The Fish and Lake Improvement Program for the Parkland Region

FLIPPR Year End Report 2009

 By Chairman Ray Frey 

                Another summer season has come and gone…the “summer from hell” from the perspective of agricultural producers and some tourism operators in the Parkland region.  However, from our point of view, the cool weather and abundant insect critter hatch has been very positive for our trout.

                Our season started with the failure of Corstorphine Lake aeration equipment (in March).  The joint between metal pipe and ABS black pipe pulled apart and all the air went to this failed leg at the water’s edge.  Then end result was a die off of brown and tiger trout stocked in 2007 and 2009.  The R.M. of Park and Bruno Bruederlin completed repairs as soon as possible after ice out.  Fifteen thousand rainbow trout were restocked.  These fish should have grown to ¾ to 1 lb. size by now.

                Pybus Lake fish are thriving.  Rainbows in the 21-23 inch class excited many and all were pleased with numbers of fish caught.  Late summer and early fall reports are that tiger trout up to 17 inches are being caught.  It appears the rainbow/tiger stocking experiment is working.  Reports from Minnedosa are that Anton’s Lake rainbows in the 20 inch plus class are taken regularly.

                Patterson, Twin and Tokaryk Lakes fished very well this summer.   Dakota Fly Fishers collected and donated some $1700.00 US to help defray hydro and aeration expenses.  Many, many thanks.

                We are still proceeding with our lake development plans although much slower than yours truly expected.  At Persee Lake the province redesignated the Crown land east of the lake from agriculture to recreation and fisheries.  The R.M. of Shell River had to adapt to the new Roblin and Area Development Plan, and objections from one landowner.  The landowner who had granted FLIPPR an easement for siting the aeration building changed the company’s name so it was necessary to resign and register the easement.  Hydro would not proceed till easements are in place – then some staff worked to rule prior to the employee strike.

                Status as of today – the aeration equipment is in Roblin, aeration building is on site, all permits are in place and the hydro agreement/work order has been approved.  Plans are to install aeration lines in June 2010, after Canadian Fly Fishing Championship.

                We are managing R.M. of Rossburn’s Tokaryk Lake project.  This project proceeded normally – easements, hydro work order, aeration building and electrical work went well.  The helixor units ordered in June arrived October 9.  The blower unit arrived with one of four anchor legs broken and had to be returned to the manufacturer for repairs.  The contractor we required to fuse aeration lines was booked through mid-October.  This installation calls for six legs each some 800 feet in length.  Another June/July completion date!

                FLIPPR received an FEF grant to upgrade our website.  The work has gone well.  The remaining lake mapping video shoots and digitizing are complete.  Work is progressing in selecting footage narration and assembling the above into timelines!  Plans are to load the material onto our website in early January 2010.

                I attended three meetings at Roblin, helping organizing the 2010 Canadian Fly Fishing Championships. 

Time lines are as follows: