Thames River Watershed Report Cards

The new 2012 Upper Thames River Watershed Report Cards are now available! Every five years the UTRCA produces 28 report cards to assess local environmental conditions in the 28 watersheds within the upper Thames River watershed.

Each report card grades that watershed’s surface water quality and forest conditions, summarizes watershed features, provides recommended actions for improvement, and highlights progress made over five years. New information has been included on groundwater, connections to the Great Lakes and extreme weather.

Link to the Report

Thames River gets Cs and Ds

Thames River gets Cs and Ds
By Randy Richmond, The London Free Press

Most of the 28 watersheds in the Thames River system are holding their own, but not excelling, according to the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority report cards issued Thursday.

Based on water quality testing and analysis of forest conditions from 2006 to 2011, the 28 watersheds in the river system can be given C and D grades.

Read more...

Ice Fishing with the Cubs

This winter the Western Ontario Fish and Game Protective Association has graciously invited our cub group to go ice fishing on their private stocked pond in London, Ontario.  This is a great opportunity for the kids and me, since I've never been ice fishing before. I'm really looking forward to the chance. Hopefully we'll catch a few and are able to field dress and cook up some trout. I'd like to thank the WOFGPA for giving us this wonderful opportunity.

Let hope for a decent winter so we have some ice.

Survey finds Great Lakes full of plastic

Survey finds Great Lakes full of plastic
By Paul Morden, Sarnia Observer

University researchers found surprising amounts of small pieces of plastic this summer in the waters of lakes Huron, Superior and Erie.

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Professional Fishing

Professional Fishing
By M.D. Slutsky

Sports stars aren’t like you and me. They make millions of dollars. They have extensive entourages attending to their every need. They’re represented by armies of agents, managers and lawyers, experts on extracting the best deals for their clients from teams and sponsors. When they travel, they take private jets or ride in swagged-out tour buses.

Well, most sports stars. There’s another breed of pro athlete -- guys who are renowned for their prowess, followed by adoring fans and are generally considered legends in their field -- but for whom none of that applies. I’m talking about pro anglers, and having spent a weekend with some of the top fishermen alive, I walked away amazed at how down-to-earth they were and just how admirably DIY their operations were.

Read more: http://ca.askmen.com/money/career/professional-fishing.html

 

Thames River does a vanishing act

Thames River does a vanishing act
By Randy Richmond, The London Free Press


It’s one of only 42 Canadian Heritage Rivers, and — at 273 km long — one of Southwestern Ontario’s biggest.

More than 500,000 people live in the seven counties and 54 municipalities in the area it drains.

But to the federal government, the Thames River ain’t no Scugog, Pigeon, Otonabee or Rosedale River — not even a Stevens Creek or Kemptville Creek.

Those smaller and lesser known waterways — none of them Heritage Rivers — will remain on Ottawa’s list of navigable waters, and under its protection if proposed amendments to federal legislation go ahead.

The Thames will be dropped.
Read more...

Chill Out: Fall Largemouth Bass and Trout are Still Out There

This month's issue of Ontario Out of Doors magazine indicates now's a good time for Largemouth Bass, not to mention Steelhead/Rainbow Trout, and I'd assume Brown Trout too.

I've known for awhile that Trout is a cold water fish, but the tips and tricks (such as bouncing between artificial lures and real fish eggs) seemed useful to me.

The Largemouth Bass article was a whole different beast, indicating that Largemouth Bass get quite active now in preparation for winter, and that you shouldn't bother going out once the water temperature drops below 10C.

Also, stick to cover (rocks, boulders, trees) as that tends to be where the warmth is, and thus the fish.

Really made me want to get the waders on and get out there! I'd like to brave it, but so far as I know, the Forest City (London, Ontario) isn't a great fishery for Largemouth or Trout. I know of one hole that's promising for Trout, and I've seen a few small Largemouth Bass in Mill Pond, but not much else.

If you're an avid Forest City angler, share some spots, and let us know where the honey holes are! Or, just invite us out for a morning!