The Best Place On Earth To Fish

© Othmar Vohringer

Image: Copyright Heidi I. Koehler

It is no secret that British Columbia is one of the most sought after fishing destinations in the world. Annually thousands of anglers from all over the world travel to our province to fulfill their dream to at least once in their lifetime have been here. With over 400 million dollars in revenue annually added to the government coffers from recreational anglers proves that fishing is very popular and important to our economy.

Considering that British Columbia has more than 20,000 kilometers of coastline, tens of thousands of kilometers of streams and rivers and over 50,000 lakes and ponds that hold a large variety of all kinds of fish species you can say without brag: “BC is the best place in the word for fishing”.

Having said that, the best place to fish in British Columbia is without question right here in the Thompson – Nicola District. Be that one of hundreds of lakes and ponds, the rivers Fraser, Thompson, Coldwater or Nicola or any of the many other streams that flow though our region you can be assured there are fish to catch. From the prehistoric sturgeon to salmon, trout and many other fish species we have it all here. It has been said, and I believe this to be true, that you can fish in the Thompson-Nicola Region every day for all of your life and you still have not managed to fish every place.

The long warm season plus nutrient-rich and clean water in our area are a perfect mix to sustain large and healthy fish populations. In addition, many of our lakes are annually stocked by the Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC with millions of trout of different species. The diversity of fishing opportunities offers a variety of angling experiences for both the beginner and the expert. There are many lakes with a large population of smaller catchable trout that can reach up to four pounds with the average being 15 to 20 inch fish for the angler wanting to catch many fish and for the beginner who is learning how to fish. Then there are the lakes that are managed for large fish, with trout of up to 15 pounds and higher, providing the opportunity to catch the biggest trout of a lifetime. Most of our lakes are easily accessible for fishing from shore and most also feature boat ramps. Some other lakes, often where the best trophy fishing is to be had, are not those easily accessible making a four-wheel drive vehicle a necessity. These lakes also usually have equipment use restrictions (such as fly fishing only) and reduced limits or are catch and release only.

Some years ago Merritt used the slogan “Fish a lake a day for as long you stay.” That was a good slogan because it was factual. It also was a testimony to the fact that the majority of the people living here are avid outdoor enthusiasts. As anglers we’re a truly privileged people to live right here in the best place on earth to fish. Unlike the thousands of anglers traveling hundreds and often thousands of kilometers from all over Canada, the USA and the world to come to British Columbia we are never more than an hour’s drive away from world class fishing. Best of all this has been made possible because anglers provide the millions of dollars needed to keep and manage our fishery. For those of you that are not into fishing and wonder what the long lines of vehicles pulling boat trailers are all about on the highway heading towards Merritt, now you know; they are all coming to the place where fishing dreams come true.

Alien Fish Invading British Columbia

© Othmar Vohringer

© Ken McBroom. ramblingangler. com

The designation “alien fish” is given to any fish species that is not native to British Columbia. If they are not native then how do they get here? Some fish species have been legally introduced many decades ago for a variety of reasons- mostly for commercial purposes. Others have been introduced illegally, meaning they have been transported from their natural habitat and released in our waters or are disposed-of pet fish, such as the snakehead and the Asian carp.

While not all alien fish species pose a problem to our native fish and aquatic animals (such as crappie and other members of the sun fish family), some do. The small and large mouth bass can become problematic if their numbers take over a smaller body of water. Even worse, the Snakehead, a ferocious predatory fish from Asia, can literally wipe out native fish species in a matter of just a few years and pose a serious risk to other species such as ducks, beavers, muskrat and frogs that live a great part of their life in the water or on the water surface.

Angler’s opinions are divided whenever alien fish species come up in a discussion. There are those that accept them as a welcome addition to the angling sport and others that feel the government should undertake every possible effort to destroy these alien species. Interestingly, the latter segment of anglers often refuses to target alien fish. Yet, if they are that concerned they should try to catch as many of these fish as they can thereby doing their part to reduce the population.

I am one of those anglers that welcome some of these alien fish species as an additional fishery to our native species. Having lived for a number of years in America before making Canada my permanent home I became quite fond of fishing for crappies, large and small mouth bass. There are several lakes in our region that hold small to good populations of these two species and if you’re willing to travel to the Lower Mainland there are even more lakes and streams with good populations as well.

Crappies are not only fun to fish they are also among the best-tasting fish and with generous bag limits of up to 20 per day in regions 2 and 8 you’re bound to stock up on your fish supply fast.

While spring and fall are the best times for fishing this species they are active in summer as well. Crappie live and travel in groups, so chances are that if you catch one there will be others around in that vicinity. Crappie love structure such as weed beds, submerged trees, rock piles and other forms of cover. Finding structures like these are a good start to begin your fishing day.

Crappies have a very small mouth and hits are not often that obvious. Choosing the right equipment is important. My favourite is a light seven foot rod fitted with a small reel filled with 4 to 6 pound test line. Hook size should be small too, not larger than a number 8 hook. Crappie can be attracted with a variety of lures ranging from plastic baits over small spoons to spinners and live bait, such as worms, maggots and, where legal, live minnows. My personal favourite are small jig heads in various colors tipped with 1 to 1 ½ inch plastic curly tails and other plastics that imitate live food sources. Depending on the situation I may use the regular jigging method or float jigging. Other methods such as trolling, casting and retrieving or the good old float fishing can work just as well. Give fishing for alien fish a try this summer. Be aware though, you may get hooked on it.

Talking about fishing; I would like to remind you all that this coming Sunday (June 19th) the Nicola Valley Fish & Game Club hosts their annual Father’s Day Fishing event. This great family fishing event is held at the children’s pond between Kentucky and Alleyne Lake. The event begins at 9 am until 2 pm. There will be lots of prizes available for the children plus refreshments and a fish cleaning station where children can learn how to safely clean their catch. At the event there will also be volunteer instructors in attendance to assist newcomers to the fishing sport with useful tips and hands-on-expertise. This is a great event for the entire family to enjoy and have a great time.

Fishing For The Future

© Othmar Vohringer

Here in British Columbia fishing is without a doubt a very popular outdoor activity, perhaps the most popular outdoor activity overall. This did not happen by sheer chance. Sure, we are fortunate in this province to have an abundance of publicly accessible lakes, ponds, streams and rivers covering a total of 19,549 square kilometers of our total landmass. The real reason why fishing has become such a popular activity is largely due to the efforts put forth by the Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC (FFSBC) in the conservation of the fishery and the promotion of the fishing sport.

The FFSBC is a private organization created in 2003 by concerned anglers as North America’s first private not-for-profit fishing agency. The independent board of directors and professional staff work in partnership with government fishing agencies to ensure the long-term health of our fish population and promote ethical and sustainable fishing practices. In 2015 the BC government announced an agreement that the FFSBC will receive 100% of the annual revenue generated from the sale of freshwater fishing licenses, which amounts to 10 million dollars. The minister for told the media “The additional funding will allow the society to work with provincial biologists to improve angling opportunities in small lakes, large lakes and rivers. This includes angler access improvements, stock assessment to help inform management decisions, and resources to enhance capacity for compliance monitoring and enforcement on both stocked and wild waterbodies.”

Each year the FFSBC stocks thousands of lakes across BC (over 100 lakes alone in the Thomson-Nicola region) with millions of trout. In addition the society stocks many rivers with millions of steelhead. Where do these fish stocks come from? The FFSBC raises over eight million fish annually in six fish hatcheries owned by the society in Duncan, Abbotsford, Summerland, Clearwater, Fort Steele and Vanderhoof. The fish eggs are collected from wild stocks in nine egg collection stations situated throughout the province. The fish eggs are then distributed among the society owned hatcheries. When the fish reach a size that permits them to survive in the wild they are transported in specially outfitted tank trucks to the various lakes and ponds in our province and released.

The money for this large scale operation comes from the licence sale of the 270,000 recreational anglers to the tune of 10 million dollars and though partnerships with other organizations and commercial sponsors. Raising hatchery fish and stocking lakes and rivers with fish is one aspect of the society. The Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC also undertakes critical and widespread work and research on fish conservation and habitat programs.

Some may ask “Why stock fish for the purpose of fishing?” The answer to that question is quite simple. Stocking fish goes a very long way towards accommodating recreational anglers who contribute 546 million dollars to the provincial economy and more importantly, it eases the pressure on our wild fish stocks. With such an abundance of fish available through this work the needs of all anglers can be met.

The Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC gets support in the promotion of the fishing sport from the hundreds of clubs across our province. Locally, the Nicola Valley Fish and Game Club in Merritt organize FFSBC events such as the “Learn Fishing” and “Fishing the City” programs that are an integral part in educating people about fishing and fish conservation while attracting new and young anglers to this family orientated outdoor activity.

The Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC is a shining example of how to manage a sustainable resource (our freshwater fisheries) by funding acquired through end user license fees rather than the tax payer. The FFSBC is continually working towards ensuring a viable fishery far into the future for generations to come. To learn more about the Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC and the important work they do visit their website; www.gofishbc.com

Lyman Lures

© By Othmar Vohringer

About a year ago a fishing buddy of mine introduced me to Lyman Lures. Until then I was not aware of this company and the lures they produce, despite the fact that they are just one city over from where I live. For me the introduction to Lyman lures has made a huge difference in that this is now one of my favourite lures to use, simply because they work so well on many fish species and for many different applications.

The Lyman lure is basically a wooden plug that comes in many sizes and colours. The lure can be used for trolling and casting techniques and works also well as a top water lure. Lyman lures are widely used on lake trout, rainbow trout, salmon, steelhead and bass, but also for musky and pike fishing. Now that is what I call a versatile lure.

The Lyman lure is all made in Canada and is now sold all over North America and Europe. For me the Lyman lure has become an essential part of my tackle box that I would not want to miss.

In the video below you can learn more about the Lyman lure company and see the lure in action.To see the large assortment of Lyman lures and colours available visit their website.

Sturgeons - British Columbia's Very Own River Monster

© Othmar Vohringer

Sturgeons are truly unique creatures believed to be on earth in their present form for the last 200 million years, the end of the Triassic period, ranking them among the most ancient animals to inhabit earth.

There are 25 different species of sturgeons around the globe from China to Russia, Europe and North America. North America is home to the species “White Sturgeon” which also happens to be the only sturgeon species listed LC (least concern), whereas all other species are either listed as “critically endangered”, “endangered”, “threatened” or “vulnerable”. The white sturgeon is North America’s largest fresh water fish that can reach an age of over 150 years and weigh as much as 816 kg (1,700 lb) and reach a size of 6.1 m (20 ft.) The largest sturgeon ever caught on record weighed 498.9 kg (1,100 lb.) and measured 3.76 (12 ft. 4 inches).

An important reason why the white sturgeon is doing so well here is British Columbia is because sturgeon fishing is big business. Annually thousands of anglers from around the world and across Canada come to British Columbia to pursue this prehistoric river monster. Anglers going for a sturgeon must use barbless hooks that do not harm the animal and it must be released again. Sturgeon anglers also must obtain a special sturgeon conservation licence costing eight dollars per day for British Columbians and 15 dollars per day for all non-residents.

The money from this fee goes in its entirety to sturgeon conservation. It was last year when a friend asked me “Have ever gone sturgeon fishing?” To his utter surprise I answered “No!” which led him to comment “How can that be, thousands of anglers pay top dollar to travel to BC to fish sturgeon and you practically live in the middle of the action.”

That got me to thinking that as an angler and a hunter I probably owed it to myself to at least try sturgeon fishing once in my lifetime and began to give some serious consideration and planning on catching a BC river monster. It just so happened that I knew somebody to ask for advice on sturgeon fishing and he was most helpful and even offered to assist me on the trip. Originally I set the sturgeon fishing date to coincide with the annual sturgeon fishing derby held in Lillooet, but a change in work schedule nullified that idea, which turned out to be a very good thing. I rescheduled the fishing trip for the last weekend of August; that way I could share this unique experience with my brother who was visiting us from Switzerland and with my wife.

On Sunday, August 31st, we met my sturgeon expert friend and followed him to his secret sturgeon fishing place. The weather was mixed with light rain and sun periods, just perfect for some good fishing, although at times heavy winds made it difficult to cast far enough out into the deep water of the mighty Fraser River, where big sturgeons swim. After several hours of watching for the tell-tale twitch on the rod tip it finally happened: “Fish on!!” My sturgeon expert friend Clay hooked the fish and asked “Who wants to real the beast in?” We quickly decided that this honour should belong to the guest and so my brother had the task of getting the sturgeon on land and have the pictures taken. It was not a big fish by any means, maybe 4ft at most, but it was the first BC river monster that I ever have seen close-up and touched with my own hands. I am thankful for everything Clay did in assisting us on the trip with his advice and tips. It was for sure one of the best outdoor experiences I had in many years and best of all I was able to share it with my wife Heidi and my brother Roland and it doesn’t get any better than that.

You do not have to be a flyfisher to catch trout

© Othmar Vohringer

A few weeks ago I received what seemed to me a somewhat puzzling question from a newcomer to the angling sport: “Is it true that you only can catch trout with flyfishing gear?” I had to read the email twice and then again to make sure it was not a much belated April fools. joke. I even did a search on the internet just to try and find out where the writer might have got the idea from that led him to the question. Sure enough, when I searched “trout fishing” on the internet over 90 percent of the information pertained to fly fishing so no wonder that the e-mail writer was under a false impression.

Of course you do not have to be a flyfisherman to catch trout.

Spinning reel set ups provide an angler with a lot more options to catch trout than is possible with flyfishing gear. “Lure and bait chuckers”, as we’re often referred to, have a huge arsenal of rods, lines, lures, baits and tactics at our disposal that lets us fish from dawn to dusk. On a typical day on the lake I have as many as five rods with me in the boat, each one being set up differently and ready to be used for a specific tactic. In the early morning I may cast spoons, rooster tails and Panther Martins at fish I can see just under the water surface or explore underwater structures like submerged rocks and trees where big trout lay in wait for prey to swim by.

Such lures come in various sizes and colours that let you match the food source that the trout are eating in a specific body of water. If you do not know what the fish eat try a variety of different lures, sizes and colours until the fish start to hit them. When it gets warmer and the fish head deeper down in the lake trolling a wedding band or Lyman plug can yield great results.

During midday hours and early afternoon when the sun is heating the water’s surface the trout head for the deepest holes at the bottom of the lake. In this case I make use of an electronic fish finder. Once I’ve found them it is time to try some jigging with small shiny spoons just of off the lake bottom. The rod for this job is spooled with braided line that has no give whatsoever. In deep water , like in Nicola Lake where 80 to 100 feet depths are common, you need that type of line as the regular monofilament line will act far too slow to set the hook on the fish.

And then of course there is the simple yet very effective fishing method of worm and bobber fishing. Countless trout have fallen for this very simple tactic which works particularly well on the many stocked lakes around the Nicola Valley. So you see, it does not matter whether you use a fly rod or spinning reel rod to catch trout. What does matter is that you go out and have fun fishing. In this regard I wish you always tight lines.

Mild winter could spell disaster for salmon return

© Othmar Vohringer

According to the River Forecast Centre, the mild winter in southwestern British Columbia and on Vancouver Island resulted in extremely low snowpack in the mountains. This could cause lower water levels in the rivers. Lower water levels in the rivers mean warmer water and less oxygen. This, in turn, can have negative consequences on the returning salmon.

Low water levels and warm water makes what is for salmon an already difficult journey from the ocean upstream to the river or creek where they were born even more challenging and hazardous.

“The warmer water makes the fish weaker,” David Campbell of the River Forecast Centre has said. “It impairs their immune system, it impairs their health and it makes them far more susceptible to things like diseases.”

This means fewer salmon than forecast will make it to the spawning grounds.

In addition, according to Dr. Craig Orr of the Watershed Watch Salmon Society, above normal sea surface temperatures along the north Pacific coast could mean that salmon are likely arriving at the rivers in an already weakened state, just as they are about to embark on the most difficult and dangerous journey of their lives.

Last year British Columbia experienced a record year with the highest numbers of sockeye salmon returning to the rivers. An estimated 72 million salmon entered the Fraser River; more than double the number that returned into the river system in 2010, when 30 million salmon began their journey upstream.
My wife Heidi and I went to watch the salmon “homecoming” on a visit to the Adams River that year. It was an impressive manifestation of survival, millions of fish fighting their way to the exact spot in the river and its tributaries where they hatched a few years previously. But that was nothing compared to the images and videos I have seen from the salmon returns last year. At times there were so many fish coming upstream that one probably could have walked over them to the other side of the river without getting wet feet.

The salmon migration is one of many natural wonders that still is not fully understood. Salmon are born in rivers and streams but spend most of their adult life (two to five years, depending on the species) in the ocean. From there they migrate for thousands of kilometers back to their natal stream and the exact spot where they were born to lay their eggs and then die.

To adjust from the saltwater to freshwater and the long journey upstream fighting against strong currents, rapids and jumping up waterfalls, the fish undergoes a complete physical transformation.

Salmon returns are constantly fluctuating; there are years when we have numbers like last year, followed by years where we see fewer salmon. Fishery scientists are still trying to figure out all the details of why this is so.

While some blame mild winters and climate change, others believe that with growing populations, disease among the fish spreads faster and kills more fish. Still others think salmon returns, or their lack, has to do with rising predator numbers during good salmon years and perhaps even over-fishing.
We may never know for sure why salmon migration numbers can fluctuate so drastically from one year to the next. One thing is for certain though: when the salmon start to show up here, I will be somewhere on a river to enjoy one of the most spectacular wonders nature has designed: the annual salmon migration.

Fishing License Sales Increased

© By Othmar Vohringer

Bill Otway, one of BC's leading conservationist and fishery advisers, who also happens to be a good and much valued friend of mine, advised me a few days ago that the annual fishing license sales for 2009 and into 2010 have increased by over seven percent.

This means, according to Bill, that there are over 21,000 new anglers in 2009. This in turn means that an additional $ 211,000 will flow in the coffers of the Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation, where the money will be used to in enhancement programs pf fish stocks and the fishery.

Gaining over seven percent new anglers also means that the provincial government receives an additional $700,000 into their coffers. From a different source I learned that hunter numbers in BC, and with that hunting license sales – more money for the BE government -, have gone up considerably too.

With this upswing it is surprising for me to hear that our provincial government has announced further cuts, again, in the range of one million dollars for the Fish and Wildlife Service Branch. Our Conservation Officers are stretched to the limit financially and if these cuts keep up I cannot see how the CO’s will be able to fulfill the ever-growing mandate of wildlife conservation, policing and environment protection.

Apart from that I am thrilled to see more anglers and hunters in the field. This means that the tireless promotion of our many angling and hunting lobbying groups, organizations, and the many dedicated individuals is starting to pay off. We’re still a ways off from where we eventually want to be but it’s a good start and an encouragement to keep the work up.

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Nicola Valley Fish & Game Club Family Fishing Day Event

© By Othmar Vohringer

On Fathers Day Weekend, June 20, the Nicola Valley Fish & Game Club hosted the Family Fishing Day event at the kids’ pond, located between Kentucky and Alleyene Lake. This was the fourth annual hosting of this event and to date by far the most successful with well over 120 people and families attending with well over half being children, including a group of Beavers (boys and girls aged 5 to 7) led by local conservation officer Jeff Hanratty. For once the weather was cooperating, providing much appreciated sunshine and comfortable temperatures.

The Family Fishing Weekend is a program initiated by the non-profit Family Fishing Society. Recreational fishing is a key part of British Columbia’s way of life and the Society’s goal is to celebrate this fact while at the same time promoting it to new anglers, especially children. Sports anglers contribute nearly $1.2 billion annually to B.C.'s local and regional economies while supporting thousands of jobs throughout the province. To maintain this robust industry there must be a strategy in place that continues to develop the vibrant and growing sports angling community and that is where the Family Fishing Day events come in.

The event started at 9 am and by the time it was over at 2pm many young anglers caught fish. For some it was their first fish and, judging from the smiles on their faces when they proudly displayed their catch, some of them are probably now ‘hooked’ to the sport! The fish caught ranged from small to a respectable 3 lb. Thanks to the generosity of the angling industry and organizations we had many prizes to give away to the children, among them over 50 Shakespeare rod and reel combos.

It goes without saying that such an event would not be possible without the tireless volunteer work of many Nicola Valley Fish & Game Club members assisting in the registration of the anglers, manning the hospitality tent, organizing the event, plus the many guides assisting the anglers and providing their knowledge and tips on how to catch fish. A special thank you to Conservation Officer Jeff Hanratty and his team for the time spent on the event and all their assistance to the anglers. Our conservation officers are an often-underestimated community asset. These fine men and women in uniform do a tremendous job ensuring a future of our natural resources and providing community assistance on events like the Family Fishing Day.

All in all it was a wonderful event that each consecutive year grows in popularity far beyond the borders of our region. I look forward to next years Family Fishing Day and hopefully will see even more children attending than previous years. It is important that we get the children outdoors and teach them to become future stewards of our heritage and nature.

A large crowd gathered waiting for the registration booth to open.

The action is on.

Conservation officers and children play an important role in the future of hunting, fishing and nature stewardship.

The smile on this boys face says more than a 1,000 words.

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Tags: Family Fishing Day, Trout, British Columbia, Fishing Event

British Columbia – Family Fishing Day

© By Othmar Vohringer

There are few outdoor events that I look as much forward as the annual BC Family Fishing Day appropriately enough held on Fathers Day, June 20th, 2010. Many different clubs and organizations throughout British Columbia host the BC family Fishing Day in an effort to promote our rich fishing heritage and the family.

The Nicola Valley Fish & Game Club, of which I am currently serve as 2nd Vice President, hosts the Family Fishing Day at the lake between Kentucky and Alleyne Lake in the Kentucky and Alleyne Provincial Park (map)

The Event begins at 10 am on Sunday June 20 and ends at 2pm. There will be many prizes to be given away for the children. Experienced anglers and the Conservation Officers will be on hand with advice and tips. There will also be a concession tent serving coffee, soft drinks, hot dogs and burgers.

If you can make it I would love to welcome you personally to this unique event, celebrating fishing and family. The lake will be stoked with for that special day with 20,000 rainbow trout in addition to the fish that are already in the lake. This particular lake produces some very large trout. Fish in the range from two to three pounds are not uncommon

Here I leave you with a few pictures from last year.

A long lineup at the registry boot. Despite rain mixed with sunny spells over 60 adults and children took part on our Family Fishing Day event.

Little girl, big fish. This young lady is proudly presenting her catch of the day, a 2lbs. rainbow trout.

Here is another young and proud angler with his catch. The Conservation Officer officially weighed the fish at just under 2 lbs. Rainbows of this size are not uncommon in our lake.

It's time to hand out the prizes. There are so many prizes from the fishing rod combos to lures provided by organizations and companies that we are truly able to say, "No child left behind (without a prize.)"

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Toddler Catches 20 Lb. Musky

© By Othmar Vohringer

This is not your average trophy fishing story but one that the family of 2-year old Ella Windschitl no doubt will talk about for many years to come.

Ella caught the big one, a 20 lb, 30” brute of a Musky to be exact, and she did so with her Barbie Doll toy fishing rod. Kelly Haag says she was fishing with her granddaughter, Ella Windschitl, off the family's pontoon boat tied to the dock in three feet of water on Round Lake near Randall, MN. Ella was using her Barbie fishing rod and hooked a small sunfish on the line.

That's when a muskie came out from under the dock and attacked the sunfish. Haag grabbed the line as the fish headed for deeper water. After a five minute fight, Haag was able to reel the fish back to the boat where Ella's grandpa, Dave, was waiting with a net.

Talk about a news worthy story, read the full story and view the pictures here.

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Boating Safety Begins At Home

By Othmar Vohringer

As the spring hunting season nears its end my attention is turned to a summer of fishing fun. The preparations for the fishing season go much further than just putting new line on the reels, checking all the lures, rods and doing maintenance work on the reels. Getting ready for the fishing season also means that I pay special attention to the boat and trailer, which have been parked all winter behind the house under a tarp.

A few years ago I saw a horrific accident on the highway involving a utility trailer that had become disconnected from the towing vehicle and had turned into an uncontrolled projectile shooting at considerable speed across a two-lane highway. In it’s course the trailer hit a car that in turn veered off and hit another car. Two people died in that accident and one person was seriously injured.

The main problem with pulling a trailer is user complacency. There is much more to ensure that your boat trailer is safe than just checking if it hooks up properly to the towing vehicle. When was the last time you checked the tires? Electrical connections? The straps that tie the boat to the trailer? The trailer brakes and other essentials that should be checked every time you hook the boat trailer up?

Of course the same attention to detail needs to be paid to the boat. Check the boat for leaks and loose rivets, bolt and screws. If your boat is furnished with pedestal seats check the mounting plates and the seats themselves to make sure it is all in safe working condition. The engine is the heart of the boat. If you didn't change the oil at the end of last season, do so now. After running your boat all summer, it's likely that water, acids and other by-products have built up. It's important to change the oil to prevent corrosion and excessive wear, which can lead to loss of power, poor fuel economy or engine failure. At the same time you change the oil, be sure to change the oil filter too. Finally, replace the batteries if necessary and have them fully charged and then perform a test run on the engine and trolling motor before taking the boat on the water.

Once you have the boat on the lake and the motor quits on you or wont start it is usually to late to wonder why. I still remember a particular fishing trip with a friend. We had been about a half hour on the lake when I noticed a puddle of water around my feet. “Where the heck is this water coming from?” I wondered aloud. We soon found the culprit. It was a small leak at the boat floor. The hole used to be home to a rivet that must have popped sometime during the winter storage. Had my friend have taken the necessary care and diligence to check the boat from bow to stern we would have been fishing instead of cussing and hurrying back to shore.

Do yourself and other road users a favour and check your trailer and boat before you head out to your favourite fishing spot. With due diligence and proper maintenance of boat and trailer you can save yourself and others a lot of problems, even lives. I hope you all have a safe and enjoyable fishing season.

Maple Ridge Fishing Derby 2010

© By Othmar Vohringer









The Maple Ridge Chamber of Commerce and their partners, encouraged by last years success, announce the continuation of the fishing derby held on Sunday, June 13, 2010.

The derby is to be held at the Alouette Lake, Golden Ears Park. Each team will be a family consisting of one or two parents and up to four children.

This event is going to be a blast! There will be vendors displaying their goods, fun activities for the whole family and tons of fish and lots of great prizes! The prizes include but are not limited to a $5000 mystery fish and a fishing getaway. Also there will be a great shore fishing contest as well.

Registration is $50.00 + GST per adult (18 years+), $25.00 + GST for youth (11 to 17 years) and $125 for a family + GST (2 Adults & 2 Children). Children 10 and under and seniors are free however they need to complete a form to be eligible for prizes.

To view fishing derby rules read here.

Read here what fish species are in the lake. (Pdf. file)

Download registration form. (Pdf. File)

Contact


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Merritt Ice Fishing Derby – A Popular Local Tradition

© Copyright by Othmar Vohringer

On Sunday, January 17, the Nicola Valley Fish & Game Club hosted its 10th annual ice fishing derby at Mamette Lake. Like the previous year the weather was beautiful and lured over 200 people and families to the lake. Over the years this has become a traditional event for many local anglers and it attracts people from as far away as Vancouver Island and Washington State. The warm weather leading up to the derby had the organizers worried a bit about the ice conditions on the lake but measurements on the previous day confirmed a solid 18-inch thickness of the lake’s ice.

As scheduled, at precisely 8 am a siren blast marked the official start of the derby which lasted until 2 pm. Anglers were prepared with augers, fishing rods and bait in anticipation of hopefully catching a fish that would score high enough for one of the many prizes that were available.

At the start the fishing was slow but picked considerably toward lunch time and right up to the end of the ice fishing derby. At 2 pm the siren blared and it was time for the fish to be brought to the weigh-in station and anglers walked in from all directions on the lake’s surface to find out who the winners would be:

Trout Adult Class:
Alex Mentes came in first place with a 3 lb. 2 oz. Rainbow trout, second place went to John Richter, whose trout weighed in at 2 lb. 13 oz., and Kevin Andrew took third place with a 2 lb. 11 oz. trout.

Overall Heaviest Weight Coarse Fish:
That prize was won by Steve Gillingham with a 4 lb. 8 oz. Sucker Fish that left everyone else far behind him.

The hidden weight prize went to Tod Bilawchuk.

Despite there being no entries into the Children’s Class there was a great deal of participation by the youngest anglers and they had a fun time doing it too. And, thanks to the generosity of Merritt’s business and merchant community, and the BC Angling Ambassador Program, no child left the ice without a giveaway prize.

After all the weighing and counting was over there were 21 trout on the list and 30 coarse fish, plus a few more that were released by the anglers due to small size. All in all not a bad day of fishing by any standards despite a slow start. A special thank you from the Nicola Valley Fish & Game Club goes to the Merritt Conservation Officer team that was present throughout the event and who also donated their tent for the event. Also a huge thank you goes to the Merritt Search and Rescue team for loaning the second tent and all the many volunteers that provided their personal time and effort to make this ice fishing derby the event anglers from Merritt and around the province have come to expect and look forward too.

For more information about the Nicola Valley Fish & Game Club and the many community based events plus wildlife and habitat conservation programs they conduct, please visit: www.nvfishandgameclub.ca

This blog post has been brought to you by Othmar Vohringer Outdoors

Ice fishing season is here

By Othmar Vohringer

If you have been reading this blog for a while you may know two things about me.
A.) That I am the organizer of the Merritt Ice Fishing Derby on behalf of the Nicola Valley Fish & Game Club.
B.) I love ice fishing almost as much as summer fishing on a lake with my boat.

With that background it may not come as a surprise to you that I am exited at the fact that a layer of ice covers most lakes in the Nicola Valley. While some lakes in the lower elevations still lack the ice thickness to be safe walking on it, other lakes in the higher elevations are already experiencing ice fishing action. That is good news and there is more to follow. More small lakes that previously have been closed to ice fishing are now open to ice fishing. That makes the Nicola – Thomson region into the provinces ice fishing capital.

In upcoming articles I will discuss tackle and tactics of the successful rainbow trout ice fisherman.

Related article:
Ice Fishing Safety Tips

This blog post has been brought to you by Othmar Vohringer Outdoors

Tags: Ice Fishing Derby, Ice Fishing, Thomson-Nicola, Merritt

Recreational Fishing In BC Is Big Business For The Government

© By Othmar Vohringer

According to a report released by the Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC recreational fishing in British Columbia is big business with huge financial profits for the government. The report states that anglers contribute the staggering sum of half a billion dollars. Yes you read that right $500 Million. While the overall economy has declined and just now starts to pick slowly up again the fishing economy never slowed down. It fact it is growing and growing.

The study, which was conducted by noted fisheries economist Gordon Gislason, measured freshwater fishing across a variety of social and economic indicators and produced some impressive conclusions about this often overlooked sector.

Here is a basic breakdown of the financial contributions anglers make annually to our economy.

• 270,000 freshwater anglers spend $480 million annually on equipment, travel, accommodation and hospitality services.
• The 1,000 businesses that outfit freshwater anglers contribute $210 million in GDP, employ 3,900 full-time workers, pay $120 million in wages and benefits.
• Anglers contribute $125 million in provincial and federal taxes.
• BC anglers generate13 million dollars in fishing license revenue that in turn is reinvested in the fishing resource each year.
• Every $1 spent on stocking freshwater lakes and streams by the FFSBC produces $21 in spending by anglers.

This is impressive by any standard. But we’re not done. It gets even better. The above is only for the fresh water fishery but British Columbia also has a big tidal (ocean) sport fishery. The tidal water anglers are an even bigger contributor to the government coffers and employment than the fresh water fishery.

From that the provincial government gets 58.2 million dollars and the federal government gets 95.5 million. The tidal fishery provides 9,975 jobs on a provincial and federal level. This in turn generates 285 million dollars in revenue. Are you impressed now? You should be and next time you head out to your favorite fishing location hold your head a little bit higher in the knowledge that you are a major contributor to our economy.


This blog post has been brought to you by Othmar Vohringer Outdoors

Tags: BC Sport Fishing Economy, British Columbia, Fishing Economy Report

Merritt -10th annual Ice Fishing Derby

© By Othmar Vohringer

How time goes by. I could have sworn we just finished last years ice fishing derby and here I am, organizing this years event.

This year the Nicola Valley Fish & Game Club celebrates the 10th ice fishing derby anniversary.

What started ten years ago as a small local event has over the years grown to become one of the region’s most popular, and BC’s biggest, winter fishing event. The ice fishing derby is a highly anticipated family event, which annually attracts over 200 adults and children from all over the region from as far away as Vancouver.

This year the ice fishing derby will be held on Sunday, January 17, 2010 at Mamette Lake. The derby starts officially at 8:00 am and closes at 2:00 pm.
Derby Entry Fees: $15 per person or $30 per family.

Tickets are available at:
Powderkeg Outdoor Sports Store in Merritt.
Ponderosa Hunting and Fishing Tackle Store in Merritt, or at the event.

There are many prizes to be given away.
We have generous cash prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place for trout in the adult and youth class. Heaviest weight overall for coarse fish plus many door prizes, raffle and draws.
Hot dogs plus free hot chocolate and coffee will available in our cozy warm hospitality tent. I look forward to welcoming everybody, so come on out and help us celebrate our 10th annual Ice Fishing Derby!

For more information contact:
Othmar Vohringer at: atacov@yahoo.ca

Follow this link to read about last years event. This year it's going to be better and bigger.

Image Courtesy of: Heidi Koehler Photography

Othmar Vohringer Outdoors

Tags: Merritt, Ice Fishing Derby, Nicola Valley Fish and Game Club

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