Years ago, native Brook Trout were extinguished from Ontario’s Mill Creek and one of its tributaries, Emerson Creek through a combination of beaver dams, agricultural activities and the damming of their original habitat. Now thanks to the dedication of Trout Unlimited’ s Ted Knott Chapter, volunteers and environmental professionals Brook Trout once again reside in Mill Creek’s tributary, Emerson Creek. These pioneering trout are a key element in the Chapter’s strategy to restore a wild, self-sustaining population of brook trout into a watershed they have not been seen in over 50 years.
After countless hours of restoration and repair to Mill and Emerson Creeks it was finally time to re-introduce native Brook Trout. Chapter members and volunteers gathered at an unnamed stream in the Cambridge area, prepared with the necessary tools to capture and tag fish ear marked for reintroduction into Emerson Creek. Each captured fish would have a “PITIPassive Integrated Transponder)” tag inserted. The tagging process was safe, deceptively simple and non-invasive.
Each captured Brook Trout was sedated in a Clove oil bath and then the tag was surgically implanted using a special needle. Once tagged, the Brook Trout recovered in a fresh tray of oxygen-rich water. From there they were placed in a submerged in-stream holding pen to await transport to their new home.
As new crops were appearing in the two farm fields adjacent to Emerson Creek, Chapter members and volunteers were forced to carry the coolers containing the trout by hand over 400 yards to the creek. The trout were held in oxygenated bags for ten minutes to allow for temperature moderation to avoid shock upon release. Once this final step was complete, Trout Unlimited Canada’s National Biologist Jack Imhof gave the “all clear” signaling the trout’s gentle release into their new home.
Cameras, both above and below the water, were on hand to record this historic event. The Brook Trout gathered in the pristine flow, over sparkling white round pebbles before dispersing to explore their new habitat in search of cover and food.
The mood was electric and will never be forgotten by those who have toiled so long for this day! Smiles, hugs and handshakes all-around captured the intensity and delight of the moment.
This reintroduction is just the beginning. Work still needs to be done to upgrade the rest of Mill Creek in order to claim true success. A population of vegetation-destroying Carp in the Taquanyah section needs to be addressed along with creating oxygenated, upwelling water for spawning habitat as well. The upgrade requires an intense campaign to narrow and revegetate this stream section and there is still a beaver population to consider. Thankfully these challenges all have the solutions determined and much of the necessary funds earmarked for the tasks ahead. This initial restocking success is just the prelude to the project’s primary goal, a healthy self-sustaining Brook Trout population, present throughout the entire system, as they once were years ago.
Projects such as this could not have occurred without the support of countless volunteers and financial donors who have so far contributed 2793 hours and $ 47,481 of in kind labor. The Ted Knott Chapter would like to acknowledge the tremendous backing received from the many supporters involved with this project. Their input has been critical.
Professionals from the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources District office and Lake Ontario Management Unit conducted the entire capture process, along with expert guidance from Jack Imhof, TUC’s National Biologist. Jack directed the safe transport and insertion process.
Middle-Grand Chapter president and stream restoration specialist Larry Halyk provided the wild Brook Trout from streams under his care and will continue do so for several more plantings. Larry’s assessment of the stream, aided by Grand River Conservation Association (GCRA) retiree Warren Yerex, provided the impetus for the Chapter to push ahead with the initial stream enhancements.
Volunteers from Habitat Haldimand and especially Wade Dowling were the workhorses of the project providing knowledgeable, enthusiastic support. A total of 125 individuals, ageing from 5 to 85, have worked with the Chapter for over ten years.
The Izaak Walton Fly Fishers Club has also been a volunteer provider and is the project’s largest financial contributor. The club proposes to support further initiatives to enable the complete restoration of the Mill Creek watershed.
GRCA was instrumental in the creation of a cattle access system under the Rural Water Quality Program, protecting another nursery stream within the Mill Creek system.
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