Film North doc pleads case for Algonquin brook trout.
STAR OF THE DOC: Algonquin Park has the largest group of natural Brook Trout lakes in the world. These lakes are an important part of Ontario’s natural heritage but are at risk, says Brad Steinberg, management biologist at the park.
HUNTSVILLE - According to director Hugo Kitching, Algonquin Provincial Park is home to the world’s highest concentration of natural brook trout lakes.
His 10-minute documentary, playing at Film North, The Natural Brook Trout — Lakes of Algonquin Park, explores the life cycle of brook trout in Algonquin Park and how the species of fish has survived in Algonquin, but is now threatened.
Kitching says Algonquin plays a vital role in preserving Ontario’s biodiversity. While famous for its wolves, bears and moose, the park also protects a unique community of aquatic organisms.
Revered by anglers, brook trout, also known as speckled trout, thrive in the park’s cold waters. Algonquin Park contains the largest complex of natural brook trout lakes in the world, according to Kitching.
The trout lakes in Algonquin are under threat. Although the vast majority of the park’s lakes still have healthy fish communities, several have been destroyed by invasive species.
The doc, produced in partnership with Ontario Parks, The Friends of Algonquin Park, The Algonquin Fisheries Assessment Unit and the Ministry of Natural Resources, outlines brook trout ecology and illustrates the steps we can all take to halt the spread of alien and invasive species and keep the brook trout lakes healthy for generations to come.
Filming on the project ran from July to Dec. 2010 and included fall helicopter aerials with Eclipse TV and exciting underwater shooting of the trout by Kitching during spawning in November.
Kitching’s love and respect for the Canadian wilderness began when he was a child. As a young naturalist in the Ottawa area, he spent a decade with the Macoun Field Club where he embraced natural history.
He has been an avid enthusiast of camping and canoeing and has worked in Algonquin Park as a seasonal naturalist and researcher, studying dragonflies, turtles, and birds.
In James Bay, Quebec, he worked and lived with the Cree of Wemindji and this summer he embarked on a cross-Canada canoe trip.
Kitching has made several documentaries about Algonquin Park, often in partnership with The Friends of Algonquin Park.
Lori Hanes, assistant general manager of the group, which provides education and interpretive programs for the park, said Natural Brook Trout — Lakes of Algonquin Park is an important film to see.
“One of the most famous things that draws people to Algonquin is the species of trout. It’s very important to the park and all of our waterways that we make sure brook trout stay here and they’re very easily threatened by the introduction of different species. The film is a great way to draw attention to the fact that people can still fish for brook trout here,” she said.
The doc lays the threat to the species largely at the feet of bait-fish species that are taking over the lakes.
Hanes said the filmmakers are working on another documentary, this one about invasive species of all kinds in Algonquin.
“The next film they’re working on is a great tie in to Natural Brook Trout,” she said, adding Kitching is exploring a number of invasive species from plants to bait fish.
There are seven documentaries being shown on Friday Sept. 23 from 2 to 5 p.m.
Along with Kitching’s film will be Standing on Richards, a six-minute doc from Canadian director Elvis Prusic; Dilli, from Indian directors Rintu Thomas and Sushmit Ghosh; Odysseus’ Gambit by American Àlex Lora Cercós; The Legend of Beaver Dam, a musical by Canadian Jerome Sable; Dreamcoat, by Canadian Pixie Cram; and One Summer at Camp Winston by Canadian director Karen Shopsowitz.
A Q&A with attending filmmakers will follow the screening.
Tickets and passes for Film North are on sale through the Algonquin Theatre.