Harps

http://www.themarknews.com/articles/1478-t...ironment-budget

Stop scaring the coyotes away... I hear they like rabbits better than little kids.

More damaging to what and who? I think the Pebble Bay stuff is getting alot of press (PB Gold is starting to cause the same reaction as blood diamonds... in theory so far anyways) and I think the proposed drilling in ANWR deserved more press. Prudoe Bay is a dirty $hit hole and the threat of that happening to ANWR makes me cry. The linear disturbance, smog from flaring and trucks, garbage from people, and disruption to wildlife and waterfowl is mind blowing. But I've only seen it through the eyes of a envi consultant... maybe looking at it through an oilman's eyes is different. Sorry, back to the topic... oilspill really sux! Exon Valdez impacts are still present under overturned rocks... same with Wabamun. There is no cleaning it up. The industry is there and won't go away... what to do to prevent it again and how to protect sensitive areas at risk: that should be the focus now. BTW Did you know that bait fishermen cause irreparable harm to the environment in Alberta forests?

Gonna be a great weekend!!

Rick's web site is still up, but very dated... http://goett.sasktelwebsite.net/index.htm

Last years snowpack was slightly below average at best. What kept the rivers up (south) and cool was periodic rain and cooler temperatures. I think it was a very dry year for north of Calgary. With a low snowpack we rely on rainfall through the summer and springs (which may not recharge without a decent snow pack and rain of years past). The odds are if we have no snow it will be a low water year, and dam managers will manage the river flows like that. Expect water to be held in reservoir, poor/coarse flow adjustments, peaks at the wrong time of year, etc, etc.

8lbs is good for stillwater, plus it's easier to lug around. Might need more for the wind but I'd try them first before filling them. A bit of chain might be all the extra weight you need.. Are you planning on anchoring in moving water (not really recommended). With the wrong watercraft that is asking for trouble. On the otherhand a chain anchor can be used as a sort-of-drift anchor, but I know some of the guides on the Missouri are discouraging them because they really disturb the bottom plus if you get caught up you could be in trouble.

alan- nothing is a done deal when a minister is involved. Where did you learn about the logging? I haven't heard about it and can't find any info. jones, Logging can be done in a enviro healthy way and Dave hit on the other points. Spray Lakes have been decent operators and know how to do things right. Spray Lake Operating Rules But If West Castle is hom,e to a bunch of vulnerable Grizzlies, provides most of the water for the Oldman, houses rare plants, and most importantly is the location of increasingly threatened bull trout and west slope cutthroat trout populations, shouldn't more thought be put into this (Land-use framework isn't done, were concerned folks consulted, what was the original harvest plan, isn't the C5 plan on hold, etc etc)? Unlike natural pests and fire, the logging industry builds roads which disturb wildlife, allow access, degrade water quality, and change the habitat type and the equipment is loud and causes rutting damage as well as increases the risk of hydro carbon spills. The other extremely discouraging thing is that a plan to protect the Castle area (as an open use type park) has been submitted to the Alberta Government. Submission to protect the Castle Alberta Parks encouraging tourism investment (I don't like this, but its a dollar value on the area): History of Castle Overall, I hope that there is a bit of a moritorium until it is known whart is happening in the area, and I hope that the MLA's push for protection. Maybe they realize the Castle provides most of the water for the towns downstream (Pincher, Lethbridge, etc).

Have you sent letters of concern to the local MLA's and the Minsiter of SRD (Mel Knight)?

Not all of us are math celebrating, engineering geeks. Pi day?!?

http://hyperboleandahalf.blogspot.com/2010...c-approach.html and... pie is in the fruit food group. Now that this is clarified, I'd like to see NO more talk about cake. You know who I'm talking about. From you're expert and pro, elitist, dry-fly tossing, griz loving, Bow River hating, secret keeping, Lethbridgeonian.

Well said Tightline!!

I didn't know there were masters in AB, but I'm glad to see 2. I think the program is excellent and everybody I know who is a CI or at least taken the instruction has really benefited. I'm still planning on it, I just need to find the dedication to practice. There is a bunch of info on Sexyloops and certified casters from around the world. Bruce Richards, Jason Borger, and many others commonly frequent the site. This type of advice is common: http://www.sexyloops.co.uk/cgi-bin/theboar...608;hl=cci+test Again, it is awesome that you are doing it!! Good luck, Harps **Sorry for the sexyloops plug. I figured it was okay because it is a completely different sort of board then this one, without the same local community and feel.**

Along the river or just landscaping a yard?

Anybody willing to pony up some facts on how the mines improve the fishery... preferably some reports and baseline info? Maybe the Elk fishes good despite the mine... highrainfall, lots of organic matter, and temperate climate... Or it could be the mine?!?

Barbless makes a difference with inexperienced and uncaring anglers. If you compare barbless and unbarbed in experienced and not you would likely see a difference.

We have a few things to worry about. Didymo is dead if dry. Laces, pants things like that dry fast, much faster than felt. Plus people used to leave their boots wet from river to river (I used to)... not good. Also dy your neoprene booties (although they have less space for the nasties to hide in). Hot water will kill the nasties, but how many people wash (long soak) their gear in water that stays above 45deg? Freezing solid is great and works on most winter nights... not so great in the summer. Take home message: Dry your gear completely before switching rivers. Now we already have didymo here, so it is more important if you are taking your gear to a different watershed. But You could also bring nasties here. Montana (and Van Is.) has New Zealand Mudsnails which would wreak havoc on the ecosystem. The bugers would eat everything and coiat the bottom. Same cleaning methods apply. Completely dry your gear... (in the sun if you can) and/or wash (and soak) in hot water. There is also Whirling Disease in Montana. Drying works, as well as wash and soak. Zebra mussels will clog intakes fro water at powerplants, irrigation turnouts, city water supplies, etc. If they end up here it could be devastating to sectors of the economy. You should see the damage they've done on the Great Lakes and more recently some of the big desert reservoirs in the SW States. And last: Never transport fish (and bait) between rivers. Of course, Crayfish are making there own way, and they will eat all thos pretty mayflies and caddis that we love to fish. Carp would change the ecosystem and be direct competition for other aquatic invert eating fish (like all of them). The FFF has a program aimed at educating anglers about invasive species. Check it out: http://www.fedflyfishers.org/Default.aspx?tabid=4379 And don't forget to clean out those jet boat intakes... Honestly--> Jet boat grate: Manually remove visible clumps of algae from the grate and flush the system with a decontamination solution. Jet unit: Open ball value at bottom of sand trap, remove any residue and flush system with a decontamination solution.

Always the camera man... I hope you have a speedy recovery!

DFO is responsible for impacts to habitat. People should be calling the Minister and MP's to complain about the impacts of recreational use on streams. But, DFO only regulates and enforces works or undertakings, such as an industrial activity... recreationally driving through a creek is a passtime, not work. This needs to be changed, but it is from a past court decision. The only way it will change is with a ton of public compliants and possibly a new court case. I think SRD has the best resources to stop OHV use of creek beds. They have all sorts of access rules and regulations that they could be enacting and enforcing. They could allow (yes allow, right now they want industry to leave trails and roads open for OHV use); they could allow industry to close and reclaim roads when they are done. They could close sensitive areas to motorized traffic. They could dictate where the crossings are and dictate where the trails run and that motorized use has to stay on those trails. On the otherhand, Alberta Environment, Environment Canada, DFO, and SRD should be getting calls complaining about deleterious substances (oil, fuel, grease, etc) coming from vehicles as they are instream. Nobody is allowed to deposit a deleterious substance during any activity (unless its a regulated substance). I know for a fact that despite all the talk, folk AREN'T writing complaints to ministers, or phoning them, or even calling to complain at the local offices. A few folks will complain then stop. The mailboxes need to be flooded to make a minister or MP care. Calgary is the 4th largest city in Canada, with over 1 million people and one of the highest disposible incomes in Canada... yet it is a free for all in Alberta's recreational areas. Don't you think it is about time that the Alberta gov't stood up and protected something from the masses? How about some enforcement and some actual protection? Read the Jan edition of the Alberta Outdoorsmen for a great article on enforcement (Fish Habitat) in Alberta... there have been a few great article lately on the topic, some by Neil Waugh and this last by Duane Radford.

Wayne, I'm in Lethbridge with a Sage Z-Axis 690 (custom built). I love the rod and use it on all sizes of creeks. Send me a message and I can rig it up for some test casting if you'd like. I have a Ultimate trout Sharkskin and a RIO built Lumiline (practice casting line). Let me know. Cheers,

Hey TailingLoop, Excellent summary of what is available under the existing legislation!

Thanks for the response, Lancaster. The comment about whether you've seen the system for yourself was an invitation. I'm glad you've had a tour though. I'm quite cinical about how much water people need versus how much they want... when it comes down to a real decision, a judge decides and that would end up with an undesired decision, I'm sure. Really what judge would take water from an irrigator, water that his livelyhood and children depend on, and give that water to fish? I'll take some time and read the reports in more detail... I've only breifly skimmed them. Thanks again for the post. Harps

Hi Lancaster, Who decides what the best use for water is? There already is a moratorium on new water use in the SSRB (with the exception of the RD). By getting rid of our 100yr old well proven, fair, much studied system we'd be taking water from the land where it is and giving it to cities or popular users (like malls and horse tracks). As it stands we have all the appropriate legislation and power to control existing water resources, just not the public will (much of it ignorance), to determine what is done with the water. I like the FiTFiR system. Its much better than having a gov't decide that the water should go to a bunch of idiots that live in the green lawn, water intensive homes cropping up in subdivisions all over southern Alberta. I think the best thing for water in the province would be a cap on population. There isn't enough water in the rivers right now, but clawing it back will take more then whining. A good court decision for conservation groups accepting water transfers is the best (close to best) way for fish to get water. In the mean time people in Alberta just don't care or know. I'll say one thing... the agricultural community in Southern Alberta are the rivers best friend and worst enemy. The best thing that could happen would be a switch back to smaller ag units and less intensive irrigation. But that is not going to happen. Plus getting rid of FITFIR would mean an end to small irrigators... only industrial agriculture would be able to compete with cities, industry, and other water users. You're new to the site, so I'll let you know I don't always type what I agree with. On that note, I don't really know what your organization stands for (Although I know quite a few of the board members and know of some of the staff). What is your stance on current water policy (or your organization's)? How would you propose to get 70-90% back to fish... Giving it to communities won't help fish. It is the cities that use the power produced at Kananaskis, the cities use irrigation structures, the people use the reservoirs. Do the people want more water for fish or for themselves? I don't agree with deregulation (I believe you're also against dereg), so what other options are being proposed? You've been with the organization since Aug (I believe), have you seen the flows, irrigation systems, reservoirs and fish for yourself?

. . . . . And... Both Energy and SRD have a focus on resource use/extraction, so he might be a better fit than expected.

New line-up of Alberta Ministers. Biggest change for us anglers is Ted Morton is out of fisheries to Finance and Mel Knight from Grand Prairie-Smokey is in to SRD. http://alberta.ca/home/NewsFrame.cfm?Relea...B10F8E0513.html Mel's info can be found here: http://www.melknightmla.com/about.html Why not welcome him to the portfolio with a letter about what the fishery in Alberta needs (2010 resolutions help) and enlighten him on some of your complaints. He is a former Minister of Energy so he should be used to dealing with pressure. Cheers,