NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

2008FFSBC13

September 24 2008

Freshwater Fisheries Society of B.C.

FLYING FISH IN THE B.C. INTERIOR

CLEARWATER – Thousands of rainbow trout are taking to the air this fall as part of the Freshwater Fisheries Society of B.C. efforts to improve recreational fishing opportunities at numerous Interior lakes. “While everyone knows that trout can’t fly, it is really exciting to have the opportunity to stock these fish into some of the area’s more remote and inaccessible lakes,” said Clearwater Trout Hatchery Manager Ken Scheer.

FFSBC staff from the Clearwater Trout Hatchery will be releasing 120,000 small rainbow trout into about 40 regional lakes. Because these lakes are largely inaccessible by road, the FFSBC will be flying loads of live trout by helicopter and then releasing them into lakes while hovering about 10 feet over the surface of the water. Due to the high cost of air transport, the fish stocked into these lakes are only about 1-2 grams in size and are initially quite susceptible to a variety of predators. Regional biologists take this reduced survival rate (compared to a stocking of larger, hardier fish) into account when determining stocking numbers in order to ensure that the stocking will produce a viable fishery.

For more information on these and other regional fishing opportunities, stocking programs, free fishing tips and tricks and programs at the Clearwater Trout Hatchery, contact Ken and his team at 250-674-2580 or visit our website at: www.gofishbc.com.

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For more information contact:

Ken Scheer
Clearwater Trout Hatchery
(250) 674-2580
Or visit our website at: www.gofishbc.com