monger

The study is based on historical F&W data collected in-house or via consultants. Over the years the sampling methods/areas/timing have been anything but standardized. In order to make sense of the available data, it was quite heavily massaged with some pretty complex statistical math. There are a large number of factors that can influence the river's productivity and population counts. A couple of major floods had very serious consequences in the short term, but the system seems to be able to rebound over time. There have been times when there was less fish around and times when the fishes' condition factors have been below what we normally expect. At present, things seem to be on the poor end of the scale (especially the rainbows). One thing about this study that I see as a blinking light.....there needs to be a standardized system established for collecting data so that we can compare numbers over years without creating fudge factors. Experimental design is a very valuable exercise before you even leave the desk to grab your electroshocker. So many complex things to consider, very few of which we may even be able to control. One thing that is easier to measure is the number of anglers and angler effort. The angler population has really exploded over time, and the average skill level is probably increasing as well. This angler effort is one thing the government can attempt to control. If angler effort is something they want to control, then the government needs to pay special attention to a subset in the angler population that is having the most impact in the fish handling arena....namely the guiding industry. Day after day pounding the water, skilled folks are putting a lot of pressure on this "threatened" resource. If the government wants to limit anglers and their impact, they better shine a bright light on the guiding industry before they start limiting access to Joe Public. Just a thought.

No...but our community lake in Calgary has suffered the same fate. The trout are starving and can't grow

But a lake of stunted 5" perch benefits no one. With no population controls, the value of a predator free perch lake quickly falls to near zero

oh, just keep buying things you don't have the money for

Classic film. Thanks for the share

Sad event. The cold water would steal energy very quickly. Be careful out there and make sure your wading belts are done up tight

Considering the massive flows that came with the 2013 flood, the availability of reservoir space offered by Ghost reservoir was/is completely insignificant. Even with a completely empty reservoir, all that would have happened was a delay of a few hours of the rushing water. Building a new dam that would flood the town of Cochrane in the extremely rare event of another 200mm/day storm seems crazy. Daily water fluctuations on the river every time it might rain is silly. How did people ever live here for the last 100+ years

Sorry for you pain. Your heart is in the right place. Don't give up on being a good guy

Fur must be really prime in July and August

There is a big buffalo jump along the river. Some of bones exposed now are charred There are a number of tepee rings on some hills over looking the river. They are almost grown over now There used to be an old building across from Legacy island. Square nails in the rough cut wood. The chuckwagons used to cross the river at the bottom of Legacy Island. I used to wade across the river there. As a kid we used to find wagon wheels in the river from time to time

Have a look at Yokohama Geolanders if you are not planning to play in the mud a bunch

Still some folks driving sidebysides and dirt bikes up the Oldman....and lots of machines were showing up today. A bridge was being installed over the river to access the one designated trail. If an officer shows up this weekend there will be lots to do with "educating" the motor-loving public. ACA is roving the area doing surveys

You don't need new rope....you need a swivel. Go to Mountain equipment

Good to hear you could still cast. Saskatoon hunting is a dangerous game

Got some additional advice...the worst ring is just split but still about one-half attached to the blank. It was suggested than rather than removing it (as it is the perfect fit), just put some Gorilla glue under and around the area. Hold for a bit until tacky, then lightly spray the cork with water. The water activates the glue and the glue starts to expand and will fill in any voids. This is what I did. I wiped away excess as it bubbled up and then taped the area. I will give it a sanding tomorrow. I guess we will see how durable this fix will be. The Gorilla glue is said to expand 3x in volume so one has to be prepared for that. Thanks to all for you who gave some advice. I may be back....

Thanks Colin. I new you fellas had the knowledge I was looking for. I will see what I can accomplish. I need to get my big fish tool back into proper working condition.

Thanks for the note Lornce. What kind of glue to you recommend for this patch job?

I need some advice from you folks who build/repair rods. The cork ring in the middle of my 7wt has split and half the ring is no longer secured to the blank. What is the best approach for replacing this ring? Would it be wise to change the two adjacent cork rings as well? What kind of glue should a person use? Looking forward to some wisdom. Cheers, Rob

Priceless info. BE THE BUG

Cool story scel. These river pelicans are just making adjustments to a new lifestyle that is different from "lake life". They are clever and very flexible when it comes to food sources. The pelicans are only one piece of the puzzle....but when there are hundreds of the big buggers, they are not something that should be ignored. I have been seeing more pelicans feeding mid-day this year which leads me to think that evening fishing has not been productive enough for them. High, dirty water and perhaps less fish may be effecting them as well. Considering pelican populations province-wide are below historical levels, there is really not much that can/will be done about them on the Bow

I will tell the 20" rainbow I watched a pelican eat last week that it shouldn't worry...pelicans don't eat game fish....ya right I wonder why you see all the pelicans that are hunting right in the spots where there is good dry fly fishing....maybe they know where the trout are in the shallows. Historically the pelicans are lake dwellers, but the Bow river pelicans are not following the text books. They can eat huge fish well over 5lb. No trout in the Bow is safe

Pelicans showed up on the river down by Carseland in the mid-70's. Before that time there was none "on the river" above the weir. One July day we saw them riding thermals way up above Legacy Island.....strange to see "snow geese" in the summer. Then they slowly circled down until we could see they were pelicans. No one had ever seen them before. They figured out the Bow was a great place to fish. I know some breed at Newell. I am not sure where these local birds breed....but they seem to be very good at multiplying. Migrating birds just found a new habitat to exploit

A very well thought out theory Rick.

Quats are good thing to soak your boots in You are probably asking yourself, what is a Quat? “Quats” is the nickname used for quaternary ammonium compounds. Their disinfectant properties have been recognized for nearly 100 years. Quats have a common molecular structure. (Think of a basic car with interchangeable fenders.) Changing the basic molecule changes the characteristics of the compound and gives quats the ability to be used in a wide variety of household, institutional, and industrial products. These products range from disinfectants, sanitizers, and cleaners to wood preservatives, fabric softeners and personal care products. Quat-based disinfectants and sanitizers are used in medical facilities, food service operations, water treatment, and many industrial applications. They are also used to control algae in ponds and other aquatic environments.

Bron...it is your skillful fault...please take up golf