fishteck

Expect to see some improvements to boat launch sites downstream of Calgary this year. How much I'm not sure. But Policeman's Flats needs the most, if only to increase a safer take out.

With the recent Calgary City Council approval of the River Access Strategy, the fishing community will soon be able to float the entire Bow River from Stoney Trail in the north-west of the City down to Carseland. New boat ramps at Inglewood and Ogden Bridge should be open for use by 2018 if not earlier. Calgary River Users Alliance has put together a Google Map of all existing and future river access points on the lower Bow river. Boats ramps will increase from the current number of 6 to probably 17 in 5 -6 years. https://www.calgaryriverusers.org/map/

An interesting read. CnR may not work to save our fisheries unless we look at the whole picture! Lethal & Reproductive Loss from Air Exposure Rainbow Trout - 38% mortality in rainbow trout exposed to 30 seconds to air. 72% mortality from 60-seconds. Those anglers showing us all those big, beautiful trout on a panoramic view of the Bow River could well be giving the catch a death sentence. For the photo junkies - Maybe you should keep the fish in the water and take a picture of your prize in the net.

I fish off shore down at Zihuatanejo MX each year and have never needed a license. But what was interesting last December was the Coast Guard came over to our boat to check thing out. The captain and mate were very concerned with the inspection of their licenses and asked me to be prepared to show my passport. Although I do carry my passport with me at all time when in less secure countries, this request surprised me at first. Later I realized we were offshore almost 40 Km and the Coastguard was probably more concerns with drug running than fishing!. Nevertheless it is advisable to carry some ID with you when off shore.

Calgary City Council approved the River Access Strategy on Monday February 13, 2017 with a $7.77 million budget of which $1.69 million will be spend on 2 new boat ramps and upgrades to other in 2017-8. Go to the following link for details and a map of all existing and proposed boat ramps in the lower Bow River. Within 6 years we should see a total of 17 boat ramps between Stoney Trail in the north-west of Calgary and Carsland Weir. https://bowrivertrout.org/2017/02/15/calgarys-river-access-strategy-approved-by-city-council/

My opinion. Whirling Disease has been here for some time. In the Bow River? Confirmed!. In the Oldman Drainage ? Yes - but not confirmed! Will we see Armageddon? No, The fishery will survive. If 2016 was an example of what to expect, we will see fewer 10" -18" fish and an increase in truly exceptional specimens.

Looking forward to City Council Approval http://calgaryherald.com/opinion/editorials/editorial-lets-embrace-our-rivers GOES TO CITY COUNCIL FOR APPROVAL ON MONDAY FEBRUARY 13. LETS KEEP OUR FINGERS CROSSED.

Full details of the Calgary River Access Strategy have been posted on the City of Calgary's Website http://www.calgary.ca/CSPS/Parks/Pages/River-Access.aspx?redirect=/riveraccess The report will be presented to Community & Protective Services Committee Meeting tomorrow, February 1, 2017, 9:30 AM in Council Chambers at City Hall. We are hoping for approval before being presented to the City Council later in the month. Hope to see you there

All I ask is that everyone make an effort to support the River Access Strategy by being ath the presentation to Community & Protectiver Services Meeting on February 1, 2017 in City Council Chambers. A lot of work has been put into this project - I would hate to see it die on the books.

The stakeholder engagement process with Calgary Parks will see the River Access Strategy proposal being presented to Community & Protective Services committee meeting on February 1, 2017. A 5-year capital budget proposal of $7.66 M to add or improve 12 city boat or hand launch sites is being presented. If approved, we can expect to see dirt turned on new boat launch sites before the end of the year. Go the the following link for complete details: https://bowrivertrout.org/2017/01/24/calgarys-river-access-strategy-released-to-the-public/ The Community & Protective Services committee meeting is open to the public input. Your support is needed. Time and place: 9:30 AM February 1, 2017, City Council Chambers. Ground floor , City Hall

If I remember correctly, prior to 1982 the Bow River downstream of 22X was closed to fishing from October 30 to June 1. The year round opening of that stretch on the Bow River was very controversial at the time. There are many of us who are long-in-the-tooth believe that the decision was the start of the demise of the Bow River as a world class fishery. Certainly many other factors have contributed to change in the fishery, but seasonal closures beyond protecting spawning fish give the trout population a break from continued angling pressure. South of the Canadian border, Montana has started to eliminate seasonal river closures with the exception of temperature triggered short term intervention to reduce fish kill. Are we headed the same way?

A very disappointing survey set up to support the belief that seasonal river closure are unenforceable! The Bow River from the headwaters down to Bassano with no seasonal closures to protect spawning fish is a regressive policy. WE NEED THE BOW RIVER CLOSED TO FISHING IN THE CITY OF CALGARY FROM OCTOBER 1 TO NOVEMBER 30 TO PROTECT SPAWNING BROWN TROUT. This is critical in the event that Whirling Disease does devastate the Rainbow Trout population. A fall closure of the city reach of the Bow River was banded around a couple of years but was dismissed due to what is believed to be pressure from the guiding industry. I added my thoughts in the "comments" section of the survey. Indicating that the closure of the city reach of the Bow River from October 1 to November 30 is justified to protect fall spawners.

If an exhibitor as an owner of a business has not the foresight to invest is PR and promotion of his business I wonder just how long that business will be around!

One of the biggest issues with any trade show is to understand what the customer wants far more than what the exhibitors and the organizers want for the dollars invested. The show should be a public relations exercise for the exhibitor, not just a money grab! What has happened with this show is a lack of foresight from the organizers in so far as having the same list of seminars given by the same presenters year after year. And in most case the topics presented by well meaning individuals with little professional speaking experience. Who wants to listen to the same old topics presented in a barn with poor seating and audio visual techniques. You can go the the web site and get your fill of this stuff while sipping a beer! In addition with some exceptions the majority of exhibitors are focused on setting up a box to sell discontinued or slow moving items. Little thought has been put into the marketing of their company and the products they sell. If an exhibitor is not direct selling to the public, the question is often asked " What am I doing here that could not be accomplished at home?" We end up with exhibitors attending shows because " They are noticeable by their absence" if they don't exhibit! This show is no exception, it happens everywhere and in every market. Some of the best shows I have been to over the years in both business and pleasure have been one or two days max duration with no direct selling opportunities. Is this the future of Calgary's Fly Fishing Expo?

The River Access Strategy (RAS) goes to Calgary's Community & Protective Services Committee Meeting on February 1, 2017. This is the only time when public comments and support can be presented to Councillors who will guide the approval process through City Council. Needless to say, the fishing community needs to get behind this very important initiative, The following link updates current RAS proposals and the background behind improvements to river access points. The importance of fishing community has been listened to with boat ramps at Stoney Trail, 12 Street SE, Refinery Park and Graves Bridge receiving priority development. https://bowrivertrout.org/2017/01/04/river-access-strategy-presented-to-community-protective-services-february-1-2017/ Support is critical to the River Access Strategy to pass at City Council in March of this year.

There has been considerable debate within the fishing community over the years regarding the fire departments boat ramp access policy. The reality is that the fire departments will get unrestricted and exclusive boat ramp access at Shouldice Park, Eau Claire, 17 Ave SE and Quarry Park. What the River Access Strategy will hopefully accomplish is a series of public boat ramps strategically located from Stoney Trail in the north-west to Seton ( opposite Policeman's Flats) in the south-east. With the addition of a new boat ramp at 12 Street SE, (by the new Inglewood Bridge) and at Old Refinery Park the opportunity to float and fish the Bow River in the city will be doubled. Once Harvie Passage is reopened in 2018 it will be possible to float the Bow River in a drift boat from Stoney Trail to Fish Creek. What is critical at this point in time if for the fishing community to SHOW SUPPORT for the River Access Strategy by responding to the post I placed earlier or showing support on this topic

Old Refinery Park to be developed as a public access boat ramp as an alternative to the closure of 12 Ave. SE / Cushing Bridge. The following link details the rationale: https://bowrivertrout.org/2016/12/20/old-refinery-park-proposed-as-replacement-for-cushing-bridge-boat-ramp/

I've had a traditional drift boat in the past, followed by a 12' NRS inflatable and moved over the a RO skiff 5 years ago. Traditional drift boats were designed for fast, rough water on the west coast. As drift boats became more popular Clackacraft, Hyde and other manufacturers developed the low-profile drift boat that is more common nowadays. One of the big disadvantages of a drift boat is the lack of a panoramic view of the river from the rowers seat. A skiff does not have the "sail" on the front end that gives you 2 advantages: the wind will not catch the boat as much and secondly you can see all of the river ahead of you from the rowers seat. Over the past 3 years the Adipose Flow (a hybrid between the skiff and a traditional drift boat design) has dominated sales in Montana in particular. Hyde and RO followed with a copy of the design. For your own use the RO skiff is light and very maneuverable. But if you ever want to guide the Bow River buy a traditional drift boat or Adipose Flow. Price will more than likely govern your decision. The Adipose Flow has increased in price over the past year. Your best bet is to buy a used Claka or Hyde in the US. There are plenty around.

Jpinkster: We are not seeing more fish in the Bow River than historical norms, only an increase following the 2013 flood. But not enough re-population to suggest the Bow River has rebounded to historical norms. There would appear to be an increase in very large fish this year that is very unusual. Where the population is substantially lower is in the mid-size fish. The hope is that the abundance of juvenile fish will survive the winter months and grow in size next year. With the presence of Whirling Disease we could see some kill off of juvenile fish which would impact the midsize fish population in coming years. There are many factors at play here - not just Whirling Disease.

Bron: I believe your observations are just wishful thinking - hoping that the Bow will recover from years of decline. As you have said, there are pools with large numbers of juvenile fish in them especially in the area downstream of the Highwood. Over the years they have always been there. What is of concern to me and many others who have been around for years is the absence of any number of fish in very good stretches of the Bow. This is especially true downstream of MacKinnons. One could argue that the 2013 flood had an enormous impact of the river downstream of the Highwood. But 3 years is sufficient time for fish to repopulate that stretch of the river. Sure the fish are moving to runs in the river that give them protection from predictors and fishermen alike. Often to mid-river habitat where it is not as easy to catch them. But I would still claim the the number of fish is way down over what we did see in the '90.

The Calgary River Access Strategy has been release for river user / public comment. The proposal will go to City of Calgary Community Services in February for approval before being presented to City Council in March 2017. The following link will take you to Bow River Trout's website where copy of the proposal can be downloaded. Your comments on the proposed boat ramps and hand launch sites will help formulate Calgary River Users Alliance response to the strategy. Either leave your comments on the website, post them here or send an email https://bowrivertrout.org/2016/12/15/calgarys-river-access-strategy-goes-to-city-council-in-march-2017/

I for one have been of the opinion that the Bow River fishery has been slowly dying for many years. Regardless of flood, high temperatures, removal of pollutants by water treatment upgrade and an ever increasing number of anglers using varying degrees of catch-and-release, the trout populations on the Bow River has steadily been decreasing over the years. In addition there has been an artifact that has seen various classes (age) of fish disappearing from the fishery over the years. This year we have seen an unusual increase in large rainbow and brown trout. Many anglers and me included have caught the largest specimen of Bow River trout. Over 30 years of guiding and fishing the Bow River I have not seen this before. Before the presence of WD was reported in the province, I was asking for an explanation for this occurrence from those individuals who like to think they have an answer for everything. I never received a plausible explanation! Could sub-clinical whirling disease have been out there for 10 or more years impacting spawning success and in combination with environmental stress killed off younger fish? No science on my part, just an old farts observation!

SilverDoctor: Great Map

BurningChrome: Your comments on my post are valid. A post will be put up on the CRUA Facebook page shortly in the same way as a post was put up on the same Facebook page for Whirling Disease. As the River Access Strategy rolls out over the next few months you will see that designated boat access points will have signage informing the public on safety issues that could well include precautionary procedures to mitigate transfer of invasive species.

Here we go again. Anglers and drift boat users concerned with invasive species, but little interest from recreational floaters, kayak and canoe users. As others have said the boat inspection at Coutts is a great example of a PR program that has worked. But not stopping at the inspection site needs to be treated in the same way as "running the boarder" was in the old days before the Border Inspection Services put in barriers and gates. Basically a criminal charge if I remember correctly.