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I was starting to think I was one of very few anglers prepared to voice our belief that angling pressure is possibly the biggest contributor to declining trout populations across the whole of the four foothill east slope zones. But this conversation has given me some hope for the future. It is fair to say that regulations can be put in place to curb the declining trout populations. Most of which will have a sizable impact on the guided angler and just as much as other forms of fishing our streams and rivers: A conservation license to fish all foothill zones - $50/ year? And/or a special Bow River license of $50/year? Incremental increases for out of province and country anglers. License guides with mandatory reporting proceedures and restrictions where needed to protect specific fisheries. Catch-N-Release and barbless hooks on all foothill flowing waters. And to offset this, a Put-&-Take trout still-water fishing initiative with a daily license fee. Eliminate triple-hooks and mandate a one hook angling policy across all foothill zone flowing waters. This action within itself will most likely have the biggest impact on angling effort. These initiatives will increase revenue that should be directed towards policing, education and conservation initiatives. But most importantly these changes if enforced could reduce angling effort and possibly mortality rates by up to 50%

I have Fly Fished the Bow for 5 Decades at least. Over 2,000 Float or Day Trips. The last decade has been the hardest to take. Guide boats fighting for position on every good bank. Cutting each other off, low holing, high holing. I have had the same "Guide" float a very small back channel 3 or 4 times in the last season. I was at the bottom, gently fishing dry flies, with a good friend as he rowed thru, while fishing and then asking me how is it going..15' feet wide.. How the **** do you think it is going ***hole ? Fishing in front of bank anglers.. etc etc etc etc. It is up to every angler to determine there own, lowest common denominator.. My advice to all anglers is to try to be invisible, make no impact on others. Be kind, laugh lots and enjoy the Day. To all the Hipster "Guides".. Maybe go back to school or get a part time job that doesn't effect the health of the Bow so much. The first and most important job and ethic of a "Guide" is to provide GUIDANCE. In all things, not just the total catch and Tip received.