Please mark your calendars to attend a FREE spey clave on the Grand River at Bean Park in Paris, Ontario on May 30 from 9 am to 4 pm. All are welcome ! Instructors will include Simon Gawesworth, Neil Houlding, Courtney Ogilvie, Peter Charles, Bruce Kruk and Rick Whorwood.

For more information see www.grandriverspey.ca

EFFTA Newslines – January 2009

Live Eyewear is under new ownership. The US manufacturer of lenses worn over prescription glasses – and owner of the Cocoons brand – has been bought by the company’s president Kieran Hardy.
Terms of the sale have not been disclosed, but the company’s executive team remains in place and its core focus remains unchanged under the new ownership.

“The strategy for Live Eyewear remains the same,” says Hardy. “We will continue to focus solely on delivering unparalleled quality and value, paramount over gross profit margin. For example, a leading competitor’s product costs around 65% less to make than it costs to make a pair of Cocoons, due to the components we use, the manufacturing parameters and features. Yet our retail price is 10% lower than the MSRP recommended by the competitor. Because of the value we deliver, the Cocoons brand has garnered approximately 80% of the US market.”

Hardy also revealed that business in Europe, Asia and South America is growing at a “phenomenal rate” and that Cocoons already enjoys number one brand status in Australia and New Zealand. He expects international sales to grow from 20% of current business to 50% within five years.

The Grand Waters…Grand Fish: Celebration Dinner and Symposium will be held on January 31, 2009 at the German Canadian Club, Brantford, Ontario, between 1pm and 9pm.

The implementation of the Grand River Fisheries Management Plan has been ongoing since 1998. The Implementation Committee wishes to share the successes of the volunteer groups, organizations and agencies that have been involved. The Grand Waters…Grand Fish Celebration Dinner and Symposium will feature several speakers in the afternoon that will highlight the accomplishments of the partner agencies working to improve fisheries resources in the Grand River watershed. Speakers at this symposium will include:

• Grand River Fisheries Management Plan – Patience Pays Off – Warren Yerex (GRCA)
• Tourism and Sport Fishing Opportunities for the Grand River – John Valk, Grindstone Angling, Waterdown
• Reservoir Management in the Grand River Watershed – GRCA Staff
• Water Quality in the Grand River Watershed – GRCA Staff
• Grand River Walleye and Lake Erie – Tom MacDougall (OMNR)
• A Diverse Fishery – Ken Collins, Grand River Troutfitters, Fergus
• The Rehabilitation of Marden Creek, A Successful Stewardship Partnership – Larry Halyk, Wellington County Stewardship Council

After the symposium is completed, a cocktail hour will allow people to examine posters and a slide show highlighting fisheries improvement activities and accomplishments completed by various agencies and volunteer groups in the Grand River watershed. This cocktail hour will be followed by a country-style roast beef and schnitzel dinner.

The dinner will feature keynote speaker Professor Mark R. Servos. Professor Servos is the Canada Research Chair in Water Quality Protection in the Department of Biology, University of Waterloo. Mr. Servos is also Scientific Director of the Canadian Water Network. In this role he leads the development of an innovation network focused on providing clean, safe water across Canada and internationally.

This event will feature a silent auction and raffle. Numerous groups, businesses and individuals who are contributing to make the Grand River and its fisheries even better, have generously donated the prizes. A wide variety of items will be available that include guided fishing trips, canoe rentals, collectable art, memberships and much, much more.

The event will take place on Saturday, January 31, 2009 at the German Canadian Club, 194 Henry St., Brantford, ON. Doors open at 1pm. The symposium will start at 2 pm and finish at 4:30 pm. Cocktail hour, with appetizers, will be offered from 4:30 to 6:00 pm. Dinner will be served at 6:15 pm. Tickets are limited and cost $50.00 each. Tables can be reserved if 8 tickets are sold as a group. Tickets are available through Larry or Kim Mellors (519-758-9400) in Brantford or E-mail them at: lmello1647@rogers.com

EFFTA Newslines – Jan 2009:
Competition in the global line market… has intensified following the acquisition of the PowerPro braided line brand by the powerful Shimano American Corporation. Shimano company president Dave Pfeiffer has confirmed that the deal is the beginning of a much bigger presence for the company in the sector.

“We intend for this to be the start of serious growth for us,” confirmed Pfeiffer. “PowerPro is already very well embraced as a strong brand. Now we plan to use the power of the Shimano distribution organization to aggressively market the brand to the international sportfishing market. We will be able to grow the business beyond the US and throughout Asia, Australia, Canada, Europe and Latin America. We are proud to now have one of the best line manufacturing facilities in the world within our organization.”

[Moderator's Note: The growth of Shimano will likely have an impact the fly fishing industry in Canada - we will keep you posted !]

For those hearty souls in the Greater Toronto Area who are willing to brave the elements remember there is a year-round open season for rainbow trout, brown trout and pacific salmon from the south side of Highway 403 bridge downstream to Lake Ontario. For other opportunities please call our store to arrange a guided day or refer to the MNR Fishing Regulations at www.mnr.gov.on.ca/en/Business/LetsFish/Publication/STEL02_163615.html