The last fishable drift

Wednesday May 25 2011
17th Ave/Cushing Bridge to Glenmore

Water was up two feet from the Friday before and much dirtier. Missed a couple good hits on giant black streamers.

After nearly crapping my pants when I was 10" away from stepping on a Goose nest and angry momma I landed a fatter 23" brown on a Golden Stone.

The Swallows were out in full force eating the blue winged olives and the March browns that scattered the surface.

Noticed a couple rises in a calm back corner. Maybe got the last fishable drift of the prerunoff water due to it rising yet another foot at least over Thursdays heavy rains. Looks likes we won't be seeing for another month! Hopefuly less!

THANKS TO ERIC M. (BLUE RIBBON EXPLORER) for this email report and photos.

Photo Courtesy: Eric M.

Fly Fusion Magazine – Summer 2011

Fly Fusion showed up in the mailbox a few days ago.

A great feature article by Jim McLennan (Dry Flies & Drift Boats), a photo essay from Chris Bird (The Cariboo Experience) and April Vokey’s new Steehead column (Treasure Hunters).

That’s just a taste of the good reading from this edition! Pick up a copy at your favourite Calgary fly shop.

And don't forget to have a look at TUC's eight page "Currents".

You can preview the magazine here .

“Get Weir’d on the Water” - June 03

Click directly on poster for larger image

Calgary Water Centre Directions

He didn't get the memo

This fellow was headed towards the Fish Creek Park boat launch area on the Bow River yesterday afternoon.

Bylaw officers take 'education-first' approach to river perimeter ban
By Jamie Komarnicki,
Calgary Herald May 30, 2011

Wooden Boat spoken here

We’re a day late on this. But this gives you 364 days to plan on attending next year!





http://www.woodenboatpeople.com/

Via: Chi Wulff

Pipelines and Water

Two proposed pipeline projects, originating in Alberta, have been much in the news lately. The Keystone Pipeline Project and the Northern Gateway Pipelines Project.

Both projects are promising significant financial benefits to Albertans over the long term, in that they would open up new markets for our oilsands production: one to south of the border, the other to markets overseas.

Both are also running up against fairly significant opposition on a number of fronts. Concerns related to the protection of water are high on the list.

The Gateway project made the front page of the Calgary Herald’s business section yesterday.

‘No need’ for pipeline: officials
Mike De Souza,
Postmedia News
May 27, 2011

Earlier this month, Claudia Cattaneo, business writer for the Financial Post, wrote this article. It makes for some very interesting reading.

First Nations stand ground
Claudia Cattaneo,
Financial Post
May 11, 2011

Finally, this video was posted on the Moldy Chum fly fishing blog last fall. Caveat: any reference to ‘tar sands’ instead of ‘oil sands’ lets you know right off the bat which side of the fence the argument is coming from.

From Tar Sands to Tankers: The Battle to stop Enbridge from Dogwood Initiative on Vimeo.

How high is the water, mama?

All Photos: Bow River Shuttles

It’s 300 cms and NOT rising… at least for now.



The flow rate on the Bow River at Calgary on Tuesday morning May 24 at 9:00 am was 103.8 cms

At 6:00 pm this afternoon (Friday May 27) is was up to 308.34 cms.



The rain seems to have backed off, so for the time being, we’ve probably seen the peak flows on local rivers.

We have not experienced a runoff like this for several years. Although no one wants to see major flooding, a strong runoff is good news for our rivers and the fish that live there.

Thanks to Ted Horechka for the heads up on the river conditions at Policeman's Flats.

Terry Johnson's Bow River

It will likely be a few weeks before we see the Bow River back down to these levels.

VFTSV*

Photo: Bow River Shuttles

*Views from the Shuttle Van

Fishing in the rain south of the 49th

Via: http://www.facebook.com/adipose.boatworks

Coming soon to a river near you

Click directly on any image for a larger version









Mountain snowpack conditions at the Bow River Basin snow course stations range from 113% to 212% of normal.

What is equally interesting is the winter 2010/2011 snowpack as compared to last year winter 2009/2010. What a difference!


Forecaster’s Comments
Wednesday May 25, 2011 – 11:50 AM

River levels in central, north central and southern Alberta rose moderately in response to showers in the past few days and most of the streams have peaked. In northern Alberta, river levels will remain steady or continue to fall slowly. Streamflow conditions in the province are generally average to much-above-average for this time of the year.

The forecast heavy precipitation will significantly increase streamflows in southern Alberta. If the forecast heavy precipitation does materialize, high flow conditions will occur for rivers and streams in the Upper Oldman, Willow (Creek), St. Mary, Waterton, Upper Bow, Highwood, Elbow, Upper Red Deer River basins and streamflow advisories will be issued as appropriate.

VFTSV*

Photo: Bow River Shuttles

*Views from the Shuttle Van

Confirmed: Lady Gaga does NOT relax by fly fishing

Via: Midcurrent

Spey casting on the Bow River

Happy Birthday Bob Dylan

Come mothers and fathers
Throughout the land
And don’t criticize
What you can’t understand
Your sons and your daughters
Are beyond your command
Your old road is rapidly agin’
Please get out of the new one if you can’t lend your hand
For the times they are a-changin’

Death Fish

Calgary Herald
Monday May 23, 2011

Death fish: host of River Monsters has iron will for murky deep

There are giant fish tales, and then there are ginormous fish tales. Jeremy Wade — arguably the most known freshwater biologist and extreme angler — prefers his freshwater fish on the toothy, flesh-eating side. If it’s eaten someone, he reasons, it’ll make good fetchin’.

Rainy Day Shuttles

Photos: Bow River Shuttles


Views from the Shuttle Van

VFTSV*

Photo: Bow River Shuttles

A couple who fish together...

*Views from the Shuttle Van

Vendeja

The recent Auction at the Calgary Hook & Hackle Club went very well.

Thanks do generous donations from local fly shops, fishing retailers and other corporate sponsors, the club was able to hold a silent auction and a bucket draw, in addition to the traditional ‘live’ auction.


All Photos: Bow River Shuttles

The live auction featured many big-hearted contributions from club members, including casting instruction and almost a dozen trips!


Several Bow River floats trips, an Outpost Lake trip plus Walk & Wade trips to: Elbow River, Livingston River, North Raven River and, or course, the Bow River.

Today's Pic

More than two dozen drift boats floated the Bow River today.

Bow River Access - Stoney Trail SE/Calgary Ring Road

All photos: Bow River Shuttles

Between now and the end of 2013, fly fishers travelling to Policeman’s Flats or McKinnon Flats will have to run the gauntlet of construction that will be taking place along Highway 22X, especially at McKenzie Lake Blvd SE, Deerfoot Trail SE, 52 St SE and 88 St SE. The same goes for Deerfoot Trail at 196 Ave SE.

Some work began in the fall of 2010. However, activity has really revved up over the past couple of months.

Click directly on image for larger map

Click here for more information, including maps of each interchange

SID7 is live!

More interesting stuff from freelance writer and photographer Aaron Otto (AKA Sleeping In the Dirt) and his friends.

SID7

Battle At F-Stop Ridge

Camera Store (Calgary) produces a great video. http://bit.ly/CameraStore

Alberta May Long Weekend

The New Fly Fisher – May/July 2011

One of the feature articles in this issue is Dave Jensen’s “Principles of Sight Fishing: Part 1 Finding the Fish”. Lots of great information and some beautiful photos!

Those who attended my Back Cast Fly Fishing Film Festival earlier this year will remember Dave and Amelia being awarded “Best Film” for their short film “Q the X”. Others will know Dave from the “Sight Fishing” presentation he did at one of the recent TUC-Bow River Chapter’s ‘Social Nights’ in Calgary.

You’ll also enjoy ‘Streamers for Big Trout’. This article includes several embedded videos, including one which features Kelly Galloup.

In fact, there a number of other video clips scattered throughout the mag – one of the benefits of an on-line publication.

Actually, this issue is dubbed ‘The Stillwater Special’, so you’ll find good info on that topic as well.

The New Fly Fisher

Today's Pic

An evening float: 22X to Police.

The Bow is Below

The Bow and Elbow rivers are the source of drinking water for all Calgarians. Maintaining the water quality in these rivers is important to ensure that high-quality drinking water is available for future generations. It is equally important to the fish and wildlife that call these waterways home.

Go online, between May 18 and June 22, and answer a short three question survey for your chance to win one of 10 prizes:

A river rafting adventure for two
An educational session learning to fly fish on the Bow River
A family fun package touring some local attractions
A Yard Smart package that includes a composter, rain barrel and diverter kit

Learn more about “The Bow is Below” and access the survey: here

Via: City of Calgary Blog

Saskatoon rocks!

Well actually, it’s The Sheepdogs who rock. It was announced today that they made the final cut and are now in the Top 2!

If you like their sound, please vote, vote and vote some more. :-)

It would be really cool if a Canadian band, especially one from Saskatoon, made the cover of the Rolling Stone!

Rolling Stone – Choose the Cover – The Sheepdogs

“Canadian band The Sheepdogs makes it into final of Rolling Stone talent contest” - Vancouver Sun, May 18, 2011

Ten & Two Magazine - Issue #4

Ten & Two focuses on the ‘journey’. In this case, to the South Island of New Zealand.

In addition to covering the obvious, fly fishing, they also explore local history, food, culture, art and environmental concerns. There is even an article ‘South Island Birding’.

Catch the writing of Robert Tomes in ‘Owen River Magic’. Drool over David Lambroughton's fine photography. Both are 30 year veterans of NZ streams.

Ten & Two Magazine

Have Your Say

The Land-use Framework established seven new land-use regions and the requirement to develop a regional plan for each. The regions are:

•Lower Peace
•Upper Peace
•Lower Athabasca
•Upper Athabasca
•South Saskatchewan
•North Saskatchewan
•Red Deer

The regions are named after their major watersheds to show that land and watershed planning will be integrated.

The Lower Athabasca Regional Plan is the first one out of the gate.

"The Lower Athabasca Regional Plan will identify and set resource and environmental management outcomes for air, land, water and biodiversity, and guide future resource decisions while considering social and economic impacts

Complete the Workbook. Deadline for online submission is 4:30 p.m., June 6, 2011

Public Sessions:

At the public sessions you will have a chance to speak with government representatives, gain an understanding of the draft regional plan and proposed regulations, provide your feedback and fill out the workbook.

Edmonton
Tuesday, May 17
Ramada Hotel and
Conference Centre
11834 Kingsway Avenue

Calgary
Thursday, May 19
Radisson Hotel
Calgary Airport
2120 – 16 Avenue N.E.

More information about the Lower Athabasca Regional Plan here

Beware of side channels & beavers

Thursday May 12
Policeman’s Flats to McKinnon Flats

The day was very slow, windy, and long. The water clarity was poor up to Highwood, and non-existent afterwards.

We had only one fish, a 16-inch rainbow caught on a nymph. Still enjoyed the float though, and very much appreciated the shuttle (there were three guys stranded at Mac because their shuttle service did not move their car. Ouch!).

We took a side channel below Highwood, but got in trouble because of a beaver dam. I would certainly not recommend it to other floaters (we were okay because my boat is light and easily portable).

There was a flock of Franklin Gulls feeding on midges and BWOs, and that was something to see.

THANKS TO MARTIN L. FOR THIS EMAIL REPORT.

Photo: Bow River Shuttles

Alberta’s different. Don’t worry! Be happy!

Last week, researchers at Duke University released a study which found that well water collected near shale gas drilling and fracking sites contained high levels of leaked methane.

Shale gas linked to bad water

In Alberta, Environment Minister Rob Renner said that citizens here should not be concerned because our regulations are ‘different’.

Alberta shuns U.S. shale gas drilling fears

Photo: AP

Sunday on the Bow River

McKinnon Flats Sunday May 15 2011. Photo: Bow River Shuttles

We cross over Fish Creek most every morning, and we’ve been watching the water volume gradually decrease over the past number of days. So it was no surprise when we noticed this morning that the water colour on the Bow River had improved at both the Fish Creek and Policeman’s Flats boat launches. Green without the brown tinge.

However, we were a bit surprised to see some improvement in the water colour at McKinnon Flats, although not as pronounced. Looking at the river flow charts this evening, it is evident that the flow rate at the mouth of the Highwood has declined a wee bit over the past couple of days.

Ultimate Fishing Town Canada

They’re down to the ‘top 20 towns’ in the WFN ‘Ultimate Fishing Town Canada’. Calgary didn’t make the cut. But Athabasca, Alberta did, as did Nipawin, Saskatchewan.

Maybe you have a favourite town on the remaining list? If so, you have until May 31 to make your votes count during the final round!

Top prize: $25,000 community donation to be used for fishing-related cause(s) in the winning town.

Ultimate Fishing Town Canada

Casting in the Wind

The forecast for tomorrow (Sunday) calls for a wind from the south east at 30 gusting to 50 km/h. Sounds similar to what we experienced today.

This past Tuesday, Phil Monahan (Orvis) posted a timely video “Casting in the Wind”.

Fly Fishing & Kite Surfing

17th Ave/Cushing Bridge

All photos: Bow River Shuttles

It was a bit breezy along the Bow River today.

We began our day at the 17th Ave/Cushing Bridge boat launch, and ended up at Carseland. Even the pelicans at Carseland were keeping a low profile!

On our way back from Carseland, along highway 22X, we stopped to watch a couple of guys kite surfing!






Policeman's Flats


McKinnon Flats

Carseland