jenpoi

I have been checked a few times, but where are they when you find bait fishin' shore lunch fish fry pits-complete with rotting tubs of smelts or worms and beer cans strewn about on the Livingston, our beloved catch and release stream? Sorry to vent, but that bugs me. On another note, this past weekend on a trip to the confluence of the Liv/Oldman, our peaceful dinner was interrupted by consistent and persistent gun fire very near to our campsite. The gang of 1 truck and two ATVs then drove past our site to the confluence and continued to target practice well past dusk. If you know the spot, then you know that the only place to shoot there is into the canyon walls, up into the forest across the way, or onto the river. All potential places for fishermen to be. This went on for 3 hours. The next day I found the remains of balloons strewn down the shore-line. Baffled by there presence, I determined that perhaps the shooters where sending them down the river as moving targets. We also heard several shots that afternoon close by while we fished and hoped we weren't in range of the zealots. Apparently, target practice is allowed, but not when it poses a danger to other campers or anglers, or when it introduces litter and damages habitat Both Fish and Wildlife and the RCMP appreciated the report, but said without a license plate, there was little they could do. "Um 'scuse me fella's I just wanted to get your....OH! You have a gun..." Right. Guess it is up to us to encourage and educate respectful use of these places we love so much. In the mean-time, keep reporting things you see that are not right. By the way, If you are out there in the next few days, beware of a very healthy black bear scouting out the area. We returned to find him on the path just between us and our truck parked just above the confluence. We were less afraid of him than the shooters... Oh yeah, and the fishing was awesome- Brown Drakes are on. Happy Fishing Jenn