Thanks for the responses guys, I originally asked this question and started this thread because I wanted an unbiased anglers report on the Atlantic salmon project. I wanted to see if anglers where actually seeing or catching Atlantics. If you ask those involved or promoting the program, they say it's promising. a biased opinion. you ask those that actually fish the rivers and it seems pretty dismal.. I truly was hoping for better reports from anglers.. I have posted this on other forums as well and it seems about the same. The reason I wanted to know has something to do with what Steelhead101 said, Quote " Next year I'm going to the Bowmanville darn to help with the fish lift, that river is going to be amazing in 5 years due to what those volunteers are doing, got to give my hat off to them.". Unfortunately this may not be true.. Unfortunately the work done by the Bowmanville volunteers may be for nothing and that river may get worse in 5 years because of the Atlantic Salmon program.. .This is my theory and only my opinion.
The MNR has recently released a proposal for a new "Fisheries Management Plan" which emphasizes maintaining and increasing native species, aka specs and atlantics and lakers. Steelhead, browns, chinooks and cohos are not native!!. They are asking for input...I suggest you read the proposal below.
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This is just a summary from an angler posted on facebook, http://www.scribd.co...ts-on-MNR-Draft
This is the full MNR draft http://www.ebr.gov.o...DU4&language=en
This draft is only part of the reason for my theory of whats to come.
There is also a proposal (not made public yet) on the Credit River to remove the catch and release section and promote the harvest of brown trout because the MNR beleives they interfere or directly compete with natives species, mainly Brook trout and possibly Atlantics. There is also indication from the MNR that they will limit future steelhead lifts and future transfers into productive spawning water because steelhead also directly compete and interfere with specs and atlantics.. Because the water below Norval has almost 0% success rate it is the belief of many anglers, myself and some CRAA members that this will decimate the steelhead runs on the Credit River in a the next 5 years. Runs that to date are very good thanks to CRAA and their volenteer efforts but that will be wiped out. Some anglers have even said this is a way for the MNR to jam atlantics down our throats and a last ditch effort to make it work.. Keep in mind.. the MNR needs to make this work or they and others like the OFAH look like idiots to everyone including those that have donated millions to this project. They're under pressure to make this work....(my opinion).
So after reading both proposals I believe that the Credit river is only the first step, it may be the trial river with the goal to remove steelhead and browns to allow for better numbers of specs and atlantics(native species) and I believe that other key Atlantic salmon restoration rivers like duffins, ganny, humber and maybe bowmanville or any/all Lake Ontario rivers with a migration barrier will be next on their list.. Remember this is only my opinion because I cant understand why they would propose to destroy one of the best runs of steelhead and best wild resi brown fisheries in Ontario unless it's to save their asses on a failed or failing Atlantic Salmon program.
Also if this Credit river proposal goes through and the runs of steelhead significantly drop I believe the direct side effect is anglers that would normally go to the Credit will go fish eastern Lake O tribs and GBay or huron ribs instead leading to more pressure and crowds on those rivers. So if you fish those rivers, they will likely get much busier in the near future.....
This is only my opinion guys.. food for thought!!!.Is it worth loosing steelhead runs for a possible Atlantic run?.I say no.. Read the proposals above and make you're own opinions... As soon i can get a copy of the credit proposal i will post it here unless someone else has a copy they can post..
By the way.. there is a link to send the MNR your comments and opinions on their new Fisheries draft.. I sent my comments to them already(see below).. feel free to copy,paste or use mine if you want. It took me 10 minutes to do and soon i will be passing this on to everyone i know on facebook asking them to pass it on too... I hope it makes a change for the better, changes for the angler and not for those donating money to a failing project..This is your opportunity to make a change for better fishing for you..
My comments..
I would like the MNR to consider revisions or changes to the draft proposal to increase fishing opportunities for all river anglers.
I would like to see more emphasis on maintaining or increasing steelhead in lake Ontario, lake Huron and Georgian Bay tributaries through stream rehabilitation and stocking where required and would like to see less time money and effort wasted on a failing Atlantic salmon restoration project.
I would like to see more year round angling opportunities on trout and steelhead rivers especially in rivers where the spawning success rate is less then 5 % like on the Credit river below Norval, on Etobocoke creek, Don River and other rivers with low or no natural reproduction rates. This would allow more fishing opportunities for river anglers and possibly relieve some pressure on other rivers with better natural reproduction.
The old seasons and times for trout are just that "OLD" so I would like to see the old trout seasons and times revised to more accurately reflect the spawning periods of each trout species and open up rivers from January 1st to September 1st on rivers that are predominantly brown trout and brook trout since these species have completed their spawn prior to Jan 1st and are not vulnerable like they are during the spawn. There is no reason that I am aware of to protect fall spawning fish from January 1st to September 30th if there are no other spawning sport fish in those sections. This will make more fishing opportunities for river anglers during a period when the fish are not vulnerable.
I believe more catch and release sections or slot limit sections for trout and steelhead in the rivers which would benefit the river fishery as seen in other species and I would like to see this on some or all rivers or even just in extended season areas..
I would like to see the MNR be proactive in working with land owners on rivers to significantly provide better or more public access on rivers for river anglers to alleviate crowding in the very limited open sections currently available to river anglers.
I would like to see the MNR protect and increase native species only in areas where naturalized species such as rainbow and browns are insignificant or not present to maintain and increase a diverse fishery with lots of options for anglers..
I would also like to see increase populations of resident brown trout or resident rainbow trout in areas where poor conditions prevent sustained or increased brook trout populations.
Lastly I would like to see more enforcement on the rivers and better response times with Crime stoppers..
I can be contacted at 416- ***-**** or by email at ontarioguide@Gmail.***
Graham Bristow.
