Current

The link shared above says, "Predators include foxes, coyotes, gulls, ravens, Great Horned Owls, and Bald Eagles." This is probably mostly nest predation but maybe a few predator decoys would work as a deterrent. Or a pack of retrievers.

Wow. That's ridiculous. Maybe he just got back from vacation or something. You might want to send a note to the local F&W office. Probably Cochrane. http://esrd.alberta.ca/about-us/contact-us/fish-and-wildlife-area-office-contacts.aspx Hope you had a good day fishing!

Most fly shops definitely have a space outdoors where they will let you cast before making a decisions. Just let them know what action/application you are looking for and they'll line a few rods up for you to try.

Try the ESRD Environmental Hotline 1-800-222-6514

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Stay away from Careful Movers aka Furniture Relocators or anything to do with a manager named Austin McKinnon. Total nightmare with this guy. Multiple lawsuits against him and his companies. Be careful!

Yep. Just sheet metal screws.

I use sheet metal screws all the time in vibram soles. They bite really good when new. Might have to change them out a few times a year depending on how much you fish. These kold kutters look even better.

FYI - 2-piece may be cheaper; 4-piece is more packable. Shouldn't be any loss of performance with a 4-piece. The reason I ask is that someone might have a case kicking around to sell or give away. Good luck with your purchase!

Maybe someone on here has an extra case from a rod that was broken, lost, stolen? Are you looking at a 2-piece or 4-piece?

Trout Streams of Alberta has been updated and re-released this year. I've heard Jim will be doing some book signings for the new release (if he hasn't already done them). Check with your local flyshop and get your copy. http://www.mclennanflyfishing.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&catid=8&id=18 Great writing.

Get to your closest fly shop, pick up a copy of Jim McLennan's Trout Streams of Alberta, and read it front to back. You won't be able to put it down anyways. Everything you're looking for is in there. Cheers and enjoy! Current

Used to rent from Western Midland. They were usually pretty helpful. Give them a shout. I don't remember the costs. http://westernmidland.com/ Hope this helps.

Some information here on the Alberta Flood Recovery Task Force and some Feedback Response Documents: http://albertawater.com/ There's some good content in the Response Documents from water, ecology, and restoration experts among others. You can also sign up for News Alerts. Opportunities for input through the Public Review process will hopefully be posted. Alberta WaterPortal are collecting and sending to feedback to the Task Force through this email address: info@albertawater.com Feel free to start writing. It's the only opportunity I know of currently. As Taco says, there is FA else online.

They've got a banner up now with a link to their preliminary website. http://www.ironbowflyshop.com/ Check it out. There are links to product lines, a map of the location, a few pictures, and you can sign up for their newsletter. Not sure why this doesn't show up on Google yet.

Sorry, I'm not being very cool-headed about this. I will be looking to focus my attention as you mention above and on berms/dams in the Highwood.

Not my alternative. I don't really want the river channelized. Just throwing that out there. Please, if you have more current information, post it here. Just trying to stay on top of things and encouraging others to do the same. We're all here to help. I'm not here to debate or argue. Thanks for the clarity, Ginger. Please keep us current on what you are hearing or reading. It sounds like consultation and environmental review are set to begin on the dry dam(s) upstream of Calgary. "During a speech to the Alberta Urban Municipalities Association, Premier Alison Redford announced that consultation and environmental reviews are set to begin on a diversion channel around High River and a dry dam upstream of Calgary." http://alberta.ca/release.cfm?xID=35416D2AD8030-E01E-20F2-DFDF09F744559C82 Again, I'm not here to debate anything. This is just a good place for us to share and sort out information as it comes in. If anyone hears more about the aforementioned consultation opportunities please post them here. Thanks

Politics and emotion are driving these projects hard right now. http://alberta.ca/release.cfm?xID=35416D2AD8030-E01E-20F2-DFDF09F744559C82 Cool head thinking is not prevailing. What we have is an exercise in momentum started by a knee-jerk reaction to get "something" done. I'm just asking those who have concerns to stay informed and those who have alternatives in mind to present them. Thanks

Channelize the entire river through High River and build bypass channels around both sides of the town would be a better alternative, IMO.

I understand that part. Looking for alternatives to the current proposal.

"Gut-wrenching" is right. Best use of the word "boondoggle" I've heard recently. Another article with comments from Van Tighem: http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/calgary/proposal+future+floods+doesn+poses+environmental+concerns/9211683/story.html Folks, it seems this ludicrous plan is getting the fast-track. Opportunities for input are where? I had the opportunity to reply to an Alberta WaterPortal newsletter with the promise my comments would be forwarded to the Alberta Flood Recovery Task Force. I blurted out the email below and sent to info@albertawater.com : "To the Alberta Flood Recovery Task Force, I have been contemplating how to express my concerns with the construction and operation of flood control dams and dry ponds proposed in the headwaters of the Elbow and Highwood rivers. Kevin Van Tighem’s comments in a recent article in the Calgary Herald express exactly my perspective on the proposed structures. The article is here: http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/calgary/proposal+future+floods+doesn+poses+environmental+concerns/9211683/story.html The points I would like to reiterate are as follows: - The operation of the proposed structures have the potential to create huge impacts upstream for existing fisheries, ecological, recreational, and aesthetic values; many of which we have been working hard over recent decades to protect and enhance (e.g. federally and provincially listed fish species at risk) - The retention of headwaters flows will serve little benefit for reducing downstream flood effects - Healthy watershed headwaters systems are important for naturally mitigating both flood and drought events In addition to Mr. Van Tighem’s comments I would add my concern that the operation of the dry ponds could result in a large amount of vegetation removal upstream of the structures due to scour, sediment deposition, and flood drowning. This would increase the potential for both flood and drought effects due to the disturbance of natural hydrological processes (i.e. overland water retention and release) maintained by the existing vegetation. Perhaps there is a more suitable downstream location where a wetland complex could be incorporated in the design. Or several structures could be built in previously disturbed agricultural areas. I would be interested in seeing more sensible alternative options. These are my initial thoughts on the topic. I look forward to further opportunities to provide input." We all need to send letters. But where? Contact http://www.albertawater.com/ as a start. Please read the articles posted. Maybe there are viable alternatives. Maybe we can create or restore wetland complexes to incorporate into the design. I know there are hundreds of corporations who would jump on the bandwagon to supply funds to create or restore wetland areas to help mitigate flood effects. They would do this as compensation for wetland loss due to development in a heartbeat. To build in the headwaters is not viable. We've been managing fisheries for decades to protect species at risk and now this? It will be a mess upstream of these dams. Do it in a previously disturbed setting if anywhere. I'm surprised this thread is so quiet. Or maybe not. Not a lot of press on the issue. Thanks, all. Get involved.

Simms Drift or Headwaters look like decent quality. Have heard good things about the newer Redingtons as noted above.

Aquaseal?

You're my second favourite FFC member!

IMO it's still wet wading season. You could just wear your wading boots with a couple thick pairs of socks or neoprene wading socks. That way you could leave the stink at home!