There is a small stream that winds it way through quiet Lafontaine farmland, down through shady, wooded ravines south of the 14th Concession, picks up speed as it passes through a large steel culvert under Pennorth Drive, just north of the 13th Concession, and finally finds its way to the lake. Some of you who know it probably call it just "the creek", but it does have a name: Crooked Creek.In the 50's, when I was a young lad, I was attracted to the stream, as all inquisitive children are, and now, in my retirement years, my children, my grandchildren and I walk and enjoy the stream and all its wonders.
Years ago, my son and I angled the stream in earnest for speckled trout, which were in abundance. We would fish it from its mouth to the 15th Concession, and would be rewarded with many a prize catch. But as the years passed the trout dwindled through poaching and environmental neglect. The speckled trout do still exist, but are far and few. However, with conservation and sound environmental management, they will return in numbers.
Since moving to Tiny permanently and having the stream in my backyard, with a view of the culvert, my energies have been accelerated with involvement in environmental issues affecting the stream and surrounding areas. Runoff, poaching, littering and bank erosion are issues which, with help and the co-operation of adjacent property owners, can be greatly improved.
The spring and fall runs of the rainbow trout and salmon are joys to watch. People young and old come to the culvert to watch the leaping spectacle. In conjunction with these runs we have attempted to shore up banks and clear debris to assist the fish in their passage upstream.
Early fishing (poaching) before the season opens (usually the last weekend in April) is a major problem. People or dogs in the stream can create a huge problem for the renewal of the species. Only ten per cent of all eggs spawned ever reach maturity. If eggs on the streambed are disturbed, those eggs will never reach maturity, and even fewer fish will come back to spawn.
With the help of the Ministry of Natural Resources and others who share our love of nature and joy in these natural wonders, we are attempting to preserve the area of the culvert and other portions of Crooked Creek. I have written to the Ministry on several occasions requesting that the culvert be closed to fishing, and that a ladder be installed to assist the fish travelling upstream when spring water levels are low -- which has been the case in recent years. The Ministry is looking into this suggestion now, and we hope that it will be acted upon.
The Ministry has allocated money to our project, for material and to hire heavy machinery to shore up the banks in places. Unfortunately, volunteer manpower is hard to find, with the result that these allocations have been forfeited for lack of help.
Gord Robbins, an avid fisherman and neighbourhood friend, first introduced me to the stream problems and we have attempted to improve some of the areas of concern. We now have regular patrols by game wardens and OPP, and a number of charges have been laid. Increases in the rainbow trout population have been noticed in the last few years and we are hoping that the salmon will follow.
Some of the local people who have lived here all their lives did not realize we had fish in the stream until told, and now they come every spring to witness the show. In years to come, our grandchildren and their children may be able to enjoy the spring rainbow migration &Mac220; a wonderful sight, and well worth preserving for future generations.