bcubed

You're connected enough to government Jordan for me to ask...will it make any changes?

Also, you'll be struggling in terrace in March if you're boat-or-guide-less. Yes there are fish around, but most are going to be only in the main stem, and this isn't an entry level position!

5 grand would go a long way in Mexico with the odd day of guided... Don't forget though that most places outside of Canada are going to be charging US dollars, like the rental cars in Cancun, and most of the hotels.. Skip the all inclusives and head to Tulum, get the odd day trip and try and do it yourself after. You'll do it way cheaper then 5k.. Hell, could probably get a solid 5 days of guided fishing as well if you want to hit the budget on the nose... Most 'big name' guide places are American owned, and charge USD. Try and find a cheap guy in Tulum..

I'm not sure of the entire stretch being higher density, but when a 3km channel, which was full of anglers during the count day (not sure why Bow River redds seem to have a perception that they're in 'non-fished' spots), had a higher density then the Elbow, I have to ask the impact. Pretty simply, the fish spawn in areas where people tend to cross or wade through. Tailouts and back channels.

If appropriate oversight actually existed, then of course that is a better option. Not that the question is a loaded one at all..

Right, since TU has the capability (or mandate..) to monitor and do the oversight on multi-hundred-million dollar projects. Sorry, this is completely on the government. If they want to give permits to allow development on (what at one time was) public property, that has a direct effect on public resources (water..), then yeah, they should be doing oversight, and should be doing it a lot better.

If you're going to play devil's advocate, expect someone to join in.. I agree that the technology is there now to actually do things a lot better. Reclamation techniques are pretty damn impressive now, but the oversight? Hardly. (oh, and I haven't done a day in "eco" tourism in 4 years)

oversight? ha https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Polley_mine_disaster

More redds (like 2x as many) found between glenmore and 22 then all of the lower elbow this year. Hell, more redds found within Mallard Point channel then all the lower elbow this year. You can come to your own conclusions on what should or should not be open with that info. I think retention will be changing. the Bow is essentially a C&R for trout anyway.

If you're going to go on a hosted trip, use the resources that are provided for you. Ask them questions! 8 and 10 or 7 and 9 depending on ability Be sure to ask how the food and accommodations are. Some of the Cuban ones are a little less then impressive and you better love eating fish

I agree Marc, but I've also been around enough guides to know that if the smallest bit of effort was required to continue doing it, would filter out a good chunk...

I think you mean anyone good in the guiding industry... There's lots of guys out there taking people for a boat ride for the easy pay day, on the river at 9 and off by 4..

and we wonder why the guides don't want to think about the subject..

I'll be blunt, since I guided on the river for a bit, there is no check and balance. The only somewhat guarantee is that if you go through a well known outfitter (say a shop), that you can ask these questions of the shop to ensure that the guide you're getting does have first aid, knowledge, etc. Anyone with a boat and a half-assed website can call themselves a guide, regardless of skill/education/knowledge. But even then, I've seen some pretty shitty guides get out on the water under some of the shops/outfitters because of the busy-ness of the day. I'm more comfortable with a shop that will say no to a booking, then one that will dig deep to find you a guide just to ensure they get you on the water that day. One case in particular an outfitter put a guide on the river when they had only been in Calgary for a week...you tell me if they know the river, the bugs, etc. If you can fake it, you can get away with it, I guess. I'm all for licensing and knowledge, but unless the guides themselves are pushing for it, I don't see it being a realistic venture. There is pretty well no current data on how much money the guide community is bringing into the region, let alone the amount of angler (guided or otherwise) use, so it's hard to start with getting them licensed.

Duratracs are good for snow, and stud able. Without studs they're pretty useless on ice (as are pretty well any all season) which is far more typical then big snow in AB

Hiding in plain sight....

Kevin, NW would do nothing for these streams..

Very good points all around. So why arent the roads being reclaimed immediately following cutting? Or better prevention measures put in place so more yahoos don't go cutting trails into the roads?

You mean, the fire that we are actively preventing... Let em happen. Hard pill to swallow when everyone (including me) want's a nice house in the mountains surrounded by forest.. It's funny to consider logging the solution, when the problem is caused by human intervention in the first place. Fires create biodiversity that is simply not matched by human design. We're going to have one hell of a fire at some point that we cannot suppress, and likely could have been dealt with by letting the occasion fire burn, regardless of the logging companies bottom line. Selectively log, ditch the block cutting, lots of other options, however again, they hit the profit statement so aren't considered valid. Really, stop logging in the headwaters and allow for natural processes to take over. If the photos that Redbeard aren't enough to piss you off, then nothing will. That's where the water that is in you right now begins, and yet this is considered 'good' management? But then again, we'd hate to disparage any sort of development, being Alberta and all..

Guess I'm viewing different pictures there Clive, but then again I still consider burnt trees as being part of the environment... clear cutting is hardly the same thing as a fire, and laughable to be called well managed.

yikes..

Just as easy to find ones that show it differently..

Ya no confirmation bias on that one...

http://www.oldmantu.ca/?p=81 Seems in response...