Blue Fish Canada/Poisson Bleu Canada
Since Blue Fish Canada’s federal incorporation and registration as a charity in 2012, the 2016 year has been our most productive year to date. As President, it’s my honor and pleasure to offer this accounting of a number of the many program accomplishments achieved over the past year.
Conferences:
In September Blue Fish Canada received a grant to participate in the 2016 Living Water Rally hosted by the Canadian Freshwater Alliance. Rally participants were presented a summary of our work with research aquariums of North America with specific focus on actions taken to include instructional program content of specific interest to anglers. Over 8-million Canadians fish recreationally, and are seeking knowledge to become even stronger stewards of their aquatic ecosystems. By BFC working with Aquariums, our reach to provide this knowledge is expanded.
Lawrence speaking with Elders in Fort McKay Alberta
Rally organizers also hosted a special sneak-peek screening of our documentary, “What Lies Below”. Response from Canada’s leading water activists was outstanding. They loved the narrative of a blind angler and activist exploring Canada’s aquatic challenges, and the actions taken by people who live by and from the water.
Mainstream Media:
The CTV Morning TV program joined Blue Fish Canada for a morning of live TV broadcasts, (9 segments totaling 21 minutes). The show’s host caught fish while receiving tips on fishing sustainably. Four of the longer segments were uploaded to YouTube (www.FeeltheBite.TV) and disseminated over social media.
Lawrence in the CBC recording studio
The Canadian Broadcast Corporation produced an 8-minute radio segment with Blue Fish Canada to kick-off Family Fishing Day. We recorded the bulk of the segment on the shore of the Rideau River. It covered the work of Blue Fish Canada and encouraged families to enjoy the license-free fishing weekend.
Every second Tuesday Blue Fish is a featured expert guest on AMI’s Audio program, “Live from Studio Five” broadcast live across Canada on SiriusXM, Cable TV and the internet. Our contribution involves providing insight and analysis of topical news items of relevance to the environment.
Lawrence with Mohawk Norman Peters holding an St. Lawrence Smallmouth Bass that shows evidence of a Lamprey attack
Public Service Announcements:
The 20 Stewardship Fishing Tips produced for Blue Fish have been airing on a number of podcasts and internet streaming services. Short information segments intended to educate anglers how to fish sustainably and protect their waters. More tips are in the works.
Social Media:
“Sustainable Fish Friday”: is a new weekly social media initiative featuring short 1-minute stewardship tips up-loaded to Sound Cloud. People can click and listen directly to the audio track over their portable devices.
Lawrence speaking to Girl Guides on the shore of Dows Lake
Youth Initiatives:
A favorite annual event of the 150th Ottawa Girl Guides is the chance to go shoreline fishing with Blue Fish volunteers. The mentors provide the gear, and over 50 girls ranging in age from 6 to 16 catch plenty of panfish. A Q/A session follows to answer questions about the fish caught and released, and highlight important lessons learned about fishing sustainably. Many of the girls now can bait their hooks and release their catch.
Print Media:
Articles featuring the work of Blue Fish appeared in 12 newspapers and Magazines. In addition, magazines such as Outdoor Canada, Outdoors Unlimited and Fish Hunt Ride are now carrying quarter-page ads featuring the work of Blue Fish, as well as through their on-line and social media content.
Lawrence with Colin Lake in front of the Glenora Fishery Station on Lake Ontario
Podcasts:
The weekly Blue Fish Radio podcast continues to be featured on AMI Audio over SiriusXM, cable TV and the web, and on WRVO Radio Network One for a total of 12 times weekly. A number of partnerships have also been established to promote new episodes. Episodes can be streamed or downloaded from iTunes and Spreaker.Com. It’s estimated that well over 100,000 listeners hear Blue Fish Radio podcasts each week.
Two Native Salmon fishers on the docs in Port Alberni B.C.
Documentary:
Following a highly successful sneak-peek screening of What Lies Below at the Living Water Rally, its premiere was held in Toronto at the Rogers Hot Docs Theatre. It went better than hoped. Over 600 people were in the audience and stayed for the Q/A session afterwards.
The following review is one of several:
From TheGate.ca: This year’s closing night film (screening at Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema alongside the festival awards ceremony) comes from Canadian filmmaker Emanuel Hoss-Desmarais, whose last film was his stunningly gorgeous debut feature Whitewash, starring Thomas Hayden Church as an alcoholic Quebecois plow driver who makes a deadly misjudgment. His follow-up is What Lies Below, an equally stunning documentary that focuses on Lawrence Gunther, a legally blind environmental advocate documenting the effects of waste, sewage, and pollution on fish populations and water supplies. The most gorgeous looking film at this year’s festival (which actually says a lot for an environmental film showcase), What Lies Below balances the personal, the political, and the environmental wonderfully, making the audience learn just as much about Lawrence as they do the world around him. It’s a disarmingly emotional experience that proves beyond a shadow of a doubt (and please pardon the pun) that we can’t keep turning a blind eye to how we treat the world around us.
What Lies Below is set to appear in another four festivals in 2017 throughout the world. Broadcast Deals are being signed with CBC’s Doc Channel and AMI TV.
Blue Fish Canada exhibit table at the Toronto Sportsman Show
Exhibits:
Blue Fish exhibited over nine days at two outdoor shows in Ontario in 2016 to an estimated 150,000 show visitors. Our exhibit spaces (Ottawa – 20-30, and Toronto – 20×50) were generously made available at no cost by Canadian Sportsman Show Management Services. With Guide Dog “Moby” in attendance and a quality Shimano spinning combo to raffle off, we had a steady stream of visitors scooping up free clean-up kits and stewardship training materials, and making cash donations. .
Shoreline Clean-Up Kits:
Blue Fish Canada continues to work in partnership with the City of Ottawa to distribute free shoreline clean-up kits consisting of a garbage bag and disposable gloves contained within a 5”x6” thin biodegradable wrapper. Over 3,500 kits were distributed by hand, and are available over the Blue Fish Canada website.
Lawrence and his guide holding a 6-foot White Sturgeon about to be released into the Fraser River
Stewardship Training Materials:
The “How to be a Steward of your Favorite Fishing Hole” brochure continues to be distributed for free over the internet and by hand. Over 2,000 copies were distributed in 2016. The brochure is packaged with a 3’x8’ double-sided leaflet explaining the mission of Blue Fish, and a $5 pet food coupon from Eukanuba.
Lawrence and Moby on the Great Canadian Seminar Stage
Seminars:
Fifteen seminars / key note addresses were delivered throughout the year featuring the mission of Blue Fish, why the programs are necessary, and the positive response from the public, water activists and anglers. Seminars generate working capital through donations to Blue Fish.
Lawrence and his two children standing outside the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago
Research Aquariums of North America:
We have now featured the research, conservation, rescue, volunteer, and education programs offered by nine leading aquariums across North America through 20 blogs and podcasts. The many partnerships formed through the initiative have resulted in considerable increased awareness of the important stewardship activities underway at both public aquariums and Blue Fish, and are serving to further educate anglers about fishing sustainably.
Donations:
Our partnership with “Canada Helps” continues to generate on-line donations. We are also beginning to see larger donations being made directly to Blue Fish from private individuals. Operating costs for Blue Fish are directly related to program delivery, which are implemented at no charge by our volunteer directors and volunteers.
Looking Forward to 2017:
*Discussions are now underway with the Vancouver Aquarium to establish a partnership between Blue Fish and their Great Canadian Shoreline Clean-Up initiative. They are looking to Blue Fish to bring Canada’s angling community into the initiative, and Blue Fish is seeking to build on their on-line mapping tools to further connect anglers to the care and cleaning of their favorite fishing holes.
*More seminars and festival screenings of What Lies Below are being planned, with the next phase to include TV broadcasts. Only after these channels have been fully tapped, will on-line “view on demand” services be established. All revenues generated by the doc continue to go to Blue Fish.
*Eukanuba has committed to continue to support Bleu Fish with the donation of pet food coupons and prizes. The coupons are being packaged with Blue Fish literature. Affiliations with pet and outdoor stores are being explored to distribute the material directly to customers, and to generate donations at point-of-sale.
*Presentations to clubs, organizations and corporations will continue, as will guest appearances on mainstream media. They love the narrative of a competitive professional tournament angler, who happens to be blind, cares about the future of fish and fishing and has a great looking guide dog”! It’s a 4-prong message that resonates strongly with the public, fellow anglers, water activists and dog lovers alike.
*Multi-media awareness and educational materials will continue to be produced and disseminated both directly and through partnerships. Subjects will focus on things we can all do to ensure the future of our water and fish. Guests and locations will be selected to demonstrate the positive impacts such actions have on aquatic ecosystems and fish populations.
*Last, an on-line stewardship quiz is in development for use as an educational tool. Those who take the quiz will be signed up for the Blue Fish newsletter and have their names entered into a draw to win a Shimano spinning combo and many other prizes.
Lawrence Gunther, President of Blue Fish Canada, recently presented at the 2016 Living Water Rally organized by the Fresh Water Alliance. The presentation outlines how public aquariums and the angling community have joined forces in aquatic research and the training of future aquatic stewards. The presentation was extremely well received with a number of future partnerships now in the works.
Click here to download PDF of the presentation
Fishing, Anglers and Aquariums of North America
A Presentation to the 2016 Living Water Rally
By Lawrence Gunther, President – Blue Fish Canada
Introduction – Blue Fish Canada
- Federally incorporated charity January 2012
- Mandate: The future of fish and fishing
- Activity: educating and empowering anglers to be stewards of aquatic ecosystems
- Broadcasting Blue Fish Canada Stewardship Tip PSA’s
- Distributing stewardship training materials
- Providing Free shoreline clean-up kits
- Organizing 24-hour fishathon
- Distributing “What Lies Below” documentary
- Producing 20-part series focussing on research aquariums of North America
Anglers
- Anglers fish recreationally or for sport
- Catch-and-release and selective harvesting
- According to DFO, in 2010 there were 3.4 million active anglers in Canada
- Another ½-million anglers visited Canada
- 25% of adult anglers in Canada are women
- Fish on average 13 days annually – 43.5-million days
- Harvested approx. 63-million fish
- Released approx. 125-million fish
- Spent $2.5 billion directly on fishing in 2010
- $400-million on fishing packages
Commercial fishing In Canada
- Approximately 50,000 active commercial fishers
- Aquaculture industry employs about 3,500 people at 1,000 sites
- Preparation and packaging of fish employs another 32,000
- In 2010 850,000 metric tons of wild fish were harvested from Canada’s oceans
- Value of marine fish harvested = $2.8-billion
- Total freshwater fish harvested in 2010 was 2,100 metric tons
- Total value of freshwater fish harvested = $63-million
- Total value of fish product exported $6-billion
- Total value of fish product imported $3.5 billion
World Statistics
- An estimated 45 billion fish are caught by recreational anglers annually around the world – 2/3 are released back into the environment.
- Approx. 100-million metric tons of fish are commercially harvested annually worldwide.
- Roughly 2.7-trillion individual fish are harvested commercially around the world each year.
Fish
- First appeared 500-million years ago
- 90 million years later they developed jaws
- Over 33,000 species of fish
- 60% of all known species on earth
- More fish species than all birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians combined
- Certain species (Sturgeon) stopped evolving 150-million years ago
Aquariums
- North America’s zoos and aquariums receive an estimated 175-million visitors annually
- Comply with criteria established by Association of zoos and aquariums
- Many operate as non-profits and are active in their communities
- Aquariums are using internet / social media to engage visitors pre and post visit
- Programs include: Research, rescue, conservation, volunteerism, citizen-science, excursions, multi-sensory experiences, education and partnerships
Engagement
- Aquariums generate considerable cash and donation
- Mandate includes training stewards of aquatic ecosystems
- Recreational fishing is North America’s most popular outdoor activity
- Anglers contribute more volunteer hours to conservation than all other groups combined
- Both aquariums and anglers are leaders in engaging citizens about aquatic issues
- Establishing linkages between aquariums and anglers makes sense
Commitment
- Aquariums care about educating the public
- Aquariums entertain, engage and empower
- Anglers care about fishing sustainably
- Fishing forges bonds between anglers and their local aquatic ecosystems
- Harvesting wild local organic food is growing in popularity
Action
- Aquariums using inclusive programming to connect with anglers
- Anglers supporting aquariums with research as citizen scientists
- Aquarium educational programming includes sustainable harvesting
- Anglers participate in fish habitat educational programming
THANK YOU! HAPPY FISHING!
Join Lawrence Gunther, President of Blue Fish Canada and Host of the Blue Fish Radio show, as he visits aquariums throughout North America. This unique initiative goes behind the super-think glass and the thousands of gallons of water playing host to all manner of aquatic species. A behind-the-scene exploration of spaces and people doing amazing things to empower the future stewards of the world.
The Aquariums of North America feature showcases the mega-sized public displays that cost millions to build and require maintenance crews using SCUBA to clean. Aquariums that do more than entertain guests, in that they strive to recreate aquatic ecosystems in their full glory.
North America’s aquariums are making significant investments so people can both witness and experience the mysterious underwater world that we can only imagine when looking down from the decks of ships or bridges. A world that is surprisingly more diverse than that which we live in above water, and far, far larger in size. And a world that is in need of and deserving of protection.
Many of the more famous public aquariums in North America have been around for decades and yet don’t seem to be losing their public appeal. In fact, new aquariums are springing up everywhere as for-profit businesses. We at Blue Fish Canada wanted to find out what keeps these aquariums relevant and why interest in such exhibits is growing.
Surely, the variety of underwater documentaries and TV specials that Jacques Cousteau first made popular offer more than ample film footage to satisfy most people’s curiosity. So what is it that has people turning off their TV’s and tablets and visiting aquariums in ever-increasing numbers?
In researching and planning the Aquariums of North America special, we were acutely aware of the debate surrounding the welfare of some animals, particularly cetaceans, in captivity. With so many opinions already floating around on this topic, we wanted to take a different approach.
The aquariums Lawrence is visiting focus first-and-foremost on educating the public. Their methodologies include simple displays with information plaques, live presentations and video, and hands-on interactive displays intended to go beyond observation by providing a more multi-sensory experience. Other secondary program offerings often include behind-the-scenes tours, overnight experiences, meet-and-greets with leading scientists, participation in feeding sessions, excursions on boats, and the opportunity to volunteer or apprentice. The internet as a means of following up with support for past visitors interested in learning and doing more is also becoming a key component of most aquarium visits.
Some might argue that the very popular interactive exhibits exploit animals and other life forms, and these exhibits, along with the other secondary programs, are solely intended to give a bump to the numbers of people passing through their turnstiles. But if this is the case, then one also need ask, why? For the most part, these aquariums are not-for-profit organizations.
As a person without sight, Lawrence is one of the first to attest to the value of interactive exhibits. Simply pressing your nose up against the think glass of an aquarium leaves everyone feeling somewhat unfulfilled. The need to maintain our connection with nature can only be established and maintained when all the human senses are engaged–not just the sense of sight. Like babies, everyone has a deep-seeded need to explore the world with ones hands, mouths, ears, noses, and eyes. It’s how one establishes a real connection with the object being investigated. The aquariums Lawrence visits get this, and are leaders in the world in offering the public multi-sensory, four-dimension, full immersion (both figuratively and literally), emotionally engaging experiences.
Lawrence has already visited close to a dozen aquariums throughout Canada and the United States, and the number continues to grow. While there is some overlap in the sorts of educational displays offered by different aquariums, their ample differences made it easy to focus his attention on unique subjects relevant to each aquarium’s geographic location. What he learned may both surprise and impress you.
Links to live Blue Fish Radio recordings of Lawrence’s visits and interviews with aquarium staff can be found on www.bluefishradio.com and iTunes.
There’s no shortage of interesting topics covered: habitat protection and conservation, volunteer programs, environmental sustainability, field research and observation, rescue and rehabilitation, education and awareness, stakeholder engagement, heartbreak and success, and so much more. Each Blue Fish Radio Aquariums of North America episode is engaging, different, informative, loaded with surprises, and fun. Included is an interview with an expert from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) during which Lawrence and his guest discuss the evolution of aquariums, the Association’s accreditation role, and what the future holds in store.
Please join Lawrence on this journey of discovery and illumination. You won’t be disappointed. As someone who sees the world through his ears, Lawrence has a pretty good idea of what makes for good radio.
Once again Lawrence Gunther, President of Blue Fish Canada, has been selected to present at the Canadian Freshwater Alliance’s Living Waters Rally (September 28-30 2016, Vancouver). The topic of Lawrence’s presentation will be the role research aquariums are playing in recruiting new water stewards and their strong connection to fishing. This is the third Rally in a row Blue Fish Canada has had an active role in supporting the Canadian Freshwater Alliance in delivering.
For more on the 2016 Rally link to: http://www.freshwateralliance.ca/
During the 2013 Living Waters Rally Lawrence Gunther presented on the connection anglers and fishers have with water and fish, and their commitment to ensure this connection continues for many future generations.
The following will take you to a 20-minute audio recording of Lawrence’s presentation:
In 2014 Blue Fish Canada was part of the organizing committee for the Living Water Rally. The following statement was issued by the Canadian Freshwater Alliance, a project of Tides Canada, and organizer of Living Waters Rally 2014:
Canada’s waters are suffering. Lakes are choked by algae blooms. Rivers are overflowing their banks, with others dangerously close to drying up. Drinking water supplies are compromised. Struggling fish populations are often unfit for consumption.
Healthy, living waters are essential to the health and prosperity of our communities and the survival of all species. We are blessed in Canada to still have some of the world’s most pristine waters and thus a global obligation to protect them and to restore those waters that are suffering—before it’s too late.
This past weekend, 110 delegates of Living Waters Rally 2014—representing recreational, indigenous, cottage association, faith, philanthropic, environmental, business, academic, and arts and culture groups from across Canada—came together to discuss the future of Canada’s freshwaters.
The people of Canada deserve to know the health of their home waters and that many are increasingly at risk and need to be able to know which ones are healthy. We need regular, independent public assessment of and reporting on the health of our waters.
Protecting and restoring the health of our waters will require leadership. Canada needs a legal and policy framework that sets a high standard of accountability and transparency.
Indigenous peoples, including First Nations, live in harmony with nature and place a spiritual and sacred value on water and have rights to maintain and strengthen their relationships with traditionally occupied lands and waters pursuant to treaties, aboriginal title and aboriginal rights. Hence, indigenous peoples engage in the movement to protect our waters.
We invite many more people and organizations to be engaged in the protection and restoration of Canada’s freshwater. We will build and strengthen the water movement to ensure that all our waters are in good health—swimmable, drinkable and fishable.
During the spring 2016 outdoor show season, Blue Fish Canada exhibited for a total of nine days. Thanks to Canadian National Sportsman Show management for generously donating exhibit spaces.
Blue Fish Canada gave away over 5,000 shoreline clean-up kits, Fishing stewardship guides and personalized brailled autograph cards to visitors at our boot. People donating $5 or higher, had their names entered into a draw to win a $250 Shimano fishing rod and reel outfit. Over $400 in donations were collected.
One of Blue Fish Canada’s youngest and hardest working volunteers, Lilly Euteneier, drew the winners name on June 1, 2016. The winner is Chris Walcott.
Thanks to all those who dropped by the booth to say high and who generously donated funds to support Blue Fish Canada to empower the next generation of fish stewards. Big thanks too, to all those who gave their time to help staff our booths.
May 6, 2015
Attended seminar and exhibits organized by the St. Lawrence River Institute for Environmental Science and Ontario Power Generation in Cornwall. Recorded Volunteers included David Mingie and Lawrence Gunther
May 25, 2015
Organized instructive fishing experience for 48 Ottawa Girl Guides and provided conservation presentation. Volunteers included 12 anglers from the Ottawa Valley South Bassmasters and five Girl Guide leaders. Tackle, prizes and worms were donated by Sail Outdoors. Shoreline clean-up kits and Stewardship brochures were distributed.
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- Urban Fishing Nodes
May 29-30, 2015
Exhibited and presented at the People in Motion show in Toronto. Volunteers included Jason Cox and Lawrence Gunther. Distributed shoreline clean-up kits and stewardship brochures to the over 10,000 visitors to the show. Spoke on stage both days about fish stewardship
June 25-26, 2015
Thurs-Fri. 24-Hour Fish-a-thon
Organized in partnership with the Ottawa River Keeper and Oziles Marina. Volunteers included eight local anglers and five ORK staff. CBC radio joined us on board for the first session, and CTV Morning news for the second day.
Fished for 24-hours straight. There were six segments – each lasting about 4 hours. The goal was to catch and release as many different species of fish as possible within city limits in the Ottawa River.
April-May 2016
Aquahacking App Development
BFC teamed up with three coders from Ottawa University to prepare a phone app that would assist anglers and researchers to track fish health. The app was entered into the Aquahacking event organized by Ottawa River Keeper. A total of 80 hours were donated by the four developers to build the app at no cost.
June 2016
Launch of New BFC Website,
A new website www.bluefishcanada.ca was developed and launched in June 2015.
Feb 18-21 2016
Ottawa Boat and Sportsman Show (4 days)
Organized the Anglers’ Village involving five area fishing clubs with Blue Fish Canada as the central exhibiter.
The 20’x40’ space was donated.
Volunteers included four volunteers that staffed the Blue Fish booth, (Jason Cox, Scott Campbell, Lilly Euteneier, Lawrence Gunther), and another 35 volunteers involved with staffing the club tables that made up the Village. Provided one seminar on stage.
The Ottawa Sun paper and the Renegade Bass Radio show provided media coverage.
Organized a rod-reel prize for visitors who made donations to BFC.
Stewardship brochures, clean-up kits and autograph cards were distributed to the over 22,000 show visitors.
March 14-21 2016
Toronto Sportsman Show (five days)
Exhibited at the Show over five days. Arrived in Toronto two days prior to the show start date to set up the 20’x50’ exhibit space generously provided by Show organizers at no cost. Volunteers included three individuals (Scott Campbell, Gary Morissy, and Lawrence Gunther).
Spoke on stage on five occasions (five days) for 25 minutes each time about fish stewardship. Distributed clean-up kits, stewardship materials and autograph cards. Continued the rod-reel prize for visitors who made donations. Media coverage included featured coverage by show organizers in their media materials.
March 2016
Blue Fish Stewardship Tips
Blue Fish Radio has produced a series of 20 Blue Fish Canada Stewardship Tips for radio that are 2-minutes in length. The tips are being incorporated into programming by the “Urban Angle” and Blue Fish Radio podcasts, and are being used by WRVO Outdoor Radio as PSA’s.
Totals
Total number of volunteers = 45
Total number of seminars = 8
Total number of show days exhibited = 11
Total number of shoreline clean-up kits distributed = 1,400
Total number of Stewardship Training Guides distributed = 800
In the spring of 2016 Blue Fish Canada participated in River Keeper training offered by the Upper St. Lawrence River Keeper with the support of the St. Lawrence River Institute for Environmental Science. Blue Fish Radio was granted permission to record and broadcast the training over the Blue Fish Radio Show on iTunes and Spreaker.com.
Listen to the one-hour training session:
Blue Fish Canada recently produced 14 Feel the Bite TV interstitials for Accessible Media TV. Each interstitial includes Lawrence Gunther, his guide dog Moby, and special guests on the water talking about fish, their biology and habitat, and environmental pressures that are impacting their viability. Each 3-minute episode includes a stewardship tip. The interstitials are now available for viewing on the “Feel the Bite” YouTube channel.
The 24 hour fish-a-thon organized in partnership between Blue Fish Canada and the Ottawa River Keeper went as smooth as could be expected. Weather was calm, water conditions were stable, media showed up on schedule, volunteers all contributed as promised, and no one got hurt. About the only thing that could have been better was the fishing (LOL). In spite of that, we still managed to capture and release 12 species of fish from the Ottawa River within the boundaries of the city of Ottawa over a 24-hour period from a single boat.
Segment One — 8:00-11:00 a.m.:
John Anderson from the Ottawa River Musky Factory and Hallie Cotnum from CBC Ottawa Radio jumped on board my Ranger Fisherman 620 along with my right hand for this project, Jason Cox. My guide dog Moby was also with me throughout. Lots of room for all. We started with a blast up the river that completely reconfigured Hallie’s hair for radio, and then began casting large Muskie plugs. Four rods, four baits, eight treble hooks, and 24 hook points, but in spite of our raising three fish and one actual bite, no fish in the boat. Tons of fun though, and Hallie gave stellar coverage including an 8-minute edited radio piece she recorded on the boat.
Segment Two — 11:00-3:00 p.m.:
This second segment had Rob Jackson from RJ and Birdy Outdoors aboard for a session of Gar hunting. It’s truly a visual sport in that you first need to spot these torpedoes in the shallows and then present specially modified baits within inches of the Gar’s face. We had a ton of fun stocking these predators from the bow of the Ranger and some success as well with the largest caught measuring about 35 inches. The Ottawa River Keeper camera boat was following us, but I don’t think they had it easy given the stump fields RJ had us threading in pursuit of these shallow water fish.
Segment Three — 3:00-7:00 p.m.:
This afternoon segment was intended to be the easiest in that we were to pursue panfish (e.g. Sunfish, Crappy, Bluegill, etc.). Our featured guests included Yvonne Brown from Fishing 101 for Women, Meredith Brown the official Ottawa River Keeper, Meredith’s son Charlie, the President of the Ottawa Fishing Club David Mingie, and another three folks from Ottawa River Keeper. Two boats, nine fishing rods, perfectly calm sunny weather, and we could not buy a bite. I had a Perch on with my first cast, and that was it for us all. The lesson in Segment Three was fishing is no guarantee of actually catching.
Segment Four — 7:00-12:00 a.m.:
Yanick Loranger of Ottawa River Guided Fishing came aboard to see about putting us on some Walleye and catfish. Successful on all counts, including more Perch and first appearances by a Sauger and several other panfish species. We didn’t venture far from Oziles Marina for this as there are boating hazards in the area, and we didn’t want to take the chance of a night time rescue. I found funny the total dependency Yanick and Jason have for light. They really struggled in the moonless black-out conditions in spite of the ever-constant anchor light at the stern.
Segment Five — 12:00-5:00 a.m.:
For me this midnight to first light segment was the most difficult. I could not sit down without slipping into sleep. Having started the day before quite early already, the segment signified my going 24 hours without sleep. Joining Jason, Moby and I on the boat for this portion were two fine local brothers who are well regarded as top-shelf anglers – Anthony and Andrew. Our goal was Bass and Pike or anything else that lurks in the dark. Turns out our experience with the panfish earlier the day before was to continue. Finally though, after the four of us casted all manner of baits continuously for five hours, we managed to boat a couple decent Smallmouth Bass just as the sun was breaking over the horizon. Mission accomplished!
Segment Six — 5:00-8:00 a.m.:
Our expert angler for this final segment was Nigel Touhey, well known and respected tournament angler. Also joining us aboard the Ranger was Sarah Freemark from CTV Morning television along with her videographer. Prior to shoving off from the Oziles doc, Nigel took me aside to say that he had been scouting the water the day prior and was worried about the fish not cooperating. Yup, new all about this little issue already. But, Nigel came through, found us a stretch of main Ottawa River channel that was about 25-feet in depth, and most importantly, held fish that bit. Bass, Perch, Rock Bass, Sunfish and Bluegill all made their way aboard the boat on the end of Sarah and my lines. Between catching fish, we broadcast seven live TV segments for a total of 16 minutes of coverage. A great way to end the fish-a-thon.
Results:
Out of the 85 various species of fish that call the Ottawa River home, we contacted, caught and released the following species:
1. Muskellunge
2. Walleye
3. Saugeye
4. Largemouth Bass
5. Smallmouth Bass
6. Channel Catfish
7. Long Nose Gar
8. Rock Bass
9. Blue Gill
10. Pumpkin Cede
11. Black Crappy
12. Yellow Perch
All were released alive and well.
For more coverage of this event:
Ottawa River Keeper Blog: http://www.ottawariverkeeper.ca/11-species-of-fish-caught-in-24-hours/
CBC Morning news coverage:
Ottawa – June 2015: Blue Fish Canada in partnership with Ottawa Riverkeeper has organized a 24-hour fish-a-thon to take place June 25-26 on the Ottawa River to showcase the tremendous variety of fish species (over 85) that call the river home.
“It’s our intention to raise public awareness of the incredible diversity of the Ottawa River’s rich aquatic ecosystem that exists right at our doorstep,” states Meredith Brown, Riverkeeper and Executive Director of Ottawa Riverkeeper.
Special guests will be joining Lawrence Gunther to catch and release fish species including: Northern Pike, Muskellunge, Walleye, Large and Small Mouth Bass, Catfish, Drumb, Carp, Gar, Perch and all manner of panfish.
“The Ottawa River is an amazing fishery”, says Lawrence Gunther, President of Blue Fish Canada, “no other capital city in the world has the numbers and variety of fish found in the Ottawa River.”
Members of the media are invited to join Lawrence or observe the action directly from a second media boat. Live updates will be published in real-time on Facebook (Ottawa.riverkeeper, Lawrence Gunther), Instagram and Twitter (@ottriverkeeper and lawrencegunther). Lawrence and his guests will be fishing aboard a 20-foot multi species fishing boat provided by Orleans Boat World and Sports.
The event will be staged out of Ozile’s Marina located at 1009 Trim Road Orleans (Ottawa), and will begin at 8am on Thursday June 25th and end on Friday 8am June 26th.
A Q&A session with Media is scheduled for Friday June 26th from 8AM to 10AM at Ozile’s Marina.
Special guests include:
John Anderson from the Ottawa River Musky Factory: www.ottawarivermuskyfactory.com
Rob Jackson from RJ and Birdy Outdoors: www.rjnbirdeesoutdooradventures.ca
Yvonne Brown from Fishing 101 for Women: www.fishing101forwomen.ca
Yanick Loranger from Ottawa River Guided Adventures: www.ottawariverfishing.ca
Nigel Touhy Winner of the 2014 Ottawa River Shootout Classic
Schedule
24-Hour Fish-a-thon / Ottawa River
June 25-26, 2015
Time / Date |
Location |
Guests |
| 7:00-8:00 a.m. Thurs June 25 |
Oziles Marine | John Anderson and Hallie Cotnam |
| 8:00-11:30 a.m. Thurs June 25 |
ON the Water | John Anderson and Hallie Cotnam |
| 11:30-12:00 a.m. Thurs June 25 |
Oziles Marine | Rob Jackson and special guest |
| 12:00-3:00 p.m. Thurs June 25 |
ON the Water | Rob Jackson and special guest |
| 3:00-3:30 p.m. Thurs June 25 |
Oziles Marine | Yvonne and Meredith Brown |
| 3:30-6:00 p.m. Thurs June 25 |
ON the Water | Yvonne and Meredith Brown |
| 6:00-6:30 p.m. Thurs June 25 |
Oziles Marine | Yannick Loranger and surprise guest |
| 6:30-12:00 p.m. Thurs June 25 |
ON the Water | Yannick Loranger and surprise guest |
| 12:00-5:00 a.m. Fri June 26 |
ON the Water | Lawrence Gunther |
| 5:00-5:30 a.m. Fri June 26 |
Oziles Marine | Nigel Toui and Sarah Freemark |
| 5:30 to 8:00 a.m. Fri June 26 |
ON the Water | Nigel Toui and Sarah Freemark |
| 8:00-10:00 a.m. Fri June 26 |
Oziles Marine | On-shore media interviews |
For more information contact:
Meredith Brown
Riverkeeper and Executive Director, Ottawa Riverkeeper
Office: (613) 321-1120
Mobile: (613) 864-7442
Email: keeper@ottawariverkeeper.ca
Lawrence Gunther
President, Blue Fish Canada
Telephone: (613) 298-3028
Email: bluefishcan@gmail.com
Web: www.bluefishcanada.ca
Blue Fish Canada / Poisson Bleu Canada
