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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

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.

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