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The British
Columbia legislature recently passed a bill of interest to all those
who hunt and fish in this great province. Called the Hunting and
Fishing Heritage Act, the bill guarantees our right to hunt and
fish, and more importantly recognizes the role the province's hunters
and anglers have played in conservation, heritage, and recreation
values in the province. Joyce Murray, minister of Water, Land and
Air Protection said, "Hunting and fishing are clearly an important
part of our culture and heritage, especially in the northern and
rural parts of the province."
Management
Murray went on to express the hope that we pass on this heritage
to our kids to enjoy. She also stated that hunting and fishing was
an integral part of the province's planned approach to wildlife
management, and encourages us to continue to be activists in conservation.
Although largely a symbolic piece of legislation it is nonetheless
a very welcome one. I often think those who take to the field and
streams with rod or gun get far too little credit. Before the environment
became a popular or fashionable cause it was the hunters and anglers
leading the way to ensure that their kids would be able to enjoy
what we now have.
Conservation
Hunters and anglers started the conservation movement, were instrumental
in setting aside the National Parks, reserves, protected areas.
Millions of these outdoor lovers have volunteered time and money
working on local and national projects. From local rod and gun clubs
to province and state wildlife federations, all the way up to the
well known organizations such as Ducks Unlimited, Rocky Mountain
Elk Foundation, Foundation for North American Wild Sheep, Nature
Conservancy, Nature Trust and others, it is sportsmen and women
putting their money where their mouth is.
Nowadays there are many special and very vocal lobbies. Groups
such as PETA, who would have no one able to fish or hunt, eat meat
or fish, eggs or drink milk. Some wilderness committees and environmental
groups would deny any access or ability to make a living off the
land. It makes me feel good that we also have rights. So a thank
you to the province for recognizing the important part we play.
(All previous issues are stored in the ARCHIVE
for your convenience)
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Lake
Turnover
When is a lake warmer at the bottom than at the top? In the winter.
You might say that is why a lake freezes from the top down. Bottom
temperatures right now are around 39F. and surface temp at the ice
cover is 32F. As the ice breaks in the spring, the warmer, deeper
water rises and mixes with the increasing surface temperature until
the lake reaches an uniform temp of 39F.
This unique phenomenon, called the turnover, brings up the rich
nutrients from the bottom and can really stir up a lake. One day
the water can be clear and the next day look like pea soup. It is
a sensory overload for the fish with so much stuff floating around.
Combine this with the lake being a uniform temperature with fish
scattered throughout and fishing can be an exercise in futility.
Feeding
As surface temperatures increase, the colder water settles and
the oxygen and now nutrient - rich surface water really wakes up
the fish and feeding picks up. Fishing can be very good at ice-out.
We have had at times incredible fishing right along the ice.
Forget
When the turnover occurs, forget about fishing for one to two weeks.
As the lake clears and warms it triggers the various insect hatches
that can make for those fantastic spring days. When you are scheduling
that first trip of the year it would be wise to get a fishing report,
especially within days of ice-out, and ask if the turnover has occurred.
Spring birding
Spring has sprung, the grass next to the house has rise, and I
know where the birdies is. They are everywhere. It is so nice to
wake up and hear the birds. Robins, geese, swans, pintails, green
winged teal, barrow's and common goldeneye, and every day reveal
more spring arrivals. Birding in national surveys is listed as one
of the most popular outdoor activities and it doesn't cost much
to participate. Several field guide to birds are available at your
local bookstore, Make sure you pick up the western region edition.
You can pick up a reasonable pair of binoculars for $100 and up.
Cheap binos are usually not worth it. If the prisms are out of alignment
on those bottom-of -the- barrel optics you will feel like your eyes
are being sucked out of your head. Take a walk along the river trails
or along the clearing fields and identify the old friends returning
to our area.
My buddy, Dave and I were walking the river the other day when
we noticed a flock of geese. Dave said, "Have you noticed that
one side of the Vee is usually longer than the other?"
"Yes I have."
"Do you know why that is?"
Expecting some little tidbit of scientific trivia I answered "No."
Dave straight faced replied "It is because there are more geese
on that side."
Sometimes the answer is so simple we can't see it.
Check for new photos on the Photo
page
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