jstelfox Posted June 3, 2011 Share Posted June 3, 2011 Two years ago we initiated the Stewardship Licence Pilot Project and intentionally kept it low-key until we ironed out the bugs. A summary of the key data is attached. We are now able to increase exposure of this initiative, so that more anglers have the opportunity to participate. If you want to help native trout populations, and like to eat brook trout, then this project is for you. However, before someone tries to misrepresent this project, I want to reiterate that the objective is not to eradicate brook trout from Alberta (which would be impossible), but rather to reduce brook trout populations in select streams where we may still have a chance to save the native cutthroat and bull trout populations from extirpation. STEWARDSHIP LICENCE — PILOT PROJECT — 2011 Project Objectives: 1) To remove, by angling, as many brook trout as possible from specified streams so as to facilitate a recovery of the native cutthroat and bull trout populations. 2) To increase public awareness about the importance of fish identification, to emphasize the difference between native and non-native fish, and to educate the public about the problems that some of our native fish face as a result of the introduction of non-native fish. Requirements for Participation: 1) Anglers must pass the “Quirk Creek” fish identification test, which consists of 16 pictures of the above three species. 2) Anglers who pass the test, and who have never participated in the Quirk Creek Brook Trout Suppression Project, are required to participate in at least one supervised outing on Quirk Creek, before being authorized to harvest an unlimited number of brook trout from the following streams: Meadow, Margaret and Johnson creeks (tributaries to Waiparous Creek), Waiparous Creek, the Elbow River (river only ) upstream of Elbow Falls and the Highwood River (river only) upstream of Kananaskis Country boundary. Project Background: Brook trout are not native to Alberta, but are present in many waters along the Eastern Slopes as a result of extensive stocking of this species in the mid 1900s. Quirk Creek, a tributary of the Elbow River, contained only cutthroat and bull trout in 1948. However, by 1978, brook trout were well established in Quirk Creek, comprising 23% of the fish population. By 1995, brook trout comprised 92% of the fish population. If nothing were done and the trend continued, it is likely that native trout would have been extirpated from Quirk Creek, as has occurred in Bragg Creek. Bragg Creek, another tributary to the Elbow River, had a trout population comprised of 7% brook trout in 1955, 96% brook trout in 1979 and 100% brook trout in 1997. This is not an isolated situation, but has occurred, or is occurring, in many streams and rivers along the Eastern Slopes in Alberta, and in the United States. Since the Quirk Creek Brook Trout Suppression Project was initiated in 1998, anglers have harvested over 9,500 brook trout from the creek. By 2008, the proportion of brook trout in the lower reach of Quirk Creek had declined to 30% and the biomass of cutthroat trout had increased to near record levels. If this approach can be successfully applied to reduce brook trout numbers in other Alberta streams, then it might be possible to save more native trout populations that are at risk. Question - Why not let nature just take its course? Brook trout become mature at a much younger age and smaller size and don’t live as long as cutthroat or bull trout. Therefore, brook trout don’t have the potential to grow as big as cutthroat or bull trout. Furthermore, brook trout are harder to catch than cutthroat or bull trout. When man introduced brook trout into these watersheds, he upset the balance of nature. For this reason, man has a responsibility to try to restore the balance. What is ultimately at stake is whether we pass on to our children and grandchildren: 1) a high quality, high-catch-rate fishery for native cutthroat and bull trout, or 2) an inferior fishery for smaller, less catchable, non-native brook trout. If you would like to participate in this project, or have questions, please contact Jim Stelfox Jim.Stelfox@gov.ab.ca (403-851-2205) or Jenny Earle Jennifer.Earle@gov.ab.ca (403-851-2211) of the Fish and Wildlife Division, or Brian Meagher bmeagher@tucanada.org of Trout Unlimited Canada (403-209-5185). Jim Stewardship_Licence_Pilot_Project_creel_data__2009_10_summary.pdf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Taco Posted June 3, 2011 Share Posted June 3, 2011 Just got off the phone w/Jim and I'm signing up. Definitely a step in favor of native species over introduced, too bad it's too late for a dozen or so creeks that I'm personally aware of. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest 420FLYFISHIN Posted June 3, 2011 Share Posted June 3, 2011 great work guys! less river RATS and more large cuts and bulls. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeeAB Posted June 6, 2011 Share Posted June 6, 2011 I got one last year and have already picked this years up. Funny how on my home stream I used to end the day with a bit of long face sometimes if I had caught a Brookie knowing that the STD of mountain streams was infiltrating my territory. Now with the licence, when you hook into one of them, the feeling has changed from helplessness and 'doom-n-gloom' to a sense of empowerment and relief that one less Brookie is in the system. Strange....... I'm going to mail my Brookies to Taco.....hope the strike doesn't last too long! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smitty Posted June 6, 2011 Share Posted June 6, 2011 Two years ago we initiated the Stewardship Licence Pilot Project and intentionally kept it low-key until we ironed out the bugs. A summary of the key data is attached. We are now able to increase exposure of this initiative, so that more anglers have the opportunity to participate. If you want to help native trout populations, and like to eat brook trout, then this project is for you. However, before someone tries to misrepresent this project, I want to reiterate that the objective is not to eradicate brook trout from Alberta (which would be impossible), but rather to reduce brook trout populations in select streams where we may still have a chance to save the native cutthroat and bull trout populations from extirpation. STEWARDSHIP LICENCE — PILOT PROJECT — 2011 Project Objectives: 1) To remove, by angling, as many brook trout as possible from specified streams so as to facilitate a recovery of the native cutthroat and bull trout populations. 2) To increase public awareness about the importance of fish identification, to emphasize the difference between native and non-native fish, and to educate the public about the problems that some of our native fish face as a result of the introduction of non-native fish. Requirements for Participation: 1) Anglers must pass the “Quirk Creek” fish identification test, which consists of 16 pictures of the above three species. 2) Anglers who pass the test, and who have never participated in the Quirk Creek Brook Trout Suppression Project, are required to participate in at least one supervised outing on Quirk Creek, before being authorized to harvest an unlimited number of brook trout from the following streams: Meadow, Margaret and Johnson creeks (tributaries to Waiparous Creek), Waiparous Creek, the Elbow River (river only ) upstream of Elbow Falls and the Highwood River (river only) upstream of Kananaskis Country boundary. Project Background: Brook trout are not native to Alberta, but are present in many waters along the Eastern Slopes as a result of extensive stocking of this species in the mid 1900s. Quirk Creek, a tributary of the Elbow River, contained only cutthroat and bull trout in 1948. However, by 1978, brook trout were well established in Quirk Creek, comprising 23% of the fish population. By 1995, brook trout comprised 92% of the fish population. If nothing were done and the trend continued, it is likely that native trout would have been extirpated from Quirk Creek, as has occurred in Bragg Creek. Bragg Creek, another tributary to the Elbow River, had a trout population comprised of 7% brook trout in 1955, 96% brook trout in 1979 and 100% brook trout in 1997. This is not an isolated situation, but has occurred, or is occurring, in many streams and rivers along the Eastern Slopes in Alberta, and in the United States. Since the Quirk Creek Brook Trout Suppression Project was initiated in 1998, anglers have harvested over 9,500 brook trout from the creek. By 2008, the proportion of brook trout in the lower reach of Quirk Creek had declined to 30% and the biomass of cutthroat trout had increased to near record levels. If this approach can be successfully applied to reduce brook trout numbers in other Alberta streams, then it might be possible to save more native trout populations that are at risk. Question - Why not let nature just take its course? Brook trout become mature at a much younger age and smaller size and don’t live as long as cutthroat or bull trout. Therefore, brook trout don’t have the potential to grow as big as cutthroat or bull trout. Furthermore, brook trout are harder to catch than cutthroat or bull trout. When man introduced brook trout into these watersheds, he upset the balance of nature. For this reason, man has a responsibility to try to restore the balance. What is ultimately at stake is whether we pass on to our children and grandchildren: 1) a high quality, high-catch-rate fishery for native cutthroat and bull trout, or 2) an inferior fishery for smaller, less catchable, non-native brook trout. If you would like to participate in this project, or have questions, please contact Jim Stelfox Jim.Stelfox@gov.ab.ca (403-851-2205) or Jenny Earle Jennifer.Earle@gov.ab.ca (403-851-2211) of the Fish and Wildlife Division, or Brian Meagher bmeagher@tucanada.org of Trout Unlimited Canada (403-209-5185). Jim Jim: Any age restrictions? Years ago when I lived in Calgary, I took kids out to Quirk Creek - Dean Baeyens was helping coordinate this project. He remembers me and the kids well, he fell into the creek demonstrating the proven fish catching techniques! lol Anyways, its unlikely I can pull something this year with so little time left, but this fall and next spring something could be organized. But, its a bit of an undertaking now that I live in Edmonton, so I would need to know first if kids can (i) still participate in Quirk creek, and (ii) get one of these licenses - or would they have to wait until they are 16? The kids in the group I have here in Edmonton range from 11 to 15 (grade 6 to grade 9). This project has always proven to be an excellent, real-life example of the science curriculum when the kids study ecosystems, bio-diversity, etc. I look forward to your - or anyone else who is in the know - reply. Cheers, Smitty P.S. I am really more interested in the Quirk creek project. Almost all the kids would probably never use their licenses, but it never hurts to ask... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reevesr1 Posted June 7, 2011 Share Posted June 7, 2011 My son and I are signing up as well. I've never fished any of those streams, so it will be fun to walk some new water and hopefully help them regain their potential. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jstelfox Posted June 7, 2011 Author Share Posted June 7, 2011 Jim: Any age restrictions? Years ago when I lived in Calgary, I took kids out to Quirk Creek - Dean Baeyens was helping coordinate this project. He remembers me and the kids well, he fell into the creek demonstrating the proven fish catching techniques! lol Anyways, its unlikely I can pull something this year with so little time left, but this fall and next spring something could be organized. But, its a bit of an undertaking now that I live in Edmonton, so I would need to know first if kids can (i) still participate in Quirk creek, and (ii) get one of these licenses - or would they have to wait until they are 16? The kids in the group I have here in Edmonton range from 11 to 15 (grade 6 to grade 9). This project has always proven to be an excellent, real-life example of the science curriculum when the kids study ecosystems, bio-diversity, etc. I look forward to your - or anyone else who is in the know - reply. Cheers, Smitty P.S. I am really more interested in the Quirk creek project. Almost all the kids would probably never use their licenses, but it never hurts to ask... Hi Smitty, There are no age restrictions. Anyone who passes the fish ID test can participate in the Quirk Creek Brook Trout Suppression Project, and ultimately the Stewardship Licence Pilot Project. Cheers, Jim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Conor Posted June 7, 2011 Share Posted June 7, 2011 Jim- that ID quiz was available on the SRD website at one point. No more? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jstelfox Posted June 10, 2011 Author Share Posted June 10, 2011 Jim- that ID quiz was available on the SRD website at one point. No more? Conor, Apparently the old software cratered and the on-line quiz stopped working in September 2009. Unfortunately, they haven't yet been able to get it back up and running. Jim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smitty Posted June 11, 2011 Share Posted June 11, 2011 Sorry Jim, another question: How long does the "season" last for Quirk creek? Will you be having outings in September-October (when school starts up again?) Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jstelfox Posted June 12, 2011 Author Share Posted June 12, 2011 Sorry Jim, another question: How long does the "season" last for Quirk creek? Will you be having outings in September-October (when school starts up again?) Mike Hi Mike, The "season" on Quirk Creek, and the other streams in the Stewardship Licence Pilot Project, lasts until October 31. However, catch rates are typically much lower in October than in September. Jim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fish4trout Posted June 12, 2011 Share Posted June 12, 2011 Where do we go to take the test? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Taco Posted June 12, 2011 Share Posted June 12, 2011 The Provincial Building in Cochrane or TU office in Calgary and then one supervised outing on Quirk Creek Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jstelfox Posted June 13, 2011 Author Share Posted June 13, 2011 The following outlines the process for those who are interested in participating in the Stewardship Licence Pilot Project. The first step is to pass the fish ID test, which consists of 16 pictures of the three fish species (brook, bull and cutthroat trout) that are found in Quirk Creek. You can take the test either at our Fish and Wildlife office, which is located on the 2nd floor of the Cochrane Provincial Building at 213-1st St West, Cochrane, or at Trout Unlimited Canada's office at Suite 160, 6712 Fisher St SE, Calgary (phone 403-209-5185) . After you have passed the test, you will then be issued a Stewardship Licence, provided that you have previously participated in the Quirk Creek Brook Trout Suppression Project. However, if you have not previously participated in the Quirk Creek Brook Trout Suppression Project, you will then need to go on one supervised outing on Quirk Creek. Your name will be put on the list of people eligible to do an outing on Quirk Creek and Brian Meagher of TUC will notify you when supervised outings are being conducted, so that you can then let him know which supervised outing you would like to participate in. After you have done one supervised outing on Quirk Creek, you will then be issued with your Stewardship Licence. Cheers, Jim Stelfox Senior Fisheries Biologist, Southern Rockies Area Fish and Wildlife Division, Alberta Sustainable Resource Development Box 1420, Room 228, 2nd floor, Provincial Building Cochrane, Alberta, Canada T4C 1B4 Tel 403/851-2205, Fax 403/932-2158 Jim.Stelfox@gov.ab.ca Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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