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An ever-increasing number of anglers – Not sure this is true. I couldn’t find older data, but the total number of licenses sold in AB seem to be trending the same way as the resource economy in the province and have gone from 280425 in 2014, 318106 in 2015, 312064 in 2016, 309006 in 2017 to 281568 in 2018. I would agree that these numbers don’t necessarily give an accurate measure of how many anglers use the Bow. The AEP Bow River Fish Population Survey suggests that recruitment of trout stocks is adequate in the Bow River to sustain the population – Fair enough, but this doesn’t reflect the experience of myself and other anglers who have noticed a distinct lack of smaller fish in the river in recent years. It also ties in with the next point; Unknown fish population and reproduction dynamics – Don’t mean to nitpick, but if the fish population and reproduction dynamics are unknown then how can the AEP Bow River Fish Population Survey suggest that recruitment of trout stocks is adequate in the Bow River to sustain the population? Seems like a chicken/egg debate? What I would like to know is how closely does the decline of the Bow River’s trout populations resemble the decline of other well known trout rivers in the US that have been exposed to the parasite that causes whirling disease? I doubt the data exists to make a real comparison, but anecdotally it seems all too similar. My $0.02 Charge a conservation fee/stamp/license to fish the Bow, say $50 a year. Double that for alien/non-resident anglers just for giggles. Put the money directly back in to managing and enhancing the Bow River fishery so that the powers that be can obtain meaningful data and develop targeted solutions. Some rough data can be obtained just from the license sales, but with this stamp/fee/license include a link to a website (or a paper form, for the technologically challenged) that can be used to voluntarily report how many anglers are using the river, when, where and what the results were with idea of using this data in future management. As part of the management plan start stocking a strain of Rainbows in the Bow that are naturally resistant to the parasite that causes whirling disease (e.g. Hofer X Harrison strain rainbows) with the goal of augmenting natural recruitment until populations stabilize. The rainbow trout in the Bow were originally from a river in northern California, so maintaining the genetics of the existing stock are kind of a moot point, and the cutties aren’t likely to make a comeback below the Ghost anyway. Colorado hatcheries are raising these rainbows, so obtaining brood stock may be possible without having to reinvent the wheel.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1LoRabVAC_MwBivhts8EJxfmXPpppPX_M/view The problem is the integrity of the watershed, not the integrity of c&r fly fisherman.

Before we start advocating for hatcheries, feel free to watch this... hatcheries are a sure way for one thing: to keep using hatcheries.

EagleFlyFisher - good question. The following is a list of options put together two years ago when it became evident changes in the Bow River fishery management was needed. I've added my comments from what I have discussed with many of the stakeholders in the fishery. Bow River Trout Population Decline • An ever-increasing number of anglers - FT - this is a reality and can be changed by revised fishing regulations • Limited regulation enforcement. FT - This will not change to any great extent. • Little to no commitment to river access additions and improvements. FT - new river access sites will spread out the fishing pressure • Where do trout spawn – has this changed over the past 20 years. FT - ongoing Brown Trout spawning monitoring, but little done on rainbow trout. The AEP Bow River Fish Population Survey suggests that recruitment of trout stocks is adequate in the Bow River to sustain the population • Unknown fish population and reproduction dynamics - FT expensive! • Fish population survey locations do not represent the Bow River stretch from Calgary to Carsland. FT - This changed in the 2018/19 surveys. AEP has a better understanding of the population variations across the entire river • Improvement in water quality and the impact on trout feed supply. FT - Although we would like to see an improvement, it is very unlikely since the basis of invertebrate populations is based on the Calgary Waste Water Treatment Plant discharge into the river that has seen improvements in quality in recent years. • Enhancement of fish habitat. FT - All very achievable on a limited basis. For example, Calgary's fish habitat enhancement projects at Quarry Park, Bowmount Park and the Elbow River downstream of the Glenmore Dam. But in the bigger picture, expensive and little impact with the size of the Bow River. • Impact of climate change FT Unknown and probably unmanageable! • Bow River Water Supply Management Plan – flood and drought control models. Up stream dams. FT - This subject has been debated for years. And until the threat of flooding to the City of Calgary is reduced significantly we will see little change in the water management policy. Some improvements have been achieved in 2018/19. But there are positives with the increase flows during the spring runoff - the gravel bars will be flushed off. • AEP commitment to management of a recreational sports fishery. FT - an ongoing problem, but improving! • Logging influence on the fishery – Highwood River Basin and others. FT - Environmental assessments and advocacy is key here. But unfortunately fishing interests were late to the table. • Changing hydrology of the river – floods, flood mitigation FT - AEP has proposals for new dams on the river in 10 -15 years. Debate will continue as to the viability of new infrastructures. Hydro peaking at Ghost will become a focal point in discussions. • Seasonal closures – short-term pain for long term gain. FT - One of the few options available to fishery managers and in my opinion very likely. • Fishing regulation change – triple hooks FT - One of the few options available to fishery managers and in my opinion unlikely without the support of all angler groups.. • Management of all water craft use. FT - Unlikely So what realistic options are available in the SHORT-TERM to stop the decline. Regulation Changes! With a 50% drop in trout population from 2003 to 2013 and AEP indicating that declines in fish populations continue, probably down to 30% from historical levels, its time to use all possible measures to make a change. SHORT-TERM PAIN FOR LONG-TERM GAIN.

Okay so what's it going to take ? You may have a smaller stream that has less urban impact. Easier to identify and try to regulate the obvious destructive forces ?Could be logging, gravel pits, ag. Smaller streams already have fishing seasons ( closures) for a reason. They have a small group of very concerned anglers fighting for the health of the systems. Looking at the Bow specifically, huge city, constant construction, river re tooled to suite our needs. What is it going to take ? When we have excavation to build bridges, construction. Rip rap walls to keep banks together. Fluctuating water levels Unchecked pollution entering water system, sewers, chemicals,road salt etc.. What habitat enhancement would be the most beneficial to help fish be happy, spawn, grow, thrive ??

I’ve fished Whiteswan a number of times. Nearly every day near noon the wind comes up from the west which translates to 2’+ waves in the east end severely limiting where you can fish. The west end is not nearly as effected. For that reason I camp at Packrat. While there is road traffic by, it drops off in the evening. and overnight.. The flats at Packrat can readily accommodate a lot of boats with water depths from 2>20’. Chironomids, small leeches and pheasant tail nymphs all have been successful in the past. Don