Sturgeon

In attendance: Reed, Gloriann, Ralph, Dave, Tom, Chris, Phil T., Tammie, Jaime, Marty and Phil M. 50/50 Draw: Phil Miller Motion made to desotry old banner board that was stored in the basement of the Ranch House - APPROVED Motion made to donate $900 to Dollars For Scholars - APPROVED Motion made to donate a total of $400 to Baudette LOW Chamber for Willie Walleye Day and Fourth of July Celebrations - APPROVED Reed had a birthday yesterday. Phill Miller provided Spaghetti Dinner flyers to distribute. We will plan for 200 people. Rotary members need to bring a pan of bars to donate for dessert. Jaime will contact McDonalds about getting a donation of cooler and juice. Tom Henrich is our program for today and our topic is the Sturgeon population. The decline and recovery of Lake Stureon in the Rainy River - Lake of the Woods. Commerical Lake Sturgeon Harvested in 1888-1940. The Sturgeon cannot maintain a large harvest. Two markets - eggs for caviar and isinglass for clarifying beer and wine. Much of the flesh was wasted. 1918 was the last year the harvest exceeded 10,000 pounds. Papermills opened in International Falls in 1910 and Fort Frances in 1914. Water quality in the Rainy River quickly got poor. A large population increase took place in the 1950's - this also added to the poor water quality. In 1914 a report was made that the Rainy River was an unsafe source of water supply without very careful purification, just four years after the papermills opened. In 1942, the Rainy River is badly polluted with the waste from the papermills. The spawning beds have been long since buried under blankets of pulp fiber. 1939-1943 - only seven sturgeon were observed 1955 - sewage treatment plant in International Falls 1964 - sewage treatment plan in Fort Frances for primary treatment 1970 - International Falls mill primary treatment of mill effluent 1971 - Fort Frances mill primary treatment of mill effluent The worst water quality based on BOD5 was in 1960. By 1985 the BOD5 had leveled off. In 1990, annual sturgeon sampling started in Minnestoa- we have caught fish that have hatched back in 1950. The largest number hatched in 1980. Sturgeon spawn in May - early June in shallow rapids. Water temp of 13-18 C

Custom Fishing Rods by Ralph

Attendance: Mike, Reed, Jaime, Chris, Phil T., Phil M., Marty, Ann, Jack, Ralph and guest: Bev and Tina
50/50 Draw: Phil M.
Happy Buck: Jack, Reed, Tina, Phil T., Chris, (2) Phil M., Ann, Mike, Jaime,

Discussion on the possible early open of this years fishing opener.
The spaghetti feed will be at the school on April 30th just before the mixed blood theater presentation. The dinner will be from approximately 4:30 pm to 7:00 pm. Each member should bring a pan of bars or cookies for desserts.

285 dozen roses were sold. It was suggested that we do roses for valentines day because there is no full-time florists in the area.
Bobber cooler ready to go for the regional conference.
Phil M. made a motion to donate $100 to 180 tour. Phil T. second. All in favor. Jaime will contact Sara Jeanne to provide logo.


Ralph:
Asked about fishing rods with guides placed around the rod not straight down the rod. The new design has the guides starting at the top of the rod and ending up on the bottom. The concept is to avoid line rubbing. The new design may not be the best option for casting but works well in other situations to project the fishing rod. Many rods are build in factories and attention is not paid to the spine of the rod. In the rod building class at the school we learn that the spine of the rod is important and you pay attention to it while building.

Ralph displayed ways to decorate the rods - his example was a butt wrap. This technique makes the rod special for gift giving.
Ralph had a collection of ice fishing rods that he designed, one was constructed with a broken pool cue. Ralph also demonstrated a custom ice rod that fishes on its own, the design prevents the rod from getting pulled into the hole.


On another note:
A new superintendent will be in place at Lake of the Woods School this coming July.

The Rotary was introduced to a new fish measuring tape for a boat. We may market them as Rotary Rulers - a new fundraiser.