From the President’s Desk

Dear Members:

Friends of the Grand River in January celebrated its 12th year since taking on the task of being the lead partner, and sometimes the lone partner, to look after and care for this world-renowned, blue-ribbon brown trout fishery, which is the best tailwater trout fishery Ontario has to offer.

It's really hard for me to believe that with the success we see on a daily basis on this part of the river, it's still hard to get anglers involved with becoming members in this organization. Friends of the Grand River in the past 12 years has lead the way on so many different fronts for all of us:

• A provincially admired River Watch anti-poaching program;
• A successful tailwater-management plan approach that is being adopted on other Ontario rivers;
• Safe, well-developed, public river-access points;
• Catch and release regulation on 60 per cent of the tailwater fishery;
• A litter-control kiosk program that has been adopted on other fisheries;
• A leader in education and research on the tailwater fishery;
• Stream habitat improvements on Grand River and tributary streams;
• A well-planned stocking program that works.

And there is so much more.

Will we see less public accessible water (it's already happening on other steams in the province) and more user-pay fisheries in the future? I've heard over the years the comment, “Thank God we're not like the United Kingdom , where if you want to fish you pay for that right by the day and beat.”

So how do you make sure that your voice is heard? It's quite simple — support FOGR by becoming a member or renewing your membership. OK, I know I'm preaching to the converted in many cases. But you know what I mean.

FOGR not only sits at the table with the government agencies, but it is considered an equal partner in this fishery and presents a unified voice to the parties that develop polices and projects affecting the watershed. FOGR strives to be part of the decision-making process that determines such development, always keeping the fishery and health of the river at the front and foremost.

So, in closing I'd ask that each and everyone of you renew your membership and encourage a friend in becoming a Friend of the Grand River in 2007. Pass the newsletter on. The future of this wonderful resource is in our hands more than ever . If you see me on the river, say “Hi!”

Tight Lines,

Larry R. McGratton

President

Fundraising Raffle 2007
A full SAGE Outfit worth $1,100 could be yours for $10!

Generous donations of fundraising prizes from SAGE Fly Rods and Bob McKenzie Agencies in the past seven years have allowed us to raise over $25,000.00 and heading fast towards $28,500.00 for conservation activities on the Grand, and there have been seven very happy winners of top-of-the-line SAGE rods in our membership.

Bob McKenzie Agencies represents the SAGE line of fly-fishing products in Ontario .

This year, in recognition of the great volunteer efforts by FOGR members in conservation activities, SAGE, Bob McKenzie Agencies and Ontario Sage dealers have once again been generous in their support .

The outstanding prize in this year's 2007 Conservation Fundraising Raffle is a complete SAGE outfit, ideal for fishing the Grand River tailwater.

Here's the prize package:

Sage 490-4 pc., Z-axis rod, value $700
Sage 2540 fly reel, value $330
Sage Performance Taper fly line, value $70

Suggested retail price, plus applicable taxes, $1100.00CND. A maximum of 350 tickets will be sold, at $10 per ticket.

Renew your membership, or join FOGR, at the same time as purchasing your tickets and receive a $5 discount on a one-year membership in the Friends of the Grand River .

Come and get some dirt on your boots
Tree Plant 2007

Saturday, April 28, 2007, 9 a.m. to 12.00 noon.

The annual tree plant will see 200 trees (3' to 6' in height) planted along the banks of the Grand river .

With global warming in the daily news, this is your chance to help with the battle against it and keeping our environment safer for future generations.

So if you are not already busy on April 28th, why not come and help out for a few hour while the river warms up a degree or two and then fish the afternoon or better yet bring the family out and spend the day together outdoors.

All you need is a pair of boots, gloves, a shovel and a willing heart to make a difference. FOGR will supply lunch and refreshments for all volunteers.

Location :

2nd line West Garafraxa , just off County Road No. 18 (first bridge below the Shand Dam). We'll be planting on the north bank, downstream of the bridge.

Kiosk Sponsorship

Is your club or business looking for a way of getting involved in the Grand River brown trout fishery.

Why not sponsor a kiosk for the 2007 season?

You get recognized for your contribution on our web site as well as on the sign on the kiosk.

The deal includes clearing the kiosk as often as needed.

For more information: contact

Terry Ryckman at (519) 843-38

What are your views?

If you have a view that doesn't agree with anything written in Grand Times , don't hesitate to write to us.

We've never had a 'Letters to the Editor' section, mainly because we've never had any letters.

As this is your newsletter, you have every right to see your views in print.

Take us to task; tell us we've done the right thing. While the editors and the board (often one and the same) try to do things in all of our best interests, sometimes the target may be missed.