troutfriend

Golden Trout are still in Rainy Ridge. They do successfully reproduce in the outflow. There are hundreds of juveniles that can easily be observed in the outflow every year. There has been many transfers from Rainy Ridge into Upper and Lower Southforks and Barnaby Lakes over the years.

For those interested, the hearings are available on YouTube. Day 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J0SrFuM53vo&list=PLFCsR4bP4FNdSbLeobgmrHnqiC_BtkWWy&index=4 Day 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lsWO34HQf24&list=PLFCsR4bP4FNdSbLeobgmrHnqiC_BtkWWy&index=5 Day 3: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x8eySRk2ta4&list=PLFCsR4bP4FNdSbLeobgmrHnqiC_BtkWWy&index=6

TUC collected one small Grayling in the canal exiting the Belly River in 2011 according to this report. guess there is some spawning occurring? http://www.tucanada.org/files/1/2011 FR Report.pdf

This is the most concerning statement for sure! Who determines the Alternate Management Approaches? Maybe the Nature Conservancy, Southern Alberta Land Trust, Western Sky Land Trust and others are in a place to jump on this as an opportunity to add to their funding models... ?

Quat is easy to buy at your local Acklands Grainger for those interested. and as it is concentrated the bottle will last a long time. https://www.acklandsgrainger.com/en/product/p/DSB50232?cm_sp=IDP-_-CAV-_-APD-_-PR-_-NT-NA-_-EN&analytics=RecommendationZones Recommended cleaning methods for those interested.... http://albertaaquaticinvasives.ca/uploads/1/0/1/2/101215420/whirling_disease_decontamination_protocols_for_boaters_and_anglers.pdf

let me help you with that.... "There are many different opinions as to why we have seen the declines in trout population over the past 15 - 20 years. River flow management policy, closures, water quality, habitat, fish feed, increased anglers, increased access and regulatory enforcement are just a few of the many possibilities."

When they opened the first Harvie Passage they did a similar testing day with elite level kayaks and paddlers. one pair in a purpose built highboy river canoe were not able to make it down without capsizing in their two attempts. Not your average users. These are your average users:

further to the above... page 22... Possession: A fish is considered retained (kept) when it is not immediately returned to the waters from which it was taken. If the fish you catch is of a legal species and legal size, immediately decide to release or keep it as part of your day’s limit. Fish kept on a stringer or a live well are considered retained and are part of your limit. (See releasing live or prohibited fish.)

Interesting conversation. There are many different pressures and factors driving change in a fishery: dydimo, saprolegnia, fishing over redds, whirling disease, alterations of riparian habitat - new communities proposed/ built in the floodplain, angling pressure, poaching, warm summer temps, cold winter temps, low flows, high flows...floods, the after effects of floods (rip rap), dams, not enough food, too much nitrates and phosphates,weeds, alterations to spawning habitat etc etc . Pick your poison. As to which one(s) are resulting in a change in the fishery is typically very challenging to pinpoint (except from maybe a train load of bunker D falling into a lake or something...). I suspect that most of these factors have been playing a role on this landscape for a long time, layered with a dramatic growth in anglers on the system, more knowledgeable anglers who are better equipped and getting days year round, and environmental impact of a ever growing city footprint (physical and chemical). The fact is that these challenges are here at some level of impact, and we will have to adapt to this reality if we want to continue to enjoy this amazing resource. I agree that as a result of the current uncertainty, there will likely be short term pain for long term gain as they have seen in other affected areas. It will be interesting to see the full extent of WD across the province, then we will have a better idea of the scale of the issue we are facing. Guess I will continue to clean and thoroughly dry my gear between use, that is the new norm.

Note; if you change the methods of the study design (ie people to drones) then it fundamentally changes the experiment - if you are looking for trends and looking to compare between years... . Drones are amazing tools, but would not likely be able to see the redd depression. Redd surveys are great in that they engage public, get people working together and help individuals better understand the science, observing what type of habitat fish require and use, get people talking about other local issues and enjoying being together in the field, but they cannot really be used as a accurate representation of what is actually happening at the population level as number of redds observed does not directly relate to numbers of fish hatched out. For those that have not had the opportunity to participate, it is well worth the time to go search for redds.

If your not "stuck" on Airdrie... there is always this ... and it is turn key!... http://www.royallepage.ca/en/property/alberta/bellevue/22614-27-avenue/3845344/mlsld0072056/

Here you go.https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saprolegnia Or do a Google search for "saprolegnia in Alberta" there is a good PDF.

This will make things better.. http://www.outdoorhub.com/news/2016/04/21/sources-claim-bass-pro-moving-forward-buying-cabelas/

OK thanks for the info.

Comments tend to be looking for access, but no parking. That typically does not work very well. I know the residence in the community were very much against a boat launch in the area during the planning for the original Harvie Passage. River left blow the passage but upstream of Cushing Bridge would not work due to safety issues and no "safe" method on of off 17th street. The current launch on river right was discounted by the kayakers as it was "too far away", and the fire department was fed up with people parking in their turning area. The Zoo parking area access was also considered, but that would require crossing Nose Creek (there is a bridge in place) and the railway at a level crossing which would require a proper level crossing at a $1,000,000 retrofit - so that was dropped too. Inglewood is a wildlife sanctuary so there is no access for fishing. But maybe there is an option under the railway crossing near Odgen Road? There is a road to the river on river right and there would be decent parking potential there as well. It is also on a quiet bend of the river so a good starting point. just a thought.