ÜberFly

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/data-shows-alberta-off-road-vehicle-use-unsustainable-environmental-group-says-1.3139097 Nearly a decade's worth of data and observation from an environmental group suggests Alberta's fragile backcountry is being damaged by unsustainable off-highway vehicle use. Ruts deep enough to swallow a person and erosion that has relocated streambeds shows that some areas can't handle motorized traffic even if users do their best to be responsible, says the Alberta Wilderness Association. "We have photographs of trenches that are so bad that a person is standing at the bottom of it and it's over their head," said Sean Nichols, who runs the association's trail-monitoring project. "There are some areas where there are three or even four trails parallel because all but the most recent are essentially impassable." Since 2003, the association has buried traffic sensors at three trailheads connecting about 70 kilometres of designated off-highway vehicle trails in the Bighorn region in the Alberta foothills, southwest of Edmonton. The group has also sent teams up the trails to photograph changes. Its numbers show use has grown significantly. Although traffic dropped in flood years, the number of vehicles on those trails grew from 3,226 in 2007 to 5,544 in 2014. Monitors also used GPS co-ordinates to document changes and measure the depth and length of ruts. The erosion gets so bad it diverts streambeds, said Nichols. "When the stream gets diverted down the trail, even (conscientious) riders end up driving in the streams because that's where the trail is." Nichols said the data shows trail use during closed periods has actually declined and signs urging riders to stay on marked trails are largely heeded. The problem, he said, is that these trails — and others like them — are in the wrong place to begin with. "There are areas where one could reasonably place trail networks and it would have a low impact," he said, adding the Bighorn area problems are common up and down the Alberta foothills. "Worse in some areas, better in others." Sustainable trails neededDave Coutts of the Alberta Off Highway Vehicle Association said the problem stems from increases in ownership and vehicle capability. "The infrastructure just has not kept up." He said his group has long sought a provincial network of sustainable and properly engineered trails that will keep the vehicles out of places where they cause damage. "People have got to learn you can't just go everywhere with these machines." Coutts said the activity needs to be properly managed by the government. Ryan Heise of Alberta Environment said the province is dealing with the issue through its land-use frameworks. Two such agreements — including one that covers the Bighorn area — have been hammered out. "It's a combination of consultation and looking at the cumulative effects of land usage," he said. "Those marked trails have been developed based on consultation and cumulative effects management. If that's not working out, there may be a need to go back and re-evaluate some of these trails." But the land-use plans have been a disappointment, said Nichols. "There still is no access management plan as such, anywhere. We're still waiting for an actual plan with implementation details, with any kinds of limits." Nichols said the association has shown its data to Alberta Environment every fall, without effect. "The first 80 per cent of the meeting is getting the land managers to grudgingly admit that maybe this isn't the right place. "And nothing ever tends to happen, and we have the same meeting over again."

You mean Nancy!!

Except for the tough as nails part. I know a couple of people that have Nautilus reels and have dropped them and the spools have bent fairly easily. Though I have no 1st had exp. with this!

Bow River Troutfitters downtown and Fishtales are both top notch!

Yup! Though I can only comment on what I own, and I don't have a Nautilus, yet!

Made in the USA (with Lifetime Warrantee) or off shore for pretty much the same price? Easy decision!

Go for either a Bauer or Galvan. Made in the USA and tough as nails. Nuff said!

Hence my warning about him poaching your water!!

Yup! He'll poach your water and "low hole" you every chance he gets!! Watch out!!

Dave, What you may have heard is that Sage owns Redington and it's the Redington Blanks that are made off shore. P

You decide! http://www.kijiji.ca/v-fishing-camping-outdoor/lethbridge/wanted-water-tank/1083691407?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true

Nope!

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Dr. Joanna Pytka McLeod Animal Hospital! Amazing!!

I never got the call Steve!!!!

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The latter, Paul... The latter

Lorne, Thanks for the info. A permit is not required within GNP, but is if you fish within the State. I'l let you know how things go. P

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http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/alberta-trout-threatened-say-anglers-and-environmentalists-1.3112452 Alberta's trout are threatened by industry and recreation near the rivers, say anglers and environmentalists. Changes made to Alberta's list of 'at-risk' animals Banff grizzly bear filmed catching and feeding on fish Terry Johnson, an experienced guide who fishes many of southern Alberta's waterways, says one of the big problems in the Oldman watershed near Lethbridge and Fort Macleod is recreational users. "Access to the river has become so easy down there, camping right beside the river. Those guys are tearing up the river when they're crossing it with their quads," he said. Dave Mayhood, a spokesman for the Timberwolf Wilderness Society, said there are also problems with the Bow River watershed. "Our native trout, bull trout and cutthroat trout are severely depleted. Where they were once very abundant throughout the Oldman and Bow river basins, they're now restricted to very high elevation," he said. Mayhood wants a moratorium on clear-cut logging and he wants Fisheries and Oceans Canada to issue a habitat protection order. He believes the federal government is violating its own rules when it comes to trout fisheries and Mayhood says the group is prepared to go to court over the issue. "We'd really like not to have to do that because why should you have to force the government to obey its own laws." Mayhood also says the province should get more involved in protecting trout fisheries.

Nice photos Marc! Keep them coming!

Did you try downsizing (or upsizing) the fly and/or downsizing the tippet? What about colour? Did you have the correct colour of caddis? Were all your caddis flies the same style? P

That's the one of the ones we are looking at!

Did you try vinegar?