Popular Go Fish program returns Sunday
It’s time to renew your B.C. fishing licence and time to get your kids out fishing. There are introductory fishing lessons in Kelowna, West Kelowna and Vernon. Approximately 500 young rainbow trout were stocked in the Hall Road fishing pond in Kelowna's Mission Creek Regional Park this week in preparation for the launch of the popular Go Fish program tomorrow. Rainbow trout will also be stocked by Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC and Summerland Trout Hatchery staff in the Shannon Lake netted fishing area.
Unfortunately, due to the unprecedented high water levels in Shannon Lake Regional Park, the West Kelowna program has been postponed by a week to next Saturday, with the grand opening next Sunday. Both will continue 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. each weekend through June 18.
“We’ve never seen Shannon Lake so high and as a result, the net that’s used to keep fish in for the youth fishery, isn’t long or deep enough to do the job this year,” said Bruce Smith, communications officer for the Regional District of the Central Okanagan. “Our Peachland Sportsmen’s Association volunteers are busy making modifications and plan to put the net in soon.”
Youth 15 years of age and under can try to catch 25- to 30-centimetre-long rainbow trout and are allowed to keep one each day without a fishing license.
Staff from the Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC will be on hand each Saturday starting May 6. Volunteers from the two local outdoor recreation partners will also help with equipment and expert fishing guidance for youngsters.
On Sundays, regional parks staff will be at the Mission Creek Regional Park fishing pond and starting May 7 at Shannon Lake to help youngsters try their luck in this popular youth urban fishery program.
The society also offers special Learn to Fish field trip programs for school groups at each fishing location on Thursdays and Fridays. And from 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesdays May 10-June 7, it will offer a special Learn to Fish program for families at the Hall Road pond.
The Go Fish program is thanks to the Peachland Sportsmen’s Association, Kelowna and District Fish and Game Club, Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC, the Summerland Trout Hatchery and the B.C. Ministry of Environment.
“Everyone taking part in the Go Fish program is asked to please respect our park neighbours by parking only in the designated areas or where directed by staff,” said Smith.
“While participants age 15 and under are not required to have a fishing license for this program, we ask that they bring their own fishing equipment if possible as a limited number of rods and reels are available to borrow at each site.”
In Vernon, the Kalamalka Flyfishers will hold their 15th annual Fishing Weekend at the Polson Park Duck Pond in Vernon this weekend.
The pond was cleaned on April 23 and the Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC delivered 1,000 rainbow trout on Wednesday (April 26). Kids fishing started on Saturday and continues 9 a.m.-4 p.m. tomorrow.
“There is more to fishing than just tossing a hook into the water. Come down and see what we are doing,” say club members.
*** The Kelowna branch of the Okanagan Regional Library is hosting a Beautiful Birds of British Columbia Visual Tour by Central Okanagan Naturalist Club member Jorma Jyrkkanen at 7 p.m. on May 10.
Jyrkkanen, a biologist, has photographed birds throughout the Okanagan and the province. His presentation will include details on bird behavior, habitats and interesting facts on resident and migrant species, and a few rare visitors.
*** Wineries in Lake Country supported the Okanagan Rail Trail Initiative on Saturday.
Those attending the Taste Lake Country Scenic Sip winery tour, or just vising the wineries, were greeted by Rail Trail Ambassadors who hosted displays at Gray Monk, 50th Parallel, Ancient Hill and Chase Wines. Trail Ambassadors shared information and accepted donations. Fundraising products were also available for purchase.
Chase Wines offered a sneak peak at their winery that will soon be open.
*** Rose Valley Regional Park is proving to be popular for cross-country races, both running and on mountain bikes.
Pace Sports Fitness of Kelowna held a trail running race in the West Kelowna regional park last weekend and it is the setting for a Spring Classic BC Cup Cross Country Mountain Bike Race this weekend. Competitors were on designated trails on Saturday (April 29) and are there 9 a.m.3 p.m. today (April 30).
The park is open but visitors are asked to be aware of their surroundings and trails that are being used for these events as they may encounter participants.
*** Spring rain showers and the melting snowpack are starting to fuel rising levels in creeks and streams throughout the Central Okanagan. Seasonal daytime temperatures mean snow from low- and mid-elevations is melting.
As a result, local residents and visitors should use caution around all local water bodies, says deputy fire chief Travis Whiting, regional emergency program coordinator.
“Be aware that water levels may rise unexpectedly so people and their pets should stay safely back from creek banks, which may be slippery or subject to erosion from the spring runoff. Boaters are also advised to be on the lookout for floating debris carried into area lakes from rising and faster flowing tributaries.”
*** This week, the board of the Regional District of Central Okanagan continued to support its program of contracted afterhours park security in place since Dec. 1. At that time, Commissionaires took on the duties of opening and closing gates, and after-hours security for eight regional parks in addition to the 13 regional parks for which they were already providing the same services.
The operational decision to provide the single, standardized security delivery model will result in over $42,000 in future operating and administrative savings in addition to more than $900,000 that would be required in the future to maintain and repair residences in each park which house the previous security contractors.
Those people still living in these residences have tenancy agreements that meet their individual accommodation needs and expire at various times through end of August this year.
J.P. Squire, aka the Hiking, Biking, Kayaking and Horseback riding Sheriff, is an Okanagan Saturday reporter and an avid outdoors enthusiast. His column appears every weekend. Contact him at jp.squire@telus.net.