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Well the whole point of fishteck starting this topic is the concern over the lack of data from AEP. Historically, anecdotal evidence from a wide audience actually motivates governments to take action to investigate expressed concerns. Otherwise nothing happens and actions from government becomes a reaction to crisis. Like Whirling disease. It's a familiar cycle. Just ask the fisherman from Newfoundland, who, for decades, told the Federal fisheries managers in Ottawa that cod stocks were in peril. The feds ignored them and sold the local fishery out to foreign fleets, who collapsed the fishery. So you can do nothing or speak up. Kudos too fishteck and others for publicly voicing their concerns, even if we have our differences in opinions as to what some of the significant stressors may be.

the “20 inch rainbow” story reminds me a little of the “hey we got lots of snow and it was cold” story as it relates to global warming. Don’t get mad at me. Just something I came across. I too, wondered how much those things have to eat to maintain that mass. Further reading reveals that the pelican populations were crushed and they are finally starting to rebound. May account for your 70’s observations. I did notice that the power lines flossed a few around mac last year. So the bow has that going for it. Ha

Pelicans showed up on the river down by Carseland in the mid-70's. Before that time there was none "on the river" above the weir. One July day we saw them riding thermals way up above Legacy Island.....strange to see "snow geese" in the summer. Then they slowly circled down until we could see they were pelicans. No one had ever seen them before. They figured out the Bow was a great place to fish. I know some breed at Newell. I am not sure where these local birds breed....but they seem to be very good at multiplying. Migrating birds just found a new habitat to exploit

All I can say is based upon MY observation. They were not here at the time. I had already spent 15 ish years fishing the Bow by the Mid 70's..Calgary to Carsland. No Pelicans.. Still.. I have been on the river 15 days this year.. Watching them push the fish into the shallows and then gorging on the fish is alarming. I wouldn't mind open season on them.. Just Saying.. If it was legal I would bring my AR-15

I grew up on the Banks of the Bow River. First sighting was about 1975. Maybe go and give one a hug..KRK..

Actually the American Pelican is not an invasive species. Most of Alberta is in its migration / breeding range. https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/American_White_Pelican/overview

But...but...I hate golf

As the city gets bigger, the quantity of low quality run-off water and the load of undesirable chemicals in the sewage system is ever increasing. These chemicals are causing genetic changes to the fish and the invertebrates. These changes are then passed down to the next generation. As time rolls forward it will be interesting to see how the trout handle these stresses along with all the angler related issues.