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Lake Erie Steelhead Seminar

Ohio Sea Grant to host Nov 12 at Bay Village

   Want to find out HOW and WHERE you can catch Lake Erie's steelhead during the FALL, WINTER AND SPRING in local tributary streams and rivers?   Interested in learning about steelhead biology, including  spawning runs?  Want to know the best websites for steelhead info and stream flow data? Want to learn more about spinning and fly fishing  techniques for steelhead, and how to make your own spawn sacs?  Want to know more about the fish consumption advisory for steelhead trout you catch from Lake Erie tributary streams and rivers?
 

   Learn all of this and more during Ohio Sea Grant's Steelhead Trout Fishing Seminar to be held in Bay Village at the Lake Erie Nature & Science Center, 28728 Wolf Road.   Scheduled for Tuesday, November 12, 2002 from 7 P.M. to 10:00 P.M., the seminar is co- sponsored by Ohio Sea Grant and The Lake Erie Nature and Science Center.  Pre-registration and payment of $5.00 per person  (to help support the Nature and Science Center) will be necessary to guarantee seating.
 

   Seating will be limited, and registration at the door will be accepted only if seating is available.  Call the Nature and Science Center at 440/871-2900 for more information and details regarding registration and pre-payment for this seminar.
 

   The seminar will feature Dave Kelch, Ohio Sea Grant,

George Vosmik, noted local fly fishing and fly tying

educator and steelhead expert, and local steelhead stream fishing expert Jim Craig.

   Kelch will teach participants the basics about steelhead trout biology, why trout are stocked into Ohio's Lake Erie tributary streams, and will give an overview and update of this extremely successful Ohio DNR program.  Kelch will explain the facts behind the current fish consumption advisory for Lake Erie fish with respect to Lake Erie steelhead trout.  He will also explain the purpose and goals of Sea Grant's intensive fall, winter and spring 2002-2003 steelhead angler survey, which will be conducted on area streams and rivers from Vermilion to Conneaut.

   George Vosmik, noted fly fishing and fly tying instructor from Rocky River, will discuss fly fishing tactics, techniques and gear for catching trophy steelhead trout.

 

   Jim Craig of Grafton, a local steelhead fishing expert, will reveal his secrets regarding where, when and how to catch steelhead in local Ohio Lake Erie tributary streams using spinning gear with live bait, trout/salmon egg spawn bags and artificial lures.
           

For more info: Dave Kelch, Ohio Sea Grant 440-326-5851  [email protected]

Americans spent $108 Billion on Wildlife-Related Recreation in 2001

Revenues Generated by Hunters and Anglers would Rank #11 on the Fortune 500

   WASHINGTON, DC - Spending over $70 billion dollars a year in pursuit of their pastime, America's hunters and anglers would rank #11 on the Fortune 500 if they formed a corporation, according to a new report released today by the Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation.

   Over 38 million Americans enjoy the outdoors - twice the number of labor unions members - and sportsmen support 1.6 million jobs, well more than Wal-Mart, the country's largest employer. American sportsmen are a demographic group worth a closer look.

   The report, The American Sportsman ~ Take a Closer Look, uses the results from the USFWS 2001 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife-Associated Recreation and compares hunters' and anglers' impact on the economy with other industries.

   While the combined national economic impact of sportsmen is remarkable, it is even more important to recognize the impact at the state and local level. In Florida, recreational anglers spend three times more each year than the cash receipts for the state's orange crop. In Minnesota, sportsmen pay $175 million in state sales, fuel and income taxes equivalent to the salaries for 8% of the state's teachers. In Oregon, sportsmen support more jobs than are provided by Intel, Nike, Oregon State U. and the U. of Oregon combined. And in Montana, annual spending by sportsmen is nearly 3% of the entire Gross State Product.

   The FWS report recognizes that fishing remains an enormously popular outdoor pastime in America, with broad economic, social, and conservation values.  The National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife-Associated Recreation, primarily covering participation in 2001, shows more than 34 million Americans fish, with anglers spending nearly $42 billion on equipment, transportation, lodging, and other expenses associated with their sport.  Overall, anglers' expenditures grew by 33 % over the last decade.

   In 2001, 39% of all U.S. residents 16 years old and older participated in activities such as hunting, fishing and birdwatching according to the comprehensive report.  Outdoor recreationists spent more than $108 billion pursuing their activities.  This expenditure accounted for 1.1% of the gross domestic product.  Of the total amount spent, $28.1 billion was trip-related, $64.5 billion was spent on equipment and $15.8 billion was spent on other items.   The 2001 Survey is the tenth in a series that began in 1955.

   More than 28 million people went freshwater fishing, while nine million people went saltwater fishing. The Great Lakes, one of the most widely fished freshwater areas, attracted two million anglers.

   Nearly $300 million from these excise taxes and $500 million from fishing license sales are used by state natural resource agencies to restore fisheries and promote fishing.

   Other interesting statistics on sportfishing from the survey include:

►One in 6 people in the United States fish, making it the fourth most popular sport, more so than golf and soccer combined.

►27 % of anglers range between the ages of 35 and 44,

►40 % of anglers come from large urban areas,

►More than 90 % of America's anglers fish within their home state.

►Each angler spent an average of $1,046 on fishing-related expenses.

►Fishing is most popular in the north-central states (Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, and the Dakotas).

►68 % of anglers have household incomes over $50,000, with another 15 % represented within the $20,000-$49,999 income range.

►The most popular freshwater fish are black bass, panfish, trout, and catfish. The most popular saltwater fish are flatfish such as flounder and halibut, red drum, striped bass, and sea trout.  The most popular Great Lakes fish are perch, walleye, black bass, and salmon.

►74 % of anglers are male, 26 % female.

►More than 1 million jobs are related to sportfishing, accounting for more than $30 billion in wages.

New Indiana record hybrid striped bass

   A new state-record hybrid striped bass has been certified by the Indiana DNR.  Sam Tracy from Peru, IN caught the fish July 24 below Lake Freeman�s Oakdale Dam.  The white bass/striped bass hybrid, often called a wiper, weighed 19.3 oz, and measured 34".  Tracy was fishing in the predawn darkness

along the shore of the Tippecanoe River below the Lake Freeman Dam when the big striper attacked his crank bait.

   Tracy�s record wiper is the fifth new state record fish caught this year. Record muskie, warmouth sunfish, buffalo and grass carp catches have also been recently certified.

Ohio Charter Captain recognized

Receives2002 Individual Lake Erie Award

   Ohio Charter Captain Jim Fofrich Sr. of Toledo was recently named to receive the 2002 individual Lake Erie Award given by the Ohio Lake Erie Commission. The annual awards recognize one citizen and one organization for their commitments to the preservation and enhancement of Lake Erie and its coastline.

   Fofrich, long a champion of prudent conservation management, has devoted a lifetime to Lake Erie, its fisheries, and conservation. He was nominated by Paul

Pacholski, Lake Erie Charter Boat Association board

member.

   Fofrich, who is suffering from an inoperable brain tumor and is gravely ill, has been active as a writer reporting on resource issues, cormorant management problems, involved in ODOW research fish tagging programs, and had been a major proponent in obtaining a ban on Ohio's Lake Erie commercial gill nets.
 

   Lake Erie Commission executive director Jeff Bush advised us the Commission presented the award to family representatives at its Oct. 15 meeting.

Canada to create 10 enormous new national parks

   Canada said October 3 it planned to create 10 huge new national parks and five marine conservation areas over the next five years to protect unique landscapes and animals in the world's second-largest country.   The total area covered by the 10 new parks will be around 39,000 square miles (100,000 square km), almost doubling the area occupied by the existing 39 national parks.

   Sites for seven of the new parks have been identified:

►Gulf Islands in British Columbia,

►Ukkusiksalik in the Arctic territory of Nunavut,

►Torngat Mountains in Labrador,

►Mealy Mountains in Labrador,

►Lowland forests in Manitoba,

►Bathurst Island in Nunavut,

►The East Arm of Great Slave Lake in the Northwest Territories,

   The other three have yet to be named.

   The marine conservation areas will be created in the Gwaii Haanas Islands in British Columbia, in western Lake Superior, in the Southern Strait of Georgia in British Columbia, and two other as yet unidentified sites.

Ecoterrorists' call for more use of force

Arson and death threats have followed

   This form of violence � which the FBI says is the most serious type of domestic terrorism in the country today � involves radical environmentalists and animal-rights activists, some of whom now vow that they "will no longer hesitate to pick up the gun to implement justice...."   Radical groups formed in England with a record of physically attacking people perceived to be their enemies 

have begun operating in Canada and the United States.

   Arson is becoming a more common tool, threatening employees of torched buildings. Personal harassment amounting to psychological violence has been directed against the family members of those accused of harming animals or the environment - and anglers and hunters.  And the rhetoric from such groups increasingly warns of personal violence.

Migrants feared lost on Niagara

Chinese man pulled from river after raft overturns

   A Chinese national illegally crossing into the United States was rescued from the treacherous waters of the Niagara River about 3:30 AM on Sept 25, but fears remain that others, including a Canadian guiding them.

   The National Post reports they might have perished when their flimsy inflatable raft capsized. U.S. Border Patrol officers, aboard a boat in the lower Niagara River, heard cries for help, officials say.

The officers found a man struggling to stay above water. While Canadian and U.S. police searched the banks on both sides of the river, including a helicopter flying overhead, the rescued man was taken to hospital, where he was treated and released into the custody of U.S. immigration officials.

   Niagara Regional Police found two suspects, both believed to be Canadians, nearby. They were arrested and turned over to the RCMP.

Fed funds flushed downstream

   Federal agencies have spent more than $3.3 billion in the past 20 years to help Columbia River Basin salmon and steelhead runs recover―with little conclusive success, the General Accounting Office says. The report released August 19 by the GAO, the investigative arm of Congress, raised concerns about the effectiveness of federal spending

on recovery efforts and suggested better coordination among agencies was needed. "Although these actions are viewed as resulting in higher numbers of returning salmon and steelhead, there is little evidence to quantify the extent of their effects on returning fish populations," the report said.

Stuffing fish with lead

Gets angler in trouble

   A Toronto fisherman is in trouble for stuffing a salmon with lead and rocks to add weight to his derby entry. Officials of the Great Ontario Salmon Derby discovered a contestant had filled a chinook with lead to make it heavy enough to qualify for a chance at a $40,000 prize. Charged

with two counts of "cheating at play" and two counts of

attempted fraud, Gary Bruce Morrison, 51, is facing eight years in prison if convicted.

   The extras weighed more than 7 lbs. in addition to the weight of the fish.  The derby winner submitted a 40.2 lb chinook of real fish flesh.