BurningChrome

I've never gone to the redneck board, but I imagine that they don't like any regulations at all. This is likely not the same user group that belongs to the OHV organizations like RMDR and AOHVA. My guess is that a lot of people on the redneck board also gill their fish, take pictures of them lying on the rocks, etc. Just like this forum is only a small sampling of fly fishers in Calgary I imagine theirs is the same when it comes to OHV use. So let me be up front. I don't ride an ATV or MX so I can't speak for those groups. What I can say is that none of those groups will call for closures because there is currently no way to get new trails in Alberta. All trails are "existing linear disturbances" which generally means former seismic and logging access. 99% of the current designated trails in Southern AB are in what we'd deem to be sensitive areas - McLean Creek, Waiparous, and the Castle. So if the groups say "hey, Waiparous is too sensitive so let's shut it down" then the immediate response will be "but so are McLean and the Castle so let's shut those down too". Suddenly there is nowhere legal left for even the responsible users to go. Kevin has the right approach on this - create new, sustainable trails that aren't in sensitive areas for people to use. That's what groups like mine and some others have been advocating for a while. As for YouTube videos and the mud and snow forum (not familiar with this one), like I said to Peter, a forum only represents a small percentage of the total user group. I think a lot of the redneck boggers are more likely to make a video and post it because they want the most views and sadly that's the type of thing that gets them.

Well, there's no easy solution otherwise it probably would've been implemented by now It's been a wild west free for all for so long that it'll take time to change peoples' attitudes. Anyone expecting change to occur overnight is living in lala land. And there is currently no education for it to be working. Right now before you can get a hunting, boating, or driver's license you need to take a course or pass an exam but you can go out and buy a quad or bike then go out with it the next day. Licensing with a course requirement that includes trail ethics and safety would be a good start. You'd even get places like Blackfoot Motorsport on board if they could administer the courses and exams and make a bit of profit on it. Some of the license and course fees would go back into the resource in the form of rehabilitation, creating new trails that are sustainable, building bridges over water crossings, and of course enforcement. You could probably have that fall under the current ACA. There will always be asshats no matter what. We have speed limits but you still get guys doing 150 down Deerfoot. We have fishing regs but you still have guys keeping more than the limit or fishing closed waters. We have hunting regs but you still get guys poaching or hunting on private land. That's the role of enforcement and hopefully if you have a course and licensing scheme set up you'll have more enforcement. And finally, just like with the sad state of fines for poaching, you need enforcement with teeth. Significant fines with the ability to impound vehicles. This is all stuff I've thought about and my off road group discusses regularly but nobody listens. The current "management" of trails is binary - either open or closed. As soon as there's a problem they simply close a designated trail which concentrates users into smaller areas. At that point guys get fed up with congestion on the designated and look to make their own trails. So what needs to happen is a good (as in fun), sustainable trail system needs to be set up before you take away existing trails.

Certain members of a user group. And yes, you can absolutely approach something like this without instantly going to conflict.

Because you can. Sense of accomplishment. Pride in craftsmanship. Just for the experience of it. To make it the way you want. The list goes on. It's no different than tying your own flies when you can get them for pretty cheap online.

I think these would probably be what you're looking for: http://www.leevalley.com/en/Hardware/page.aspx?p=32065&cat=3,42363,42348&ap=1

+1 for KP. I'd also add Aaron Caldwell to the list. Oh, and Dee.

Well, I'd say that Collette has a certain agenda. I know several OHV user groups who've offered to talk to her about responsible OHV use and management plans but she has never taken any of us up on it. When you only ever present one side of a story it's difficult to think you aren't writing your bias instead of reporting objectively. As I posted on FB, this is something that should be looked at for Alberta: http://www.nohvcc.org/docs/miscellaneous-files/ohvguidelines.pdf?sfvrsn=0

I wish the news article was more reflective of the shared file. While the shared file talks more about coexistence the Herald article seems intent on creating conflict between the user groups.

I'd say that's changing. I used to feel they weren't doing a lot but things seem to be picking up. I was on the redd count in the fall and there was a good turnout of volunteers. Bought a membership this year for the first time in quite a while.

When do you plan on going? Fish Tales usually puts on a spey demo in the spring where they bring out a bunch of different rods and lines to play with. Just like a single-hand rod you want to try a spey rod before you buy because they're all a little different. One to look for if you go to the demo is the Redington Chromer. They had it out in the fall and I was pleasantly surprised at how nice it casts for a fairly reasonable price.

I would've guessed he means something like Purell hand sanitizer.

I disagree - it was smaller than in past years. It looks like they tried to make it seem like there were as many exhibitors as before by putting curtains up on the one side (the left when you walk in the door where one of the presentation theatres used to be) to make the space smaller. Not as many exhibitors as before either. Where were Loomis, Echo, Winston, Scott, Airflo, Patagonia, Simms? Pretty sure those companies were here in the past.

Completely agree. Yeah, you have to buy a non-resident license, CW tags, etc. but at least you're still paying for them in Canadian dollars. There are even direct flights from Calgary to Terrace on WestJet now if you don't want to do the 18 hour drive.

Sure can! http://www.smithoptics.com/us/Root/Men's/Prescription/c/1200 I don't know anything about their prescription offerings but I wear Smith Chromapops and they're pretty good. I can spot holding fish and see my dry flies way better than I could before.

I've had good experience with Knifewear in Inglewood.

But I just bought a set of 4 tickets from troutlover...

Some of the fly shops had tickets. Not sure if they do any more though.

From Flickr all you have to do is click the picture you want, click the share button, choose BBCode, then copy the URL and paste it into your post.

Spent NYE in the woods again this year. Here's a few pics I done took. So many more stars out there. DSC_2479.jpg by Marc Fossi, on Flickr Little bit of the aurora making an appearance. DSC_2480.jpg by Marc Fossi, on Flickr DSC_2484.jpg by Marc Fossi, on Flickr DSC_2488.jpg by Marc Fossi, on Flickr And of course the "hold my beer and watch this!" moment. DSC_2493.jpg by Marc Fossi, on Flickr DSC_2507.jpg by Marc Fossi, on Flickr

Haven't logged in for a few days and saw this. Truly sad news. Ron was a great guy and I always stopped to chat whenever I saw him. He will be missed by many.

Oh yeah, for sure. I'm just saying it wouldn't get rid of all of them. Some posts in this thread seem to equate licensed guides with quality guides, which I don't think is accurate. Of course there's also the risk that some of the good guides would give up if licensing was introduced too.

Funny. A lot of the posts in this thread seem to imply that if guides were licensed there'd only be good guides around. I'm sure there are lots of licensed guides in BC who suck at getting people into fish, have terrible people skills, etc. You need a license to drive a car but that sure doesn't make everyone on the road a good driver...

I've never felt that crowding was an issue on the Bow or the mountain streams. Usually those who complain about crowding are unwilling to walk an extra five minutes from where they parked. I don't think it's crowded when you float the Bow either, it's just that the few guys without manners or etiquette make it feel crowded.

I'm not positive, but I don't think there's a requirement for licensed guides in BC to have first aid or CPR training either. If that's a concern I think it's something you need to ask before hiring a guide. As for first aid kits, I think most probably carry something fairly basic for cuts and scrapes and maybe headaches, but if you are diabetic, allergic to bee stings, or something like that then the onus is on you to let the guide know and bring with you the appropriate medication you need. Be responsible for your own well-being just as you would if you were walking and wading by yourself. As for making sure a guide has knowledge and experience, I agree with bcube. Going through a reputable shop or outfitter will be better since they have a reputation to maintain by hiring the best guides. You can also check local forums for reviews or recommendations. I think there was a pretty recent guide recommendation thread on this forum.

I'm on my third winter running Nokian Rotiivas on my 4Runner. Excellent in snow, slush, and ice. Unfortunately they're not cheap and Kal Tire is the exclusive dealer for Nokians in Canada so you aren't likely to find any deals on them. I ran Duratracs for a couple years and they were good the first winter but not so much the second because the siping isn't very deep.