jpinkster

This is what comes to mind when I think about the Castle area.

Hank Patterson #1 tip of encountering a mamma grizz: Grab a cub.

Just burn it down buddy.

I'd advise heavily against a 4 wt on a big bull (from experience). Playing a fish longer than needed may be fun for you, but it isn't for the fish. Especially given the conditions this year, think of the well being of the fish first and size up.

Classic response: flush the problem downstream.

RELEASE THE KRAKEN!

Here's the full list of penalties: http://aep.alberta.ca/lands-forests/public-lands-administration-regulation/plar-specified-penalty-amounts.aspx

http://www.qp.alberta.ca/documents/orders/Orders_in_Council/2016/716/2016_204.pdf This just happened and it could mean some really good things for Alberta's critical habitat. Here's what it means in a nutshell. Under the previous rules violations of the Public Lands Act had to go before a judge. Now officers have the discretion to issue voluntary payment tickets on the spot. I think this is a very positive step. I've felt like officers are more willing to issue warnings when they know a court sentence is the next step. This amendment puts OHV violations in the same category as speeding tickets and other related fines. This should lead to a much higher volume of citations being issued. I think hitting these violators right in the wallet might be the best way to change the behaviour. Great to see our enforcement friends the teeth they need to make an impact!

I guess that begs the question: do you think Kenney plans to grow the conservative tent or shrink it? I've been lead to believe it is the latter.

This is where I think we disagree again. I think people want the opposite. I don't think the days of top-down leadership still resonate within political parties. Members of parties want to know that they have a voice and they are being listened to. The big problem with the PCs is that we got flakey on what we stood for as a party. We went out and picked a leader and tried to adapt what the party stood for to adapt to the leader. That is so backwards! What we really need to do is establish our values and guiding principles, AND THEN select a leader that is a reflection of our members. Look at what has happened in the last 4 years to the PCs. Prentice and Redford both came in suggesting they had all of the answers and were tone deaf to what membership actually wanted. It's time that parties recognized who is actually in control - the members.

After months of planning and permitting, on April 23-24 the Bow River Chapter completed the Fish Creek riparian restoration project near Bridge 9 in Fish Creek Provincial Park (FCPP). FCPP is Canada's largest urban park, covering 1350 Ha and stretching 19km from east to west. During the southern Alberta flood event of 2013, Bridge 9 in FCPP (along with a number of other bridges) was damaged. Both approaches to the bridge were washed out and the bridge itself was left pointing downstream instead of across Fish Creek. In addition, the streambank upstream of the bridge was left severely eroded, with additional damage likely during any future high water events. Last fall, the Chapter surveyed Fish Creek and identified the Bridge 9 area as a location where a large scale but low intensity (non-mechanised) restoration project was a possibility. Working with Alberta Parks and with the support of the Friends of Fish Creek Provincial Park Society, we developed a plan to conduct a major project. This spring the bridge was repaired by Alberta Parks. It was raised substantially for flood-proofing, resulting in large embankments alongside the approaches on both sides of the creek. The chapter took on the task of revegetating the bridge approaches and surrounding riverbank, as well as sections of riverbank upstream of the bridge. Working in a provincial park required close cooperation with Alberta Parks staff, who assisted with preparation of detailed project plans and obtaining permits. The first step of the project was a willow and poplar harvest. On April 9 an enthusiastic team of volunteers enjoyed a beautiful day of harvesting. Nearly 700 cuttings were collected and placed in a pond for storage until planting day. The Chapter received a generous donation of cuttings from the Friends of Fish Creek, with additional cuttings supplied by Grumpy's Landscaping in Pincher Creek. In fact, so many cuttings were donated that some were donated in turn to support other organisations working on riparian restoration projects throughout Alberta. On a cool, damp and slightly snowy April 23rd volunteers worked in the immediate area of Bridge 9. Using hammer drills and planting bars, poplar stakes were planted on all sides of the embankment alongside the bridge approaches. Willow stakes were planted on the lower, wetter sections of the embankments, and rooted stock and willow stakes were planted along the riverbank on both sides of the bridge. April 24th was another cool day but the enthusiasm of the volunteers wasn't dampened. After completing a section of planting near the bridge the work moved upstream along a corner of the creek. Nearly 300 metres of riverbank were planted with willow cuttings while poplar cuttings were placed along the top of the riverbank. The willows were planted directly into the toe of the bank where they will help prevent erosion. The poplars will stabilize the top of the bank, and also have the benefit of forcing an informal walking and biking trail away from the edge. The committee estimates a total of 5000 willow and poplar stakes were planted. Great job and thanks to all of our volunteers ! Members of the chapter are hoping for rain, but if conditions are dry, will ensure that all the planted areas are watered until well established. The spring so far has been so dry that our permit to draw water from the creek has been suspended, resulting in the creation of an improvised watering rig in the back of a half ton, with 1000 litres capacity. The final photo in this collection shows some very encouraging early signs that our project was successful! The Chapter would like to thank our fantastic team of volunteers for their hard work, Trout Unlimited Canada for supplying equipment and skilled labour, Alberta Parks for eagerness to support our project and Friends of Fish Creek for equipment and cuttings. One interesting side note - the Chapter has been running another project in Fish Creek Park this spring, conducting a survey of rainbow trout spawning. The results have amazed us, with more than 350 redds identified in the Park and many, many very large trout observed. Preserving and enhancing the riparian habitat of FCPP is clearly a worthwhile endeavour.

This is contrary to what I've heard and seen from many Albertans. I don't believe the majority of Albertans want to see "unite the right". I think Albertans (specifically urban Albertans) are far more progressive than we give them credit for. A drastic jump to the right may encourage those folks to take their support elsewhere. Don't let the vocal minority fool you, I believe that 90% of Albertans are considerably closer to the middle of the political spectrum. If you take any pages out of the "Old Trump Play-Book" you shouldn't be elected for anything ever. Rhetoric and fear-mongering isn't what the majority of people want to see.

It's been awhile since I inundated you folks with my political ramblings. http://globalnews.ca/news/2806927/jason-kenney-leadership-bid-pc/?sf30397296=1 I've been slightly hesitant to express my perspective on Jason Kenney joining the race for the PC leadership. Now that all of the cards are on the table, I think I can make a bit more of an informed opinion on what Kenney is trying to accomplish. Jason Kenney is one of the hardest working elected officials in the entire country. He has dedicated his life to public service. While I respect his work ethic and dedication, ideologically we are miles apart on a vast number of issues. Kenney is running for the PC leadership with the intention of facilitating a merger with the Wild Rose. For that reason (and our differences on a vast array of social issues), I will not support Kenney running for leader. I don't disagree with the notion that we need to be better to defeat the NDP in 2019, but I do not believe this is the way to accomplish that. Albertans voted for change in the last provincial election because they were sick of seeing the same old song and dance. I believe that Kenney and a united conservative party is the same status quo of cronyism and rhetoric that Albertans rejected in 2015. I believe the PC brand is still strong. I believe the majority of our current members want to see the renewal and rebuild of the party. I'm the riding president for the Calgary SE PC Association - right in the heart of Kenney's old federal riding. I suspect there will be strong attempts to build the Kenney base in these areas where he has historically been very popular. Our leadership process is now a delegate vote. If Kenney wants to be successful he is going to need to secure votes in a number of ridings. I suspect I'll be seeing a few new faces around my meeting table. It's going to be an interesting next few months...

CVR makes me really sad. We used to go there and catch them by the dozens regardless of the conditions. Over-pressure has done a number on that lake, and I'm really pleased that pike are also catch and release only. When it comes to reports...I'm happy to share conditions and what's working...but I won't share specific locations. There's plenty of good water out there, a little exploring can go a very long way.

We've had some rolling thunderstorms in Calgary over the last number of days. These storms have been quick and violent. Despite the storms, there has been little impact on flow rates (and I suspect the same is true in the headwaters). Obviously thunderstorms are better than nothing, but does a sudden surge of precipitation offer any real relief? Is it only soaking rain over a number of hours that can dramatically impact flow rates? The discharge from the dams plays a roll in this, but the reservoirs are all seasonally low as well. If we are counting on sustained rainfall to get us through this difficult patch, we might be kidding ourselves this year. And seriously. If you're not keeping them wet this year, you may as well be bonking them.

Remember that time we drove out to Upper K and we realized you didn't bring any rods until we hit the Sibbald turnoff?

Administration has to bring a report back to committee in Q1 of 2017. In this time they have a lot of work to do consulting with stakeholders and identifying potential access. CRUA is a great group to stay engaged with as they will have their finger on the pulse of this. If I catch wind of engagement opportunities I will let the wider group know.

Motion passes unanimously.

Sounds like this motion should be coming live right around 10:00.

Folks, Just an update on this. Council went late last night, and they didn't get to the motion. They continue this morning at 9:30. I suspect the motion will come forward after lunch. You can watch the Council meeting here: http://www.calgary.ca/General/Pages/Council-and-Committee-webcasts.aspx I'll give a quick update in this space when the item is about to come forward.

I would recommend "Trout Streams of Alberta" and "Blue Ribbon Bow" by Jim McLennan. Both are great reads and are eyeopening at just how lucky we are to live here.

This x1000. Even some of the most experienced anglers can struggle on the Bow.

This is a great space to learn. Never hesitate to ask specific questions or even direct message some of the folks that pretend they know a thing or two! Start logging the cyclical hatches you notice on the river. They are usually pretty consistent + or - a few weeks every year. That'll give you a rough understanding of what you should be using at what times. Don't let dirty water scare you. Just because you can't see, doesn't mean a trout can't. Streamers that move water are always a great choice when things are high and dirty.

Yay, more emails! Great to hear from a bunch of you in a work capacity. Here is a link to the Global story. My boss almost sounds like he knows what he's talking about! http://globalnews.ca/news/2753024/city-to-debate-adding-additional-access-points-to-calgary-rivers/

Bit of a bump for this story in the news this morning: http://calgaryherald.com/news/local-news/councillors-want-river-access-for-boaters-and-tour-operators-improved