adams

Anyone else wondering where the mountain runoff is? I heard there may be a little less than average snowpack, but there still should have been a deluge by now. I do seem to remember a year where there was virtually nothing though?

Older post I know, but I found a solution that works for me I'd like to share. I simply bring my own portable toilet with me. I use the Luggable Loo ($50 at CT) and the Double Doodie bags ($20 for 6). This way I always have my own private toilet (with no worries about unsanitary past users), I don't leave any unsightly mess behind, and I have zero impact on the mountain environment (I simply deposit the bag in the trash). Minimal cost for a peace of mind. Adams

My wife's Honda CRV had the CC cut off it one night while parked under a streetlight in front of our house (at -32 degrees must have been cold getting under there). We replaced it (at a cost of $1600) and parked the CRV in the back of the house to hide it. A few nights later, they cut the new one off too. We replaced it with straight pipe this time.

I kind of like it when someone says they are just staying at the one hole. I like to wade and cover a lot of ground, so it leaves the rest of the stream open for me to walk (and the water is undisturbed). Now, if there is someone parked at every hole, that's a different situation.

They used to mark the grains on the box and each line weight had to fall within a standard range to correctly marked. I guess, like most things these days, flashy marketing spin and fancy names trumps quality.

Will a Youtube or other video be posted afterwards for those that can't make the presentation? Thanks Adams

If you are concerned about the Grassy Mountain coal mine and its effects on our waterways, fishing and existing economies in the Pass, you can leave a comment for the panel here: https://iaac-aeic.gc.ca/050/evaluations/proj/80101/participation I have already registered my firm opposition to this project as I believe it is a very poor and short-sighted investment with a terrible risk/reward profile. 400 temporary jobs (the mine only has a 23 year life span) that will generate only about $100 million/year in tax revenue, yet potentially threaten the existing perpetually self-sustaining economies (tourism, fly-fishing, etc.) that bring in much more tax revenue does not make sense. Not to mention the risk to our pristine waterways and fish which are already threatened by whirling disease. The addition of selenium and/or other contaminants in the water would finish them off. Adams

I think first we need to control the out of province anglers and guides. Simple to do..... increase fees 10x for them and/or implement system similar to BC. That may or may not, in itself, restore our streams and our fishing experience. If further action is needed, I would fully support a regulated rod-day system on our most pressured streams (Oldman, Livingston etc.). I would, personally, much rather be permitted to only fish these streams for a few days a season, and have a restricted amount of anglers on that day, than have the free-for-all we have now. I think this would be healthy for the fish populations and help to restore the experience back to what it was 20+ years ago. I stay away from these streams anyway for that very reason, but now the other streams are getting the same way. As much as I hate government ineptitude and beaurocracy (with a passion), I think it is a necessary evil in this case. Just too many people in close proximity to these streams now. Adams

I hope the Govt takes this report and specifically the Recommendations section seriously and gets serious about WD. In the meantime, the only thing we can do (besides petition the Govt) is to be extra careful. The COVID thing has had a positive side-effect in limiting the American anglers, albeit too late.

I've been trying to get Kold Kutters but can only find them in the states and by the time you pay shipping, duty etc. they get expensive. Have you found a place to buy them in Canada??

Hope these aren't being bought with COVID bucks.

Anyone else notice a lot of green seaweed-looking stuff on the streambed of the middle section of the Oldman? The area around the Gap was absolutely carpeted in it last year (haven't been there this year) and now this year I noticed it up further (close to the confluence). I don't recall seeing it in year's past. Noticed it on the Crowsnest last year too (again, haven't been this year). Does anyone know what it is? Where it came from? Is it harmful in any way to the fish or environment? Adams

I had the exact same experience (probably on that exact same river). Cutties are becoming more like browns with all the pressure.

I carried a camera on my vest for years, but had to jettison it because my back is so bad that even that little bit of weight makes a difference (terrible getting old:). Same goes for the bear spray.... hope I never need it. I have sent pictures in before, and even had a quadder who was tearing up the blackstone confronted by officers (he eventually got off with just a warning despite my pictures and report). These ones on the Fallentimber are very easy to find and there are quadders camped right there. If the government did even a half ass job they would periodically patrol and investigate these areas, stop and talk to quadders about what is proper behaviour, and hand out a few fines where appropriate. It's not rocket science. It would only take an afternoon every week or so and I've voiced these suggestions to many iterations of government in the past.

Not related to the Castle area specifically, but I was on the Fallentimber yesterday and saw many ATV crossings that had "burned/revved" the banks down into 6 foot high ditches on each side that would be absolute torrents of mud entering the river every time it rains. Looked like someone has driven a bulldozer across each one. Understandably the river was full of muddy silt below each one. Absolutely no justification for this from anyone or any group as far as I'm concerned. These machines have the capability to do so much damage and destruction, even in the hands of only a few idiot owners, that I would personally ban them from any area that could potentially be destroyed and establish a couple of special areas in the province where they can damage and destroy until their hearts are content. Letter sent.