Here is a summary of the October newsletter. You can view the full document here.
Upcoming NLFF Events
The NLFF has several meetings and events scheduled, mainly at
Queen Mary Park Hall in Edmonton:
- Oct 5th: Annual Clean-Up at Muir Lake, followed by a barbeque and fishing.
- Oct 8th: Fly Tying session with experienced tier Dennis Southwick.
- Oct 22nd: Presentation on Bull Trout production and conservation in Alberta.
- Nov 5th: Volunteers needed to teach students at Vimy Ridge High School how to tie a Woolly Bugger.
- Nov 12th: Fly Tying with guide Amber Serbin.
- Nov 26th: Update from Ken Kranrod (VP, ACA) on the new Conservation Site West of Edmonton.
- Dec 10th: Pizza Night holiday celebration.
Prussian Carp Invasion
Prussian Carp are spreading rapidly, having been reported in Spring Lake and now Hasse Lake. The chapter notes that removal methods like rotenone poisoning are blocked by cost and lack of permits, and netting has proven ineffective, meaning the carp are “here to stay”.
The NLFF advises members to:
- Prevent the spread to other waterbodies by following the “Clean, Dry, Drain” campaign, as carp eggs stick easily to gear.
- Enjoy carp fishing, as they can be a strong, challenging sportfish, and the newsletter includes tips and effective fly patterns like the San Juan Worm and Woolly Bugger.
Conservation Support and Resources
- ACA Funding: The Alberta Conservation Association (ACA) has been a major supporter, providing the NLFF with $411,979 in grants over 13 years for projects like Arctic grayling conservation and riparian land protection.
- Volunteer Efforts: NLFF volunteers are estimated to have contributed at least $300,000 worth of time and labor over the last 12 years.
- Catch and Release: NLFF supports the Keep Fish Wet initiative, which promotes best practices for catch and release to increase fish survival. They recommend anglers carry a hook remover.
- Articulated Flies: The newsletter provides a link and instructions for tying articulated flies, recommending the “Hook to Hook” method as the easiest starting point.