It seems like so long ago...

Here - Faceless - Fly Fishing from faceless fly fishing on Vimeo.

LINK (Via Fly Fish Calgary Forum)

Local Heroes 2010

As part of Fall Splash tradition the Trout Unlimited Canada-Bow River Chapter recognized the efforts of those who have made significant contributions to the work of the chapter and to the ongoing conservation efforts in the Bow River basin.

Tim Hamilton was this year's recipient of the Bob Paget Memorial Conservation Award.

The Bow River Habitat Award went to the City of Calgary's Wastewater Treatment and the Tom Wagler Volunteer Award went to John and Joyce Cozens.

The "Fall Splash" took place in Calgary on Nov 17 2010.

Read More Here

More Photos Here

Go Riders!

http://www.saskriders.com/

Book Sale at Calgary Hook & Hackle Club

The Calgary Hook & Hackle Club maintains a great library of books and videos for its members.

Their catalogue includes everything from historical books right up to the latest books and videos on fly tying and fly fishing.

At the regular club meeting a few days ago, the club offered up for sale some of their older books. The twist was that payment was by flies, not money. All flies went into the “fly bank”, which are donated to various good causes throughout the year.

After the brief formal meeting, members commenced fly tying. The fly tying school also had a class underway with Instructor Dennis Killips.

Photos:

top: club members looking over book offerings

bottom: Instructor Dennis Killips (centre) with students

http://www.hookandhackleclub.org/

The Stimulator - November 2010

We managed to get the November issue of our newsletter out to our subscribers earlier this month, just hours before we left for a bit of a holiday.

As of today, the three most popular items have been the new Alberta-based fly fishing website, the three new on-line fly fishing magazines and the new video on Project Healing Waters Canada that was produced during the summer by local fly fisher Rick Harding of The Fly Fishing Life dot com.

For those looking to purchase a drift boat, there are two listings, including one first-time listing. Yes, I know it’s cold out there. But it’s never too early to start planning for the next season. :-)

“The Stimulator” e-newsletter is part of my Community Support Program and is available at no charge to any interested person.

To have your copy delivered to your email inbox, please send your request to michelle@bowrivershuttles.com

(For a larger readable image, please click directly on the newsletter image.)

Kurtis & Streamer Fishing

Kurtis Giles from Fish Tales Fly Shop presented a very good seminar on “Streamer Techniques for the Bow River” this past Sunday.



He began by explaining why he has a passion for streamer fishing. He then carried on by showing and describing a very good selection of flies that he had on display, and continued with an explanation of all of the other subjects related to his topic.

Well done!



Curtis will be presenting a Streamer fly tying course beginning next Wednesday Nov 24. Check the website for more info.

Also, the next Fish Tales seminar is scheduled for Sunday Dec 05. Details are on the website.

http://www.fishtalesflyshop.com/

A dangerous precedent for provincial parks

When it comes to environmental/conservation concerns, we usually stick to water issues. However, there are exceptions, and this is one of them.

News about Bill 29 began to surface during the first part of November, while we were away on a short holiday.

However, the email letter that is copied below arrived just two days ago.

Please go to the CPAWS - Southern Alberta Chapter website for more information, including links that can be used to contact the Alberta Government on this issue.

Here is some additional information from the Environmental Law Centre in Edmonton. And also a letter written to Minister Ady from the Alberta Wilderness Association.

There is some urgency, as we understand a decision on Bill 29 could be made as early as this week.


A dangerous precedent for provincial parks

In a move that could set a dangerous precedent for all of Canada's provincial parks, Alberta is proposing a new Parks Act that could gut park protection. The Act is being debated right now in the Alberta legislature and could be passed as early as this week. Albertans are speaking out against it and the government is starting to pay attention. Your voice will help show that the world is watching.

Please take a moment to help us ensure that Alberta does NOT turn the clock back 40 years by passing this Bill. Alberta is birthplace to Canada’s national parks and home to the famous Rocky Mountains and Kananaskis Country.

Here’s what’s wrong with the Act, Bill 29:

• It doesn't identify protecting ecological integrity as the first priority for managing provincial parks -- unlike the National Parks Act

• It proposes a new zoning system to define protected areas, but the criteria for zones are undefined

• It leaves it up to the Minister, not to conservation biologists or the public, to decide what the zones will be

• It requires no public consultation for zoning changes

• It threatens the World Heritage Areas, like the Rocky Mountain national parks in Alberta adjacent to provincial parks

Over 1,000 Albertans have already spoken up, prompting a meeting between the Minister of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism and CPAWS and other conservation representatives on Friday. The Minister said she would consider our concerns, but defended the Bill's “flexibility”.

Let Alberta know that Canadian wilderness lovers from far and wide are watching:

1. Write a letter -- Add your voice to those of Albertans who have voiced concerns to the Premier and opposition parties.
2. Donate to help CPAWS speak up for parks and wilderness conservation

Thank you for helping us to defend Canada’s amazing parks and wilderness areas!

West Coast Hiking Holiday

For larger images, click directly on photos

We’ve just returned from spending a couple of weeks on the West Coast.

Our time was spent hiking along a number of creeks, rivers and ocean beaches.




















We started off on the southern tip of Vancouver Island around the Saanich Peninsula and Sooke. We then moved north to the Comox Valley and then a bit further north to the Campbell River area and Quadra Island.

























We were pleased to discover a “Stream of Dreams” mural on a school yard fence on Quadra Island.




















You can see more photos from our trip at Bow River Shuttles on Facebook

What a great weekend!

The weatherman and Mother Nature came through!!

Above average temperatures on Friday, Saturday and Sunday brought out the boats and the walk & waders along the Bow River.

That "one more trip" is probably the final float trip of the season for the majority of fly fishers in this area.

TUC Bow River Chapter - Fall Splash 2010

Click directly on poster for larger image

YOU ARE INVITED TO JOIN US for our 19th Annual Bow River Chapter Fall Splash to celebrate the Bow River and the volunteers that work to protect its world class fishery. This event is your chance to support conservation efforts along the Bow while bidding on unique art, fantastic trips, and top line sporting equipment in the company of friends.

http://www.tucanada.org/

Fishing gets more mobile

Stuff Sack

Compiled by Trent Edwards
Calgary Herald
November 4, 2010

Fishing gets more mobile

FISHING - A new iPhone application offers a user-friendly online guide for those who enjoy sport fishing in Alberta.

The App Door has launched the iFish Alberta app, which allows users to search for lakes by name or proximity, view a summary of catch limits and reference species. Fishing fanatics can also use the app to get interactive directions, fishing calendars, real-time weather, boat launch locations, points of interest and tips and tricks.

For more details, visit http://ifishalberta.com/


Via Calgary Herald: http://tinyurl.com/2ewww8t

Josh Ritter performs in Calgary

By the time we became aware of Josh Ritter’s Calgary concert date, the performance had sold out.

Josh, along with many other musicians, including Canada’s Chris Velan, is a member of One Percent For The Planet. (Chris was in Calgary earlier this year)

Josh, Chris and 39 other artists are on “The Music Vol I”. It can be yours for $9.99. All proceeds go to One Percent For The Planet.

Please click on the “My site helps rock stars Save the Planet” button on the right hand side of this screen.

1% For the Planet was started by Craig Matthews, founder of Blue Ribbon Flies and Yvon Chouinard, founder of Patagonia.

Felt Soul Media (Running Down the Man, The Hatch and Red Gold) has produced an excellent video on the story of 1% For The Planet.

A Warm November Day on the Bow River

The temperature hit +22°C today! Someone forgot to tell Mother Nature that it's November.

Remember when it got all the way up to +8°C back on August 29?

Only in Calgary!!

Warm Start to November

A bright blue sky and a promise of temperatures in the low teens brought out a handful of boats floating the Bow today.

Those floating downstream of McKinnon were taking out at Legacy Island, rather than floating to Carseland.

With an even better forecast for tomorrow, we’ve already got a few shuttle bookings.

The Drake

Nice to see a painting grace the cover of The Drake, instead of the usual photo.

The artist is Derek DeYoung from Livingston Montana.

Check out the article on him titled… wait for it… “The Artist”. Seriously though, it’s a very good profile of him.

Lots of other great stuff in the magazine as well.

Available at your favourite Calgary flyshop.

Fly-tying & Beer

Adam writes:

“Fly-tying Wednesdays with the Mckenzie Towne Fly-fishing and Tying club. New members very Welcome, the club is only 5 mos old, and always looking for new members.

Kyle at Muldoons has some sweet deals for us and we have our own semi-private area with TV's. I'll put 2- 8x10 pages in stands on the table, so it should be easy to find.

Come one, come all for fly-tying, fishing chat or just to have a beer or 2.”

Schedule:

Wednesdays 3rd, 17th of Nov, and the 1st of Dec.

Where: Muldoons on 130th ave SE

Time: 7-9pm

Mckenzie Towne Fly-fishing and Tying Club