I couldn’t resist. There are more bamboo rod builders today than most might suspect. The builders exist in B.C., Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec and perhaps more further east. In Alberta, I am aware of 7 builders which is a record. When I started some 35 years ago, there were two. Unlike years past, most builders build to suit themselves with only a few selling rods. These builders are pushing the material and designs into some really interesting places exploring ideas that folks who are driven to feed families often don’t have the resources. This has resulted in rods of two, three, four, five, six, eight and twelve strips as well as inside out rods, truncated triangle rods, hollow rods and on and on. While some of the following is not new ideas, the ideas are being explored. Like most crafts, web sites have appeared. There are a number of videos on UTube showing the hows and whys of building a rod. A dying craft, it isn’t. I started FFing with bamboo some 60 years ago and then traipsed along following the newest and bestest finally realizing some 30 years ago I had it right the first time. i still fish plastic rods for coarse fish. Don Bamboorods.ca

So many have been concerned in the recent past that something may(may not) be seriously wrong with the trout population. As a response it is suggested we should increase access and promote further commercialization of the river valley. Apparently 2+2=1 when considering stressors. Are we going to love it to death? It will be interesting to watch how nature responds

Great... Vancouver-based millennials with laptops and lattes looking to advance our ideas as their own. imho they are a perfect example of what is wrong. No subject matter expertise of their own, they are crowd sourcing data to spin a marketing pitch to Tourism Calgary. Sigh... I recommend they set up shop in Canmore on any weekend during the summer... Plenty of twitter and snapchat types wearing their MEC boots with a day pack, cool shades, a mobile phone in one hand and a Beamer's coffee in the other strolling around looking skywards... @Iwasinthemountains... Please... please... please... just stop. Our waters are already overcrowded, overfished, overheated and under cared for.

Hi, i fish Cartland 444 DT lines on 5 weights and under. Been using them for near 45 years. First decent fly line I got was a Cortland 333 bought from Harry Horner who worked at Woodward’s in Chinook Mall. I paid a whole $13.00 when my days pay was $10.75/day in 1964. In 6 weights, I use Cortland WF6F, and Sci. Ang. Ultimate Trout and several sinking likes from a number of companies. For bass and pike, I am presently using a wet tip and a bass bug taper from Sci. .Ang. I have several steelhead wet tips and specialized shooting tapers. Several things about today’s line manufacturers concern me. Several build their lines 1/2>2 lines weights heavier than marked on the box. Each of them seem to confess the real weights on their respective web sites. Be careful, they will and do BS you. Most line manufacturers build decent products. I have owned several other lines from other manufacurers and returned to what I listed above. I get about 250 days out of a Floating line cleaning them occasionally. As far as bamboo rods, I fish the same lines on them or graphite or glass. Makes no difference to me. The only line I own that really is different is a HDH (6 weight) silk line that casts further, lands lighter and lasts longer than any plastic line. Some people talk about 25 year old silk lines. Regards, Don

What the hell is going on. Not one internet battle this winter. Maybe we are getting way too mellow. I just knew that legalizing weed would be the downfall of society. please bring back the old days. Don

Chill man and pass the Jay.

I've been using the previous generation of the Patagonia Stealth Atom sling for a couple of years and have been happy with it's flexibility. Lots of room to hang crap from the strap as you can see! I keep a small fly box in my left shirt pocket and between that and the fly patch, I don't end up having to swing the main compartment around very often. I like the fact that the water bottle pouch on the Patagonia slings are on the outside of the main compartment. I can get my water bottle without swinging the main compartment around. The Smith Creek rod holder is convenient for fly changes in the river and releasing fish. I hang my net from the d-ring using a magnetic holder at the top of the loop, not from the end of the handle. That way the net nestles on top of the sling and doesn't swing around at all. I don't find re-attaching the net any more awkward than with the vest I previously used. Ken

A friend andcI were playong in the front yard today with a bevy of 8’>8’3” rods in 6 weight. These are big river or lake rods. We were putting cast out well over 70’ without much double hauling. Three of the four were solid and one was hollowed. All were six strip. Good fun on a winter day. Don

I received the email below from Carl Hunt, retired biologist for the Hinton/Edson region. The Athabaska Rainbow is the only native rainbow in Alberta. Don Dear SARA Population numbers of Athabasca rainbow trout are variable due to natural environmental events, land use changes in their native habitat and angler harvest, however an overall decline became noticeable in the early 1990’s. A review of the population status was conducted and stocks were considered “May Be At Risk” in the General Status of Alberta Wildlife Species, 2005 report. The Provincial Status report was completed in 2009 by two eminent Fisheries Professors (Joseph Rasmussen & Eric Taylor). The Provincial Scientific Subcommittee reviewed the information and the Endangered Species Conservation Committee recommended a provincial designation of “Threatened”, 2009. A provincial recovery team was organized in 2010 including federal representatives (DFO & Jasper Park) and completed a recovery plan and recommendations, that received Provincial approval in 2014. The committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada, COSEWIC, 2014, recommended Athabasca Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), as "Endangered" under the Species at Risk Act (SARA). The urgent public consultation period was a short 30 days (2016-01-08 to 2016-02-09) and yet three years later, I can't find any 'action' to list or protect this unique population of rainbow trout. The decline of Athabasca Rainbow Trout was recognized over 20 years ago, documented by scientists at least 10 years ago and recommended by Provincial & Federal Science Committees as 'Threatened' & now 'Endangered', but SARA is still processing the information! Angling has been limited to catch and release for this population for over 20 years and last year a complete five year angling closure was recommended by Provincial fish managers for an entire river watershed (Berland River and tributaries ). However, no Federal or Provincial government actions have been reported that reduce habitat destruction. I am aware of continuing evaluations and culvert surveys but the 'ACTIONS' have not been summarized or made available to the public. I continue to review the SARA notifications but I'm unable to find even a priority list for 'Endangered' freshwater Fish. Does SARA have a priority list for review and approval of species recommended by COSEWIC? If so, where is Athab RNTR listed and when can anglers and the public expect the official designation that might provide habitat protection or at least some enforceable legislation? Carl Hunt Edson Alberta Timeline ACTION summary for Athabasca Rainbow Trout 2005 - May be at Risk 2009 - Threatened 2014 - Threatened Provincially & nominated by COSEWIC as Endangered. 2016 - Public review by SARA 2019 - Results of public review ? 2020 - Designation by SARA ?? 20__ - Extirpation ________??? Cc. Dr. Darryl Smith, Fish Chair, Alberta Fish & Game Assoc. Carolyn Campbell, Conservation Specialist, Alberta Wilderness Association, Neil Keown, Chair, Alberta Chapter, Backcountry Hunters Anglers Silvia D’Amelio, Chief Executive Officer, TUC, Alberta FishWildOldtime, Retired F&W staff, Alberta. Bcc. General Public

https://www.alberta.ca/release.cfm?xID=62519D594C79D-D238-8AB4-71540BE5284CC098 Its a launch maintenance plan. We'll have to wait and see what the City and AEP do together to get a policemens replacement together... hopefully before the next 'one' nukes policemens again. Mac desperately needs the road upgrades as well as some sort of structure down there to lose the free-for-all that has been happening the last few years, so we'll see!

I've been fishing 1 fly for the last 3 seasons, I might double or triple my fly selection. I'll need a bigger box, or a fly box period, lol.

Don, thank you for sharing this letter from Mr Hunt. The time-line is of particular note as from 2005 to 2018 the square root of zip has been done by either provincial or federal authorities. Most distressing indeed. I have worked for three different nations' defence departments and I know how stupid big government can be. This is more proof, not that we needed it. As a side discussion to this matter is this issue that the Federal gov't won't involve itself with species deemed to be exotic, such as the Brook and Brown Trout resident in the Bow River and her tributaries. The Feds' attitude is ridiculous. The Bow River flows damn near halfway across this country, changing name and characteristics in the process. Yes, the Brown and Brook species were introduced to AB years ago with the best of intentions to enhance sport fishery. It was a mistake from the purist's point of view. We have goofy hybridization all over the place. (In a study done on Bill Griffiths Creek, east of Canmore, AB a few years ago, the team harvested a Brook/Bull hybrid. It was the only one they thought they found in their electrofishing exercise, and they killed it to examine it). I doubt very much that on the basis of a single perceived example of hybridization between the exotic Brook and the native Bull that the Feds will become involved. Short of the extreme solution proffered above by Albertatrout using rotenone to kill everything and starting back from square one with a genetically pure stock and preventing any type of fishing for a few years until populations gain traction, there doesn't seem to be a solution. The Bull trout is the Native and symbolic fish of the Province of Alberta. It is distinct and special. It deserves protection. By everyone and before it's too late. The government can and does do "dumb stuff", it happens for a huge variety of complex and cascading reasons. Usually one well-meant decision ends up creating another set of previously unforeseen problems to solve. One of the other challenges is that there are usually several options deemed possible by the interested party and a kind of option paralysis sets in... (I see this with my beloved when a waiter sets a menu in front of her at a restaurant! LOL, it is a very common human trait). The Bull Trout is already protected in AB, but it is capable of hybridization with at least one of the two known exotics. I wonder if the Feds might be provoked into getting off their duffs and getting involved? What will it take? How can we ensure they even know about the problem? I have zero faith in either the Prov or Fed fisheries authorities. They are two engaged and well-meaning parties engaged in tug of war in a zero-sum game. Neither side willing to budge from their separate and differing agendas. This is a legacy headed for disaster.

Here's a link to a trailer to a documentary on bamboo rod makers that I came across today. I thought it might be of interest to those who are into bamboo. I guess they need to build up the drama with the synopsis of dying art kept alive by a few master craftsmen ...vanishing legacy . Regardless I look forward to seeing documentary when it gets out. Edit I forgot to mention it's called " Chasing the Taper" https://tinboatproductions.com/

Fish.... hijack, who cares. i think that Bob Clay, venerable Guide and fine bamboo rod builder from the Kispiox Valley of B.C. was originally mentored by Harry. Bob, I”ve heard was from Calgary. Don

Hey Bruce, Awesome on you guys doing this, is there anyway to make more of an impact for these kids? I know Dave sends many groups down there in the Spring and could it be a benefit if FFC members did a large push to generate cash for this cause? I can envision something like an auction? I for one would happily donate a city float for this, the cash could then go right into FT to fill what ever need in material, or equipment the kids have. I'm not looking to step on any toes, Cuba holds my heart in her peoples hands.

Please delete

Albertatrput, Many years ago I fished the strangest place ever for Athabaskas. Right through an operating coal mine on tbe Gregg River. Was a beautiful trout stream reminding me of Racehorse Creek. The only downside was the thousands of styrofoam cups floating here and there. A product of tbe miners. I’ve caught other Athabaska Rainbows in streams all over the place. The fish tend to be small reflecting the tough conditions of their existence. Don

Hi, Harry Horner ran the fishing/outdoor dept. at Woodward’s for a number of years. He was also a member of the Hook and Hackle Club. He left Woodward’s and worked for a time at Barrottos when they were located just across the bridge on 9th Ave. If I recall correctly, he passed while steelheading in B.C. regards, Don

I would say a fairly different scenario up there versus the cutties down south. The main athabow threat is introgression with other athabows that have varying levels of hatchery genetics. The government is still deciding if they need to be 95% or 99% pure to be considered athabows. Even if you brought the habitat to 100% functional it still would not address the few hatchery alleles floating around in the population. Short of finding a true 100% pure population, rotenoning everything, restocking from source, then building fish barriers all over the place, not much of a solution exists. Angling bans will make no difference as most of the core athabow creeks are totally unfishable anyways. Habitat needs to be addressed to save many of the grayling and bull populations up there, it won't help with the genetics issue though.

As a very keen fly-fisherman from Stony Plain, Alberta, I am presenting some computer programs that I have created. The links are:- 75 Trout Lakes of Central and Northern Alberta -https://www.dropbox.com/sh/mhdk6iuotzvifhw/AADmDNsCZNq9ly9s5WlI6n18a?dl=0 164 of Neil’s Fishing Cartoons https://www.dropbox.com/sh/jlfvhikzcwlawcv/AAAn_gdLW3dLQIbCRf0u1qLua?dl=0 8 of Neil’s Fishing Short Stories https://www.dropbox.com/sh/y7wi2807v5qxv6j/AACydRky7Iyx_2U4Luab05Ila?dl=0 – Neil’s Favourite 5 Wet Flies https://www.dropbox.com/sh/9ghqzfoz68ydbgl/AAABoo3pBeLpw29OWpiFk5R_a?dl=0 Brook Trout Lakes in Alberta https://www.dropbox.com/s/xbl6kvovarp3mwa/Brookie%20Lakes.docx?dl=0 – Useful articles for the trout fisher https://www.dropbox.com/s/w373c3fewjb3gnq/Useful%20Internet%20Sites.docx?dl=0 – The above files are in Dropbox. Dropbox is a safe, cloud-based storage system. 1) You do not need to have Dropbox on your computer to use the links. 2) The individual files are JPG files. 3) You can bookmark, copy or print. 4) You can copy to your phone or tablet and take the file with you. On the lake maps, before I get requests to expand the program to include the trout lakes of Southern Alberta, I am 83 years old and not looking for another career. Tight Lines,

It’s been a while since I posted

Jayhad just rose and hooked his first riser for 2019. Now if he had the same skill playing and releasing them. Don

This article has generated considerable debate on this board, our Bow River Trout Facebook page and others that have similar interests in a sustainable trout population for the Bow River. It is important to recognize that the historical Bow River fish population surveys were conducted on one of the most productive stretches of the river between Policeman's Flats and the Highwood River. And at that time were considered to be representative of the lower Bow River trout population. The 2005 and 2013 floods change that - the stretch of the Bow River below the Highwood was hit far harder than above by the two flood years and there is general belief that the fishery has never fully recovered in that area. The more recent fish surveys did include data collected from below the Highwood River and above Policeman's Flats therefore it is not surprising to see a decline in trout populations. What the data does indicate is that the trout populations across the entire "Blue Ribbon Bow River" from Calgary to Carsland dropped by as much as 50% for Rainbow Trout from 2003 to 2013. The end result has been that AEP started a new series of fish population surveys across the entire Bow River sports fishery from Bearspaw to Carseland in 2018 to establish a baseline to develop future fishery management protocols for the Bow River. This is a significant step in the management of the Bow River sports fishery. On the subject of variable Bow River flows - It is very easy to point your finger at TransAlta, but the Government of Alberta sets the protocol for Bow River water management. In July 2018 the daily variable flow were extreme. When we expressed our concerns for the fishery and potential impact on the fish survival itself immediate changes to the daily water management protocol were made and flows stabilized as best that TransAlta could do for the remainder of the year. The recently installed flood mitigation protocol for the Bow River may be our biggest challenge. The recommendations presented to the GOA were flawed in so far as not addressing the impact of modified upstream dam operation on the downstream ecosystem - specifically the sports fishery and associated environment. Bow River Trout Foundation has expressed our concerns to AEP Minister Phillips - we are awaiting a response. Needless to say, it will take time to make change to water management practices to enhance the sports fishery, but we continue to be hopeful. In closing, it may be worth following our website blog page for information on the Bow River fishery, we try to keep it up to date on current issues. http://www.bowrivertrout.org Bow River Trout Foundation

I couldn't find any posts on the relatively new GPS version of Backroads Mapbook. I just got a new Garmin 60CSX hand-held and decided to add the Alberta version of the Backroads map to the unit. I am very happy with this product. The price is a little steep at $150 for just Alberta ($275 for both BC and Alberta) but I think it's the best fishing tool I've bought in years. The detail is the same as the regular paper copy, but it has a couple of advantages as well. First, topo lines have been added and are visible when you zoom in. Second, the ability to zoom in up to 20m (I think) allows the user to look at very detailed images of tiny tribs (otherwise missing on the paper version) and even side-channels of the main stem. Third, the same campgrounds, hiking trail, logging roads etc. are also visible on the software version. It also identifies where there is fish present in a body of water. The other thing I like is you can view the maps on your computer without having to flip through pages to find where the route or stream continues. Carrying the paper and gps version together is a good combination and made our last trip out more enjoyable. Buy it!