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Since it seems we are veering away from a Bow River analysis, I'll say that my season left something to be desired. Huge rainfall made river fishing near Edmonton an impossibility. Mcleod R, for example, was pretty much blown out the entire summer. Should have been way more focused on the lakes this year, as the water levels did rebound. When dad and I finally made it down south in August, we found extremely crowded rivers with incredibly picky fish. Wasn't the most fun trip I have had in southern Alberta. Oh we found some solitude on smaller waters,...guess what? Fish were still incredibly moody. Like I was taken aback. Talked to other anglers wasn't just us; that week in August lots of zero's being posted, including a couple of guided trips out of shops that didn't fare well either. Timing, I guess. Trip was salvaged by cutting it short a day and heading to central AB for more cooperative fish. Overall, just didn't get out enough. I'll fix that next year. Oh, wait, yes, we did have a pretty awesome beginning of the year in May at some QSF coal pits. Very impressive average sizes of fish. Guess it wasn't all a downer...lol. -Smitty

Not a bad season overall but didn’t get out as much as I would have liked. Prowled streams and tribs Met a bunch of nice Browns that came out to chat with me over some Dry flies and unfortunately only one Cuttie. Smelled the earth Freaked out some squirrels Studied insects under rocks Watched hatches ebb and flow Mostly watched trout sip on Mayflies Chatted about life with good buddies No bruins this season but lots of tracks Listened to nothing in the woods and everything Fished 2 solid hatches where trout fed with abandon Thought about new dry flies and emergers for next season Saw deer cross streams I was fishing without them seeing me Listened to leaves rustle and called out their summer and fall sounds. Ate some nice lunches but promised myself more hot coffee and food using my Coleman stoves. Remembered those who I fished with who are no longer on this earthy plane. Was happy! My waders ended my season early on my behalf. First pinhole leaks which where easy to fix, then both seams where they met the backs of both booties. Oh well 8 years is OK for a set of waders I guess. A shootout to all I met on the waters this season from this old Doc.