rodofplenty

I have seen distressed fish a month ago so totally disagree with Toolman and Passrat. Surely giving the fish a break for 1 month isn't going to cramp your style too much? Come on, do what's best for the fishery or soon it will end up like the atlantic cod fiasco in the east and the steelhead debacle in the northwest. Be a big boy!

Be careful at Jumping Pound as I was distinctly told by one of the Copithorne's that HE owns the entire stream bed so unless I was 'Jesus' and could walk on water, I was trespassing!

Sorry Monger, I see what you want to achieve in your question. Probably not rocket science to say that multi-fly nymph fishing accounts for most hook-ups on most days. I have subsequently talked with a fellow who is part of the team looking at the Bow and he indicated studies from other major rivers in Montana show that getting the catch rate down to 2x would be the goal. Also, it appears that our rainbows in the Bow are most affected, not the Browns. There will be more to come to help us all get 'up to speed' on the science behind the findings. After talking to this fellow, I feel more confident with what will end up being proposed. And yes, I believe 'fishing methods' during certain times of the year will be changing.

Some days the fish prefer nymphs, some days streamers, the odd day dry fly's. So...depends on the day to answer that question. I do think though that a fish doesn't care how he is caught and no one method is more 'okay' than the other. A quick release is key in all situations. I did watch the recent seminar and am guessing this question by Monger is influenced by that presentation. Of note, the biologists indicated that a fish caught more than 1x a year will result in a declining fishery. They base that on a study by Jim Stelfox on little tiny Quirk Creek. Question: Is that number applicable to a larger river with such a healthy trout population such as the Bow?

Here's some simple and cost effective solutions: 1. Increase all out of province and foreign country fishing licenses. Match the British Columbia model by making the Bow a 'classified water fishery' and charge these individuals per day as well. Limit all out of country fishers to a maximum of 3 days on the water per season. License all guides as they will simply pass these costs onto their sports who will willingly (or grudgingly) pay. All collected monies will go into a fund dedicated solely to conservation, science and enforcement of the Bow River fishery. 2. Eliminate all motorized boats. The great majority of these users speed to the best fishing holding water. They also disturb the bank and silt up the river. 3. Insist on single, barbless hooks. 4. Absolutely no bait. 5. Massively increase all fines.

Exactly...they are so hard to read and figure out. For example, what would one consider the regulations are for the canal below St. Mary's Dam? Is that considered a stream? What about when they shut the canal off in October and there is no flowing water, is it a stream then?

I don't think so. Floated a week ago and you still have to be extremely careful with the big rock wall. You can take out a little further down now but still have to negotiate that standing wave. We managed it but...