• Season of plenty in field and stream

    If you are an avid outdoorsman as I am, the old saying “like a kid in a candy store” is an apt way to describe your feelings during this time of year. I have been a busy man in the outdoor world. My daily planner for the past week has included the following to-dos: hang tree stands, check trail camera, fish the Saugeen for steelhead, meet up with a few shot-gunning buddies for a duck hunt, sit in a tree with bow in hand hoping for an early whitetail, repeat! Over the next two months I will surely begin to sound like a broken record as I continue to indulge in the joys of fall and the time of harvest for the outdoorsman. This is a great time of year to be outdoors, even if you are not an angler or hunter, the fall has so much to offer, especially locally. Here are a few avenues to explore if you want to be outdoors in early October.


    Owen Sound resident Jesse Pettingill is all smiles after collecting a
    two person limit of mallards and wood ducks while hunting with the column author last week.

    Salmon Run

    Right now, as you read this column, the mass migration of salmon up local tributaries has just about climaxed. The Sydenham Sportsman and the Lake Huron Fishing Club have both secured their quota for salmon eggs for each club’s hatchery this season. These eggs were collected at the Mill Dam on the Sydenham River in Owen Sound last week. This annual task is not an easy feat; volunteer members put aside time each fall for the egg collection which requires a great deal of physical work.

    Worth noting about this year’s egg harvest is that returns of spawning salmon to the Sydenham seem to be up in comparison to the past couple of seasons. Also, a large portion of the fish handled during the egg-take proved to be fin clipped hatchery fish raised by SSA. This fact is a testament to the hard work involved in raising these fish for local anglers.

    The sight of migrating Chinooks at the Mill Dam is worth the time it takes to stop in for a look. The power of these fish is on full display as they attempt to jump the rushing water at the dam, and navigate the fish ladder in order to reach spawning gravel up river of Harrison Park. A stop at the Mill Dam during the salmon run is like a front row seat to a biology class hosted by mother nature and a sure hit when it comes to entertaining children and teaching them something about the outdoors and local fishery.

    Fall steelhead lifts at the Saugeen

    September 25th marked the first fall steelhead lift at Denny’s Dam on the Saugeen this season. Each fall and spring, members of the Lake Huron Fishing Club and Ontario Steelheaders operate the fish trap at Denny’s Dam in order to capture and transport a number of adult steelhead (rainbow trout) up river past numerous dams.


    Josh Choronzey and fellow Ontario Steelheaders members trap and transfer rainbow trout at Denny's Dam on the Saugeen River last week. This large trout tipped the scales at 15lbs and was transferred up river via tanker trailer after being captured at the dam near Southampton.

    This task has been covered in a past outdoor column, but it is worth noting again. These lucky steelhead get a free ride some 60+km to prime headwaters where they will spawn in the spring. Transporting these fish in the fall and spring ensures a percentage of each migrating population has a chance to propagate in the “holy waters” come spring. Last week’s initial fish lift resulted in 50 beautiful fall steelhead getting a free ride, with two fishing tipping the scales at 15lbs. If you are in the area of Southampton during the coming weekends after a rain event, stop in to Denny’s Dam and you might get a chance to witness the hard work of these volunteers who put the fish first. The lifts usually take place at 9am, and will continue until the fall transfer quota is reached.

    Field Naturalists

    Fall doesn’t solely revolve around hunting and fishing for local outdoor enthusiasts. A prime example is the project and speaking engagement calendar put forth by the Owen Sound Field Naturalists. Since 1989 of OSFN has existed to provide Grey and Bruce with a common group of individuals who act as advocates for nature and our local environment. “Knowing Nature Better” is a motto used by the group that should resonate for those who are interested in our local natural environment. This summer I had the chance to discuss the OSFN with past president and involved member Peter Middleton. Peter gave me some insight on the group, their accomplishments and the valuable publications the OSFN has released. The published works include: A Guide to the Orchids of Bruce & Grey Counties, First Book of Ontario Wildflowers, Exploring An Urban Forest (Owen Sound’s Heritage Trees), A Guide to the Ferns of Grey & Bruce Counties, Rare & Endangered Species of Grey & Bruce, A Guide to the Geology & Landforms of Grey & Bruce Counties, and more. These published works provide an in-depth look at our natural world here in Grey and Bruce. As an avid outdoorsman I read some of these region specific works and the information they provide is both insightful and interesting. The collection is available for your perusal at the Owen Sound Library. The vast knowledge of local environments in these resources may surely be beneficial to anyone who has an interest in the outdoors. A better understanding of local plants, animals and Grey/Bruce geology will make you a better steward of the outdoor playground we all love.

    The OSFN have just released their Program and Events listing for 2012-2013. A major aspect of the OSFN is the organization and hosting of public speakers who bring an expertise in numerous fields and provide a vast array of information that is valuable to outdoor enthusiasts. Thursday October 11th, the OSFN will be hosting a seminar dealing with wolves and coyote populations and research, a great topic for those who want to better understand these important and often misunderstood animals. For more information on the event schedule check out www.owensoundfieldnaturalists.ca/programs/. Links to the website also provide information on the multitude of published works from the OSFN, something I highly recommend all local outdoorsman look into.

    Fall Colours

    Unless you spend all of your time indoors, it is hard not to notice that our local forests are ablaze with the wonderful splendour of fall colour. A walk through some of the more popular conservation authority properties in Grey and Bruce is a healthy and enjoyable way to spend an autumn afternoon. I recently spent a few hours hiking some Grey Sauble Conservation trails near Inglis Falls and was awestruck by the array of spectacular scenery. A pair of hiking boots, a couple bottles of water and a camera in hand are all that’s required to provide the perfect way to get the family outside and enjoy fall in Grey and Bruce. Both the Grey Sauble and Saugeen Valley Conservation Authorities provide listings of managed properties throughout the region which provide users ample opportunity to sample nature. Find the listings online at www.greysauble.on.ca and www.svca.on.ca.

    Last but not least, the final crossing of the Owen Sound Transportation Company’s MS Chi-Cheemaun ferry takes place on October 14th. This means there is just under two weeks remaining in the ferry service for the 2012 season. Fall on Manitoulin means incredible trout and perch fishing, as well as deer hunting and a plethora of other outdoor activities. Two weekends of ferry service remain and the opportunity to take in some of Manitoulin’s awesome outdoor experiences beckons. I know I will be jumping aboard with some angling friends to sample the islands awesome perch fishing before it is too late. The “Big Canoe” will be making the Fall Cruise from Tobermory to Owen Sound on Monday the 15th for anyone who is interested is this scenic trip. Check out www.ontarioferries.com for more information.
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