DonAndersen

I received the email below from Carl Hunt, retired biologist for the Hinton/Edson region. The Athabaska Rainbow is the only native rainbow in Alberta. Don Dear SARA Population numbers of Athabasca rainbow trout are variable due to natural environmental events, land use changes in their native habitat and angler harvest, however an overall decline became noticeable in the early 1990’s. A review of the population status was conducted and stocks were considered “May Be At Risk” in the General Status of Alberta Wildlife Species, 2005 report. The Provincial Status report was completed in 2009 by two eminent Fisheries Professors (Joseph Rasmussen & Eric Taylor). The Provincial Scientific Subcommittee reviewed the information and the Endangered Species Conservation Committee recommended a provincial designation of “Threatened”, 2009. A provincial recovery team was organized in 2010 including federal representatives (DFO & Jasper Park) and completed a recovery plan and recommendations, that received Provincial approval in 2014. The committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada, COSEWIC, 2014, recommended Athabasca Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), as "Endangered" under the Species at Risk Act (SARA). The urgent public consultation period was a short 30 days (2016-01-08 to 2016-02-09) and yet three years later, I can't find any 'action' to list or protect this unique population of rainbow trout. The decline of Athabasca Rainbow Trout was recognized over 20 years ago, documented by scientists at least 10 years ago and recommended by Provincial & Federal Science Committees as 'Threatened' & now 'Endangered', but SARA is still processing the information! Angling has been limited to catch and release for this population for over 20 years and last year a complete five year angling closure was recommended by Provincial fish managers for an entire river watershed (Berland River and tributaries ). However, no Federal or Provincial government actions have been reported that reduce habitat destruction. I am aware of continuing evaluations and culvert surveys but the 'ACTIONS' have not been summarized or made available to the public. I continue to review the SARA notifications but I'm unable to find even a priority list for 'Endangered' freshwater Fish. Does SARA have a priority list for review and approval of species recommended by COSEWIC? If so, where is Athab RNTR listed and when can anglers and the public expect the official designation that might provide habitat protection or at least some enforceable legislation? Carl Hunt Edson Alberta Timeline ACTION summary for Athabasca Rainbow Trout 2005 - May be at Risk 2009 - Threatened 2014 - Threatened Provincially & nominated by COSEWIC as Endangered. 2016 - Public review by SARA 2019 - Results of public review ? 2020 - Designation by SARA ?? 20__ - Extirpation ________??? Cc. Dr. Darryl Smith, Fish Chair, Alberta Fish & Game Assoc. Carolyn Campbell, Conservation Specialist, Alberta Wilderness Association, Neil Keown, Chair, Alberta Chapter, Backcountry Hunters Anglers Silvia D’Amelio, Chief Executive Officer, TUC, Alberta FishWildOldtime, Retired F&W staff, Alberta. Bcc. General Public

Hi, i fish Cartland 444 DT lines on 5 weights and under. Been using them for near 45 years. First decent fly line I got was a Cortland 333 bought from Harry Horner who worked at Woodward’s in Chinook Mall. I paid a whole $13.00 when my days pay was $10.75/day in 1964. In 6 weights, I use Cortland WF6F, and Sci. Ang. Ultimate Trout and several sinking likes from a number of companies. For bass and pike, I am presently using a wet tip and a bass bug taper from Sci. .Ang. I have several steelhead wet tips and specialized shooting tapers. Several things about today’s line manufacturers concern me. Several build their lines 1/2>2 lines weights heavier than marked on the box. Each of them seem to confess the real weights on their respective web sites. Be careful, they will and do BS you. Most line manufacturers build decent products. I have owned several other lines from other manufacurers and returned to what I listed above. I get about 250 days out of a Floating line cleaning them occasionally. As far as bamboo rods, I fish the same lines on them or graphite or glass. Makes no difference to me. The only line I own that really is different is a HDH (6 weight) silk line that casts further, lands lighter and lasts longer than any plastic line. Some people talk about 25 year old silk lines. Regards, Don

A friend andcI were playong in the front yard today with a bevy of 8’>8’3” rods in 6 weight. These are big river or lake rods. We were putting cast out well over 70’ without much double hauling. Three of the four were solid and one was hollowed. All were six strip. Good fun on a winter day. Don

I couldn’t resist. There are more bamboo rod builders today than most might suspect. The builders exist in B.C., Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec and perhaps more further east. In Alberta, I am aware of 7 builders which is a record. When I started some 35 years ago, there were two. Unlike years past, most builders build to suit themselves with only a few selling rods. These builders are pushing the material and designs into some really interesting places exploring ideas that folks who are driven to feed families often don’t have the resources. This has resulted in rods of two, three, four, five, six, eight and twelve strips as well as inside out rods, truncated triangle rods, hollow rods and on and on. While some of the following is not new ideas, the ideas are being explored. Like most crafts, web sites have appeared. There are a number of videos on UTube showing the hows and whys of building a rod. A dying craft, it isn’t. I started FFing with bamboo some 60 years ago and then traipsed along following the newest and bestest finally realizing some 30 years ago I had it right the first time. i still fish plastic rods for coarse fish. Don Bamboorods.ca

Not accurate. Cow Lake has not been aerated for many years. Don

Operating the areators Lars in the winter may cause a kill as the low 02 water within the bottom of the lakes is mixed with the thin layer near the surface. Don

Weeds die. They start to regrow in late Feb.

Maybe as many as seven. Don

Been pondering new places and over the past couple of days ran a list of streams/lakes I’ve fished over the past 60 years. A rough list shows 60 lakes or ponds with a further 80 streams and creeks. The water bodies were from the 49 parallel to close to Peace River unfortunately not a lot of them were in tbe east or NE part of Alberta. Does anyone have any suggestions for any places in tbe eastern area. Regards, Don

Angler, Ashamed to admit that although I am third generation Albertan, I have not fished more places. Gonna change that. About some of Alberta, I haven’t a clue. Don

SD, Will be fishing a new bamboo taper. A hollowed out 8’3” 6 wt. Plus some different chironomids. Going to try some new places. Don

Is this the “shack nasties” season? Hope it leaves fast. Don

Jayhad just rose and hooked his first riser for 2019. Now if he had the same skill playing and releasing them. Don

Merry Christmas and a Happy Healthy New Year to all, Don

We have similar issues in Alberta. Difference - we do nothing. Don

Sounds like you fished Phyllis Lake, Don

error - got wrong survey -comments incorrect.

Smitty, i realize the province does little. Municipalities seem not so comptose. Both done with tax $’s. Clearly, if one waits for tbe province nothing will be done. the only solution is raising the money elsewhere. i don’t discount any method. Don

Smitty, Seceral munipalties have poisoned lakes to remove invavsives. Some near Edmonton. Even Fosheries staff did one lake near Ft. Mac. Lots of examples of dealing with invavsives. it can be done. Don

Sparkplug, in order for browns to be large enough to become effective predators, they need food. Perch & Prussian Crap decimate the food resources. No grub means very littel growth. Don

According to Global. Happened this afternoon. Sad to hear. Don

Bron, you ever caught one of those lard assed brooders. I have by accident. Sad excuse for a trout. Don

Sparkplug, the concept of dumping pike into lakes after some idiot illegally stocked perch started with Cow Lake. Other stockings of pike again rewarded illegal actions. We have lost 6 lakes in tbe Rocky area to illegally stocked perch with no end in sight other than the Govt rewarding illegal stocking. Don

Unfortunately the belief still exists that removal of invavsives can.be accomplished by browns. Never worked in Phyllis and it won’t work in Blood Indian for exactly the same reason. The lake has to be capable of raising larger fish but as the food resources have been depleted by overstocking and invavsives, thereis nothing left to raise trout much beyond 12” Brooders are fish used to being feed pellets and not hustling the butts for groceries. They generally die soon after stocking. Don

From where we get 30% of the cost and no benefit. Don