Supporting TUC

We donated a complementary drift boat rental to the TUC fundraising dinner this past spring.
The successful bidder took advantage of his prize today, with a “full service” float from Glenmore Trail to Policeman’s Flats.

Sunny Saturday on the Bow River

Today was a mostly sunny day, with a few clouds. By three this afternoon, the temp had clawed its way up to +11 °C.







By that time, about a dozen boats were floating various reaches of the Bow River.

Keep your soup warm

Need an insulated bottle for your next float trip? Check out Otterbottle. They are based right here in Calgary.

Calgary Herald reporter Trent Edwards gave them a mention in his “Vitals” column this morning.

Vitals
Compiled by Trent Edwards
Calgary Herald
October 29 2010

A Safe Bottle With Style

Bpa-Free Products - Tired of your dad's hefty, bland Thermos? Then check out Otterbottle's new insulated containers.

The Calgary company's 500-millilitre ($23.99) bottles comes in a wide range of funky colours, each with its own stylish print. But don't be fooled by the pretty paint job -- they are also durable and practical. Like all Otterbottle products, this is made of high-grade stainless steel and tough plastic that are free of the toxic chemical bisphenol-A. The dual lid includes a narrow-opening upper lid you can unscrew for a hot drink, and a wide-mouth lower lid you can open for chunky soups.

For more details, to buy online or for a list of independent stores that carry the containers in Calgary, visit otterbottle.ca.

http://www.otterbottle.ca/

Via: Vitals – Calgary Herald

A Chinook is in the forecast

We had a couple of clients who braved the chilly weather and floated the Bow River today. It got all the way up to +6C.

There were even a couple of fly fishers walking and wading near McKinnon Flats. (see photo on left).

However, it seems that a bit of a warming trend might be on the way!

Sky Watch Weather

Updated: Thu Oct. 28 2010
18:23:48
David Spence

Change Comes Gradually

The extremely slow warming trend continues in the Calgary area. While some parts of southern Alberta enjoyed double digit temperatures Thursday afternoon, the warm air remained aloft over Calgary. That warm air could come to the surface Friday, making a temperature forecast quite difficult. We've posted a high of 6 degrees, but if the sun comes out, and the wind kicks in, drawing the warmer air down to the surface, there is a chance of somewhat warmer weather than forecast.

We will have typical fall weather over the Halloween weekend, with temperatures in the mid to high single digits. There will be some sunshine, some clouds, and no snowstorms. The kids may have to bundle up a bit, as Sunday's high of 7 is likely to happen in the early to mid afternoon, with cooler air pouring in later in the day.

After Halloween, the weather will warm up as chinook wind blows in Monday.

Large turnout for Phil Rowley's presentation

Hook & Hackle members crowded into the hall to hear Phil Rowley speak last night. In fact, club President Daniel Young had to bring out another stack of chairs!





Thanks to Daniel and the club Executive for organizing this special event.

Photos

Top: Phil autographing one of his books

Bottom: Phil being introduced by Les Stastook

New "Short Film" Category for Back Cast FFFF

We are pleased to announce that we have added a new "Short Film" category to our Back Cast Fly Fishing Film Festival competition.

Short Film: Maximum 5 minutes. As short as you like.

Winning Short Film: $150

Backgrounder: Although we were aware of the success of the Drake Fly Fishing Video Awards when we put out our request for submissions earlier in the summer, we were still undecided on this category.

Since then, we have watched with interest the CPAWS Two Minute Video Contest (promoting Canada's National Parks). And in late September, we enjoyed attending the Paddling Film Competition & Festival (mostly short films) sponsored by local paddling shop Aquabatics.

All of this caused us to revisit our original decision and that resulted in today's announcement.

Just a reminder, the deadline for submissions is November 30 2010.

More information here

In That Sweet Country

A moving collection of fishing stories by one of America’s legendary outdoor writers. Throughout his career, Harry Middleton contributed hundreds of stories, essays, and book reviews to some of the most respected periodicals, including the New York Times, Sports Illustrated, Gray’s Sporting Journal, Field & Stream, Country Journal, Smithsonian, and Sierra, among others. When he died in 1993, Middleton left behind a legacy rich with mountain streams, wild trout, and fishermen’s dreams.

In That Sweet Country is a fresh, exhilarating collection of a renowned fishing writer’s previously published works. A recognized name in outdoor writing, Middleton brings us inspiring selections such as “An Angler’s Lament” from Southern Living (1987),“Spring on the Miramichi” from The Flyfisher (1991), “A Haunting Obsession with Brown Trout” from the New York Times (1992), and many more. Readers who have loved Middleton’s work will cherish this compilation, while novice fishermen will gain a view of the world as Middleton saw it: “There are so few left, so few who believe the earth is enough.”

Published July 2010. Available at your favourite fly shop.

Phil Rowley @ Calgary Hook & Hackle Club

The Calgary Hook and Hackle Club welcomes Phil Rowley as the guest speaker at their upcoming meeting this Wednesday October 27 2010.

Doors Open: 6:30 pm
Meeting & Phil Rowley: 7:00 pm

Please note ½ hour earlier start time

Calgary Hook & Hackle Club

Fly Craft Angling with Phil Rowley

Fog along the Bow River

The Bow River was shrouded in fog this morning.









Despite temperatures that hovered in the +1C/+3C range most of the day, a small number of fly fishers got out to float the Bow.

Saturday morning along the Bow River

Inflating the pontoon boats at 22X







Toques were in fashion. +3C @ 11:00 am.

Oldman River Chapter TUC - Dinner & Auction

Please click directly on poster for larger image

Urban wildlife along the Bow River

Click directly on photos for larger images

Where, along the Bow River, would one go for the best chance of viewing some wildlife? Downstream from Policeman's Flats? The valley around McKinnon Flats?

How about the boat launch at Glenmore Trail, right in the heart of Calgary?



This morning, to our surprise, we noticed a couple of coyotes ambling up the grassy trail next to the Graves Landing parking lot.

They stopped and looked at us for a minute or two. Then they turned left, and carried on down the paved bike path.

Shale gas boom threatens water

Shale gas boom threatens water

By Shaun Polczer,
Calgary Herald
October 15, 2010

A new report released by the University of Toronto on Thursday suggests the rush to develop shale gas could threaten Canada's water supplies without tough new environmental protection laws.

According to the study prepared for the Munk School of Global Affairs at the U of T, provincial and federal regulations regarding hydraulic fracturing have not kept up with the pace of shale gas development in places such as northeastern British Columbia and Quebec, where it says drilling poses a threat to groundwater supplies.

The report notes that shale development in the U.S. has sparked a wave of public concern over new technologies that are credited with unlocking a 100-year supply of natural gas from rocks that were previously considered impossible or uneconomic to produce.

"Canada has also witnessed its own 'shale gale' as the boom noisily expanded from its dramatic epicentre in northern British Columbia into rich shale formations in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario, Quebec and New Brunswick," the report states.

Read more here

October Bow River Float

Reject apathy

Reject apathy

Use your democratic right wisely, but please use it

Editorial: Calgary Herald
October 18, 2010

"The candidates who have stepped forward in today's civic election have given Calgarians some healthy democratic options. In the tight, three-way race for mayor especially, voters have distinct choices. We are blessed to live in a civil society that has been given the gift of democracy. With committed candidates stepping forward, it is now our responsibility to use that gift wisely."

Read more here: Reject apathy

Rainbows hitting San Juan worms

Weather was fabulous today and the rainbows were hitting San Juan worms. I enjoyed a hurried float from Policeman's to MacKinnon with clients from Vancouver and Hamilton.

We tried streamers, dries and other nymphs, but worms were definitely the hot ticket. We had eight good fish to the boat, including the beauty in the photograph, which measured 24"

Thanks for your smooth shuttling. I always look forward to my Werthers!

- THANKS TO PAUL G. FOR THIS EMAIL REPORT AND PHOTO!

The Bow River
Policeman’s Flats to McKinnon Flats
Thursday Oct 14 2010

This fishing report will be included in our next "River Report".

If you would like to receive a copy of this popular e-report, just send your request to michelle@bowrivershuttles.com .

The subscription is complementary, and is available to any interested person.

A taste of winter

Yesterday, the Bow River experienced a taste of winter.

Today, the front ranges of the Rocky Mountains sported a new coat of white.

We admired the view to the west as we moved downstream along the Bow.

McKinnon Flats on Friday

View from McKinnon Flats road today

View from Legacy Island

View from Carseland

Blog Action Day 2010: Water

Blog Action Day 2010: Water from Blog Action Day on Vimeo.

"Right now, almost a billion people on the planet don’t have access to clean, safe drinking water. That’s one in eight of us.

Unsafe water and lack of basic sanitation cause 80% of diseases and kill more people every year than all forms of violence, including war. Children are especially vulnerable, as their bodies aren't strong enough to fight diarrhea, dysentery and other illnesses. The UN predicts that one tenth of the global disease burden can be prevented simply by improving water supply and sanitation.

But, water moves beyond just a human rights issue. It’s an environmental issue, an animal welfare issue, a sustainability issue. Water is a global issue, deserving a global conversation."

Learn more here: http://blogactionday.change.org/

All in all, a great day in October!!

Bow River Shuttles

We had a good day on the river. Besides the great weather, fishing was steady. We caught 12 and lost a number. All were rainbows with the exception of a 19" brown. All were caught on small nymphs (14 to 18) - Prince -brown and olive, PT's, CJ's fished under stones and wire worms. The largest fish was a 20" rainbow.

We fished streamers with a backswimmer trailer and although we got a couple of swirls, we didn't hook up. We saw a couple of sporadic rises but no consistent surface action. We did get one good rainbow on a PT under a stimulator later in the afternoon.

We saw a number of fish taken mid-river although most of our action was on the inside seams on corners.

All in all, a great day in October!!

- THANKS TO GERRY G. FOR THIS EMAIL REPORT

The Bow River
Policeman’s Flats to McKinnon Flats
Thursday Oct 07 2010

This fishing report will be included in our next "River Report".

If you would like to receive a copy of this popular e-report, just send your request to michelle@bowrivershuttles.com .

The subscription is complementary, and is available to any interested person.

MidCurrent Fly Fishing Gear Guide 2011

"MIDCURRENT'S 2011 GEAR GUIDE has been several months in the making. Over 305 products (so far) from at least 80 companies are included in this year's Guide.

If you've read our new products coverage in years past, you'll notice several changes to the format: new categories, more detailed coverage, videos, and a new design.

The 2011 Gear Guide includes full coverage of new rods, reels, lines, waders & boots, apparel, vests & packs, fly tying gear, watercraft, eyewear, luggage, and accessories.

As we've reminded everyone in years past, "four feet of anything" is all you really need to attach to a fly before sending it on its way. But it sure is fun to think of the other possibilities. Enjoy the Guide."

MidCurrent Fly Fishing Gear Guide 2011

“Connect Kids with Nature ~ A Wetland Experience”!

Today, more than ever, we need to introduce youth to their natural environment.

More and more of our population exists within an urban setting, resulting in youth being disconnected from nature.


Vote to help Ducks Unlimited Canada “Connect Kids with Nature ~ A Wetland Experience”!

http://bit.ly/deYHwL

Happy Thanksgiving from the Bow River

As it happened, we had clients floating to or from every boat launch along the lower Bow River today (except 17th): Glenmore, 22X, Police, Mac, Legacy and Cars.

Now it’s time for our annual family Thanksgiving dinner.

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!

Photos from top:

22X/Fish Creek,
McKinnon Flats,
Legacy Island,
Carseland

10/10/10 350.org

Bungee jump toward 350 from a retired coal plant in in Johannesburg South Africa.

"People in almost all the nations of the earth are involved," said 350 honorary spokesman Desmond Tutu, the South African Anglican archbishop and Nobel Laureate. "It's the same kind of coalition that helped make the word 'apartheid' known around the world."

Learn more here: http://www.350.org/

Symbolic cleanup takes over Edmonton
CTV.ca Edmonton

Read more here: http://tinyurl.com/246u68h

With A Little Help From My Friends

Saw a lady fly fisher giving her partner a hand with his pack at Policeman's Flats today. The Beatles 1967 song ("With a Little Help From My Friends") came to mind.














"With A Little Help From My Friends", written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney, was released on The Beatles album Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band in 1967. The song was written for and sung by Beatles drummer Ringo Starr.

Today (Oct 09) would have been John Lennon's 70th birthday.

Salvelinus Confluentus

Bull Trout from Graham Styler on Vimeo.

A brief look at the fall spawning run of the North American Bull Trout - Salvelinus Confluentus, from a remote stream in the Canadian Rocky Mountains.

Via: Moldy Chum http://tinyurl.com/2g9njtf

Yet another environmental tragedy

A dead fish and a corn cob lie stuck to the windshield of a car damaged by the toxic red mud from the damaged reservoir of a nearby Ajka alumina factory in Devecser, Hungary, on Tuesday, Oct. 5, 2010. (AP Photos/MTI, Lajos Nagy)





A crushed off-road vehicle is seen on the banks of the Torna stream in the of village of Kolontar, Hungary on October 4, 2010. (INDEX ATTILA NAGY/AFP/Getty Images)

The Big Picture brings us some heartbreaking images of the environmental disaster that began in Hungary several days ago.

Several local streams and rivers have been destroyed as the toxic mud flows downstream to the Danube River.

See images here: http://tinyurl.com/a-flood-of-toxic-sludge

Hungary: Toxic red sludge has reached the Danube
By PABLO GORONDI , 10.07.10, 06:13 PM EDT
Associated Press

KOLONTAR, Hungary -- The toxic red sludge that burst out of a Hungarian factory's reservoir reached the mighty Danube on Thursday after wreaking havoc on smaller rivers and creeks, and downstream nations rushed to test their waters.

The European Union and environmental officials fear an environmental catastrophe affecting half a dozen nations if the red sludge, a waste product of making aluminum, contaminates the Danube, Europe's second-longest river.

Read more here: http://tinyurl.com/2ub26jb

The Observatory

The Celebration of the Bow River has wrapped up.

However, one final public art installation from the Celebration of the Bow River remains in place:

The Observatory by Jose Luis Torres has been extended until the end of October.

Observatory III is installed at St. Patrick's Island, near the south parking lot of the zoo. Cross the pedestrian bridge and you'll find it next to the river (about 200 meters into the pathway).

It's a great place to sit down, reflect on life and enjoy beautiful views of the Bow River.

Learn more here: http://tinyurl.com/39bme3j

Dynamite, Bacon & the Kitchen Sink

We tried everything, streamers, backswimmers, BWO, SJW, grenades, dynamite, bacon, kitchen sink and other artillery and not many fish hooked let alone landed.

There were more rising fish on Friday and my client caught his biggest ever trout which taped at 22.5 inches (female bow). (See attached photo).

On Saturday the same thing...not a lot of fish but some nice ones caught.

The scenery was so gorgeous that it made fishing secondary...

Thanks again for the shuttle!

- THANKS TO TONY S. FOR THIS EMAIL REPORT AND PHOTO!

The Bow River
Policeman’s Flats to McKinnon Flats
McKinnon Flats to Carseland
Friday & Saturday
Sept 24 & 25, 2010

This fishing report, and others, are included in the "River Report" that went out this afternoon.

If you would like to receive a copy of this popular e-report, just send your request to michelle@bowrivershuttles.com .

The subscription is complementary, and is available to any interested person.

Save Wetlands...

This is the real story behind wetland loss...

In Canada, we lose 80 acres of wetlands every day. It’s an alarming statistic when you consider how much wetlands do for us and for the health of our world. When wetlands lose…we all lose.

Learn why wetlands are important, what the issues are and what organizations like DUC and people like you can do to be part of the wetland conservation solution.

http://www.savewetlands.ca/

October Colours

One of our rental drift boats was on the Bow River today.

The couple pushed off from Policeman’s Flats shortly after sunrise and pulled into McKinnon Flats in the late afternoon.

Awakening the Skeena

Another film with a water theme is being screened tomorrow at the Calgary International Film Festival.



Ali Howard’s livelihood depends, to some degree, on the vitality of the Skeena River and the pristine forests along its banks, so when Big Oil moves in with designs on methane gas exploration, she decides to do something about it.

Inspired by the moxy of world-renowned river swimmer Martin Strel (star of BIG RIVER MAN, CIFF Doc Soup 2009), Howard decides that the appropriate course of action is grassroots activism: she’s going to swim all 610kms of the Skeena.

During her month-long adventure—from the frigid trickle at the source of the Skeena through white-water canyons and temperate rainforests to the Pacific Ocean—Ali gets by with a little help from her friends.

Filmmaker Andrew Eddy captures this roadtrip of awareness, creating a film that’s not only a document of Ali’s journey, but a stunning visual argument of a rugged and beautiful wilderness worth saving.

Sunday, Oct. 3 @ 04:30pm

Learn more here:
http://www.calgaryfilm.com/2010/schedule/film/1101/

And here:
http://skeenawatershed.com/

"Awakening the Skeena" was produced by Double Haul Productions. Fly fishers will be interested to know that the Double Haul Productions film "Reel Adventures" won 1st place at the Winston Film Festival and was also selected as an official film by the 2008 Fly Fishing Film Tour. You can watch "Reel Time" on their website.

You will also find a second trailer on that website for "Awakening the Skeena".

http://doublehaulproductions.com/index.php

Wildlife Film Festival

The International Wildlife Film Festival Tour is taking place on Saturday, October 2nd at the Cochrane Ranche House.

The Cochrane Environmental Action Committee (CEAC) is hosting the festival in partnership with the International Wildlife Film Festival of Missoula, Montana.

Award winning films from around the globe will be featured as well as displays from local wildlife associations so that festival participants can make connections that will inform and educate them about wildlife in the Cochrane region.

http://www.cochrane-environment.org/