On February 12, 2014 Director General David Burden from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans was on hand to present the Northern Lights Fly Tyers Trout Unlimited Edmonton with the prestigious National Recreational Fisheries Award.
Since 1993 the Northern Lights Fly Tyers has been committed to a variety of educational programs and projects to further the sport of fly fishing and conserving Alberta’s fisheries. Becoming the go to source regarding conservation education and is seen by many as the face of fly fishing within the Edmonton area.
In recent years the chapter has been heavily involved with a project to collect and analyze data on Arctic grayling distribution and abundance within the Pembina River watershed. The Pembina River represents the southernmost extension of Arctic grayling within the arctic basin, not only in Alberta but Canada and North America. Club volunteers have undertaken a systematic angling survey on 10 tributaries of the Pembina River recording fish size and location, habitat conditions, water temperature along with any other pertinent observations. Volunteers also collected tissue samples from partial fin clips that were provided to a graduate student from the University of Alberta for DNA profiling. This information is invaluable to gaining insight into the genetic diversity of Arctic grayling to improve the success of any future re-stocking programs within the region.
In addition to their regular chapter activities and work on the Arctic grayling project the club continues to be involved with kids learning to fish events, Casting For Life, learn to fly tie programs and Project Healing waters.
Trout Unlimited Canada wishes to congratulate the Northern Lights Fly Tyers Trout Unlimited Edmonton chapter. For additional information on the Northern Lights Fly Tyers Trout Unlimited Edmonton chapter please visit theirwebsite.
Peter Little (left), Jim O’Neil (Golder Associates Ltd.)(2nd from left), Ken Monk (center), and chapter president Dennis Southwick (far right) were on hand to receive the National Recreational Fisheries Award from David Burden, Director General DFO (2nd from right).
Comments