jstelfox

In the 30+ years that I had the pleasure of knowing Barry, I've never met another angler who has done more for the fisheries in Alberta, or been a more vocal advocate and steward for the resource. As Don said, Barry was involved in many initiatives; a lot of the improvements in fisheries management were the direct result of him taking the lead on some difficult issues, and pushing for much-needed changes. Barry spent countless hours on the phone with me and many of the other fisheries biologists in the Fish and Wildlife Division, discussing fisheries management issues. The time we spent talking to Barry was well worth it, since what we learned from each other enabled us to work together to make some pretty significant changes in how Alberta's fisheries were managed. I can honestly say that my job would have been a lot harder, and I wouldn't have accomplished nearly as much, if it weren't for Barry taking such a strong advocacy role for Alberta's fisheries, pushing for change and making his views known to senior management and the politicians. Well done, Barry. Your legacy will live on!!

Just heard the sad news about Jeff, and would like to pass on my sincere condolences to his family, friends and fishing buddies. Although I only met Jeff a few times, he made a big impression on me. His passion for fishing was undeniable, but his willingness to generously give of his time to be a steward of the resource was what I found to be truly remarkable. When I first met Jeff in June 2009, he had driven all the way from Medicine Hat just to help us electrofish Boulton Creek. The data we gathered on the huge adfluvial rainbow trout that spawn in this creek would prove to be crucial in getting the regulations changed, so as to provide these spawners with the protection that they needed. Jeff, and his close friend Jake Gotta, subsequently played a key role in rallying support to have the fishing regulations changed on K-Lakes, so that they could ultimately realize their potential and provide Quality fisheries for Cutthroat, Bull and Rainbow trout. Whenever I fish these lakes, I will remember Jeff and the legacy that he has left for all anglers.

Big Iron Lake is another one to consider. Fish were rising when I replenished the supply of creel cards in the creel survey box on Monday, so the Arctic grayling we stocked in 2012 overwintered and should be about 25 cm long now. Depending on what route you take, the hike in will be about 1.5 to 2 hours, since the road is currently closed just past the turn off to the Indian Graves campground.

Hi Smitty, We've revised the test and key to include rainbow trout. Those who have passed the previous test should have little difficulty with this test, since it is easy to differentiate between rainbow and cutthroat trout. Jim

How would you like to legally harvest an unlimited number of non-native brookies and rainbows, while helping native fish populations to recover!!?? If so, read on. The Stewardship Licence Pilot Project permits anglers to harvest an unlimited number of non-native brook and/or rainbow trout from specified waters, provided that they annually pass the fish ID test and have participated in one supervised outing. Since 2009, anglers participating in this project have harvested almost 3,000 brook trout from the specified waters (see attached data summary). Starting in 2013, harvest of non-native rainbow trout will also be permitted in a few specified waters in the Oldman River watershed. The attached background information sheet provides some basic information about the Stewardship Licence Pilot Project, which is a spin-off of the Quirk Creek Brook Trout Suppression Project. When the Quirk Creek Brook Trout Suppression Project was initiated in 1998, brook trout comprised over 90% of the fish population in Quirk Creek. Since then, anglers have harvested over 9,500 brook trout from Quirk Creek, brook trout have declined to 30% of the fish population by 2008 and the biomass of cutthroat trout has increased to near record levels. In order to participate in the Stewardship Licence Pilot Project, anglers must annually pass the fish ID test, which consists of 16 pictures of the four fish species (brook, bull, cutthroat and rainbow trout) that are found in the streams covered by the Stewardship Licence. Anglers can take the test either at our Fish and Wildlife office, which is located on the 2nd floor of the Cochrane Provincial Building at 213-1st St West, Cochrane, or at Trout Unlimited Canada's office at Suite 160, 6712 Fisher St SE, Calgary (phone 403-209-5185). If you don't pass the test on your first attempt, you are permitted to do the test a second time, while using a key that shows the key-identifying features. The effectiveness of the fish ID test and key in teaching anglers how to identify fish is apparent by the fact that only 15 of the over 9,500 fish harvested by anglers from Quirk Creek were not brook trout. Anglers who have previously done a supervised outing can then be issued a Stewardship Licence. Anglers who have never done a supervised outing will have their names put on a list and will be contacted when supervised outings are being planned. After completing a supervised outing, you can then be issued a Stewardship Licence, which will permit you to harvest an unlimited number of brook and/or rainbow trout from the streams specified on the Stewardship Licence. Jim Stelfox Senior Fisheries Biologist, Southern Rockies Area Fish and Wildlife Division, Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development Box 1420, Rm 228, 2nd floor, Provincial Building 213-1st Street West Cochrane, Alberta, Canada T4C 1B4 Tel. 403/851-2205, Fax 403/932-2158 Jim.Stelfox@gov.ab.ca STEWARDSHIP LICENCE background information sheet.pdf STEWARDSHIP LICENCE background information sheet.pdf 2012_Stewardship Licence Pilot Project creel data summary_March 15.pdf

The following excerpt, from the e-mail that I just sent out to those who participated in the Stewardship Licence Pilot Project, indicates what I hope we will be able to do for the fishery on upper Willow Creek. Since 1998, over 9,600 brook trout have been harvested from Quirk Creek by anglers via the Quirk Creek Brook Trout Suppression Project and now under the Stewardship Licence Pilot Project. Recent data suggests that the harvest of so many brook trout may finally be facilitating a recovery of the native cutthroat trout population in Quirk Creek. Brook trout comprised less than 20% of the angler catch in Quirk Creek in the last three years and only 8% of the catch in 2012 (versus 72% in 1998). The density of brook trout is also way done, since the brook trout catch rate in Quirk Creek was only 0.2 per hour in 2012, versus 2.5 in 1998. Some long-time participants in the Quirk Creek Brook Trout Suppression Project are now "complaining" that they are having a hard time catching brook trout in Quirk Creek, but report catching lots of large cutthroat trout, some exceeding 40 cm. The solution to their "problem" is simple -- spend more time fishing in Margaret, Meadow or Willow Creeks :-)

Here's the summary data that I was unable to get attached to the above post.

Although we will be expanding this program in 2013 to include a few more waters in the SW portion of the Eastern Slopes, it does not apply to any waters in the National Parks. One other change that will be occurring in 2013 is that harvest of rainbow trout will also be permitted from a few specified waters (including Willow Creek), so the mandatory fish ID test will be modified to include this species. For those who might be interested in participating in this project, I have attached a summary of the data for the past four years, as well as a background information sheet. Cheers, Jim Stewardship Licence-pilot project_background information_2012.pdf 2012_Stewardship Licence Pilot Project creel data summary.pdf

It is possible that anglers, who have passed a fish ID test, will be permitted to harvest an unlimited number of rainbow trout from a few select waters, much as they are currently permitted to harvest brook trout from certain select waters via the Stewardship Licence (after they have passed a fish ID test). Jim

Yes, westslope cutthroat trout have likely been in decline since the early 1900s, initially due to overharvest by anglers, then due to introduction of non-native trout species, hydroelectric development, road construction, logging, cattle grazing, OHVs, etc.. It’s not like nothing was done. In the last 40 years, bag limits have been reduced from 10 to 5 to 2 trout in the Eastern Slopes Region; minimum size limits of 25 cm then 30 or 35 cm were implemented for cutthroat and rainbow trout; and several waters were made catch-and-release. While these regulation changes reduced the impact of angler harvest on westslope cutthroat trout, they did little to address the problems created when non-native rainbow and brook trout were stocked in the early 1900s. It was not until the results of genetic studies, initiated five years ago (and still ongoing), became available, that it became apparent how few genetically pure non-stocked westslope cutthroat trout populations remained. As you know, fisheries biologists only make recommendations. They don’t have the final say regarding land-use practices (e.g., logging, dam construction, OHV use, etc.). If, by proactive management, you mean being able to turn the hands of time back to prevent the stocking of non-native rainbow and brook trout from occurring in the Eastern Slopes Region and dams from being constructed on Lower Kananaskis Lake and Spray Lakes, then I couldn’t agree with you more. However, the reality is that the genie was let out of the bottle when those things happened, and even if catch-and-release regulations had been implemented throughout the Eastern Slopes Region in the 1950s (when Fish and Wildlife first came into existence), we would still essentially be in the same position today regarding westslope cutthroat trout. Once the recovery plan — which was completed in October 2012 — has been reviewed and approved by the Minister of ESRD, it will be available for the public to see. And yes, other causes of the “cuts demise” are addressed in the recovery plan. Jim

I also posted it on the Alberta Outdoorsmen.

A few sportfishing regulation changes are being proposed for implementation in the Kananaskis Country area in 2013. The proposed changes are primarily designed to provide more protection for pure-strain, non-stocked populations of native westslope cutthroat trout. The attached provides background and rationale for the proposed changes. Jim Proposed changes to the 2013 Alberta Sportfishing Regulations.pdf

CopperJohnny is right on both accounts. The first fish can't be a bull X brook hybrid, because it has black spots on its side. However, it sure looks like a tiger trout. The last fish is definitely a brook trout. It has no black spots on its side, but has distinct black markings on its dorsal fin. It is also likely a female, since they tend to be less colourful than the males. The Idaho Fish and Game Department prepared an excellent field guide, which shows how to identify bulls, brookies and hybrids, based on the the differences in markings on their dorsal fin. https://dl.dropbox.com/u/96377272/Bull%20X%...RIBUTION%29.pdf I’ve also attached a link to a photo of a bull X brook hybrid, https://dl.dropbox.com/u/96377272/Bull%20X%...%2860%25%29.jpg as well as a link to a recent paper on the subject. https://dl.dropbox.com/u/96377272/Bull%20X%...l%20%202011.pdf Cheers, Jim

Don, Regarding your first question, while it is possible, that decision would be up to Matthew Coombs, who is managing the fishery for that area. Hybridization of rainbows with cuts is definitely a concern. We aren't relying on thermal barriers in Willow or any of the other streams. This is because, as Willow and the other streams become warmer in the coming decades due to global warming, we expect that rainbows and hybrids will move further upstream in these waters. Ultimately, it is not a very rosy picture for the few remaining populations of pure, resident (never stocked) westslope cuts that are in streams which don't have a waterfall to prevent upstream movement of rainbows. Regards, Jim

No barriers. Unlike Upper Kananaskis Lake, the stocking of bulls in Chain Lakes Reservoir and upper Willow Creek was a bust. Likely reason for failure is that Chain Lakes Reservoir is warmer than UKL and Willow Creek is full of brook trout, which would have made it tough for small bull trout to survive.