Pipes

Just coming back from 8 days on this system and the predictions and potential root cause of concern has been quite inaccurate. I think any educated steelheader that spends time in this region is concerned with the challenges keeping this system going but (myself included) need to continue to push bc govt and DFO on spending money for relevant data and focusing on the greatest threat to the system. this fall has been a bit of relief but we need to do better to protect this species.

Not sure if there is still room but Aaron Caldwell is putting on his Spey clinics on the Bow in August. It is money well spent that will accelerate your progress. He explains the gear, casting and how to swing for success his company is Feather Forge Fly Co. Check his website for clinic availability

Mike if you are looking to hike the whaleback you can access at the bob creek staging area. Turn right just before the old man river bridge. Road ends at the staging area. Easy hike access to the whaleback. This is not general rifle season in the whaleback. You can also access via Waldron grazing lease right off highway 22 and hit up Black mountain. Right across from one of the Waldron ranches. think Bob Spirko has some online descriptions of this one

Don is correct on all accounts. The pressure pumping companies are doing there best to recover fluid after a job. On the high side they get 35% flowback. There was the article posted about the salt we intentionally dump on roads in non-fishing section. These salts kill fish, but we dont complain about these.

I have developed a natural, biodegradable and toxicity free line of road dust control products that perform at as good or better than the common magnesium and calcium chloride salts they have poured to our roads for decades. It costs equivalent to the salts they use and has been demonstrated around the world in its performance. From firsthand experience, it can be difficult to change status-quo.

I'm putting minimal effort in because arguing on forums never seems to accomplish anything so i stop putting the effort in. In my posts, I didn't suggest anything about hunting opportunity or big culls. Not one suggestion. I said culls weren't working and I said I don't want to eliminate wolves. Thats what is frustrating about Brent's comments. So I guess I don't understand what troll is..... If someone should re-read my comments. My original comment was after spending much time over the 20 years and seeing what is currently happening, I find it crazy that people say there isn't big issues. And my point was more specific that people are publicizing the complete opposite. That's it, that's my comments. So big bad Brent wants to turn my comments into something they are not. Apologize for derailing mongers post. I enjoy his contributions.

You're just an expert on everything aren't you. pretty arbitrary on what you consider important to our natural resources. More important to protect introduced Browns by the dog park than important biological areas that hold and protect native species that travel well outside our local region of hunting opportunities. Maybe don't read into comments so much especially if you don't understand. I know you love to troll so well done.

Thought Brent would actually grow up some day. Should just go back to his bigbadbrent title.

Sorry. Completely sarcastic. There is the wolf matters organization advertising with a large sign on south end of Calgary to save alberta wolves. I find it quite ironic, as I normally spend 30 - 50 days a year in central to southern alberta. I see first hand the damage the wolves have done down here. Not reading a website like most of these wolf huggers do. Education and experience form my opinion. There is no other cause. I don't think we eliminate wolves, but they are so far out of control. So as I watch our elk and sheep populations get hammered by wolves I have to read this bloody sign every time I go back. The minimal culls they are doing is not having an impact.

http://www.wolfmatters.org/ We need to save the last of the remaining wolves here.

This was a great read. Not sure if you are familiar, but has a Gierach-esque tone to it. Nicely done.

No my problem is that you post links and then offer up opinion without the effort of trying to understand. To your quote: "Sounds like it was a minor leak and that there is no risk to the public. I don't think the public includes fish." Doesn't sound like a post and question. Sounds like post and answer. I appreciate your concerns on a variety of topics, but I question and challenge your tactics which I assume is also fair game when someone posts a topic, but clearly I'm out of line. I guess I'm too old to understand the whole social media thing.

But you can't tell me if the incidents of poaching are rising or not. Unless you have proof which is nearly impossible. As I said, poaching has been going on for years. Albertans decimated walleye populations in the 1970s and 1980s. This article is not proof. It only mentions the number of poaching and wildlife infractions are at a FIVE YEAR high. So maybe 6 years ago they were higher and we got better? I assume by all your posting of links, that you endorse them. Even though, you don't necessarily understand the whole picture of topic. I understand you are trying to create social awareness, but it's typical of social media to have social awareness but no social responsibility. I class this the same as LDicaprio. Your posting of the gas leak link and griping about fish toxicity is total bogus. So yeah, I'm calling you out. Agreed, I can do nothing and see what happens. I didn't say poaching doesn't bother me or that I don't do anything about it. What I said is look at all the facts. I donated significantly to the streamwatch program that was on here years ago. I also do other initiatives. Problem is, there is only so much time and money. I have chosen causes specifically that I can make an impactful difference. One is land reclamation on a global front, which I have mentioned previously. I also work very actively for childrens cancer care and multiple sclerosis society. I am also trying to run my energy business which is seeing its worst crisis in history. A lot of people who are not fisherman find it hard to understand why a fisherman would want to protect the fish species if not for personal satisfaction. The irony is not lost on me that we as fisherman harm fish each and every time we go out, yet we are crying to save populations of fish that were dumped into our rivers. I have a hard time justifying it myself. So good for you for taking a day out and sitting in a court room to say how bad poaching is. What would be more meaningful to me, would be, you posting educated unbias information and then go on about your ideas and actions on how you think we can solve this situation.

I think a couple above comments are exactly right. More people equals more issues happening. I think poaching has been prevalent for decades / century old problem. There is clearly a gap in concern / understanding of the issue. Many people 40 - 50 and older have a hard time wrapping their head around catch and release. Many it was a way to feed the family. Other people just don't see it as a big deal, and in some cases maybe it isn't impactful. There lies the ultimate issue. How does one get these people to care. I don't have the answer. how impactful is it? Are we seeing extirpation in any species because of this? I guess I'm getting a little irritated with people clipping media links without any diligence behind the statements (jpinkster). A fact of social media and lack of responsibility really. There is so little information included in this article to even formulate opinion. I would argue (until seeing actual stats) that per capita, we are seeing more poaching. I would hazard an uneducated guess that we are seeing more people reported and more people out hunting and fishing. The second comment I would ask, is what infractions are we talking about? Clearly define poaching for me. If someone shoots at a charging grizzly and is charged with using a restricted weapon, does that become poaching? If one mistakenly identifies an animal is that poaching? Don't get me wrong, I do not condone any activity that is illegal in any fashion. But this article reeks of eliciting emotional reaction. By that, I mean a picture and reference to grizzly bear and how much in jeopardy some groups claim they are. I'm just tired of all these articles and links not telling the whole truth and general population getting upset, but yet not doing anything about it.

I started a company 12 years ago and spent millions of my own dollars to find scientific ways to fix things like bank restoration, embankment loss, deterioration of historical vegetation, reclaim severely damaged industrial sites. As well as petition/consult, globally, governments about proper protocols, develop plans to correct such damages and help industry work with government on reasonable steps going forward. I would do more, but I have a full time job running another company.

I spend a lot of timing in these parts as well. Only for the past 20 years though. Touchy subject, but I see a lot of permanent damage from cattle grazing as well. Different issue, same result essentially.

Hopefully, they will pile more riprap that does more harm than good. Shake my head at all the money spent on bad protection policies.

My two personal favourites are Nokian Hakkapellitta and Blizzaks. After spending 20 years of winter highway/city driving from here to everywhere and more, I will say studded are more important than brand for performance on ice. The two tires I mentioned are best for additional snow and ice grip and for wear. I hate hitting the ditch so I am sold on studded, but they don't mean you can drive like those folk on highway two in their bald tired mini-van/pontiac sunfire going 140 on black ice. Shake my head.

I have a couple gun dogs. My experience over the years on diet is dog dependent. What works for one of my dogs doesnt work for the other. It also can change over time. I've learned to adapt to their needs. You have to educate yourself on food, but in general there are a lot better food out there now than even 10 years ago. But do your homework. There are so many factors that dictate the health of a dog. Buying dog food at a pet store for me is a lot easier than alternative diets.

You can, just need to open up your loop a bit more.

Ideology vs reality. Almost all Albertans are involved in the oil industry, don't simplify it. Your comments prove how little you know about the world you live in. If you're tired of it, move. This place has been built on the oil industry. If we don't have it, then what? I'm not going to argue ideology, I'm about keeping my head out of the sand and realize what makes Alberta tick. Almost every year, Calgary TU dinner raises $1,000,000. Where do you think that money comes from? Weaving hemp rope?

What's done is done. Here's hoping the NDP gets it. Like it or not, oil runs this province and much of our federal economy. That's just the facts. If we treat the oil companies the way they want to be treated, they stay and our economy is status quo (once things get back to normal...hopefully). If we push too hard, they leave. Then what? No worries about increase taxes when we are all on welfare.

while some of this is PC party problem and partly funding issues, there is also the accountability of some government people who are doing half arsed or worse job. Bogus studies, lack of effort etc. Our government is riddled with people who don't do a good job. I'm not talking all of them, but there are people that could make a difference, only to let their own personal opinions or apathy get in the way of doing things right.

Mismanagement is right and extends beyond the fisheries. The wildlife portion is even worse. SRD was terrible and now that it has been wedged into ESRD I am feeling no hope at all. I have poured a lot of time and much of my own personal money to help. After years of fighting it feels like SRD/ESRD wants to show their power and purposely go against better judgment. Probably not always the case, but its always hostile and negeative. It's fed by a government not willing to change. We almost had some light with Ted Morton, but that had issues as well. At least he acknowledged issues. We are in a dog fight on the bighorn hunter harvesting changes. Government withholding rightful public information, making changes for the worse despite facts. If people think we are exaggerating, one only has to drive into Montana to see the differences. Night and day.

I used to use liquid lace, but they look terrible after a period of time. I use stillwater solutions midge flex in variety of colours. looks great and you can stretch it really thin, then gradually allow it to get thicker near the thorax. it has some shine to it or you can coat with sally hansons. easy and durable