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.

No, only ever had Simms or Chota. Also tried Redington and they were even wider. I'll look into Orvis and Patagonia. Thanks.

Do you re-felt them yourself or is there a service like a shoe shop somewhere that does this? Thanks Adams

I've worn Simms (Freestones and Guide) boots for decades, but lately they seem to be making them all for extra wide feet (3W width) and my regular width feet slip around inside them (even with the neoprene booty). I could wear a couple pairs of extra socks, but that's not a great option on a hot summer's day. Does anyone have a recommendation for good wading boots that are narrower (regular) width? I don't have any good fly shops close by to shop around, so I tend to have my wife pick me up a pair when she travels to Calgary. Thanks Adams

I also loved the Chotas but can't find them anymore. Funny how when they finally produce a really good product they stop making them. I have Simms freestones (vibram sole) and I"ve had the felt sole version in the past. I find the vibram a little thin and can feel some rocks at the end of the day compared to the felt. You will also need to spend another $62 or so to put star cleats on the vibram sole, otherwise I find the boots dangerously slippery on the stream bed. You also want to buy some extra star cleats because some will fall out and/or loosen during the season. The felt version is definitely more comfortable and ready to go, but the vibram is supposedly better for the environment. Adams

Del, Good on you for such a positive attitude. You fished through some of the toughest and strangest weather I've seen for this time of year. However, I expect you had the place pretty much to yourself as not many would bother to venture out in those conditions. September usually has very good weather for fishing but you hit it at a very bad time unfortunately. Glad to hear you had a good time regardless. Adams

Had a very strange day on a southern watershed. I’ve had many bulls chase fish I’ve hooked and even had a couple latch on for a while, but never anything like this. I hooked a fair sized cutt (about 15 inches is my guess) and as I was playing him towards me I caught a movement out of the corner of my eye and a very large bull rushed up the current (fairly shallow water) and hit him sideways. There was actually a wake in the water and it looked and felt like a shark hitting its prey. I was shocked because this wasn’t your typical small cut/white that bulls chase and this also wasn’t your typical looking bull. He was a tank…. A junk-yard dog of a bull. I’ve never seen one that wide before. Truly a fresh water shark look. Despite that, the cutt was not small either and I was sure he would release it or the cutt would shake himself free shortly. When that didn’t happen I tried to help the cutt by pulling on the line gently but that bull was not letting go and was starting to chomp on the cutt and work him around to get him head-first. I pulled the two of them over right next to me with as much force as I thought the 6 weight could handle and then reached down and grabbed the bull in front of the tail, thinking the shock of this would surely make him release and run for cover. Didn’t bother him at all and he continued to reposition the cutt and started to swallow him head first. I really started to panic at this point because I realized not only was the cutt going to die, but the hook in the cutt was already into the bull’s mouth and would be ingested by him (can’t imagine how that would work out for him). So, I pulled the bull’s tail straight up out of the water as much as I could one-handed (rod in the other hand) and when he still didn’t let go I started gently booting the bull with one leg. This still didn’t phase him and by this time all I could see of the cutt was the end of his tail. There was nothing else I could do and he was very heavy so I released my grip and the bull swam across to a big log jam, breaking my line in the process, to digest his meal. I don’t think he was much over 30 inches in length but I estimate his weight to be about 15 pounds. I’ve caught 30 inch Atlantic salmon that go 10 pounds but they are slim ballerinas compared to this guy. Interesting thing is that I had the impression that he had done this before and had sidled up close to me when he saw me fishing in anticipation of a free meal. The really strange thing is that, 90 minutes later on another river in the same watershed, the exact same thing happened to me again. Smaller cut (12 inches) and smaller bull (maybe 10 pounds) and this time I got the cut free in a few seconds and he swam away with the bull giving up pursuit quickly. The bull then moved up to position himself about 20 feet downstream of the tip of my rod and just sat there in the crystal clear shallow water at the tail-out of the pool, just waiting. I moved towards him and he moved off a little… I moved back and he re-assumed his position. Call me crazy, but I think those bull’s have learned that fisherman mean a free meal and positioned themselves close to me and just waited. I moved upstream to get away from the situation and was leery every time I caught a fish for the rest of the day. Not sure how that bull will end up with a size 14 hook in his digestive system.

Thanks for the feedback everyone.

Didn't want to hijack the discussion on Tacoma tires, so thought I'd start another. Looking for tire recommendations/experiences from anyone driving a Ram 1500. My 2017 blew out a tire (stock Goodyear Wrangler SRA) with only 14,000 kms on it. Happened on the Blackstone at the worst possible place and I am extremely careful and slow when driving on roads with sharp rocks, so not sure how this happened. Looks like a sharp rock or something pushed up through the bottom tread and then it split about an inch on each side (so the tire is not repairable). Now I don't trust the other 3 tires either so looking to make a brand change to something that will resist flats the most. Never had AT tires as they are reported to be noisy, bad on gas and not the best handling... but would they be better than all-season for flats? I drive 80% on the highway and 20% on dirt, so looking at Michelin defender LTX, but Kal tire also pointed out the Sumitomo AT (never heard of the brand but they are all-weather and also have the winter rating). Maybe the Goodyear's are known for flats and I'll be OK with the Michelins? Thanks for any feedback.

I will certainly try. Problem is the truck is so dirty and come at you in an incredible cloud of dust, but I will see if I can catch a number.

I've had to take refuge in the bushes/side of the road a number of times from the trucks and it's been on straightaways where the driver has you in plain sight for a long time. Radio isn't going to help that.