jpinkster

I do have a shocking update on my email.... Kyle called me today..............................it was a robo call.

I spoke with the Prentice when he was posturing for the leadership last year. I mentioned we had a shared addiction and that I looked forward to seeing what he could do on the fisheries file if he became Premier. I doubt he has uttered the word "fisheries" once since he became Premier.

I want to disagree with this point because of the tone, but I really can't. Alberta needs to visit removing corporate political donations. The PCs are bankrolled by large corporate donations instead of money from regular Albertans. The Feds got rid of corporate donations and those parties still find a way to raise funds.

I have been assisting Rick Fraser with his re-election bid in Calgary SE. Rick has been one of those MLAs you can really be proud of despite his party tag. He fought hard for more schools in the new communities, and he took on a really difficult position with the flood recovery in High River. Despite Rick's popularity and the work he has done we hear a very similar message out on the doors, "I like you Rick, I just hate your Party so much and I can't vote for you". I suspect many of these people simply won't vote, but if enough of them flocked to a single alternative....yesh there would be some incumbents in real trouble across the province.

Are we really going to let science get in the way of a good rant?

And therein lies my frustration with the system. The reality of the dynamic is very disheartening. While we are on the topic, I'll vent on something else: I think the structuring of Cabinet is one of the big inefficiencies of our political system. Cabinet is generally picked to reflect diversity: diversity of region, diversity of sex, ethnic diversity, etc. The Premier will select his or her Cabinet based on these factors, and not based on level of expertise for a portfolio. Having a level of experience is by no means a job requirement. This dynamic gives the bureaucracy a great deal of power. A Minister with no real experience in a portfolio will rely heavily on his/her Deputy Minister and Ministry for guidance. The Cabinet/Premier will ultimately set the direction, but it is still the Ministry making the policy suggestions. It is not the Minister that holds the balance of power, it is the Deputy Minister. I have met Kyle a number of times. While he seems like a decent enough guy, I don't imagine he has any real experience that would be an asset over at ERSD. This kicks the influence back over to a bureaucracy that has gotten used to dealing with a single party for half a century. Maybe wholesale change is the answer. Maybe a dramatic shakeup at the political level with inspire a different way of thinking within the machinery of government.

I really get where you are coming from, trust me. I've been on the inside for a number of years and I'm having a more difficult time every day supporting the Party that has dropped the ball on so many portfolios. I was a loyal PC through the Redford garbage and continued on through to this campaign. I have been forced to take a different approach this year since I can't find a party that fits my personal values. In theory we aren't voting for a party or a leader, we are voting for an MLA. I believe in strong local representation, and my vote will reflect who I think will best represent my community in the legislature. As Albertans we really are cheated. The Party in power does little to inspire confidence, but we have yet to have an opposition that offers a reasonable alternative. Sadly we are in another one of those "better the Devil you know" type scenarios yet again. Sadly for the PC party this is one young Albertan that will be walking away from party politics at the conclusion of this campaign. I will continue to be informed and educated on who I feel is best to reflect my views...but I'm realistic enough to know that I will likely be disappointed.

I live in Calgary-Klein where Kyle Fawcett​ is seeking reelection. Kyle most recently served as Minister for Environment and Sustainable Resource Development. This evening I wrote a letter to Kyle that I am happy to share with you. I apologize that my letter includes little scientific information, but I've always felt like a reelection campaign is a terrific time to share our opinions with those that would seek to represent us. I am very interested in also hearing your opinions and perspectives on the points I raise below! Good evening Kyle, I have been a PC supporter for a number of years, and I have been very active on the campaign for your colleague Rick Fraser in Calgary SE. Last year I moved to Calgary-Klein and have been familiarizing myself with the riding and the candidates. I have studied the platforms of the candidates in Calgary-Klein and voting for you is an obvious choice. That being said, I did want to share some thoughts with you about Alberta's fisheries. I appreciate that you may not be the Minister for ERSD once the dust settles on this campaign, but I still would like you to hear my perspective on the matter. Alberta's natural resources are one of our most precious commodities. When we say that we are generally talking about oil, but it is important to note that our fresh water and the fish that live in those waters also have real economic and environmental benefit to the province of Alberta. From oil and gas to fresh water to fisheries, we have a lot of room to improve. Having grown up in southern Alberta I have seen the mismanagement of many of our fisheries. Walleye populations in some reservoirs have been decimated, and healthy pike populations have also taken a beating. The same can be seen in many of our world class trout fisheries where over harvesting and other pressures have put some of these resources in great jeopardy. It seems as though we are responding to a crisis that could have been averted had we taken a more proactive approach to the management of our fisheries. Alberta has the capability of producing world class trophy fisheries for a number of species. I have always questioned why many of our fishing regulations focus on size minimums for harvest instead of slot sizes, a max # over a certain size or even a size maximum. We take some of the largest fish out of our fisheries and leave behind fish that are more plentiful and often have better quality meat. I appreciate that a healthy balance needs to exist. More large fish in a fishery can often mean fewer total fish. For too long we have taken a "once size fits all" approach to fishing regulations in this province. I appreciate that fisheries do not have the budget or the resources to respond to each and every body of water in this province, but I worry about the long term health of our fisheries. Alberta experiences some of the most dramatic population growth rates in the entire country, and with this will come increased pressure on our local fisheries. I do not really have a call to action for you in this email, I simply hope that my opinion resonates with you as you pursue reelection. I sincerely hope the government of Alberta continues to respond to the needs of Albertans and continues to find sustainable solutions to govern our precious resources. All the best on your re-election campaign Kyle. Calgary-Klein has certainly benefited from your strong representation over the last number of years. Thanks as always, Jordan Pinkster

I'm going to start off this thread with a total downer story: Over Christmas this past year my dad was diagnosed with Parkinson's. While the initial prognosis is really positive, there is a lot of uncertainty about how the disease will progress and what his physical capacity will be in the coming years. My dad just turned 51, so he is still looking forward to an active lifestyle well into his 60s. One of my dad's dreams was to go on a fly in pike trip with his boys. I was out at his place over Easter and there seemed to be a greater sense of urgency to get moving on a trip. I was hoping for some suggestions on a fly in destination in northern Alberta or norther Saskatchewan. We are looking for something fully or partially guided with accommodations and food included. Our party would be as few as 3 and as many as 6. If you would prefer to keep your secret destination quieter, feel free to DM me.

I've found top water to be very situational in the south. Water needs to be flat, It needs to be in heavy weed growth and the fish need to be in shallow water. The guys up north seem to have way more luck with top water.

It is my understanding that these kinds of hybrid are typically sterile. It still blows my mind that they can cross a brookie with a brown seeing as they come from two different families. Next science experiment, cross a brown with a rainbow.

The folks here have way more to offer you from a trout perspective...but maybe I can offer something for your pike hunting. Get out as soon as the lakes open up (May 8 for Clear). Find those areas with heavy reed growth and blast that streamer right to the edge. I like to use a short leader (3' tops) and start by retrieving quickly. This keeps the fly just below the surface and makes for some spectacular strikes. I'll usually fish large to small. I'll start with my 8 weight with a 4-5" streamer (yellow/black is usually the most popular). If I'm not getting any luck, I'll switch to a smaller bugger or rabbit strip streamer on my 6 weight. At this time of year I rarely see the need for an intermediate or sinking line. You can find the fish in 2-3' of water and should have no issue getting a fly into the strike zone. I've always found pike are less about the pattern and more about the presentation. Changing flies may help you keep your sanity, but likely has less impact on the fish. Play around with your retrieval, I like to go fast to slow. Start with short/quick strips, move to slower strips, than move to a strip-pause combination. We had a day in mid-May last year on fish where we caught close to 60 pike fishing the reeds at Clear. We were in no more than 3' of water the entire time. Get your action in early in the season, once you get into July those fish will move back out to the depths.

This was the best thing I've read all day.

I'll share a secret for you.... One of my fishing buddies does blueprints for a local home builder. I gave him the specs I was looking for and he drew me a diagram.

After a great chat on this forum regarding community lakes, I'm at it again. http://pikepinksterab.blogspot.ca/2015/03/backyard-trout.html PS: I was out this afternoon on Bonavista and got into 4 really scrappy rainbows...not a bad way to finish off a Monday!

I really appreciate the diversity angle. I love going to a lake where every cost could be a different species.

It is a fantastic read.

Today is UN World Water Day which has inspired my latest blog. http://www.pikepinksterab.blogspot.ca/2015/03/water-water-everywhere.html

Totally fair statement. I'm referring to groups that I've seen first hand, and that clearly can't be applied to everyone.

I suspect the vast majority of these old timers are out to take their limits and go home. As a catch and release fishermen through and through I'm really pleased to see the changes...but I know my views aren't indicative of the harvesting crowd. I spent most of my time as a kid fishing at Keho. The majority of anglers followed the rules, but you'd always see the Hutterites come out and keep nearly everything they landed. Report a Poacher here we go.

My latest is up! http://www.pikepinksterab.blogspot.ca/2015/03/march-of-anglers.html PS: As much as I think my ideas are great, I'm sure yours are better. If you have ideas about content or suggestions about future blogs, please direct message me!

Check out my blog that I'm going to try and have up tomorrow, there might be a referencing to ice flow surfing

My latest is up, have a look! http://pikepinksterab.blogspot.ca/2015/03/artoffishing.html

I'm at it again with my latest, get the tissues ready: http://pikepinksterab.blogspot.ca/2015/02/teach-man-to-fish.html

That is brilliant feedback Silver. Such a simple concept, but likely something 90% of us neglect to do.