Fish-Hawk.Net

Hey guys, just got home from a lil exploration, went and fished a local creek that I caught browns out of a couple years ago. Last time I went was last summer, saw one trout that time. This place is only a 10-15 minute drive from ottawa. The creek looked terrible, tons of trash, looks like the auto shop across the streep hes been dumping old tires into it and it turns out as well there's a new housing development going up right next to it. Looks like this creeks days are numbered... On the bright side I did manage to spot 4 trout while walking along the creek all of them spooked before I could toss a fly to them.

Which creek? The one in the west end or in the South end? There's lots of development popping up around both. I'm surprise that the MNR is still stocking them.

From what I've been told... drop a canoe in there and if you can paddle a few feet it becomes a navigable waterway and no more development

If interested... look into it.

Carlco

South end Todd. I don't think the MNR is still stocking it, I think they may just be a few survivors. I'm pretty sure they gave up. I know that 3 years ago they did stock it because I knew of a pool right off the road that held alteast a dozen or more browns caught quite a few there that year all in the 7-10" range now that pool is stagnant and there are two or three tires at the bottom of it. The fish that are still there are isolated and few and far between. Saw one pool that held 2 or 3 fish and saw another isolated fish in a deeper run dart for cover, too big to be a chub and that was it.

Sounds like it could use help from stream watch or TU.....or a group of us?

Yeah could definetly use a good clean up and a bit of habitat restoration. The only reason I'm not specifically naming this spot at the moment is because it is such a fragile spot. With a little bit of work it could be a gem though. I'm worried about this development going on though, that might just be the final nail in the coffin for this place. They have already begun clearing out the surrounding area to prepare for construction. I'm afraid it may already to late to do anything about it. The first time I heard about this creek was a couple years back when it was mentionned in the paper that residents were campaining against the development specifically because of this creek. I guess they lost.

You (and the royal "We") could get Trout Unlimited involved. There are also other Habitat Conservation groups out there - Ducks Unlimited, the Nature Consevancy, River Keepers, etc. Some will buy property, others restore habitat and enter into agreements with developers/landowners to promote sustainable development.

I'm involved professionally, and as volunteer, on environmental/habitat issues. If you want to discuss further PM me. (And no, I want go out and kill those trout - I like 'em a bit bigger.)

Soggy.

SOggy.

That should have read " I won't go out and kill those trout!" Talk about a slip of the tongue.

I checked out the same spot last Sunday and a neighbour to the spot came along and told me the creek is dead. There used to be grass growing up from the bottom but since the water was re-routed under the new development nearby and clay was dug to make room for the new homes, the creek has died due to clay silt covering everything and choked out all the fawna and greenery life that the fish used as habitat. I asked the ministry why they stock this waterway and the response was, because they can. Even if this waterway were brought back to a healthier version of its former self, the fish still would not survive the winters as there is no larger tributary for the fish to shelter in for the cold winter months. Sad.

Yo Bondo!!

heheh great to see you on Fishhawk neighbour!!

Yeah it's a shame about our creek, but who knows, maybe there are things we can do to clean her up a bit over the summer...

U got'r Dave. Buddy, dont work too hard, got a pass for this Sunday afternoon/evening if your game.

Well I'll be working, but if the weather is nice, I think I may meet up with the lads who are planning on going to Victoria Island for some fishin then!

Maybe we can hook up and go together!

D