Fishing with Rod Discussion Forum
Fishing in British Columbia => General Discussion => Topic started by: chris gadsden on May 21, 2009, 10:06:13 PM
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Just an early notice of the annual Greg Clark Memorial Pike Minnow Derby that will be held once again on the BC Family Fishing Weekend. It again is being organized by the Fraser Valley Salmon Society and is offering hundreds of dollars worth of prizes. This year a number of pike minnows will be tagged with cash prizes for the anglers that land them. It is being held on Saturday June 20 this year.
Rodney has been sent the poster and he will post a link to it shortly. ;D
I also will provide more details as well as an update when the derby date gets closer.
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My buddy and I will be there! We will attempt to do our part by removing another 170+ pike minnow this year.
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I'll try and ask for that day off. Hopefully I can come help out again.
Im willing to help with set up and take down as well, or anything else you guys need.
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I'll try and ask for that day off. Hopefully I can come help out again.
Im willing to help with set up and take down as well, or anything else you guys need.
Very good, thanks do you want me to bring the boat so you can go out and fish?
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My buddy and I will be there! We will attempt to do our part by removing another 170+ pike minnow this year.
Yes you got a good number last year. Hope you can catch a special tagged one this derby as the are worth a $100 bill each. ;D
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I'll try and ask for that day off. Hopefully I can come help out again.
Im willing to help with set up and take down as well, or anything else you guys need.
Very good, thanks do you want me to bring the boat so you can go out and fish?
I have a float tube... might be able to bring up my boat too if step-dad lets me have the truck ;D
Is Owen going to be there again?
I want to try and get some of these guys on the fly, mabe 1 gear rod going while trolling a minnow pattern or woolly bugger.
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Post here now, sorry about the delay:
http://www.fishingwithrod.com/fishy_news/file/090522-1.doc
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Hi Rod
Last Pikeminnow Derby there were many Peamouth Chub, Red-sided Shiners, and Largescale Suckers killed as bycatch. This is unfortunate as these species have a minimal effect on Cultus sockeye survival rates. One assumes they were killed because the anglers mistook them for Northern Pikeminnows.... so, could you post pictures of fish anglers are liable to encounter at this event?
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Hi Rod
Last Pikeminnow Derby there were many Peamouth Chub, Red-sided Shiners, and Largescale Suckers killed as bycatch. This is unfortunate as these species have a minimal effect on Cultus sockeye survival rates. One assumes they were killed because the anglers mistook them for Northern Pikeminnows.... so, could you post pictures of fish anglers are liable to encounter at this event?
I think that even handing out info sheets at the event with those pictures would be helpful.
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Hi Rod
Last Pikeminnow Derby there were many Peamouth Chub, Red-sided Shiners, and Largescale Suckers killed as bycatch. This is unfortunate as these species have a minimal effect on Cultus sockeye survival rates. One assumes they were killed because the anglers mistook them for Northern Pikeminnows.... so, could you post pictures of fish anglers are liable to encounter at this event?
I think that even handing out info sheets at the event with those pictures would be helpful.
I have been told this is being done for this derby.
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Thanks for the update Chris. Do you mean info sheets will be distributed at the derby? or do you mean the Fraser Valley Salmon Society will be posting an identification guide for the various fish species found in Cultus?
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Thanks for the update Chris. Do you mean info sheets will be distributed at the derby? or do you mean the Fraser Valley Salmon Society will be posting an identification guide for the various fish species found in Cultus?
Steve was looking after this. I thought they were handing pictures out to those entering the derby.
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One of the reasons why there is a derby for Pike Minnows.
Opponents bury hatchets to save salmon
Threat to sockeye met by rare unified action
The ProvinceI dropped by Cultus Lake the other day to check out a tip that something fishy was happening.
It was indeed "fishy" — and a unique example of how stakeholders in the usually fractious Fraser River salmon fishery have buried their well-worn hatchets and now work together to save the diminishing Cultus Lake sockeye salmon.
Cultus Lake sockeye are dwarfed by much larger Fraser River groups, such as the Adams River sockeye that number in the millions.
In their best days, returning adult Cultus Lake sockeye totalled only 75,000, says fish biologist Dave Barrett. "Currently, there are only about 1,000 returning," he says.
Unfortunately, the Cultus Lake sockeye return to spawn at precisely the same time as their more numerous Adams River cousins, Barrett says. Because the two groups mix on the return journey, any catch quota that's appropriate for the huge Adams River run could be devastating for the tiny Cultus Lake run.
Conversely, setting a catch quota to help the much smaller Cultus Lake run recover would have significant economic impacts from under-harvesting the Adams River run.
Realizing this, two of the stakeholder groups, who for years were at loggerheads over Fraser River sockeye -- the Commercial Salmon Advisory Board (commercial fishers) and the Sto:lo First Nations -- finally put their heads together.
This led to a groundbreaking agreement several years ago that resulted in formation of the Fraser River Salmon Table Society, a non-profit group dedicated to improving salmon stocks while reducing the political conflicts over the Fraser fishery.
Since then, two other stakeholder groups who also contributed to this fishery conflict — the recreational-fishing sector and conservation groups — have joined the Salmon Table Society.
"We quickly learned that impacts on the young sockeye while they're still in Cultus Lake's fresh water were part of the problem," says Barrett, now the society's president. That's because a particularly voracious predator of young sockeye, the pike minnow, has overrun Cultus Lake.
The society now oversees a Cultus Lake project where, in late spring and early summer, pike minnow are caught by a commercial seiner in a bid to lower their stocks, giving more sockeye smolts a shot at survival.
The project, with the co-operation of the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans, is financed by a $400,000 fund created by the commercial salmon fishery.
"There's no doubt pike minnow are one of the reasons why sockeye stocks here are so low," says Regan Birch, who owns and skippers the seiner working for the society.
Both Birch and Barrett say very early indications show that Cultus Lake sockeye stocks are beginning to improve. Barrett says that the goal is to reduce pike-minnow numbers from around 80,000 to 90,000 to about 30,000. This, hopefully, would result in adult sockeye stocks increasing from 1,000 to about 20,000.
"This project is certainly teaching us a lot more about salmon biology," Barrett adds, "but it's also teaching us how to work together."
blewis@theprovince.com
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Can we do Morris Lake next? I'll do my darndest to help with total annihilation of those little #$@! )*(&^^&^^8!
I will slap the antlers on my van, put Minerva on the roof and do my best to lower the scourge. Are motors allowed on Cultus? ( I don't go there much)
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I saw thousand of hundreds of them in shallow last weekend.It could be their spawn time.It is really challenge for small salmon to survive in this lake.
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Gosh the lake is full of them as standalone said, maybe they are just beginning fishers. ;D ;D
Pikeminnow removal at Cultus slow to get going
Chris Good (left) and Dusty Diack chop pikeminnow in half and toss them back into Cultus Lake Thursday morning.
Fraser Valley
The pikeminnow of Cultus Lake refused to cooperate at first.
Under the guidance of captain Regan Birch, a purse-seining crew could be seen cruising back and forth over the known spawning areas of the lake looking for the fish over the past week or so.
They dropped the large net 20 to 25 feet down, and as much 45 feet.
They were on the hunt for emerging schools of the smolt-eating Northern pikeminnow, using "echo sounders" to pick up the underwater acoustics and quantify biomass.
"The fish aren't cooperating at all," said Captain Birch on the dock during a rainy and cool Tuesday morning, when the lake temperature was just edging above 15 degrees. "It just may take some time."
This is the fourth year of concerted pikeminnow removal, as part of the Cultus Lake Sockeye recovery strategy.
The local sockeye population has been whittled down to about 1,000 spawners, through a combination of overfishing, pollution and habitat degradation. Hatchery enhancement using captive broodstock of the lake-spawning sockeye is in effect. But the overall recovery goal is to raise the number of Cultus sockeye to 20,000 through a range of hopeful methods.
Pikeminnow started rising from the cool depths of the lake to spawn, as the lake temperatures started going up late this week.
Several days into this spring's assault on the pikeminnow, the fishing crew finally removed 357 fish in one net — after days of no results. It was the biggest scoop in one shot, near Jade Bay on Thursday morning.
But the ambitious project goal is to remove more than half of the pikeminnow population in the lake, estimated to be in the 80,000 to 90,000 range, said Dave Barrett, president of the Fraser Valley Salmon Table Society.
Any bycatch that comes up, like trout, kokanee or Dolly Varden char, will be scooped back into the lake with a dip net. Meanwhile the pikeminnow are counted, measured, and checked for gender. Then the crew members cut them in half and throw them back into the lake.
"We want to complete the pikeminnow removal in as few years as possible," Barrett said, when asked how long the predator removal project would take. They hope to take out 20,000 animals per year, said the fisheries biologist.
"The working theory is that they're preying on sockeye smolts."
Anecdotal evidence from the sportfishing community is that higher numbers of kokanee and trout are being caught by anglers, which bolsters the theory that predator removal is starting to work at Cultus Lake, Barrett added.
"So we think there's been an increase in smolt survival, or enough to encourage us to continue," he said.
The Salmon Table Society, a non-governmental organization, has undertaken the $80,000 pikeminnow project on behalf of a partnership between the Commercial Salmon Advisory Board (CSAB) and local First Nations, as part of an integrated Fraser River sockeye salmon management plan with other stakeholders.
The pikeminnow removal efforts to date have removed about 45,000 of the voracious predators in three years.
"But they keep reproducing," Barrett emphasized.
In the long-term it's hoped some of the projects will create stewardship and training opportunities, as well as jobs for the Soowahlie First Nation members.
So far one of the most positive aspects is the cooperation shown by the varied stakeholders around the Salmon Table, he said. First Nations reps are working in tandem with commercial reps around the Salmon table, as are conservation and sportfishing reps.
"I think it's really exciting," he noted about the partnership that's driving the Cultus sockeye recovery effort. "It's still early days, but ultimately we will really need a stable funding base."
Although things moved slowly at first, the groups at one point realized they were united around the common goal of helping recovery efforts for the Cultus sockeye.
"A lot of the historical problems seemed to just slip away," Barrett said. "I'm really stoked about this table.
"Some of what they're learning is about salmon biology, but some of it is just about how to get along."
jfeinberg@theprogress.com
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Virgin cultus derby guy ?'s here . Whats the boat launch like on derby day ? Busy busy ? Whats the best time to launch at and how is the parking ? Is that launch free ? Thats all the silly questions for now :-X Thanks guys
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Requested the day off, can't wait to (hopefully) be there!
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how much is the tournament
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how much is the tournament
$5 for adults $2 for kids to enter i belive
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how much is the tournament
$5 for adults $2 for kids to enter i belive
Yes that is correct.
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Virgin cultus derby guy ?'s here . Whats the boat launch like on derby day ? Busy busy ? Whats the best time to launch at and how is the parking ? Is that launch free ? Thats all the silly questions for now :-X Thanks guys
Not sure of the cost but this the info I got from BC Parks web page.
Boat Launch
There are double paved boat launching ramps located at Maple Bay and Jade Bay. Jade Bay boat launch is open year round. The Maple Bay boat launch is open during the peak season. There is parking available for boat trailers during the day only. Boats cannot be left in the water or beached overnight. There is no marina or moorage available in or within the park. Boaters are cautioned to remain well clear of buoy-marked swimming areas at all times. Water skiers and jet skiers can enjoy this lake. Cultus Lake is closed to open air exhaust motors. There are no vessels allowed on certain parts of the lake. There is a speed restriction of 5 km/h at the north end of the lake as buoyed and signed.
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I think I should enter this as I can't catch a fish anywhere else. :'(
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hmmm might jsut have to come out and try this out should be a fun day and much different the bass fishing i do lol
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Yes it is an excellent day with loads of prizes, concession at reasonable prices, a number of displays, a blue grass band for part of the day, guide boats to take young fishers out for an around a hour, games and face painting for the children. Also there should be lots of fish to catch. ;D
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Bederko has put together this fish id guide for the derby.
http://www.fishingwithrod.com/fishy_news/file/090608.pdf
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Thanks Steve and Rod. Any chance of adding a picture of Redside Shiners?
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I have the day off!!!!!!!
Lemme know if I can do anything to help set-up, or takedown at the end (would like to fish during derby).
Gonne be a great day!
I noticed that cutties are on the list, but what about rainbows, dollies, kokanee, whitefish and resident coho.
I know that those are not regular catches but neither is a cutty really.
Main concerns would be the sucker and chub I would think, I even mistook a few chubs last year.
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I have the day off!!!!!!!
Lemme know if I can do anything to help set-up, or takedown at the end (would like to fish during derby).
Gonne be a great day!
I noticed that cutties are on the list, but what about rainbows, dollies, kokanee, whitefish and resident coho.
I know that those are not regular catches but neither is a cutty really.
Main concerns would be the sucker and chub I would think, I even mistook a few chubs last year.
That's great, do you want me to bring the Leaf Craft #2 for you or are you bringing your own boat? Not sure if Owen is coming this year.
If you can help with the take down like last year, after the event that would be great, thanks loads.
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Ill have to talk to my step-dad, to see if I can bring up the truck and boat.
If not the leaf craft would be awesome as the girl friend wants 2 come fish as well.
I can stay and help with whatever you need, can't wait to see everyone there again.
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The Master, Frank and I are going to tag the 25 pike minnows today, that is if if can catch them. I guess we better as Shaw TV is coming to take video and one of the local newspapers to take pictures, the pressure is on. ;D
For anyone that catches one of these fish with one of the numbered tags on derby day wins $100. ;D ;D
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you gusy needs some help catching some im bored and want to fish lol
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I wish I could make it. I was planning on taking my son this year by my surgery date has been bumped up to June 17th. It was suppose to be at the end of the month but they made room for an earlier date. So I hope everyone has fun and I look forward to the report as fishing reports will be the closest I get to fishing for 6-8weeks .
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I'll be there rain or shine. I will make sure to take some pictures and post how the day’s adventures turned out. Fly guy I wish you good luck on the surgery and a speedy recovery.
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Here is a video that summarizes this event for those who are interested in attending:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mdxDld_PVqc
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The Master, Frank and I are going to tag the 25 pike minnows today, that is if if can catch them. I guess we better as Shaw TV is coming to take video and one of the local newspapers to take pictures, the pressure is on. ;D
For anyone that catches one of these fish with one of the numbered tags on derby day wins $100. ;D ;D
I think I'm going to be fishing cultus lake after work (and school) every day until the derby. Might have a few in the freezer by the 20th ;D ;)
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I think I'm going to be fishing cultus lake after work (and school) every day until the derby. Might have a few in the freezer by the 20th ;D ;)
Must be caught derby day and we can tell if they have been frozen, nice try though. ;D ;D ;D
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We tagged the 25 pike minnows today and as usual I had my usual luck, in catching only 4 but I did get one big one. ;D ;D Of course The Master outfished all of us. One that we tagged had a tag from a previous year in it so now it is decorated with two tags, not sure if it is caught derby day it will be worth double, $200 ??
Shaw TV and The Chilliwack Progress came and filmed the action as well. ;D
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(http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc90/fishingwithrod/forum/090611-1.jpg)
(http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc90/fishingwithrod/forum/090611-2.jpg)
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I was thinking they were going to be a needle in a haystack to catch, but you proved me wrong by catching one. Which area did you release those fish, Im sure they havent gone far. ;)
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Must be caught derby day and we can tell if they have been frozen, nice try though. ;D ;D ;D
How can you tell ;D
What happens if we just tie them to a stick at the lake lol. ;D ;D
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How can you tell ;D
What happens if we just tie them to a stick at the lake lol. ;D ;D
Surveillance camera's are at work. ;D ;D ;D
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Surveillance camera's are at work. ;D ;D ;D
Hmmmmmm....
Guess some wire cutters can fix that ;D ;D
What was the hot bait of the day? Worms?
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Worms were working well, I tried hot dogs for a short time.
There was some nice cutts around too.
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Hmmmmmm....
Guess some wire cutters can fix that ;D ;D
What was the hot bait of the day? Worms?
You wouldnt happen to be involved with other cameras in around the area.... ::)
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Only a few more days till Pike Minnow derby. I think I'm going. Judging by those pics of the tagged fish I think I know where the beer money is. :) I'm using worms that have been fed weiner and weiner thats been soaked in worm juice.
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Hey Chris, mind bringing up the boat?
I'll also come and help set up in the morning... Just give me a time and I will be there.
Hopefully this year is as good as the last ;D
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So what is the trick to pulling in big numbers at this derby last year I only caught a few small ones all day but there where guys weighing in hundreds of fish I would to better do my part to clean this lake out to make way for the sockey any tips?
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Fish right off the bottom. If you don't get any bites after 5 minutes move on. Creek mouths can be good spots. A boat/anchor helps. Use bait. Try to stay sober.
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So what is the trick to pulling in big numbers at this derby last year I only caught a few small ones all day but there where guys weighing in hundreds of fish I would to better do my part to clean this lake out to make way for the sockey any tips?
Ask Short floater..... hes the guy who pulled out all the fish last year.
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ohhh sober is the trick well I may as well call it in right now.
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Posted by: Every Day
Hey Chris, mind bringing up the boat?
PM sent.
Chilliwack Progress
Derby has distinct conservation angle
People can watch for pikeminnow with these these bright orange tags around the dorsal fin while taking part in the Greg Clark Memorial Family Fishing Derby on June 20 at Main Beach.
JENNA HAUCK/ PROGRESS
Text By Jennifer Feinberg - Chilliwack Progress
Published: June 16, 2009 8:00 AM
Updated: June 16, 2009 8:36 AM
0 Comments They really sweetened the pot for the pikeminnow derby this Saturday.
For the first time, the event held at Cultus Lake during B.C.’s Family Fishing Weekend, also features a chance to win $2,500 in cash.
Event organizers tagged 25 fish of varying sizes with fluorescent-orange spaghetti tags last Thursday to prepare for the derby on June 20 at Main Beach.
The tags are worth $100 each to anyone who brings up a tagged pikeminnow.
“This year we’ve made the cash prizes available for the first time, in order to encourage more participation by adults,” said co-organizer Frank Kwak.
But just pre-buying a ticket in advance gives everyone a chance to win prizes, as well.
The fishing extravaganza sponsored by the Fraser Valley Salmon Society is formally called The Greg Clark Memorial Family Fishing Derby, to commemorate the late Greg Clark, who was an avid angler.
“There’s no charge for fishing this weekend, and you won’t need a fishing licence,” said Kwak. “People can bring the kids, and a rod. They don’t have to have a tackle box if they fish off the peer.
“It’s just an excellent way to promote the sport of fishing, and encourage people who have never fished to give it a try.”
They don’t need a licence this weekend courtesy of the province, but all other applicable rules and regulations to do with fishing in fresh-water are in effect.
One of the attractions will be the fishing guides who’ll be taking groups of people out on the lake in their boats for free, added Kwak. It will be on a first come, first served basis, but they’ll take six to eight people out at a time.
“We’re really trying to make it a family event, and we’ve tried to keep the cost of everything down low,” he said.
The event has always been geared to raising the profile of angling, but it also has a conservation angle, since the voracious pikeminnow is thought to be preying on the endangered Cultus Lake sockeye.
“The Cultus Sockeye Recovery Team that met a few years ago, came to the conclusion that there were a number of things we could do to help the sockeye. “One of those things was to try to take down the number of predators in the lake,” Kwak said.
The pikeminnow seem to be reproducing faster than ever, with an estimated 60,000 fish in the lake.
Derby tickets are $5/$2 (15 and under) at the Rosedale Mini-Mart, Chilliwack Dart and Tackle and Fred’s Custom Tackle.
Pre-buy tickets by Friday, June 19, and the names will go into a draw for prizes. The derby starts at daybreak, with the weigh-in at 2 p.m. sharp. Prizes handed out at 2:30 p.m. sharp, with the Memorial Trophy going to the largest junior fish (pikeminnow only), along with prizes in both adult and junior categories.
jfeinberg@theprogress.com
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A chance to win 2500$? what does it take to win that? That will definately work at getting a few more bodys out.
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As article above says, $100 for each Pm caught.
Hear is another article:
Family fishing helps Cultus fish
Cornelia Naylor, The Times
Published: Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Go fish! is the motto of B.C.'s Family Fishing Weekend, a three-day event that entices about 25,000 people to try their hand at fishing every Father's Day weekend.
This Friday, Saturday and Sunday, anglers and would-be anglers can fish within the rules anywhere in B.C. for free with a complimentary three-day, basic freshwater licence.
The provincial government started the event 10 years ago to boost slumping interest in recreational fishing, an industry that generates nearly $1.2 billion annually for B.C.'s economy.
At Cultus Lake, the highlight of the weekend is the Fraser Valley Salmon Society's annual Pikeminnow Derby on Saturday, June 20.
The Derby, starting at sunrise off the Main Beach pier, serves two purposes. It gives youngsters and their families a chance to try their hand at the sport, and it takes a chunk out of the lake's voracious pike minnow population.
"Taking out pikeminnows gives the Cultus Lake sockeye a better chance for survival," said Frank Kwok, president of the Salmon Society.
Cultus Lake sockeye, once plentiful in the lake, are now hard to find, and pike minnows prey on the fish at every stage of life. Smolts are especially vulnerable when they prepare to leave the lake through narrow Sweltzer Creek.
"These pikeminnows tend to gather in great big predator pits," said Kwok. "Smolts have to swim through this lion's den in order to get out to the river to get out to the ocean. That's where they become really easy pickings."
Fortunately for the salmon and for new anglers trying their luck for the first time, pikeminnows are relatively easy to catch says Kwok.
And derby organizers have made it worth participants' while to catch them.
Prizes are being awarded in three categories: adults, boys and girls.
Lucky participants in each category will win prizes for the biggest fish, the most fish, and for fish that match hidden weights.
Twenty-five specially tagged pike minnows, released into the lake last week, will fetch another $100 each for anyone entered in the derby who catches one.
Participants who buy their tickets before Saturday at Fred's Tackle, Chilliwack Dart and Tackle or the Rosedale Mini Mart are eligible for a host of additional draw prizes to be posted on Saturday.
For those without rods and reels of their own, the derby has sets available for free on a first-come, first-serve basis. Participants can also sign up for an hour-and-a-half trip on a guided jet boat.
"If they catch a fish, they can bring it back in and enter it as a fish for the derby," said Kwok.
For Kwok, an avid fisherman, the derby is all about getting youngsters into the sport.
"We're hoping that they'll like fishing and wind up buying a rod and reel and a fishing license and become hooked on fishing," he says.
For more on the derby, call Evelyn Kwok at 604-7993466.
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Derby went very well today even though fishing was slow and no tagged fish were caught so 5 names were drawn and they each won $100 including our own Everyday. Thanks to ED for helping at the derby as well. He would have done better if he went out in the Leaf Craft #2. ;D
Lots of prizes were given out to many happy kids and adult. Thanks to Frank, Ev, The Master, Buckeye, Bucks Wife, Bederko, Dean Werk of Great River Fishing Adventures and some of his and other guides for taking out people in their jet boats. Also many others from the committee worked very hard too.
I will post more info later when I am not so tired but the biggest fish caught by an adult, Scotty Manweieller was 1.36 KG monster (a shade under 3 pounds) and Scott won a pontoon boat.
The winner of the Greg Clark Memorial Trophy landed a .74kg pike minnow and also won a Norco Mountain bike and $50 gift certificate, total value $400. Tessa Mckay was the top junior angler with her fish.
The junior boy won a similar bike package as Ethan Lazar took this grand prize with a .54 Kg fish.
Pictures to follow later and a further report tomorrow, bed time now. ;D
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From the Weigh Master Nick. ;D
There was 473 fish caught this year as compared to close to 700 last year..
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Chris, do you know how many tickets were sold for the derby?
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Chris, do you know how many tickets were sold for the derby?
Around 412 adults and I have to finish counting the Junior's yet. Still tired from the event. ???
Rodney will be posting some of the pictures I took when he picks out the ones he wants to use. I will complete more info on the derby after my afternoon nap. ::) After all its Father's Day and we can do what we wish. ;D ;D
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Chris' photos from the derby are now available for viewing at:
http://www.fishingwithrod.com/member/gallery/cultus2009
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I believe that we can very safely then assume that we had well over 1000 people involved in this years very successful derby. 794 registered fishers with an estimate of 1,000 people comming to view the displays and the event.
Results Junior (under 16)
Greg Clark Memorial Trophy
Largest pike minnow by a junior
Tessa MacKay .74 kg. Won a Norco Mountain Bike with a $50 Gift Certificate
Second place junior girl
Desiree MacKay .43kg
Third place junior girl
Maya MacKay .42 kg
Junior Boys largest pike minnow
First place
Ethan Lazar .54 kg. Won a Norco Mountain Bike with a $50 gift certificate
Second
Jarrod Beyer .46kg
Third
Dawson Jarvis .46kg
Most pike minnows caught by a junior boy
Matthew Fisher 26
Most pike minnows caught by a junior girl
Kelly Holdsworth 34
Hidden weight by a junior boy
Jami Weathergil
Hidden weight by a junior girl
Teagan Jones
Adult Division
Largest pike minnow
Scott Manwieller 1.36 kg. Won a 8 foot Streamer XL Pontoon Boat $800 value
Second
Sevana Bury .82 kg
Third
Mark Nuyens .66 kg
Most pike minnows
Troy Huggins 29 Won a PVR machine
Hidden weight
Rob Beckers
I did not list all the prizes as some were too lenghty, just the major ones are listed.
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Hundreds flock to fishing derby at Cultus
People cram onto a dock at Main Beach in Cultus Lake for the annual Greg Clark Memorial Family Fishing Derby on Saturday.
JENNA HAUCK/ PROGRESS
Published: June 23, 2009 11:00 AM
1 Comment A total of 794 people signed up to take part in the Greg Clark Memorial Family Fishing Derby at Cultus Lake on Saturday.
Although none of the 25 tagged pikeminnow were caught, a total of 473 non-tagged ones were caught.
A special draw for all those who caught a fish was held and five people had their names drawn each winning $100.
Derby Results:
Junior girls (under 16) largest pikeminnow:
1) Tessa MacKay .74 kg. Won a Norco mountain bike with a $50 Gift Certificate
2) Desiree MacKay .43 kg
3) Maya MacKay .42 kg
Junior Boys largest pikeminnow:
1) Ethan Lazar .54 kg. Won a Norco mountain bike and a $50 gift certificate
2) Jarrod Beyer .46 kg
3) Dawson Jarvis .46 kg
Most pikeminnow caught by a junior boy: Matthew Fisher with 26
Most pikeminnow caught by a junior girl: Kelly Holdsworth with 34
Hidden weight by a junior boy: Jami Weathergill
Hidden weight by a junior girl: Teagan Jones
Adult division largest pikeminnow:
1) Scott Manwieller 1.36 kg. Won an 8-ft. Streamer XL Pontoon Boat valued at $800
2)Sevana Bury .82 kg
3)Mark Nuyens .66 kg
Most pikeminnow caught by an adult: Troy Huggins with 29. Won a PVR machine.
Hidden weight by an adult: Rob Beckers
one comment made.
Many thanks to the gentleman and his family that saw my wife and I in distress and gave us a tow to shore when my outboard went kaput. It was getting late in the evening and the water was getting rough, and the wind wasn't helping our arduos paddling expedition across Cultus. A pox on those that mocked my wife and I as we attempted to hitch-hike back to the boat launch to retrieve our vehicle after being denied a helpful ride from the parks employees due to liability reasons. It's understandable to not pick up hitchers in this day and age, but was it really necessary to honk and wave with that condescending smile on your face? It would behoove you to know that I was so incensed by your behavior that I checked the area for your vehicles once I had my truck back. Unfortunately you had slithered back under the rock from whence you came. A word to the wise; Sometimes your behavior comes back to haunt you.
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Derby lures families to cast away in Cultus
The Times
Published: Tuesday, June 23, 2009
The number of fish caught was down from last year, but the second annual Greg Clark Memorial Family Fishing Derby went off without a hitch and was a great success, according to organizers.
"We can safely assume that well over 1,000 people took in the event and are very pleased with those numbers as we try to educate our community about Cultus and its fish," said Frank Kwak from the Fraser Valley Salmon Society.
A total of 420 adults and 374 children bought tickets and between them caught 473 pikeminnows. Last year 700 were caught.
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The docks in front of Main Beach were lined with fishers of all ages on Saturday.
Paul J. Henderson/TIMES
Organizers also tagged 25 pikeminnows, but none of them were caught. They held a special draw for all those who caught a fish and five lucky people had their names drawn, each winning $100.
While the docks at Main Beach were lined with eager kids and adults dropping lines, a number of people got out on the water as five local guides--Len's Sportfishing Adventures, BlueWater Rockies Sportfish Guide Co., Swiftwater Guiding, Reaction Fly & Tackle, and Great River Fishing Adventures--took some lucky kids out in boats.
"We were also happy to talk with several beach owners who stopped by to thank us for the great event as well as two Cultus Lake Park Board councillors, which was an encouragement to us," Kwak said.
In addition to the fishing, a number of groups had display booths of interest to the community. At least 200 other people came by for the barbecue or just to enjoy onshore activities such as beach games, face and fish painting, and the display booths.
GREG CLARK MEMORIAL DERBY RESULTS:
Junior (under 16)
Greg Clark Memorial Trophy
Largest pikeminnow by a junior
Tessa MacKay .74 kg. Won a Norco Mountain bike with a $50 gift certificate
Second place junior girl - Desiree MacKay .43 kg
Third place junior girl - Maya MacKay .42 kg
Junior Boys largest pikeminnow
First place - Ethan Lazar .54 kg. Won a Norco Mountain bike with a $50 gift certificate
Second - Jarrod Beyer .46 kg
Third - Dawson Jarvis .46 kg
Most pikeminnows caught by a junior boy
Matthew Fisher 26
Most pikeminnows caught by a junior girl
Kelly Holdsworth 34
Hidden weight by a junior boy
Jami Weathergill
Hidden weight by a junior girl
Teagan Jones
Adult Division
Largest pike minnow
Scott Manwieller 1.36 kg. Won an eight-foot Streamer XL Pontoon Boat $800 value
Second - Sevana Bury .82 kg
Third - Mark Nuyens .66 kg
Most pike minnows
Troy Huggins 29. Won a PVR machine
Hidden weight
Rob Beckers
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First of all, congrats to all the organizers and participants at the pike derby. Great event, great cause.
In looking at the numbers estimated in cultus lake, it begs a question.. why the sudden population explosion now of Pike Minnows? What changes, environmental, predators, water quality, etc, are responsible for the boom in the pike minnow population?
I always remembered catching the odd few fishing local waters, but not to the extent that I've seen now.
I was teaching a youngster how to fly fish on the brunette ,... laid out a nice drift with a big fluffy dry fly that got a classic trout take, only to find it was an ugly pike minnow..
So they are occupying trout holding water, lakes, rivers...etc...
What has changed? The trout/salmonids could out compete them for thousands of years, why the shift now?
I know the Salmonid population has declined, but that doesn't mean that the pike minnow is suddenly a better predator, and I assume their prodigious reproduction capabilities has always been the same..
So. why now?
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One possible reason for the increased Pikeminnow population in Cultus Lake (at least until recently - the yearly seining efforts/derbies have removed thousands) is Eurasian Water Milfoil. Studies have shown juvenile pikeminnow have found both a refuge from predators and more available food, thus increasing survival rates, in the forests of Cultus Lake milfoill. Also, pikeminnow seem to be more adaptable to increasing water temperature/ water quality issues - salmonids, not so much.
The Cultus Lake Aquatic Stewardship Strategy (CLASS) applied for, and was denied, funding for DFO to study the interractions of fish communities and milfoil in Cultus Lake. They hope to submit another funding application soon to answer the questions Birdnest asks.
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One possible reason for the increased Pikeminnow population in Cultus Lake (at least until recently - the yearly seining efforts/derbies have removed thousands) is Eurasian Water Milfoil. Studies have shown juvenile pikeminnow have found both a refuge from predators and more available food, thus increasing survival rates, in the forests of Cultus Lake milfoill. Also, pikeminnow seem to be more adaptable to increasing water temperature/ water quality issues - salmonids, not so much.
The Cultus Lake Aquatic Stewardship Strategy (CLASS) applied for, and was denied, funding for DFO to study the interractions of fish communities and milfoil in Cultus Lake. They hope to submit another funding application soon to answer the questions Birdnest asks.
Thanks Dave. Maybe the milfoil makes it hard to get a bait to them as they are in and around the milfoil. Is there anyway to curtail its growth? I know a few years ago they tried harvesting but I thought it just cut up the plants and there was lots of loose pieces floating around to take root. ???
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Chris, as yet there is not an environmentally acceptable means to eliminate Eurasian water milfoil in a lake like Cultus which has two endangered fish species - Cultus Lake sockeye and Pygmy Sculpin. Chilliwack High School students working at the DFO lab at Cultus have studied and documented the regenerative capabilities of this plant .... bottom line - leave it alone when it's growing (now) as cuttings or fragments root quickly.
Unfortunately, it's here to stay.
Because there are so few Cultus sockeye returning now, milfoil on their spawning areas is not really a problem. I believe you will see an increased government involvement in milfoil/fish relationships only if Cultus stocks rebound.
As it is now, there is no government agency willing to take the lead in controlling this invasive plant.
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I hope it's not milfoil that's the cause of the pike minnow explosion, because that would mean things aren't gonna get much better. It make sense as far as raising water temps...etc...
But that doesn't totally explain why I would find them in rivers and streams were milfoil isn't obviously present.
I tried to learn to appreciate the lowly pike minnow, I really did.. I mean, it took a dry fly, even did a few jumps...
But.... when you pick one up and, it starts to do that ..croaking, gasping wheezing thing... and it sorta goes all gooey in your hands..
blechhhhhhh
The fish feels like an invertebrate.... it's spineless I tell you.. spinless!~!!