Today along the Bow River

Photo, © Bow River Shuttles

What a great day to be on the river! Our warmest day yet in 2014 saw a number of drift boats and a pontoon boat or two enjoying a float on the Bow. And, as already reported, some of our shuttle clients doing a trip from Police to Mac for the first time this season!

#bowriver #flyfishing

High today 20.5 °C, overcast, wind avg 8, max 20.

Bow River at Calgary flow 57 cms

Vandalism at McKinnon Flats

We made our first shuttle trip to McKinnon Flats today. The road is passable, but only because it's dry and hard packed. Otherwise, it's in terrible shape. 

However, what really got our attention was all the damage that had been done since our last trip there in early April. 

What kind of people do this?? 

The women's outdoor toilet was burned to the ground. And that, after it had been retrieved a mile or so downstream, after last year's flood.

The swinging gate has been taken off its post. Not sure how much damage was done to it.

This off-road trail is not new. It was begun a year or two back. But people are continuing to climb this hill. Eventually, the rain will begin eroding the tracks, and deep ruts will develop.

This off-road trail was blocked by posts that were installed last year, and the year before. Someone drove right through the two posts on the left side of this photo, cracking them off from the base. The second broken post is just out of view, on the left.

Logs set up in a fire ring, ready for the next visit.

Watch it live!!

Watch it live!!

Alberta's Watershed Management Symposium: Flood and Drought Mitigation

This public symposium covers Alberta's progress to improve its flood and drought resiliency, including the role of natural solutions.

Tuesday, April 29, 2014
BMO Centre, Hall D
20 Roundup Way, Calgary

Watch it live

This event will be webcast. Viewers can visit this page on April 29 to access the live stream. Times below reflect Mountain Daylight Time (UTC-6h).

Live stream here: http://alberta.ca/flood-symposium.cfm

Bow River Fishing Report - Friday/Saturday April 18 & 19

 Brandon & Dustin B. gearing up for float trip on Saturday morning April 19. Photo, © Bow River Shuttles

Bow River Fishing Report - Friday/Saturday April 18 & 19

Glenmore to 22X/Fish Creek Park

"Thanks to Brandon B. for this fishing report" - Michelle, Owner/Operator, Bow River Shuttles

HI Michelle,

Unfortunately, we had two really slow days last Friday/Saturday. We only landed one fish (a 16" rocky) between the two days.

We missed a few other fish but all together, it was very slow.

We usually had one person nymphing (SJW, stoneflies, midge larvae, small pheasant tails) and one person streamer fishing (buggers, zonkers, etc.) the entire time. Neither proved much more successful than the other.

Hopefully I can share a better report next time!

Cheers, Brandon B.

B.C. Hydro awaits Site C dam decision

A conceptual rendering of the proposed Site C dam project.(Courtesy BC Hydro)

"The Site C dam has already been turned down twice -- will the upcoming review panel decision be strike three?" - Wilderness Committee

B.C. Hydro awaits Site C dam decision

by Justine Hunter, Victoria, The Globe & Mail, Apr 27, 2014

"... There is little doubt that the massive earthfill dam on the Peace River in B.C.’s northeast corner will destroy farmland and damage wildlife habitat. Or, to use the charming Hydro phrase, the “conversion of terrestrial habitat to a reservoir habitat.”...

Read story here: http://bit.ly/1llH49

Today along the Bow River

Photo, © Bow River Shuttles

A 'three generation' family float. Grandpa came to Calgary with his burgundy F-350 and matching Hyde drift boat, picked up his son (removing anchor in photo) and grandsons, and hit the Bow for a Sunday fly fishing trip.

#bowriver #flyfishing

High today 12 °C, scattered clouds, wind avg 11, max 26.

Bow River at Calgary flow 63 cms

'Today along the Bow River' with SAFFL

All Photos, © Bow River Shuttles 

above

John Nishi

Actually, this was 'yesterday along the Bow River'. :-) The very first Competition of the recently formed Southern Alberta Fly Fishing League. And those white dots in all the photos are not mayflies... they are snowflakes. The event was organized and overseen by Gary Hanke and his team.

Gary reports: "At the end of the day Jason Doucette took the Gold position with 6 points, John Nishi was Silver with 4 points and Ryan Cook finished with 3 points."

Please go to the SAFFL FB page to read the rest of Gary's report.

All Photos, © Bow River Shuttles

 

above Ian George

 

 

 above Ryan Cook

 above  Jason Doucette

  above  Jason Doucette

 
Jason Doucette landing the very first fish in the Competition, with Chris Johnston looking on. Gary Hanke said it measured as a 'two pointer"
 

“Alberta’s Watershed Management Symposium: Flood and Drought Mitigation" - (Calgary) April 29

Photo, courtesy reminetwork

“Alberta’s Watershed Management Symposium: Flood and Drought Mitigation" - (Calgary) April 29

The Government of Alberta is hosting a one-day symposium to discuss progress and further improvements to prevent future floods and drought.

“Alberta’s Watershed Management Symposium: Flood and Drought Mitigation” includes an update on snowpack data and river forecasting, as well as assessments of mitigation options for Alberta’s most flood-prone river basins.

Experts will also speak to the critical role natural headwaters play in flood and drought mitigation. The symposium takes place on April 29th, 10:00 am – 3:30 pm, at BMO Centre, Calgary.

More info here: http://bit.ly/1f2Jw4Q

Related article here: http://bit.ly/1fias0S

Michelle at Country Pleasures

All Photos, © Bow River Shuttles

Drop by and say hello! I've got a display table set up at Country Pleasures Fly Fishing during their 'Customer Appreciation Day', today until 5:00 pm.

Ode to Joy with Western Sky Land Trust - May 01

Ode to Joy with Western Sky Land Trust - May 01

Info & tickets: 403-571-0849 or http://bit.ly/1lFEZs3

http://www.westernskylandtrust.ca/

Today along the Bow River

Photo, © Bow River Shuttles

Two pontoon boat parties were on the Bow today, along with several drift boats. Most floating Glenmore to Police, with one going from 22X to Police.

#bowriver #flyfishing

High today 7 °C, overcast, wind avg 12, max 24.

Bow River at Calgary flow 77 cms

Calgary River Valleys AGM - May 01 2014

Click directly on poster for larger image

Calgary River Valleys AGM - May 01 2014

More info & register here: http://bit.ly/1rmCyHW

Today along the Bow River

Photo, © Bow River Shuttles

#bowriver #flyfishing

High today 12 °C, overcast, wind avg 8, max 22.

Bow River at Calgary flow 74 cms

Alberta explores making companies pay if they don’t preserve wetlands

Ducks Unlimited Canada bought 900 hectares of wetlands in the Cypress Hills in 2011 to conserve the area. The group supports a provincial policy of using offsets to ensure conservation of land.
Photograph by: Leah Hennel , Calgary Herald

Alberta explores making companies pay if they don’t preserve wetlands

By Colette Derworiz, Calgary Herald April 24, 2014

The Alberta government is considering a wide-ranging policy for conservation offsets, starting with a test project on wetlands in the southern part of the province later this year.

The policy, which would be used as a guide for landowners, municipalities and companies, could ultimately cover air, land, water and biodiversity.

Read more here: http://bit.ly/1l3sK5

Bow River Fishing Report - Tues April 22, 2014

Photos, courtesy Steve S

Glenmore to 22X/Fish Creek Park

"Thanks to Steve S. for this fishing report" - Michelle, Owner/Operator, Bow River Shuttles

Earth Day! today and it was a great day to be out on the water.

Started off warm but ended a little cooler than I expected and had to don a wind breaker when the North wind began to breeze.

The trout were scarce or missed until I netted the first spunky rainbow at 2 PM, not long before my planned take out.

The first, second, and third trout took a prince's nymph which is a little odd this time of year for them. The whitefish were abundant though and I'm sure I could have stayed and the one earlier hole and caught them all day long!

Their favorite was a hairs ear nymph, which was not odd at all.

The mating midges were many on and over the water. The whitefish sipped a small few but there was no trout surface activity at all.

Photos, courtesy Steve S

The Canada Geese are just beginning to nest this time of year and that means they are loud when approached. Audacious! They prefer the islands in the river to nest as it protects their eggs from land predators and the odd, wayward, human foot. Careful out there!

Water was still a bit colored, visibility about 2 foot, and fish creek put in muddy.

A short day but I had a good look around. 

- Steve S. 

Country Pleasures Fly Fishing Customer Appreciation Day - Apr 26

Click on posters for larger image

Country Pleasures Fly Fishing Customer Appreciation Day - Apr 26

Ottawa removing North Pacific humpback whales from list of ‘threatened’ species

Photo, courtesy Jonathan Haward, The Canadian Press

"No one gives a damn about humpback whales" said almost no one.

Ottawa removing North Pacific humpback whales from list of ‘threatened’ species

By Peter O'Neil, Calgary Herald/Vancouver Sun/Postmedia News April 22, 2014

OTTAWA — The Harper government is downgrading the protection of the North Pacific humpback whale despite objections from a clear majority of groups that were consulted.

Read more here: http://bit.ly/1tCAhfR

Photo, courtesy Jonathan Haward, The Canadian Press

Today along the Bow River

Photo, © Bow River Shuttles

Another nice day, with the high of 17 °C matching yesterday's high. Several drift boaters got out for their first float of 2014 including the party in the photo.

#bowriver #flyfishing

High today 17 °C, overcast, wind avg 11, max 30.

Bow River at Calgary flow 75 cms

Stop further gutting of the Fisheries Act!

Trout Unlimited Canada writes: "In case you don't know, the next step in "improving" the Federal Fisheries Act is to amend how the Federal government will now implement and develop regulations under the deleterious substance component of the Act.....more discretion, less science?

See what you think."

Learn more here:  http://bit.ly/1euoXhx

Green Calgary Earth Day Event April 23

Green Calgary Earth Day Event April 23

More info here: http://bit.ly/1nhdJRd
And here: http://bit.ly/1tbAXIX

Today along the Bow River

Photo, © Bow River Shuttles

One of our best days yet, in terms of weather! This family took their brand new Clacka out on its 'shakedown' cruise. First time in the water!

#bowriver #flyfishing

High today 17 °C, mostly cloudy, wind avg 10, max 24.

Bow River at Calgary flow 71 cms

Calgary Hook & Hackle Club Annual Auction - April 23

Photo collage, © Bow River Shuttles

This is your invitation to come out to this special event. You don't have to be a club member to attend.

It's a fun event, supporting a great club, and you will have the opportunity to bid on many items and trips.

In addition to items donated by club members, you will be able to bid on gear donated by local fly shops, fishing retailers and other fly fishing related businesses.

In addition to fly fishing items, there will also be spinning gear, ice fishing and this year even some offshore gear (salmon rods/reels, downrigger etc.)

Also under the auctioneer's gavel are casting lessons, Bow River drift boat float trips, plus a number of walk & wade trips to the Bow River, Elbow River, Sheep River, North Raven River, Upper Oldman and others

Why support the club and this event?

Club members provide much sought after boxes of flies for fundraisers, such as TUC, Casting for Life and others.

The club promotes fly tying for both adults and youth by providing volunteer tyers for local fly fishing shows and outdoor trade shows. 

It also provides club members with lessons in fly tying. 

And that's in addition to providing its members with a year round list of events and activities dedicated to fly fishing and fly tying.

Contributors, in order, as listed on above list.

1. Superfly
2. Bow River Shuttles
3. Jim and Lynda McLennnan
4. Canadian Tire - McLeod Trail
5. Bass Pro Shop
6. Fleet Safety International
7. Trout Unlimited
8. Bass Pro Shop
9. Canadian Tire Shawville Way SE
10. Fish tales
11. Country Pleasures
12. Fishin' Hole
13. Men in kilts