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Early this spring I took a shot at finding some trout in a central Alberta stream. I tried nymphing, dries even a hopper dropper but nothing was keeping old Pepe Le Pew from snuggling into my dreary black and white day on the water ... that was until a huge gust of wind sent me back into the past on that same stream but this time it was in technicolor and I was able to find my self a beautiful Brown, a huge Bull & a brightly colored Rainbow ... what a day ... there's no place like home ... there's no place like home ... there's no place like home ... PLEASE LIKE, COMMENT AND sUbScRiBe !!

Got some new barbless hooks. Looking forward to trying them out!

Remember that you do need to purchase a licence to fish other provinces.

Pheasant Tail Nymphs size 20

All of the questions you brought up, you could address through the restrictions on the license. I have specific restrictions and things i must follow when using fish research licenses (where it's allowed to be used, extreme weather (hot or cold) requirements, reporting requirements, etc), so why couldn't this model be followed for that? - Put a restriction that you are not allowed to utilize a guide-day when there is a heat recommendation, or that there is a requirement to stop fishing by xx:xx pm. - out of province should have to pay more. Tic for tac on this one, regardless if we're getting petty on this one (oh, we're definitely petty on this one..) - Use restrictions: absolutely you could put restrictions on 'guide' licenses that are separate from angler licenses. The appetite for this is likely very high in the non-guided community as it could reduce pressure on streams (would it? who knows..), but would also start to build the BC legacy of 'million-dollar' licenses for angling-days. Im not saying that guide licensing will do much if anything 'for the fish', however it has the potential to improve the quality experience of the recreational angler (which is an important part of recreational angling). Guide licensing was never going to save the Thompson from netting at the mouth, but it definitely improved the experience for the non-guided group (when open) by not having a pile of guides running up and down river for the last 400 fish. This is all spitballing. Honestly, if we just license guides as a way to make more revenue for the coffers with no actual thought towards improving the 'experience' and fishery and any-joe can get a license without specific requirements and restrictions, then really whats the point.

I find this post interesting as no one has addressed the major problem on the Bow River of lack of fish to chase by a growing number of guides who lack the experience to find the fish that are available. Certainly, many of the names listed as "good guides" are there because for their time on the water over the past 20 years. They have the knowledge to switch up to techniques to match an angler’s skill and preferred angling technique. But unfortunately, very few guides and anglers have the desire to improve their skills beyond just putting fish in the boat. There are government plans to license fishing guides in the next couple of years. I just hope that there is some restriction on who is classified as a guide. Maybe an apprenticeship program is needed. Spending a few days on the river in a guide school does not make a guide. And dragging a boat owner off the river to row for a corporate float trip does nothing for the credibility of the Bow River guiding profession. Clearly, this discussion has illustrated the importance to be careful what you are asking for in a guide. Fish numbers are not always the most important goal!