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BurningChrome: Look at the first post. TransAlta was increasing and decreasing flows through the Bearspaw Dam from a low of 40 CMS to 100 CMS during the course of a day while they were repairing the flow control gates. The reports I received on Friday would indicate that the work would be completed by the weekend. Therefore the flows out of Bearspaw should return to "normal" for a while. The pilot project last year to drop Ghost Reservoir in May in anticipation of high run-off will be a part of the Bow River flood mitigation mandate this year and I expect going forward. The discussion we had with TransAlta last summer indicated that Ghost and Bearspaw reservoirs would fill to capacity in 2 to 3 days under a high flow advisory. The only significant hold back of water is by way of the dam system upstream.

15 April 2016 TransAlta released the following Bearspaw Dam outflow forecast this afternoon: TransAlta will be conducting maintenance on the Bearspaw Dam from April 18-22. This will result in fluctuating water levels on the Bow River. The work is to repair damage from the 2013 flood - fixing gates and removing debris – means reducing the flow from the dam to keep workers safe, and water levels may be lower as a result. River users may notice fluctuations in the river levels (between 10 cm to 35 cm) that last between 15 minutes and five hours during daylight hours. Flows could vary between 100 and 40 CMS in the same day As future bulletins are received thay will be added.

Jpinkster: Thanks for your comments on CP. There are a number of "interesting" stories around the guiding community regarding accessing the Bow at Ogden. I have not put a drift boat in at Ogden for 30 years and have no intention on doing so in the near future. I see that the City of Calgary's Bend-in-the-Bow engagement website has received considerable support for boat access. Good to see.

Troutfriend: All what you have said is historically correct. But the redeveloped Harvie Passage site does have a boat ramp built into the last pool of low flow passage. This ramp will also serve as a service access across the island to the high flow channel. Road access will be needed for service vehicles. The city needs to come up with a boat access plan - not just shoot everything down. 15 to 20 years ago there were 6 plus boat city launches used by the public. Now there is only one owned by the city - Graves Bridge and that could be lost to flood mitigation work next year.. Fish Creek is a provincial property and does not count in the equation. Over the past 20 years the number of fishing boats using the river has increased at an incredible rate. The city needs to address this issue if Calgary is to be called a world class fishery. It is my understanding that Ogden Road access point you refer to is Canadian Pacific property, best of luck getting any movement there. We just need to keep pressure up on any city developments to service river users needs.

Jayhad: Nothing has been done on the public access issue for 10 years. Don't expect change overnight. There was an initial push to get the boat access points open to the public last year. There is certainly more interest in achieving this goal now, but unfortunately the fishing community is very poorly organized to present a united front to city administration and counsellors. As I have mentioned in other topics there is a new group, Calgary River Users Alliance (CRUA) that consists of more than 12 local river users organizations, that has a mandate to improve not only access but the infrastructure at river edge, e.g., wash-rooms, tables and benches. Is there a place for an organization to represent solely fishing interests in Southern Alberta. If so let me know.

The City of Calgary is looking for public input for the development of the new Bend-in-the-Bow Park that links the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary to Pearce Estate Park. The development will include bank side access to the redeveloped Harvie Passage. It is hoped that drift boat access will be included in the development. If there is sufficient public support there is a hope that there will be launch and take-out available above and below Harvie Passage. This will open up the upper Bow River to more float opportunities. Go to the following website link to input your support calgary.ca/bendinthebow

Use a butt length of 0X mono. Drop it down to 2X at 4 ft.with a blood knot and a further 4 ft to a blood knot with a tab end for the first fly. A further 2 ft. to the bottom fly. Place a single split shot at the first blood knot 4 ft of 0X mono- split shot - blood-knot > 4 ft.of 2X - blood-knot / tab for 1st.fly . 2ft of 3X to bottom fly. Add extra weight above the 2X / 3X knot as needed. In high river flows you may need to extend 0X length + add weight. Any make of mono will work, the stiffer the better. If you want to go shorter and lighter in the fall drop all the line sizes down 1X and shorten up the lengths with very little weight added.

Friday was my first float out of Glenmore. I was disappointed to see a total of 6 drift boats being launched upstream of the Graves Bridge. When will recreational fishermen and guides alike start to respect the environment and the law. Many of you are probably not aware that there are plans under way to construct a permanent flood barrier at the Graves Bridge / Heritage Drive site. Although the development plans are not complete, it is possible that the truck / trailer access to the river could be eliminated. It is also conceivable that the barrier could be viewed as a positive way to protect the river bed from excessive vehicle abuse. Considerable time is being spent by a number of organization in the city to obtain more designated boat access points. Concern have been expressed over the general public's lack of respect for the current access points. Could Graves Bridge access be viewed the same way?

Woodfish: The city has tenders out for engineering proposals to protect the Glenmore/Heritage intersection from future flooding. I have asked the city for an overview of their plans. There will be a stakeholders meeting once the engineer consultants present their finding to the city. Will update when I get something to report.

I'll add my 10 cents worth! I have always had the belief that barbless hooks, photo fish handling and release techniques, disease and the environment cause more mortality than the fish that are taken illegally. Not to say that any loss of fish by what ever means needs to be reduced. Nevertheless, it is up to us as individuals to believe whatever " science based research" we wish to subscribe to. Unfortunately the majority of fish biological research is more of a survey nature with inadequate variable control, therefore the results are only a time slot of what is taking place in the field. Fish seem to have the ability to maintain populations from what ever stress we place on them for our own enjoyment and abuse. Case in point is the Bow River. The rainbow and brown trout populations go up and down over the years. Have fish harvest quotas and illegal fishing techniques influenced long term survival?

Interesting discussion here. There are only 2 conservation officers under the Alberta Solicitor General's control for the region from Calgary south east to Bassano. How can these officers ever hope to catch a poacher in his/her tracks. The vigilante approach suggested in other discussions wont work either. When I was guiding for an outfitter on the Bow in the nineties, he would throw a big hook across any bait fishing lines when approaching Carsland, pull them to the bank, go and confront the fishermen. He would ask for driving licenses and say that the fishing gear and driving license was being confiscated. To my knowledge he never followed through with the action, but you sure would see frightened individuals! I used to drop the anchor and watch what was going on. The clients were often shocked as you can understand. A very entertaining end to a days fishing. Unfortunately, this was never the end of the fishing expeditions for the bait fishermen, you would more often than not see the same individuals in the same spots a few days later. Will signs work? I don't think so, By the time a fisherman has reached the water's edge his mind is set on what and how he/she is going to behave. Very much the same actions of motorist, cyclist, dog owners in the city. The moral here is, "Good behaviour by oneself is the the only gratitude".

On the left hand side at the bottom of the ramp

Flywiz: I responded to your comments in the MAC access conversation. I cant help but agree that respect is needed. The boat ramp access is important for anglers. I only hope that a respectful approach to river access is taken by all users. Within the City of Calgary, the Parks Department has responsibility for all river frontage regardless of being inside or outside of a designated park. I only hope that all city departments buy into a need to resolve the river boat ramp issue. The fishing community did have access to 5 or more boat ramps in the city a few years back. This has dwindled to only 2 now. During the same period the number of drift boats has probably quadrupled.

Cusing Bridge / 17 Ave SE: There is more room on the approach road to the boat ramp than what was available before the condos were built. It would be possible to park temporary by the condo, but that will probably not be possible once Harvie Passage redevelopment starts. The access gate/barricade is on condo property. The old access point off the road has been blocked off, presumably by the condo developer. It should be reopened with longer term parking in Pearce Estate Park parking lot. This whole area will become a part of the new regional park called "Bend in the Bow" that stretches from Inglewood Bird Sanctuary to Pearce Estate Park. The city is well aware of the need to include boat access in the design. Stakeholder meeting have been held with a final design presentation in May. As I have said previously, expect some movement on the boat access issue before the end of April.

Flywiz and Northfork have hit the nail on the head. When I first started up the conversation on Calgary boat launches it was to see who would respond with what. I can understand that the sign at Glenmore can be missed. A week ago I saw a City truck up north of the sign. When I asked why he had violated his own employer's sign he had the same comment, "did not see it!" Have a look at the sign at the top of the Glenmore ramp, to the left by the garbage bin. If this was put up at all boat launches, would river users be respectful?

I've just been on Google Maps and it shows the city boundary down as far down stream as Cottonwoods on the north side of the river. Interestingly enough the rumour mill has duck hunters getting tickets for shooting in the "City" last fall between Policeman's and Cotton Woods.

Its good to see the response from responsible jet boat owners. I spend a lot of time on the river below MacKinnon's and to be honest have rarely experienced any issues with jet boats. The one exception has been the Calgary Fire Department throwing a wake up one day and bouncing my drift boat off the rocks! One question: Has anyone seen a Fire Department jet boat cursing the river on a rainy cold day? Not good for a suntan I guess!

The key is to get an agreement with the Fire Department to return to the old status of public access by a responsible boat owners, and then get the Parks Department to make the appropriate improvements to accommodate public access. For example, wider access roadways, adequate parking and turnaround space. Also some of the access points gates need upgrading. Contact your city councillor will help. There should be some movement on this issue before the end of April. Cheers!

Unfortunately Dutchie has an attitude that will catch up to him one day. A responsible attitude respecting the laws in place will continue to allow responsible jet boat owners to use the river. Remember there are many people and an ever increasing number who believe jet boats should not be allowed above MacKinnons. Once this lobby group gets big enough to pressure regulatory agencies, recreational jet boat use on the Bow will be over.

Remember you are crossing a landowners property to access the river at the confluence of the Highwood and Bow Rivers

Sounds like a little education is needed here. You can't use a jet boat in the City and remember the City of Calgary recently expanded down the left side of the river beyond Policeman's flats. This may well mean your nearest access on the Bow is MacKinnons

The Public Lands Act is not at play here. Its whether the City of Calgary has jurisdiction under the Parks & Pathways By-law. This by-law gives the City Park Department jurisdiction over any riverbank up to the water's edge within the boundaries of the City whether it be in a designated city park or natural reserve. Since there is no designated "roadway" on the gravel bar, anyone who enters this area upstream of the new sign ay Graves Bridge, is subject to the city by-law - $200.00 fine. Or is it a provincial jurisdiction under DFO mandates?If so the fine could be considerably higher.

Cushing Bridge / 17 Ave SE. Locked Gate. To my knowledge, the Fire Department has authorized the locking of the access gate, not the condo development. St. Patrick's Island A boat launch was discussed in the early plan but never acted upon. Once the City Parks takes over from CLDC a bot launch could be added to "The Cove" Glenmore/ Graves Bridge. A sign has recently been place at the bottom of the ramp prohibiting vehicle access upstream on the gravel bar. This is good news provided the City By-law officers take action. The debate will range on as to the status of this gravel bar - is it river bottom or shoreline. A big difference when it comes to the law.

Here is an update: Baker Park is a double ramp, gate - not locked. Shouldice is a single ramp, gate - not locked. Eau Claire is a double ramp., gate but not locked - problem here would be the high Pathway use and no suitable truck/trailer parking. St.Patrick Island / Zoo, boat ramp no longer available. 17 Ave SE Bridge SE. single ramp gate locked. Glenmore Tr./Graves Bridge, wide open - can see restrictions being put in place to protect river bank/bottom. Quarry Park, is a single ramp,gate locked. Fish Creek double ramp, gate currently locked, should be opened to the public before the end of the month. The redevelopment of Harvie Passage that should be complete in 2017/8 will give a navigable low flow passage suitable for drift boat passage, with a boat access at the down stream end of the development. This area comes under a new City Parks development called "Bend-in-the-Bow". Search on the City of Calgary Website for info. There you have it. Negotiation will continue with City of Calgary Department until public access is resolved. Some ramp modifications are needed to gain complete public access. But we are confident that there will be a positive improvement in 2016.