Rockyman

Although the majority of the environmental criticisms of Alberta is focussed on the oil sands, it is very disheartening to see the ongoing damage that is occuring in the remainder of the province. I love fishing the Freeman yet the oil and gas industry has a ridiculous presence in the area. If you can't see or smell the oil and gas wells you can hear them or the production plants while fishing some of the best areas of this river. Oil wells are starting to become more prevalent in the Blackstone drainage and I fear they will continue to become more common. Look at what's happening in the Little Smokey drainage. The North Ram is under pressure as well but at least that rig camp is no longer present on one of the most popular access points. These are but a few examples... I see no signs that this will improve and in fact I think it will just become worse. I am not optimistic about the future. The government is simply unwilling to provide the amount of environmental protection that is required in this province. If I can hear, smell or see an oil well or gas plant while I'm fishing a cold-water river river it's likely too close.

I did a trip to Fortress Lake a few years ago. Amazing trip and highly recommended. It's hard to believe the brook trout that you catch there are the same species that you catch in east slope streams! They are big, strong fish. It's an especially nice place to go with your spouse because you can also go hiking, canoeing or just hang out and relax when you are not fishing.

I'm not a PETA guy or anything like that but this video was disgusting. What sort of sicko does something like this? That rat really suffered.