Ten years ago, a much maligned river in southern Ontario was quietly transforming itself. Public awareness and government regulation had reduced dramatically the insults of municipal and agricultural enrichment of the Grand River, which drains the largest catchment in southwestern Ontario.

The Grand River Conservation Authority's (GRCA) mandate for flood protection and low-flow augmentation protected river headwaters in the Luther Marsh wildlife area, and allowed collection of spring runoff by the Shand Dam near the town of Fergus. This bottom-draw reservoir discharges cold water for much of the hot summer season and maintains flows over the length of the river to its mouth at Port Maitland on Lake Erie. In 1994 the Grand was designated a Canadian Heritage River in recognition of its importance in both human and natural history, and in 2000 the GRCA and its partners in conservation received the Theiss International River Management prize honouring the revitalization of the Grand.

Today, Ontario's Grand River may be the best tailwater fishery for brown trout in eastern North America. This amazing rebirth of a trout river is a testament to the foresight and efforts of many dedicated professionals and volunteers.

The impetus to restore the trout fishery began in the early 1980s when university researchers began monitoring water temperatures in the Grand downstream from the Shand dam that forms Belwood Lake. This GRCA dam, now in operation for more than 50 years, provides flood protection and low-flow augmentation for downstream communities, as well as a minor hydroelectric generating capacity.

Biologists and fly fishers alike soon realized the temperature data and subsequent studies of the abundant insect life were clear evidence that the river might support a trout fishery if the meagre natural population of trout was increased by stocking and improvement of spawning habitat. The idea took hold among local anglers and biologists with the GRCA and Ontario's Ministry of Natural Resources. A Trout Unlimited Canada chapter was formed and a cadre of volunteers began habitat enhancement on tributary streams and distribution of an annual stocking of 20,000 fingerling brown trout. The trout tucked into the rich food base with a vengeance, and growth rates rival those of many other trophy waters, with a 7-inch stocker sometimes reaching 14 inches after only one year in the river. Wild fish are pushing 9 inches only a year after emerging from the spawning redds.

Though natural reproduction does contribute to the fishery, it is uncertain whether a 100 percent wild trout fishery is a possibility, so stocking has been maintained annually on the tailwater. Much work remains to be done before the river can be a self-sustaining fishery, but encouraging results have been reported from redd counts and egg viability tests. In the meantime, research and conservation efforts from organizations like "Friends of the Grand River" (www.friendsofthegrandriver.com) have been supported by government agencies and local municipalities as the economic benefits of a quality trout fishery have become apparent.

Projects with long-term benefit, such as tree planting, water quality monitoring, and habitat restoration are enthusiastically supported by local residents and anglers alike. Local high school students help to raise trout fry for release into the river, and conservation officers, provincial police, and anglers are partners in "River Watch"--an education and enforcement presence on the river.