DonAndersen

Life is getting better. Back into the rod shop for the last 3 days. Gotta get two rods ready for customers. Then some fly pictures. I may survive. Don

Brian, how about we all do it. I suspect based on nothing more than the lousy success rate of FF types IDing fish species for Quirk Creek experiment we all need a tune up. Don

For whatever it’s worth. $4,500,000,000 giveaway at 5% = $225,000,000 in interest campground closing = $5,000,000 Don

It should be required for all anglers irrespective of age or presumed experience levels. it could be lodged on line and require a passing grade to fish. There could be a nominal charge or even none, however the course would include evidence of passing that you must carry to fish in Alberta. There should be no “by” for anyone. Don

Folks,The Hunter Training guys have put together a real good educational program c/w an exam and certificate.AND ITS FREE!!!!!!! Not sure how that happened but my hat off to those that made this possible. It took me about 3 hours to do the program and answer the questions. This type of program has been requested by many individuals and fishing groups for many years. Clear evidence exists many anglers do not do fish identification well making species management all but impossible. https://319.yssecure.com/cart_builde...roductID=60179Hint, look to the right side and click FREE. Have fun,Don

We had already prepared for a couple of weeks as Sandy doesn’t drive anymore. The local coop delivers so we can stock up on vegetables as needed. Don

SD, Left knee replaced in March 17. Can’t go drive for 6 weeks. already going stir crazy. Don

Perhaps 25 years ago I caught a Grayling of about 10” in the Belly River while fishing with Dean Baaynes. Heard fish Fish and Wildlife captured another near Glenwood. Don

What do I do with the semi load of toilet paper if we all forget the panic? Don

Me and the boys were discussing this issue today and I pointed out that most of us sitting there are old and old people cost lots. So, we get thinned out and the money squirrelled away by us floods the market and the economy booms, the health care system gets rid of all the high spenders. As a side note, the old guys will disappear from all you fishing spots. A win- win -win all around. Hows that for a cheerful Mid-Feb. thought. Don

Clearly, we are losing opportunities to fish. Not only from access restrictions but lose of water. The Three River Dam is a prime example. What can be done, well When I got Ironside Pond done it added another opportunity. Fiesta lake another but we lost Dipping Vat and Boekles. How do we reverse the trend? i got a call last night from a fellow who wanted to know what waters could be done. Several opportunities exist near Sundre plus others north of Rocky and more near Rimbey but they require someone to push and push hard to make it happen. Increasing opportunities on flowing water is tough. Dam removal would help but is never gonna happen. However, many of those irrigation dams would make wonderful pike fisheries. Everytime I drive to Police Outpost I look at those ponds and lakes in the Hillspring >Mointainview area and wonder how big of a pike they would grow, So,, what is keeping the fishing community from getting things done? Frankly, I’m tired. Been listening to the “ why don’t they do this or that” for far too many years. Why don’t we substitute the they with I? Don

Some of the streams in the area may not fall under the Classified Waters designation. Check the regulations. I found one that I fished that had decent cutthroat fishing years ago. Don

Brian, We do not deal with predation. Biggest issue up this way are ravens just another invasive. however, the bugs are killed by chemistry Don

How do you tie a Rapala? Don

For bug eaters. https://www.ctvnews.ca/sci-tech/half-a-million-insect-species-face-extinction-scientists-1.4805546

Lee’s Lake - solid north bank camp at Lumbreck Falls or commercial operation in the pass. I used to camp at Hiawatha It is under new operators. Don

Fished the Crow from 1980>2002. Each time more sewage was directed to the Frank plant, the lower the insect population. The last straw was the East Hillcrest flow to Frank Slide plant reduced catch rate to abysmal. Further, the fish health dropped obviously effecting spawning success. All pollution is not bad. Don

Gee Jayhad, you going to poke at me you better be prepared to follow my lead. ive reduced my time on flowing waters by 60 % three years ago and to <1% last year, on still water I haven’t fair much better reducing my time to 70% of three years ago. walk the talk will ya! Don

But there is a different way to make your thoughts known. Here is a link where you can share your thoughts. https://talkaep.alberta.ca/aep-fisheries-management?tool=survey_tool#tool_tab regards,, Don

This is a copy of a note I wrote to a I suspect these meetings are more than hot air. There has been a movement headed by a retired Alberta biologist and past Fish and Game Assoc. Provincial President to increase the kill fishery at several lakes in the NE part of Alberta. He has solicited support from many including Municipal Govts, Chambers Of Commerce and the like. The splatter effect has already been felt in Rocky by the Govt legitimizing illegal perch stocking at Struble Lake SW of Rocky. This allows fishermen to keep perch now. This seemed to be a sop to illegal stockers and will encourage more illegal stocking. Further, there was a lot of whining and yodelling when Dolberg Lakes were changed. The Barrhead newspaper attempted to sway public sentiment by publishing strange statements. One has to recall the incredible effort it takes to return to some decent fishing and for the anglers to risk jumping back to the past seems way past silly. With the change of Govt. I have no idea what to expect. I guess, doing nothing risks it all, Don

Less talking - more doing!

Bcubed, what would/should be done? 1) no equipment allowed into Canada from infested areas. 2) no equipment allowed across provincial borders from infested areas. 3) commercial ag,ing operation found not cleaning clients gears fined <$ 100,000. 4) add to prohibited fish list that must not be imported into Alberta, increase fines for importers. Several years ago the list in Alberta was one fish long whereas other provinces had 80>100 on the list. 5) educated the public to keep from stocking exotics like goldfish. The list could go on forever but what is the point. Who cares? Don

The mind set of NOT dealing with fisheries issue goes much further back in time that tbe UPC. If anglers, commercial angling operations really gave a *hit, they would force the Govt to change. Don

In Alberts many years ago one of the joys of spring was watching very large trout take advantage of newly stocked trout. Doesnt happen much anymore. Few big trout left. But not everywhere. Saw several rainbows become groceries over the past three years at Mitchell Lake. Don

WD, Asian Carp, Zebra mussels are now just over the Sask border, exotic fish stocked everywhere. The list of lack of action could go on for pages. when in the he’ll are we gonna off our butts are really deal with what is killing our fisheries. Don