mikefromsundre
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Posts posted by mikefromsundre
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Trying to stay dry and warm.
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Just want to clarify, mike: your friend could afford gas, housing, food, etc in BC but not the $20/day license fee?
No. We usually camped in AB and car pooled over to Michelle. Never could this fella have stayed in BC, especially not in a motel. Just so you understand because I realize a tight budget is hard for many in AB to understand. He usually saved Xmas money and birthday money into a fishing fund for the summer. The increased costs put it beyond his budget. He tented and drove an old pickup and carried sandwiches to eat when the rest of us would head in for a sit down meal. Don't get me wrong he would never look for sympathy -it was just the way it is for him. And I would guess a lot of folks. You raise the cost here and you raise it there and pretty soon fishing has become a wealthy man's sport just like it is in Europe.
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"A landowner is a landowner and he controls pretty much who can access his land even grazing lease."
...except any surveyor and any energy company that wants onto your land. They have the mineral rights most land owners do not.
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wife broke her's this summer. 5 minutes at Springbrook in Calgary and I had the new piece ready to fish... No need for a receipt even.
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I agree I am stereotyping, but in the past when I have had a problem with a warrantied product such as small stereo, DVD player and scroll saw I have been told I had to take it up with the company not the store. When we had problems with a computer printer bought in a local small store and a bbq was missing parts also bought from a local store they did the work for me. They contacted the companies and got the new printer and missing parts. The stereo I ended up throwing away because I was going to have to take it to the companies repair shop in Calgary. The scroll saw I had to deliver to a depot in Red Deer and it was sent away for about 6 months. Thank goodness I have not had similar problems with sports gear, especially fishing gear that has been bought at large chain stores. A friend did have a very good experience with a rifle he bought. I have always found the staff in all Calgary outdoor stores, including Bass Pro to be very friendly and helpful. i also had a favorable response on a pair of leaky waders years ago from Cabelas. I guess my hate is on for the larger consumer box stores.
I myself do hate stereotyping people eg. everyone who owns a quad is a jerk... Faceless large corporations I do not have a problem stereotyping. I have had too many bad experiences with the big stores versus the small independent ones. My experience from all my life in small towns is the jerks that run small independent stores do not succeed. Can the same be said for the big box stores? I do not know.
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My kids rods are the low end TFO so I guess if I break them I can quickly get into Calgary and replace them before they know. Gets me thinking -perhaps I should be using their cheap rods which can be replaced quickly if broken and not my built rods which I have to rebuild if I break them (lol). I know I built them to use. Boy am I off topic.
My original point is I like the bargains at the big chain stores but you cannot beat the service from the small guys. We see that in small towns all the time. Sundre Motors (GM) was far better to deal with for a used car this summer than Red Deer. However now GM is closing Sundre because it is not big enough. So my fear of the big chains is that we may appear to gain in value but do we really? Sundre Motors has always stood behind their products here because they know they cannot tick people in a small town off. I think the same holds for any small shop owner. They tick one customer off and he spreads the word and the store hurts. Walmart ticks you off who suffers? I try to boycott Walmart on principle -who suffers, them? I don't think so. Someone spreads the word about Local Joe's Fly Shop and Coffee Bistro and it will suffer.
Having said this I do shop for things at the chains, but realize if I am in trouble with a product I likely will be on my own.
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Dry flies and cutts are really not as easy this year. One very good afternoon on the SRam my wife and I could throw any big foam leggy fly at them and expect a take. However the best fishing was in the faster water at the top of every run. At one run we did not see a single fish from the slower tail of the run where we usually find them(?). Water was higher and faster than normal(?)
Same Tues on the NRam.
However yesterday on the Livingstone fish were mostly in the slower water taking dries and not in the fast. Streamers did find some in the fast water but they were not looking to the surface.
That is what is great about nature -just when you think you know it all something different happens.
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...And yes I never leave home now without a spare rod and reel. It helps that my kids have left their rods in my care when they have moved. Don't tell them I use their rods as my spares (lol).
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Broke my Sage a few years ago. I had built it myself so I phoned the guys at Fish Tales to see what I should do. They explained the procedure to me and then offered to send my rod to Sage with a shipment they were sending even though I had not bought the blank from them. Now isn't that service?
Since I am from out of town I gratefully declined their offer and mailed it myself. As I recall the rod was back in a couple of weeks -but of course then I had to start into to rebuild the broken piece. I had to pay the shipping both ways and had to insure the broken rod when I shipped it. So really the $30 that TFO charged my wife this summer when she broke her TFO is not excessive and we had to new rod ready to go in a day.
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Yeah, the Alberta Way, run over the signs. Funny how over in Saskabush the trails stop @ the signs and here the excuse is "I never seen no effin' sign" Also damn funny is the assumption around here is that it's the local redneck hillbillies doin' the damage. Since I am or was a local redneck hillbilly long term random camper I have a news flash for y'all, the vast vast majority of us local rednecks quit our rippin and tearin' 5-10 yrs ago when the new crop of strangers showed up, the ones with absolutely no respect for campsites, signs, trails or waterways. I've often wondered how long term of residents some of these fuzzy balled idiots are.
Agree. I am beginning to feel guilty every time I pull off the road to random camp like I have done for years or when I unload my quad to drive up a road or trail. I too have seen a change in attitude and behavior from some the last few years. It is getting harder for me to live my philosophy -I always try to leave a campsite, be it a random spot, campground, high mountain meadow that I hike into, wherever, better when I leave than when I first got there. Sometimes now I would have to haul an entire half ton load of garbage out or carry a full pack of beer cans and garbage out from the stream.
The "redneck" camper of old enjoyed and appreciated the bush and would not do anything to harm it.
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"A friend of mine had to give up fishing in BC because there was no room in his budget for the high cost of a license plus $20 per day"
So, if your friend doesn't go and his friends don't either, isn't that called "reducing pressure" ? Isn't that your "information" right there? Sure, some people will actually read the regs and rationalize that a "classified" water will be a better fishing experience. Doesn't that say something? I haven't counted out of province cars, just how many boats and people are actually on the river. It isn't as crowded, there are a LOT fewer privately-owned drift boats with a rower and two "friends".
My concern is we limit access and reduce pressure by raising the cost which makes the fishing exclusive for those that can afford it. Perhaps classified streams could be on a yearly draw like hunting. I can generally count on getting my elk tags every three to four years -it is not based on how much I can pay.
With a draw you can ensure that Albertan's get a higher % of the fishing days compared to out of province or out of country.
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Does classifying waters such as the Elk and Michelle Ck actually result in less pressure?
I have not read any scientifically collected data or information on the topic. From personal observation I felt it actually had increased the pressure on Michelle. A couple of years after the regs went into affect I saw far more rental cars and out of country license plates. I met a fella from the US who told me that when he saw that the Elk system was now classified he figured it had to be good fishing if they were going to the trouble of classifying it. In other words classifying it drew more attention to it. Bob Scammel makes a similar observation in the recent Cdn Fly Fisherman.
My second thought is raising fees starts to make fishing exclusive. My guess is when that happens the "average" Albertan starts to say to hell with fishing and you soon are faced with even a bigger reduction in licenses sold than we have over the years. I realize it is hard for some Albertans to understand that a great many of us are on budgets. A friend of mine had to give up fishing in BC because there was no room in his budget for the high cost of a license plus $20 per day. I have had to do the same in other areas. The cost of golfing at the local courses has reduced the number of rounds I can golf a year. Again I realize for many Albertans that is hard to fathom -but it is reality for many of us. Higher fees for fishing, two tier medical systems, private schools.... so we charge more for streams so that the select few can have a great experience.
I agree we need far more enforcement out there... but will that reduce pressure? It will help the fisheries though and that should be our focus not can I have a great day without a lot of others around. If that is your aim as has been said earlier get a map and some hiking boots. My wife and I had a wonderful day all to ourselves last week on a cutthroat stream after a 45 minute hike away from everyone else.
I have said it before I feel a lot of the pressure is a result of our promoting and advertising of what we have. Doubts- check out the articles in the recent issue of Cdn Fly Fisherman.
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Wife and I were on the Ram this week. Fish were in love with any big foam fly with lots of rubber leg wiggling. The only problem was hook up. The dry fly hooks I used for foam flies have too small of a gap once all that foam is tied on top. So continuing with the topics of the 2 thread below -what hooks are you using for big foam flies? Club sandwich, Chern. ants, Alien bugs in sizes 12 and up...
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I fell and bent my favorite little reel -an Orvis 3-4 weight Battenkill. It is about 20 years old and was still working like it was new. I bent it so the spool would not spin inside the rim. I have managed to carefully rebend it. It still wobbles a bit, I did not want to get too aggressive with rebending and end up cracking it. I used it for 4 days last week and it seems to work just fine. But it is scratched up. Has anyone attempted to repaint scratches on a reel? Or should I just live with it and think of the the scratches as character?
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I believe this topic has been discussed many times on the board, but as it is also close to my heart I have to put in my 2 cents. My wife did her MA thesis on recreational use of this area-both interviewing users through a roadside survey and through a formal mapping of the use areas. In short, use of the area from a multitude of users is increasing--fishing/hiking/quadding/camping/horse back riding, etc.. And that's just your recreational use (her focus). Then you have your commercial use, etc..
Recreational use is on the rise for many reasons, two primary ones of late (past few years) has been the push/pull factor of closures of other areas as well as the recent decline in the economy. Before the latter, you could replace it with the booming oil/gas sector and the "weekend" factor that accompanies it.
I think you're right in that there are a lot of people out there who respect the land. Unfortunately, as with all sports (even fly-fishing), there are those who don't follow the rules that are there to protect the resources we love. With some recreational pursuits (e.g. quadding/bogging) the impact of that unlawful use is greater felt due to the nature of that activitity (compare a hiker walking where they shouldn't vs. a quad ripping through somewhere they shouldn't).
What's the answer? Well, if there was one (that worked) we wouldn't be having this discussion. There have been many land use plans in the past, but in the end there are a lot of us who love the land for various reasons and we all have a right to engage in our pursuits. I'm an advocate for a multi-tiered plan that would be based on zoning (e.g. closures/temp. closures/restricted use/etc.) and involved education and enforcement. For example, have an area that is designed specifically for bogging use. Have other areas that are non-motorized recreation only, etc. And most importantly, have lots of officers on the ground and giving out hefty fines (to all users, fishermen alike) to curb illegal activity.
Numerous barries exist, including heavy lobbying power by the quadding sector, apathy among those being effected, elected officials that have other priorities, etc. However, Harps had a good suggestion to write to your officials. The only way we can protect our resources is if we speak up. Other recommendations would be to get involved with organizations that share your view (either by volunteering or donating $$), and even having a friendly conversation with other users. Heck, a few nice words and education about the impact to our land goes a long way to creating common ground....
Thanks some good thoughts here...
The multi-tiered approach was used in the planning and creation of Kananaskis country. I was at university at the time and many of the environment and geog. profs were involved in the planning and often discussed it in their classes. The west country is big and has space for everyone. There are areas that could even be used for the of roaders. But it all comes down to a gov't willing to plan it and to enforce it.
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Just noticed several comments about the increase in random campers in the area at the South Ab. stream report thread. And I do random camp -I am sure some of you have seen me. But I am self contained use my own toilet and truck it home, take all my own garbage out and lately try to pick up other stuff as well. My wife and I enjoy being able to fish until dark and walk up to our trailer and have drink and hit the sack without driving. We have been camping in the area for 10 years+ and do not feel anyone would ever have a concern with us. And really I do not have a concern with 90% of the folks camped anywhere in the forestry -it is the other 10% that worry me.
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I get a chance I will send a note to Ted Morton. I forwarded a copy to Cory W. He is out of his office until Aug 4. I will post any replies I get from the gov't.
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Been down to the Livingstone twice this summer -first week of July and last week (water was high but it fished well). I am seeing a change in the area. The large group camps with quaders and off roaders is on the increase. The first week of July (the holiday was Wed.) the area had more quaders and dirt bikers than I have ever seen. All of them had to at some time during the week cross back and forth at the 2 stream crossings that are across from the ranch house. Everyone I met was respectful and decent guys. Several waited at the south ford before crossing while I fished.
Last week there was a huge campsite across from the ranch -5 trailers, I lost track of how many quads (even several of the little kiddy ones), a dune buggy and a 4x4 with a snorkle air intake. I never did see them cross the river, but every evening they would arrive back very muddy so they were tearing it up some place. Other than that they were well behaved and quiet.
Thurs. as I was moving to the Crow (mistake it was high and muddy and did not fish well) two vehicles full of high school age kids came roaring in (they did not have quads and were just looking to party). They looked at the campsite at the bottom of the north ford opposite White Creek. When they saw we were leaving they decided to take our camp spot. As I drove out I saw 1 guy toss a beer can into the trees and another light up a joint -it was 9am! Even though the Crow did not fish I was sure glad I had got the heck out of there.
In over 10 years in the area I have never seen this many people camped in the area nor seen the area being abused like this before. I talked to one of the ranchers. He said he is seeing more people and is having to repair a lot more fences and has had to clean up some messes and put camp fires out.
I am not sure my point for this post. I wonder if anyone else is seeing this. Is this the result of the closure of other areas after damage? Will we have the Livingstone area damaged and then closed as well? And yes I own a quad and have used it to access areas, but I do not use it with the sole purpose of seeing if I can climb the steepest hill, or cross the deepest water or find the biggest mud hole to plow through. While I did not really encounter any jerks (other than the kids) -once the area becomes known for quading and partying are the jerks far behind? Thoughts? I know my time this summer on the Livingstone has not been as enjoyable as other years.
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It is not just posts here -it is a much bigger ball game. I think I commented about this a few years back. Yes there are more people giving out info. The sport has grown. Question -how many people reading this were fishing 10 years ago, 15, or 20? We all start off on the common easy to access streams and will naturally want to explore further afield.
10 years ago I could easily spend 3 days on the Ram and be the only person there. It was easy to find a spot to be by yourself any evening on the Crow. Not now. So we move further out. Last year I had a group from the US tell me where the fishing was good on the Livingston. Several years ago I met 3 different groups one cold day in Aug. on the Crow all were from the US. How many of you saw the recent article in Cdn. Fly Fisherman about SW AB. written by a fella from California?
This is why I promote the hell out of Sundre's great golf courses. Coyote Creek G.C. was filled solid this weekend. Excellant that means they were not on my local streams.
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Over the years my buddies and I have found that Climax leader/leader has given us the less headaches with breakage. And we have found that whatever leader you use match the same brand of tippet. We do not know why. But if we use Sc. Angler leader with Climax tippet we have all kinds of breakage problems.
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Good report thanks. I am glad I read some of the comments. It reminded me that I bought flies from Icky Flies this spring and they all have barbs. When I tie I always mash mine down before I tie them so I had kind of forgotten all about barbless -my flies are automatically barbless if they go in the box. I need to go back through all my boxes and check for Icky flies.
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When I am by myslelf it has got to be Ian Tyson as I drive south through Longview. If buddies are with me we talk way too much solving the country's problems to have music on. On the way back to keep awake classic rock 107. Anywhere else it is usually too bumpy or noisy to have music on. I was pleased to find out along the trunk road around Burnt T I could pick up Q107. When I am by myself it was kind of nice to have some radio on.
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1. encourage more folks to golf
2. convince all the city folks that the bears are big and nasty out in the west country
3. fish all summer (after my daughter's wedding the first of July)
4. start planning for my dream season of fishing when I retire in a few years
5. use my new SLR to take some great photos of friends fishing (and use them to make great Xmas cards and presents)
6. get out more in the fall
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Thanks guys. I'll try the TV idea this weekend.
Setting Up A Female......
in General Chat - Fishing Related
Posted
wife has used the lady's waders from cabelas for 2 years now -no problem. check out linda mclennan's web site. she has been involved with casting for life and women's fly fishing for years. she might be able to offer some advice.