Fishing clubs focus on environmental protection

It might be assumed fishing clubs are geared primarily for people who like to tell tall tales about the big ones that did or didn’t get away or for those who seek further knowledge to help improve their angling skills.
While members of the York Bassmasters might engage in those topics during their meetings, their activities extend beyond those parameters.
In fact, one of their mandates is to protect the environment, which, in turn, will create angling opportunities for future generations.
The group earned accolades by winning the Berkley Conservaton Award for their work on the Bogart Creek restoration project.
The annual award isn’t just given to angling clubs, Tony Dean, club treasurer and conservation director, said.
When potential nominees are chosen for the award, other conservation groups are taken into consideration, he added.
But receiving this year’s award, the club was honoured and humbled
“Never in our wildest dreams did we think we’d win because there are so many great conservation projects that are being done,” Dean said. “We are proud of the work we’ve done (on the Bogart Creek Restoration project) and look forward to the challenges ahead.”
The club’s involvement in the Bogart Creek project stemmed was inspired by the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority, which began work last fall in the East Holland River clean-up.
This was a multi-year, $17-million campaign to restore the most degraded and populated river in the Lake Simcoe watershed.
In the East Holland River Clean Up, erosion control, tree planting, manure storage and septic system upgrade projects are being conducted to improve the water quality in the river and in the lake itself.
Since Bogart Creek feeds the East Holland River, the Bogart Creek Restoration project is part of the larger East Holland River clean-up.
“We discussed the partnership idea with Ted Bomers from the Bogart Creek Restoration and we knew it would be a great fit for our club,” Dean recalled. “These folks are dedicated to results and we as a club are going to assist them in the future to make sure it gets done.
“We will continue this spring by doing aquatic plantings, clearing obstacles from the creek and bank re-stabilization. This is a long-term project and we will be there until the end which we hope will be the successful re-introduction of brook trout,” he said.
A chapter of the Ontario BASS Federation, part of the worldwide BASS Federation, the York Bassmasters began in the spring of 2006 and currently sports a membership of 25 people who hail from around the Greater Toronto Area.
Dean said the club welcomes the addition of any interested individuals wishing to join them. This, he said, includes youngsters and women.
The club gathers every last Thursday of the month at the BassProShops in Vaughan in the seminar room.
For further club information, log on to: www.yorkbassmasters.com