Flycaster Newsletter

Firstly, I hope you’re able to make good use of the remaining open water fishing days. Spring Lake has been quite productive recently with members experiencing some great backswimmer fishing – mostly in the afternoons. Rainbows over 20” have not been uncommon and the Tiger trout stocked a year ago are now about 15 to 16”.  Not many reports of Brown Trout being caught, however. 

The Cold Lake Fish Hatchery truck showed up at the lake on September 16^th with some young triploid fish to stock – 4,291 Campbell Lake Rainbows averaging 6.8 cm and 2,000 Bow River Browns averaging 8.7 cm.  Another truck arrived on 20^th September with some larger fish – 4,000 triploid Rainbows, Trout Lodge/Jumpers averaging 26.1 cm.

And a question – some members have noticed a wooden cross, about 6’ tall on the west side of the lake directly across from our boat launch but don’t know what, if anything, it commemorates. Anyone know?

ACA has installed the aerators at Spring and other local lakes ready for the winter. Let’s hope this is not for the last time at Spring Lake. As reported in the last Newsletter, ACA will be permanently removing them in April 2023 unless public access to the lake is not improved. (If you missed the Newsletter you can read it on ETFC’s website https://www.edmontontrout.ca/ ).  From what we hear there has been no progress in negotiations between ACA and Spring Lake Village Council. ETFC Executive is meeting on October 18 to discuss the issue.  Hopefully, there will be a possible solution in time for our in-person meeting at Queen Mary Park Community Hall, 10844-117 St on November 15^th 7:00pm with Todd Zimmerling, ACA’s CEO, as our guest speaker.

In other news, our raffle closed on Oct. 4^th and the winning tickets for each of the 5 prizes were drawn at the Penny McKee library that evening. Witnesses were on hand to authenticate the draw and the process was videotaped. The winners who have given permission for their name to be made public are:

• 1st: Cut and Wrapped Pork Package with Freezer valued @ $650 – Sean Weberg
• 2nd: Custom Made Sage GFL 9′ 6/7wt 2pc Fly Rod valued @ $500 – Kevin Chase
• 3rd: Fly Box with 150 Handmade Flies valued @ $350.00 – Randy Hunter
• 4th: Cabela’s Heavy Duty Cooler valued @ $275.00 – Myron Samycia
• 5th: Pflueger 8′ 6″ 6/7wt Fly Rod valued @ $225 – Kate Weberg

Many thanks to Ernest Kitt for organizing the raffle, to all those who contributed to the prizes and helped sell tickets (special thanks to Paul Lanteigne) for selling a large number of tickets), to ACA for its help with advertising, to the Fishin’ Hole for allowing us to sell tickets at its store, and to Penny McKee Library for allowing us to use their facility for the the draw.

Deb Anderson
President 

New and old members please read the following information. All club members are expected to adhere to the following when using the club’s property on Spring Lake. We have been a good member of the Spring Lake community for over 67 years and a number of recent incidents have not shown our members in a good light. We need to ensure our actions do not jeopardize our good relationship with the other residents of the Spring Lake community.

Access

Waterfront access to Spring Lake is limited. The club maintains two properties on the north end of Spring Lake. Vehicle access to the lake is through a locked gate on Water Crescent Road . Members who renew their annual membership are provided with an access code which is not to be shared. Ensure the lock is securely closed by compressing the clamp and spinning the numbers. Do not allow other vehicles access on your entry.

Foot access is available through the property with the shelter and washroom facilities located two properties to the east.

Membership DOES NOT provide you with access to Spring Lake Resort, the only other vehicle accessible launch on the lake.

Dock and Launch area

Members can drive to the dock and boat storage area to unload gear and boats. Boats should be launched beside the dock. This is the only area owned by the club.

Once equipment has been offloaded ALL vehicles (other than handicap permitted vehicles) MUST park near the shelter where signs indicate.

Boats may be left on the racks but require a boat sticker that will be provided with membership.

Please keep our impact on the areaj to a minimum. Watch where you drive when its muddy. Only use the trail to the dock and from the dock to the shelter. Do not short cut across the common. Take all garbage home with you.

Shelter

This maintained by club members. If something needs attention contact the executive or fix it.

The toilet facilities are basic and located on the north side of the building at the base of the stairs. Bring your own toilet paper . The porta potty has been removed from the dock area.

There is a BBQ but propane is not provided.

Fires can be lit in the fireplace in the structure but must be small and extinguished when you leave.

There is no water on site.

Community Rules

No open fires .

No camping on our property or other community lands.

Take all garbage home

Enjoy the opportunity to have lake access and leave our property as good or better than you found it.

Not following the rules will risk losing access for all members to the lake and your membership.

Tight Lines
Paul L