DaveJensen

"There are reason's the best casters in the world don't use hundred dollar rods.... " As an fyi, many of the US tournament distance casters use TFO rods. If you've been to a few events down in the USA, you've seen a lot of "cheap" rods used by a lot of these folks. Just before you get swayed to go that direction, the flip side is that very few of these, when interviewed by <I forget>, actually used these rods to fish with due to preferences. It was in a magazine website article a year or two ago. Hope that helps both sides.

Thanks Al. I had heard varying reports through the summer and into the fall from a few different folks and was curious what the final outcome of specific meetings were. That sounds like a pretty good set up - one that would allow this to work well, considering last spring it was quoted as considerably higher for TU CAB. Hopefully this is a universal % for all chapters and fundraising sources as it's an excellent program. An across the board set of guiding principles and values has been needed to deal with such issues and several others from day 1 and hopefully they are being dealt with now. I know I haven't been directly involved for 3 years now but I guess when you've been a sounding board behind the scenes for quite some time you hope for the best outcome. Thanks for the update and have a great Christmas.

ADC - Could you specify as to whether 100% of the raised funds will go to the Streamwatch program or is TUC now taking 25 or 50% of the raised funds as per what I am hearing? This wasn't what Barry & I had hoped for when he & I started Stramwatch 5 or 6 years ago now but it looks like a positive step. I am curious as to what the final decision was on this as it now pertains to a province wide org, as a subsidiary of TUC? Barry & I didn't get around to this when we spoke this week. Thanks for any info.

Hello. Thanks to this forum for the opportunity to reply to a few points. As I just returned from Fortress Lake a few hours ago, through the incredible late night lightning storm down QE#2, dropping a tranny or transfer case and going 60kmh in the process from Ponoka into Red Deer, I can assure you that no posts came from myself, Amelia, Byron, Kevin, Bob, Karen, Kate, and likely not Jaz. I hope I don't have to scan my plane reciept to prove my word. I certainly read forums once every few weeks or month now but have little time to follow up nor get too involved, so post very little out of respect of others on that. Apologies if I cannot reply to follow up posts as I'm on the Ram several days prior to returning to Fortress for an extended period. I have never posted under "stonefly" here and am now only found under my actual name when posting. Firewood at the campsites. At Fortress Creek there was actually still some wood at the campsite tucked under the plastic, though little as private float planes had been at the site camping the days prior your visit. We check the sites weekly as required - it was a matter of your timing on that. We're sorry for you that the timing was such. Regarding the splitting axe - you would be amazed at how many of these we replace each June with the private float planes using that site. They assume it left behind by another float plane and take it home with them, leaving hikers literally out in the cold. Note that there are only a few log cookies per week as has been the case for years to reduce over use. Our conversation: note that I did point a few things out and ensured all was well with your group, the conversation was good - like I'd ever turn a fishing conversation down. I trust the point of the blog post was taken positively as intended. The private R2 helicopters that flew down the lake - I had just sent guests and staff out on the two flights (which occur on the two BC Parks approved flight days in our PUP + wildcard days where needed) and was alone working for a few days, talking on the sat phone to Amelia as they buzzed over. Amelia can quote me on what I said about that. They had intended on landing at the public, non reserved campsite but saw you there after banking from the opposite direction. They could have camped beside you as they were completely on their own. They remained so. The boat rentals are no longer - the true value of a boat motor/boat in that location includes the original flight in, then the flight out for repair, plus lost water days in the interim, and more importantly - plus any insurance/legal issues that arise from rentals at such a location with well/poorly educated boaters. We trust people appreciate the ramifications and our decision to cease rentals of what quickly become company liabilities and losses. Regarding the elitist claim "private, trophy catch & release brook trout fly fishing in the stunning Canadian Rockies." The term private refers to our accommodations which are privately held and are withdrawn from observation as defined - it's a factual word. The remainder of the sentence is opinion that requires research to verify whether it can be substantiated to any one individual's standard. The sentence certainly reflects what people who visit Hamber Park through us or on their own merit have to say. Unfortunately I don't have the time to discuss the social issues of such an operation in this location presently. Regarding our company profile and structure, we invite anyone to investigate the cost benefit ratio of such an operation in such a location. Given the temporary status of all facilities, the Park's remote nature, very low use, and its high ecological focus and integrity, we don't believe that there needs be any negativity towards BC Parks for their approval of this PUP and its operations, given its benefits and history. It is quite remarkable. Our operations remain consistent with the vision and park plan, which we believe we've improved upon in our AOP which includes a reduction in flight days from daily flights <sometimes multiple flights each day> a few years back, to the set flight day limitations we have now through one permitted air carrier. Have a wonderful time if you visit Hamber Provincial Park by foot or air, with us or privately, and we encourage everyone to educate themselves on allowable practices within the park by visiting their website or contacting BC Parks' staff, which will likely be more an asset than other jurisdictions. Happy exploring. Dave Jensen Fortress Lake Retreat & Fly Fish Alberta