Angling ambassador program

© By Othmar Vohringer

In all the hoopla about the outrage of a duck hunting video posted on YouTube and the following arrest of the poachers last week I didn’t have much time to write about an event that is very dear to me.

The Angling Ambassador Program, a joint endeavour of the BC Wildlife Federation (BCWF) and the Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC (FFSBC) is an exiting new project to promote fishing and I am proud to be part of it. The objectives of this program are:

• To educate the general public on the benefits of angling and to provide instruction on fishing regulations interpretation pertaining to angling and conservation.
• BCWF members will offer fishing advice ( where to and how to ) at various lakes in the Thompson/Nicola Region.
• The program will encourage the general public to participate in angling, providing the opportunity to have fun for individuals and families.
• Provide information on BC Wildlife Federation, Report All Poachers and Polluters (RAPP), Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC (FFSBC), Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation (HCTF) and Ministry of Environment(MoE).
• The Thompson River watershed and the Nicola River watershed are designated sites including various lakes in the region and surrounding area.

On Wednesday August 5th we had our first ambassadorial duties. Our group (Photo from left to right, Jack Madryga, Cyril George, Bill Otway, Othmar Vohringer and Paul Komonoski) headed to the Kentucky Lake located in the stunningly beautiful Kentucky Alleyne Provicial Park. After we set up the information booth and unloaded all the boxed full of fishing literature, tackle and fishing rods to be given away to young anglers we just had time for a refreshing cup of coffee before the action started.


In no time the booth was busy with anglers of all ages asking questions or just stopping by for a friendly chit-chat. The children were exited and thankful for the presents and all the advice we dispensed on how to catch fish. It didn’t take long before the first child came back to our booth and proudly showed off the trout she caught with the rod and tackle she received from the Angling Ambassador Program team.

Part of our “job”, and for me the most rewarding one, was to walk around the lake visiting with the anglers and helping them with any questions they may have. For me the biggest joy of the day was a young girl that tried for the better part of two hours to catch a fish. She kept asking her father what to do but he has never fished before either. After setting her fishing rod properly up and choosing the lure of the day and then showing her how to cast she caught a handsome rainbow trout of a respectable size. To see the girl’s face light up with a bright smile when she reeled the fish in combined with the joyous “Daddy I got one, Daddy look here I caught a fish.” was all the reward I needed.



















As I said at the beginning of this article, this was our first Angling Ambassador Program but it certainly was not our last one. As anglers and hunters we do not need a title and a uniform to become ambassadors of our great outdoor heritage. Every time a hunter or angler helps somebody else less knowledgeable with advice and some friendly encouragement he or she is an ambassador of our sport and contributes to the continuation of our treasured outdoor heritage.

Learn to catch more fish. Othmar Vohringer offers fishing courses for the beginning to advances angler.

Othmar Vohringer Outdoors
Founding Member of Outdoor Bloggers Summit

Tags: Angling Ambassador Program, fishing, Kentucky Lake, BC Wildlife Federation, Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC

BC Family Fishing Day in Merritt

© By Othmar Vohringer

On Fathers Day, June 21st the Nicola Valley Fish & Game Club (NVFGC) held their traditional BC Family Fishing Day event at the children lake located between the Kentucky and the Alleyne lakes. Despite the cloudy weather with the occasional rain and drizzle, it did not deter families from attending. By 11:00 am over 50 adults and 59 children had signed up at the registration booth.

While the weather might not have been the usual sunny and hot it certainly was perfect for fishing. By the end of the event over 120 rainbow trout had been weighed in with the heavier ones exceeding two pounds. Neither did the weather negatively impact on the excitement, joy and determination of the many young fishers. The enthusiasm of the children and the joy they felt spending quality time with their parents and family on the lake had everybody in a good mood.

According to Bill Otway, the organizer of the Family Fishing Day for the Nicola Valley Fish & Game Club, this year’s event has been one of the most successful since the club started to host the Family Fishing Day. Of course an event of this proportion would not be possible without the numerous hard working volunteers and members of the NVFGC and the many supporters from the Merritt business community. A big thank you to the Credit Union, Powderkeg Outdoor Supply Store, Ponderosa Tackle and Archery, Tim Hortons, McDonalds and many other individuals for donating prizes, tents, time and money to make this event possible and the success it was.

The local Conservation Officer detachment was present during the entire event providing assistance and showing children how to clean fish. The Conservation Officers also provided over 40 rod and reel combos plus other smaller prizes and gifts to be given away to the children that took part in the fishing derby. There were other prizes to be had as well; making sure that no child was left out. In the cozy refreshment tent the ladies of the NVFGC were busy providing hot coffee, donuts, grilled hamburgers and hot dogs for the hungry fishers and spectators.

All in all this was a great event shared by many families and everybody had a good time. The BC Family Fishing Weekend purpose is to promote new fishing opportunities and British Columbia as a world-class fishing destination. For this special family event no fishing license was required and the lake had been stocked with additional fish. The NVFGC is proud to be the annual host of the Family Fishing Day and we look forward to next year’s Father’s day event. The NVFGC is a family orientated conservation and sportsman organization offering many events throughout the year for its members. Membership applications can be obtained at the Powderkeg Outdoor Supply Store in Merritt.

Othmar Vohringer Outdoors
Founding Member of Outdoor Bloggers Summit

Tags: British Columbia Fishing, Family Fishing Day, Nicola Valley fish and Game Club

Alouette Lake Fishing Derby

© By Othmar Vohringer

I am a bit late with this event due to computer problems, but not to late for you to register to take part in this exiting event if you’re quick about it.

The Alouette Lake Fishing Derby is hosted by the Maple Ridge Chamber of Commerce and takes place on June 6th 2009.

Registration fee for singles is $50 and for families $110. It’s a huge event with vendors and fishing company representatives present. Registered derby participates are eligible to win $5,000 worth of prices for more information and registration visit the Maple Ridge Fishing Derby website.

Othmar Vohringer Outdoors
Founding Member of Outdoor Bloggers Summit

Tags: Fishing Derby, Alouette Lake, Maple Ridge

Canada lost one of its greatest anglers and conservantionists

© By Othmar Vohringer

With sadness I report today the passing of Frank (Len) Rich, one of Canada’s most active outdoor enthusiasts and conservationist. Unfortunately, I was not able to get to know Len all that well before he passed away. Before I joined the Outdoor Writers of Canada (OWC) we exchanged a few emails and a couple of phone calls. It had been his enthusiasm about everything to do with fishing, the outdoors and writing, plus his tireless commitment to recruiting new outdoor writers that made me join the OWC.

Below I copied the official obituary released by the OWC. My heartfelt condolences go to Lens family and many friends in the outdoor community to whom he has given so richly and never asked for anything in return. The legacy he left behind will be carried on in his memory. May you rest in peace Len.

OBITUARY Len Rich 1938-2009

We regret to announce the death of Leonard Frank (Len) Rich on April 13, 2009, in North Bay, ON following a brief courageous battle with cancer. He was 71.

Len was born and raised in the small Upstate New York town of Whitehall. After eight years of US military service he settled in Newfoundland in 1966. His careers spanned more than four decades, from sales rep and sales manager to automotive dealer and entrepreneur in the field of tourism.

His greatest passions were fly fishing and writing and as a columnist, author and advocate for responsible stewardship he left a profound legacy, touching the lives of many throughout the writing and fly fishing worlds.

Len discovered and later developed a fly-in sportfishing lodge in Labrador he named Awesome Lake Lodge. He operated that business for 10 years before semi-retirement.

He authored several books, including Newfoundland Salmon Flies and how to tie them, Best of In The Woods, Fly Fishing Tips and Tactics, Rivers and Woods, So you want to be an outfitter, Memoirs of a fly fisher, Tales of Christmas (Editor), and his latest Bill Bennett: Pioneer Bush Pilot and Outfitter. He also wrote hundreds of magazine articles for various national and International publications.

During his careers he was employed by the Newfoundland government as Hunting & Fishing Development Officer and by the Atlantic Salmon Federation (ASF) as manager of Special Events. Len was also employed by Corona College in Grand Falls-Windsor as Director of Communications and Tourism Training. He and his late wife Ruby developed and operated businesses in Clarenville, NL, known as Whitehall Country Inn and The Grapevine. He was predeceased by Ruby in 2004.

He served three terms as President of the Labrador Outfitters Association and three terms as Eastern Director of the Outdoor Writers of Canada (OWC). An award winning writer, he was recognized by the New England Outdoor Writers Association and the Outdoor Writers of Canada for his books and articles and in 1991 received the coveted Canada Recreational Fisheries Award for “writing that influenced a generation of recreational fishers.” In 2007 he was selected to receive the OWC’s Jack Davis Mentorship Award for his work with up and coming writers. He led the OWC Mentorship Program and for a decade he hosted the Creative Writing forum on the Sympatico Internet site.

Throughout his adult life he made Newfoundland his home, but recently lived in Orangeville and North Bay, sharing his life and love with his partner Susan Buckle. He is survived by brothers Wayne, Shrewsbury, Vermont; Keith, Hoosick, NY; sister Dawn in Massachusetts; Susan and her children Cameron and Lianne Honeyborne; sons Len Jr. (Chantel) of Lewisporte, NL and Ken of Summerside, NL; daughters Lori (Tony) of Fort Nelson, BC, and Tammy of Summerside, NL; stepson Tony Blackmore and stepdaughter Roxane Bailey (Chris) of St. John’s, NL; and grandchildren Cassidy, Alicia, Evan, Tyson, Tyler, Mallory, Morgan, Rebecca, Daniel, Kennedy, and Andrew.

Funeral will be held in Clarenville, NL Saturday April 25 at Fewers Funeral Home, Clarenville. 709-467-2468. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Margaree Salmon Museum, NS. Margaree Centre, NS B0E 1Z0 or the charity of your choice.

Images courtesy of Outdoor Writers of Canada.

Othmar Vohringer Outdoors
Founding Member of Outdoor Bloggers Summit

Fishing on the Internet - Get Reeled

© By Othmar Vohringer

For me the Internet is one of the greatest tools for searching news and making connections with other anglers around the world. As a writer and blogger the Internet permits me to network with other like-minded people and exchange experiences, tips and ideas.

My good blogging friend Mel Moore, writer of the Fishing Notebook, made me aware of a new angler networking website called GetReeled.com.

GetReeled.com brings fishers together from around the world. To join you have to sign up and create your own account. It’s free. Ones you have your own account you can join other members or join groups. It’s a great way to talk with other anglers that share the same interests as you do.

My home page at GetReeled.com can be viewed here and ones you joined the network we can engage in discussions about your favorite method of fishing or your favorite game fish species. We also can talk about the fishing school where I offer lessons for individuals and groups in Merritt, British Columbia.

If you’re, like me, a convinced Rapala lure user then you could join Mel’s Rapala’s Group like I did. We have some great discussions in that group about the effectiveness of using Rapala Lures for different fish species and different methods of fishing.

I invite you to come along and do some fishing on the Internet, it’s great fun and you always can learn something new.

Image courtesy of GetReeled.com

Othmar Vohringer Outdoors
Founding Member of Outdoor Bloggers Summit

Spring trout season has started

© By Othmar Vohringer

It looks like spring in the Nicola Valley has finally arrived. The last few days the almost balmy weather made short work of the ice on the lakes, with exception of a few lakes at higher elevations the ice is all gone. If the warm weather keeps up these higher up lakes too will soon be ice free.

Fishermen, including me, have been waiting for what seems like a very to long time. With the spring arriving and the ice off the lakes it is time to dig out the fishing tackle box and put new line on the reel. My mind is drifting between going fishing and turkey hunting. The bears are still hibernating at the higher elevations where I hunt them, which is just as well otherwise I would be in a real dilemma with all the choices the spring offers to the outdoors person.

The other day I drove by the Nicola Lake - which is only a few driving minutes from our house - and darn it if I didn’t see a few rainbow trout, could have been kokanee’s too, jump. Arriving back home I hauled my fishing gear out of the winter storage, washed the boat and got everything else ready for the first fishing trip of the year.

In the spring trolling with small flashy spoons or weeding bands works great and so do pink and red plastic worms. Use a rod with a sensitive tip, as bites will be very light. Shore fishing on the Nicola Lake can be good too with a good old red and white ball bobber you will be able to reach further out. As lures go I always make sure I have a few Rapala’s in different colors and sizes in my lure box as back up. If all else fails out comes a Rapala and I am almost guaranteed to get action with these lures.

I am not a flyfisher but I have seen the first chironomids appear and that is the time, so flyfishers tell me, to make sure your fly box if sufficiently stocked with that type of flies. Black leeches with red flash, so I am told by one source, get bites too.

I am ready to go fishing and will head out with my boat right after I return from my turkey hunt.

Tight Linnes!

For information about my fishing lessons and hunting courses visit:
Othmar Vohringer Outdoors

New BC Freshwater Fishing Regulations are out

© By Othmar Vohringer

A few days ago I had the pleasure to talk to Steve Maricle, one of the BC wildlife departments small lake biologists. During our conversation Steve told me how happy he is that he finally could convince our provincial government to simplify the Freshwater Fishing Synopsis. Steve like many others, me included, always felt that the old regulations were too complicated with 37 different regulations for each small lake. More confusing then enlightening.

Having traveled to quite a few places in North America to hunt and fish I always thought that the BC Fishing Synopsis, a magazine filling more then 100 pages, is without a doubt one of the most convoluted written regulations anywhere. Almost for each lake, river and stream there are different rules on fishing tackle, boat engine horsepower, retention limits among an array of other regulations.

Thankfully Steve worked very hard to simplify the regulation and as a result we have much simpler regulations for 2009 that can be read without the assistance of a lawyer and do not need to be consulted each time one fishes a different lake. The biggest problem with the old regulations was that they would put off new fishers simply because they could not make heads and tail off it without reading the regulations for hours at a time.

Among the new and simplified regulations are the small lake classifications. This alone is a huge improvement to the former system. Small lakes are now classified throughout the regionas:

• SL-1 means that the daily retaining quota for char and trout is 2
• SL-2 trout and char daily quota is 1, plus on these lakes only single barbless hooks can be used, plus winter closures and fish size restrictions are in place where required.
• SL-3 trout and char daily quota is 2 plus bait ban and only single barbless hooks can be used. Winter closures if necessary.
• SL-4 trout and char catch and release only, plus bait ban and single barbless hooks only. Seasonal closures if necessary.

Another new feature I like is that the ice fishing closures, previously dated, are now simplified with the remark. "If the ice is off you can fish". Before there was a date included but what if the ice was not off on that specific date. Where you still permitted to fish despite the ice fishing ban? The decision was left to the interpretation of the Conservation Officer. In the new regulation the ice fishing ban is lifted when the ice is off the lake at what ever date that might be. Much simpler and easier to understand and no interpretation need.

There are many other positive changes and most of these changes are aimed at making fishing in British Columbia simpler and above all unify the regulation throughout the regions. I for one am very glad Steve invested all the hard work and time to simplify the regulation and had the necessary stamina to convince the bureaucrats in the government, which probably was the toughest part.