Well folks it’s that time of year for putting out another newsletter. Time has flown by and who’d believe it’s been two years since the current board of Directors were voted in. A lot has changed and the Board has really done an amazing job of getting the club back on its feet. Out of that work, we hastily drafted a constitution only to discover that it needs some fine tuning, so it is our next goal to complete that fine tuning in a timely manner.

The elections that were to take place this fall will have to be postponed. We hope this doesn’t discourage those of you who may have wanted to take the reins and contribute to the OS, but the board felt strongly and unanimously, that with a little more time, the transition will be much smoother for our successors once this constitution and many other projects are complete. So please, be patient and we will work even harder to get things in order so we aren’t handing the “new crew” a bunch of half-finished projects and unfinished business. Remember, just 2 short years ago, this organization was in peril and grave disorder. We’ve come a long way in 2 years, but for us folks with jobs and lives outside the Steelheaders, 2 years as it turns out; simply wasn’t enough time to sort our affairs properly. In the meantime, don’t be shy! The Directors need help, and it’s a great way to show genuine interest to the voting members for when the time comes… There’s lots of work to go around, so don’t be afraid to step up.

The current low water conditions are not helping our adult fall transfer efforts as we’ve only been able to move 47 adults to date. We still have time, and hope Mother Nature comes through with some much needed rain. The low water conditions are hurting us all over as there was no water coming through the fishway at Walkerton and nothing at Maple hill until mid-October. We’ve had reports that fish were trying to get through the breach in the Traux Dam in Walkerton but this is no easy task for them and most get blown back but they keep trying!

I’m happy to report that both the LHFC and MNR (Chatsworth) hatcheries are telling us that our little guys are doing well and LHFC has indicated that as soon as their Browns are planted the Rainbows will be moved to the larger tanks and then we’ll really start to see them take off …currently they are about 2-3 inches. The LHFC has recently had their election for a new BOD’s so on behalf of the OS BOD’s please welcome them and wish them all great success in their endeavors: Brian Garnet (President), Mike Hahn (VP),Mike Blumhagen (Treasurer),Dave Armstrong (Secretary), Harold Cowan (Director),Kyle Watson (Director), Robert Greason (Director), Carmen Gazel (Director), Norm Dobson (Director) and Todd Devries (Director)

Also, the OS wishes to send a well-deserved thank you, to Past President Al Wilkins for all his work over the last number of years not only with the OS’s current BOD’s but all those previously. Job well done Al! You should be extremely proud of what you helped create, and with continued cooperation between the OS, the LHFC and MNR it will continue for years to come.

This year, between what LHFC and the Chatsworth hatcheries are raising the OS should be able to plant almost 80,000 yearling Rainbow Trout in the spring of 2013. Keep in mind that this early-winter we’ll need volunteers again to clip our little guys; we will put out a quick reminder in Feb with dates and location.

As some of you may have noticed, there are some new signs along the banks of the Saugeen regarding poaching, over limits etc. The OS has put these as a reminder that there are limits and rules and everyone must abide by them. The MNR has shown that they are taking our request for a bigger presence seriously and tell us that this will be occurring more often. Please make sure that you carry your valid fishing license with you so that when you’re asked for it you have it with you. I’ve seen a number of cases when asked people said “oh it’s in my vehicle or trailer” and the CO would either walk with the person to where it is or wait for them to return and this only slows down the CO from making his tour of the river so to help them do their job keep your license on you when your fishing.

We recently lost another friend of the river with the passing of Jim (Mac) McIntyre. Jim was a lifelong friend of Rod Jones and Keith Berkeley who left us not that long ago, Mac and Keith both helped over the years with everything from the original egg boxes to adult transfers. Mac and Keith will be missed just like the other friends of the River who passed before them.

One other thing we would like to mention if you see garbage please take the time to pick it up and drop it in the bin on your way out. We recently had a Scout troop come in and do a great job of cleaning up not only the garbage along the banks but also the limbs and pieces of wood left after the SVCA came and cut some trees that had died and were presenting a potential safety hazard. So a big thank you goes out to 20th Faith Brant Scout Troop for a job well done you’ll see some pictures and an article in this newsletter.

In closing please keep in mind that if you have any suggestions, ideas or comments please feel free to come forward with any of these to any one of the BOD or myself and as mentioned before we will address it to the best of our ability.

Karl H. Redin
President

Hats off to everyone involved in transforming this fishery. Our achievements are made possible by “Teamwork in Action”