC (Granum-Fort Macleod area) Oct. 20-22:  WBD (Cardston-Pincher Creek area) Click here for maps and directions... To register, reply to this e-mail and provide the following details: Name(s): Address: City/Town: Province: Postal Code: Telephone: E-mail: Dates: Number of people: For more information or to register, contact Lesley Peterson: 403-209-5184 or 1-800-909-6040lpeterson@tucanada.org Background:  Numerous irrigation diversion structures exist on many river systems and on-stream reservoirs in southern Alberta. However, most of these structures do not have operable fish exclusion devices to keep both sportfish and non-sport species from entering the canals. Wild sportfish that enter irrigation canals are generally lost to the fishery because existing canal structures prevent fish from returning to the river system. Until Trout Unlimited Canada's (TUC) Fish Rescues began in 1996, the extent of the problem in Alberta was very poorly documented and received little attention. The data collected over the years has helped to confirm that large numbers of sportfish are being stranded in diversion canals that do not have devices to prevent fish from entering the canals What is Fish Rescue? TUC staff and volunteers use electrofishing and netting to capture as many fish as possible from six different canals in southern Alberta fed by the Bow, Highwood, Belly, Waterton, and Oldman rivers. The fish are all identified and counted and returned to the appropriate river where they can complete their life cycle. Past Efforts: Since 1998, TUC and our volunteers have rescued over 731,000 fish! Rescued fish include rainbow trout, brown trout, mountain whitefish, bull trout, northern pike, burbot, lake whitefish and yellow perch as well as many unique and interesting non-sport fish species. Read on... Volunteers of all ages are invited to join us! This project provides an excellend "hands-on" activity for individuals, families, youth groups and community groups. What to Bring: Clothes for any weather conditions (rain gear, warm change of clothes, hat or toque, gloves, jacket Sturdy, comfortable boots or shoes Rubber boots, waders or hip boots (THAT DO NOT LEAK) Lunch and snacks for yourselves Water to drink (we will supply coffee, hot chocolate, juice boxes and some water) Your own reusable mug If you bring a dog, they must be on leash at all times You may also want to bring: Camera Lawn chair

Building Instream Structure at the Headwaters of the North Raven River

Hi Everybody!

Seventeen fly fishers from the Edmonton  Chapter of Trout Unlimited/ Northern Lights Fly Tyers along with members of Central Alberta Trout Unlimited/ Central Alberta Fly Tying Club meet at Stainbrook Springs. The North Raven River also called Stauffer Creek needed some instream structure  to protect small fry just downstream of the headwaters headwaters at Stainbrook Springs. This is an area that is taken care of by Trout Unlimited Canada. Don Andersen has kept a close eye on this area over many years. The spring is about  400 meters in length and is used by brook trout for spawning. Previously, the Central Alberta Chapter installed willow bundles in this spring when the major works were undertaken in 1997 to narrow, deepen and stabilize the silt from the agricultural activities previously located along the stream. It was hoped that the willow bundles previously installed would last until the natural willows now growing along the banks matured and died. Unfortunately, the bundles did not last quite long enough. It is hoped that natural vegetation will supplement and finally replace the willow bundles installed in 2012 over the next 10 years. SRD, during a one day "snap shot" of fish use in this area in 2011, identified the lack of cover as a possible constraint to fish reproduction.

Why do the project: This spring creek has very little "instream" cover naturally as most of the trees were killed when the farmer feed his cows in this area. Although the stream has been fenced to exclude cows for a number of years, the willows along the bank have not yet reached the "falling" down stage which would naturally provide the instream cover utilized by swim up fry.

Don gave a brief history of what has been accomplished previously at Stauffer Creek and then the gang headed out to get the instream structure installed. We chain sawed down willows, bundled them up and then attached them with wire to T-posts that were sledge hammered into the creek. The group installed about 25 willow bundles that will create cover for the brook trout fry.

Don Andersen

On our way to get the instream structure installed.

Doug Pullen bringing willow branches to the edge of the creek.

Phil Nash preparing the willow bundles.

Michael Dell wiring willow bundles.

Come and Help with Habitat Work on Stauffer Creek

Hi Everybody!

Don Anderson is organizing a day of habitat work on Stauffer Creek. We need about 10 volunteers to get the work completed. Please contact Don Anderson if you are able to come:

Don Andersen <dmanders@telusplanet.net> 

I am looking for people to spend about 4 to 6 hours building and installing 

some willow bundles into one of the springs used for spawning trout on 

the Stauffer Creek.

Below is a copy of the cover letter sent to Dept. of Fisheries and 

Oceans describing the project. I recieved thier " Letter of Advice" this 

week.

When August 11 or 12/12

The Central Alberta Chapter of Trout Unlimited is requesting permission 

of your agency to repair and/or install as required willow bundles into 

a small side spring to the North Raven River. The spring is <> 400 

meters in length and is used by brook trout for spawning. Previously, 

the Central Alberta Chapter installed willow bundles in this spring when 

the major works were undertaken in 1997 to narrow, deepen and stabilize 

the silt from the agricultural activities previously located along the 

stream. It was hoped that the willow bundles previously installed would 

last until the natural willows now growing along the banks matured and 

died. Unfortunately, the bundles did not last quite long enough. It is 

hoped that natural vegetation will supplement and finally replace the 

willow bundles installed in 2012 over the next 10 years.

SRD, during a one day snap shot of fish use in this area in 2011, 

identified the lack of cover as a possible constraint to fish reproduction.

Why do the project: This spring creek has very little instream cover 

naturally as most of the trees were killed when the farmer feed his cows 

in this area. Although the stream has been fenced to exclude cows for a 

number of years, the willows along the bank have not yet reached the 

falling down stage which would naturally provide the instream cover 

utilized by swim up fry.

Where: The actual project is located within the Ecological Easement on 

NW-17-37-5-W5. The spring is <>400 meters long and is heavily utilized 

by Brook Trout for spawning activities. The spring flows into the North 

Raven River near the SE edge of the Ecological Easement.

When: The work will be undertaken between July 1 and August 31, 2012

What is to be done: Replace or repair as required willow bundles within 

the spring.

What will the willow bundles look like: The bundles will be composed of 

decadent willows located back from the stream edge. The willow will be 

cut at ground height to stimulate new growth for moose fodder. Each 

bundle will be held with two bands of #9 iron wire. The wire will be 

attached to the stream bed utilizing T posts. Each T post will be 

driven below substrate to ensure as much as possible negligible frost 

heaving. Each bundle will be <> 12 in diameter which will ensure that 

the bundle is below water level thereby reducing rotting. The branch 

end of the bundle will be fanned out to provide as much cover for the 

fry as possible.

How many will be required: In order to provide adequate cover it is 

anticipated that approximately 15>25 willow bundles will be placed into th

"Leaving It Better Than You Found It" ...The Red Deer River Cleanup

"Leaving it better than you found it" was the theme of this years Red Deer River Cleanup campaign that was held on June 3, 2012 in Red Deer. This annual event was sponsored by The City of Red Deer, Nova Chemicals, Tim Hortons, and the Central Alberta Chapter of Trout Unlimited Canada.

It was perfect weather for the 102 passionate volunteers who helped gather garbage along the Red Deer River and its tributaries within the city of Red Deer. People from the community which included members from Trout Unlimited enjoyed a rewarding experience knowing that they were making a difference. These volunteers focused their energy on 14 kilometers of river and creek shoreline with about 650 kilograms of garage being collected. This substantial amount of garbage reflects the necessity for continued education to strengthen the message of the importance of keeping our waterways and riparian areas clean. Our TU chapter believes that it is important to develop a community that has a strong environmental conscious that celebrates many Green initiatives.  

Doug Pullen

Trout Unlimited is proud to support the two cleanup campaigns that are held annually (spring and fall). Activities like these keep people connected with their natural environment and bring awareness to the importance of our rivers and streams and the water within them.

A Brief History of the Central Alberta Chapter of Trout Unlimited Canada

The Central Alberta Chapter is celebrating its 26th anniversary this year. From the beginning in 1986 the Chapter centered on grassroots volunteers whose passions were to contribute to the preservation, conservation and enhancement of cold water fisheries within Alberta. The backbone of the Chapter is a strong desire to embrace field work as well as actively seeking to influence polices and programs affecting rivers and lakes at all levels of government.

Over the years field work projects have included a Red Deer River rainbow trout stocking program; North Raven River beaver management program; stream assessment/study initiatives such as Schrader Creek, Harlech and Nordegg ponds and North Ram River; stream restoration projects on Clear Creek, McLeod River and Stauffer Creek; supporting the  Stream Watch program on the Blackstone and Ram rivers; development of trophy lake fisheries in the Sundre to Alder Flats area,  and the annual Red Deer River clean-up campaigns.

The Chapter played a major role in leading the initiative to have bull trout declared Alberta's provincial fish. Additional efforts have focused on water and forest management policies affecting fisheries, Eastern Slopes angling regulations, policy development relating to illegal perch stocking and the Alberta Conservation Association fencing agreement programs.

While the chapter's core activities have been on fisheries, they also place a high value on their members (past, present and future) whose ideas and passions come together to develop responsible stewardship of our most important resource - water. This has resulted in members of the chapter receiving special recognition by Alberta Sustainable Resources.

In its twenty-six years, the Central Alberta Chapter of Trout Unlimited Canada has established a rich history that supports a vibrant present with high expectations for the future.