monger

I agree Toolman that the 2013 flood did the greatest amount of damage to the river. It is also apparent that the river is taking it's sweet time in getting back into healthy shape. It is simplistic to think that we can have a giant effect on things by catching less fish. There are indeed a number of factors working to depress the fish population. I agree things are going in the right direction, but we are still far from where we were in 2012. There certainly is less bugs around, but it was encouraging to see nice trout with more meat on their bones this summer. Another scary factor to consider it the rising number of Prussian carp in the river. They will be very hard on the prey items in the river. It is so unfortunate that folks have no clue of the ecological disaster they have initiated by dumping/moving carp around. Changing your angling techniques (hopefully for the short term) is a way we can lessen one of the stressors on the fish during the rebound. Are we so desperate to catch a fish that we can't sacrifice a little bit? You could challenge yourself to try something a little harder and maybe learn something new. Perhaps that would make you a better angler (rather than just a world renowned worm thrower). These thoughts equally apply to the mountain streams where the Cutthroats are under greater pressure ever year. Why not challenge yourself to catch them by not nypmhing. It is doable if you take the time to improve your skills a bit and challenge yourself. As for guides not will to give up anything so they continue to profit from a stressed public resource....I have no words

But don't you catch way more fish nymphing vs streamers? If the goal is to catch less fish, no nymphing seems like the way to go. In my experience, fishing streamers usually excludes little fish from coming to hand. I haven't found streamers do any more flesh damage than a big stone, hopper or Jimmy legs

Yes the data from Quirk Creek is not necessarily representative of what is going on in the Bow. I am just wondering about angling techniques as the government seems determined to change angling pressure to decrease the catch rate on the Bow. If the goal is to decrease the number of times fish get caught, should we not exclude the most productive technique on average? And the information offered said that fishing from a boat was better than from shore. So how can we limit our technique the most effectively from a boat?

Dry fly fishing is no fun and never works though

How much more effective is nymphing vs streamer fishing? same, 2x, 3x What is your experience?

Research suggests that recruitment of young fish is not a problem. It is what happens to the 1+ year old fish once they get down into the Bow. Whirling disease is also not considered to be a major factor considering the level of recruitment

Too difficult to get regs changed to barbless, and the research doesn't show that it has much effect anyway. We all know it is easier to unhook fish without a barb, so just do it anyway

Here is a great place to start for decreasing recycle rate: single hook and BAN STRIKE INDICATORS That should have a great effect on decreasing catch rate

Why are we allowing guides from BC and the States to work here?

I hope you are correct Fishteck. When money is involved in Alberta, the environment tends to lose out big time. Economic value of the river means little to me. I would however like to see the trout numbers return to pre-flood numbers. Hopefully people can stand up for the fish without an agenda of making money off of them. Changing fishing tactics, ignoring staged spawners, and limiting one's personal impact is something we can all do. It is even possible to throw your worms away and catch a fish. Trailhead, I agree the river has not been the same since the 2013 flood. The number of quality holding spots in the river has decreased and sedimentation has been detrimental. Today there is a lot more long "lakey" sections. I had hoped successive spring run-offs would have improved things, but the river is not changing that much.

Fiddling with angling pressure is the easiest thing for the government to attack...so of course that is what they will go after. It will be interesting to see what restrictions the government will come up with (seasonal closures, gear restrictions, maybe even booking a time like they have done in BC). Fish Biol Paul C mention the "economic value" of the Bow. That means the guiding industry. What about the intrinsic value of the fishery for the thousands of folks who don't need/want to hire a guide? The fish are a public resource, not just a resource used to create profit by a small segment of society. Joe public will need to make their voice heard as a STAKEHOLDER so that you can still fish as the guide boats go by. Public access/opportunity should trump guiding opportunity for rod days if we eventually get to that scenario.

Professional guides enable the handling of LOTS of fish. I would suggest much more than the average joe on the side of the river. If there is a move to "limit angling effort/number of fish handled". the government better limit the guiding industry that exploits a public resource before the regulations go after recreational anglers. I don't want to see some crap about "rod days" and their associated monetary value being used as a reason to give the guiding industry a pass on limiting their impact.

https://open.alberta.ca/dataset/40a348e3-dca0-4431-8142-e01006f3bc32/resource/e554bacc-dcf4-4952-8789-7adc5250b712/download/aep-bow-river-fisheries-management-zone-es1-pp1-2021-10.pdf There are currently two management actions immediately available to AEP Fisheries Management: reduce the angling effort, and/or reduce the number of trout each angler can catch. AEP is working with external agencies and angling groups to identify options that address high angling effort and catch rates. Consultation will occur to identify which options can be implemented. Failure to implement management actions will likely result in further declines of the Bow River trout fishery.

Government discussion online Nov 3, 7pm see here to sign up: https://mywildalberta.ca/fishing/fisheries-management/default.aspx Looks like angling restrictions are in the works since that is the easiest thing for the government to control. Wise to get educated on restrictions that will be introduced. It will be interesting to see how the recreational anglers are effected in comparison to the guiding industry.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kjz8VGQiXGg

A sign at the lake explaining the huge problem the carp create with the trout population would be helpful. The problem exists that certain folks are more than happy to harvest carp. A certain set of those individuals are responsible for the illegal introduction of carp into new waterbodies

5.5ft Lodgepole Branch is all one needs for Cutties

Well done. Beautiful tools

Yes my sister and I used to watch Cahoon sit on the bank waiting for risers as we reeled in fish. Never understood why he was waiting. Finally old enough now to get the hunting part of fly fishing

My parents built that house. Spent a few days along the river down there

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ILMJwkL6o04

Thanks Doc. I have just used the BBCode "forum link" in the past. Cougar came right up to the deck of the house across from Legacy Island. Very interested in the barking dog inside

What does "rich text" vs "plain text" mean. Not accepting my photo link

[img]https://i.imgur.com/ZrJPr6b.jpg[/img]