billie

Never thought of it as entitled, not had any intent to limit anyone. I had hoped for some ideas for the situations I see. And you make a good point, although the vitriol isn't really necessary. A simple statement that it would be unfair to some groups would have sufficed. Seniors also, but simple concessions could be made.

Young?..........no. Rich?..........no, not that either. Taxes, yes we all pay taxes. I guess that sounds like accepting the status quo, and from what I've seen, that isn't working very well. How do we deal with the ever increasing number of users in a fair and balanced way, while maintaining sustainability and not restricting any one group? "Ridiculous" wasn't the discussion I was hoping for, but I respect the viewpoint. Thinking "outside the box" was the motivation for the thread. Focusing on the $ value is missing the point, and paying a fee should be a last resort (I was trying to make that point in the first line with the "reference" comment). The primary motivation is contribution. Personal contribution/commitment creates ownership. Ownership creates respect and pride. "Free" fosters exploitation and it is quite evident in many places. Sad, but true, and of course, not by all. Maybe not all areas need to be included, only problem areas. If you use them, give something back. There are thousands of ways to donate an hour or 2, here and there. Build picnic tables in town, stain the benches, deliver and place them. Attend a scouting crew for new trails, team up to create the trail proposal documentation to the government, build the trails. Take pictures of a mess, clean it up and submit for credit. Be deputized and patrol a remote area for F&W violations. All the stuff we would like to see done but don't get done due mostly the lack of "taxes" no one wants to pay. Many of us do this anyway. The dollar value is simply an option for those who can't, or don't want to, provide hands on contributions. Some would do lots and allowing them to donate their excess credits (or sell) to others would be an option available to them. Corporate donations could be made and directed right to the resource. The point was a self-sustaining cottage industry. Fees and fines returned and funds held accountable and used for the backcountry, NOT general government revenue. A job board could list activities relative to date, organization and credit value. Some jobs would be ongoing, some would be one-time tasks. Sign up for one and do it when you're out camping anyway. Would this "contributing community" foster a higher level of respect in the long run? Anyway, it was just a thought. Thanks for coming out .

I've been mulling this over. Suppose..........(numbers are arbitrary for reference only). A $200 yearly fee for a personal pass to use the back country, ALL activities. $500 for a family. Credits could be earned by working at $25/hr (one full day's work per person) toward your pass. If you don't want to pay, you work it off. If you don't have the time, you can just pay the fee. Credits for your work could be earned on your WIN card/number when collected and documented by recognized clubs, or even professional groups, building trails, bridges, cleaning up sites, whatever is needed. Fees collected STAY in the system to purchase needed supplies and materials. Recognized groups could apply for funding from the pool. It seems the ABRelm should be able to handle the administration. Extra credits could be sold/transferred to others by those who earn them (if they want to). Working to clean/fix/build stuff would be educational, no?. Could we end up with a new seasonal industry? Would the back country become managed for the ever increasing pressure? A managed trail system, random camping under control, more effective enforcement, sensitive areas protected, extensive educational signage? A day or weekly pass could also be arranged in a similar fashion for infrequent users. Maybe a pipe dream, but could it work? What do they do in the managed areas of the US?

Yeah, I've been busted several times and forget while sweeping my shadow over the water every once in a while. I have no doubt that a fish that you see swipe at your fly "once" also saw you. The high clear streams don't seem to be a problem, it is the aqua-marine silt that throws me. I guess it's just an intimidation factor. Realistically, it should be about the same as muddy water? Is the visibility about the same for the fish? Sadly, the season is winding down, but a few weeks yet. I don't winter fish with a fly rod. Hopefully we get a long warm fall, then snow on Oct 24th for elk season . Tks for the help everyone.

Simms small headwaters over my vest for me. I like it and serves the purpose. I like pockets for all my minute to minute stuff, camera, radio, flies, floatant, tools, all up front and easy with a vest. Lunch, jacket and back-up stuff in the pack. Saves all the slingin' and works best for me. Net stays high on the vest clip for easier reach. My vest is always rigged and ready, in a moment, to go fish. The pack goes on for anything extended.

Lower down isn't any issue, finding fish there is easy enough (or not ). Are you suggesting that later in the year, the upper streams empty out? Always! Keeps me smilin'. It's been a very good year so far. I've had several 50+ fish-days this summer, and a few very good short days.

I wasn't specific b/c I was hoping for generic type information. I've come across several streams over the years, and maybe I was just not putting in the proper effort, but the results have been dismal. But to your question and what raised mine, I was at the upper Red Deer River, close to Ya Ha Tinda. I had no luck but, truth be told, I only fished for an hour or so. The spot I explored was somewhat non-descript with no deeper pools, fast water and low glacial visibility. I find myself exploring further toward the mountains and that is what precipitated my question. I left the location out as I didn't want to sound like I wasn't willing to search on my own. That is the allure of the search, besides the "tug" being the "drug" . Some generic info will serve no matter where I find myself in the future.

I remember seeing that before, nice to see again, tks for putting it up. I guess there's no real mystery, fish it like anywhere else.

These streams are an enigma for me. I have not fished them much but truly don't know what to expect or where to start. Anyone wish to offer a bit of insight? What kind of populations can these rivers sustain and what species should you expect? It would seem that bull trout would be comfortable, and I would also expect cutthroat? Whitefish? TIA for any help. Edit: The stream I was at on Sunday was 50*F (10*C).

I have cancelled my fishing this weekend, I was headed to the "warning" streams until the announcement came out. I didn't take readings last time out but it was warm "er". It didn't seem to be excessively warm yet, but definitely moving up. Still cooled the waders as you walked in. I quit the Bow quite some time ago and now have suspended my fishing for now. I'm heading out on a scouting trip for future fishing locales so I'll take some temp readings on stream "X" .

Don't forget to do the interlock to the furnace if the fan is big enough (160CFM, I think), which it likely is. It is required for code compliance, and. Sorry I don't have an up-to date reference handy right now, but this explains the background details. http://www.google.ca/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CB0QFjAAahUKEwjnicjg94rHAhXTLYgKHWlND0g&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.municipalaffairs.alberta.ca%2Fdocuments%2Fss%2FSTANDATA%2Fbuilding%2Fbcb%2F97ib001.pdf&ei=-FS-VeetM9PboATpmr3ABA&usg=AFQjCNGi429h1c7zaTrbvH-_agD8b_o8pA

I'm thinking you just made this up, Walmart isn't unionized! Cool ideas for when I retire though LOL.

I believe it to be any "man-made" obstacle, where fish may congregate before fording further upstream. Although a natural "falls" may qualify as an obstacle, I've never asked or thought about them. It doesn't make sense to include every natural "obstacle" on a river, where would you draw a line? Many would suggest their wives are an obstacle when fishing . It could also be argued that wives are "man-made".

Unfortunately, many of these so called jack asses really don't know the impact. The ones that do know are the real jacks. Please don't misunderstand and think I'm defending anyone, quite the contrary. I had a conversation recently where the people honestly didn't appreciate what they were doing (granted mild infractions but infractions none the less). The discussion went very quickly to how minimal their actions were compared to the big players (cattle/forestry/O&G, etc). I won the day by expressing the fact that "you", as a human individual, have a brain, where a corporation does not. A rancher has been doing the same thing for decades, so may not appreciate what the big deal is now. I also had the ammunition of "concrete" sedimentation that I only recently became aware of myself. That, in itself, is strong argument to help people understand WHY sediment is bad during low flow periods compared to when the rivers do it naturally during high flow spring runoff. We, as stewards and protectors, need to continue the education and support each other with good arguments for said protection. Do not think that a person, who does not fish (or hunt), understands and appreciates your point of view. Many do not, and convincing them otherwise can be lesson in futility and frustration. Please keep your cool and keep trying to win the good fight. And this counter position that "other" bigger players are MORE to blame is the most frustrating thought process to listen to! The most confounding thing is that it is very firmly entrenched. I am anxious to hear of any good information, and how to deliver it, to help with these discussions in the future.

Great news. Sorry I couldn't be any help this time around.

Did you hear about the Chameleon that couldn't change color? A reptile dysfunction. (sorry)

For anyone who didn't know, a few minutes in the microwave will regenerate your beads. About 3 minutes at 30% or defrost setting, watch the color change back to blue, cool, voila. Repeat until they stay blue. It may have been the humidity today but I had to run a warm-up and cool-down cycle 3 times. They were changing back to a bit off of blue when they cooled, but it could just be the process. Anyway, $8 saved . Cheers.

Good price. I should add that TFH socks have the gravel guards for over your boots, if you want that feature. http://www.thefishinhole.com/index.cfm?action=product&se=22016

I use my full boots and neoprene socks. The support of the full boot is too important to me. TFH had socks on for $30 from $40.

How about we create a list of great places to go. Let's leave out the home waters (wouldn't be any offered anyway ) and keep it to places you would go once a year or less. Give a bit of a review and hopefully we will see some budget trips along with some "bucket list" trips. Personally, I'm interested in a 1-2 week camping trip location, 4-8hrs away, if anyone is offering any suggestions. I'm pretty sure Montana is if my future but not sure where yet. Langara, salmon fishing (although admittedly, not fly fishing, but it's all I got): http://www.langara.com/ I was lucky enough to get not 1 but 2 trips to Langara through work contacts and truly a trip of a lifetime. I have fished Queen Charlotte Lodge and West Coast Resorts to compare to, and there is no comparison, although QCL is close. Fishing method is weighed line and cut-plug herring, no flashers or downriggers. Pros: Scenery, whales, eagles, seals, etc, etc. Bring your camera. Best fishing method, as close to surface fishing as bait fishing can be. Food and hospitality are unmatched. Fish all day, no time limits. Cons: Price. This one will set you back a bunch. Wish I could afford another trip .

I can give you Mac to Legacy, 4 hrs; Legacy to Carseland 4 hrs. Not sure above Mac. That is actual float time, a bit faster with high water. Legacy to Jensen's is a bit shorter but the last stretch at Carseland is a virtual lake and slower. Paddling would shave a lot of time. As for camping, no over night allowed at Mac, the island about 1k below Mac is all rock, but the north shore would be good, although owned, and not an island, so actually trespassing. Who would kick out a bunch of boy scouts, other than maybe a cow or two . Same rock on the island at Bow North Lodge. The island just above Legacy should have room but it is a long way downstream from the middle of your trip. Looks like runoff will be reasonable although it is up a bit now.

FINALLY, validation! No one would believe but now they will know I'm right, with SD's endorsement, who could argue ? She sure can be a tough mistress .

Ah, baloney, there's no fish in that river! In all seriousness, thanks for the input and thoughts. All part of the learning process. This is one specific situation, but anyone have some additional feedback about springtime fishing (the Bow in particular)? My experience is that it is slow. Is that typical of spring? Or are we back to me being a lousy fishermen ? It would seem like the RBT should be back and very eager to feed after the spawn.

No, earlier picture of the same bug. May 22 was the date in question. We saw a few on May 10 but not nearly as many as this afternoon.

Pretty much all day, but noon to 4 or so. http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd460/billie2011/Golden%20Stone2%20May%2010%202015_zpsyiekhlve.jpg Maybe these aren't stones? I sure thought they were. I suppose to bring this question a bit further, fishing has been poor all spring. 2 floats and 2 W&W evenings and nary a bite this year. Spring has never been real productive for me, but this is a record for me. What gives?