Clara rides with a message

Canadian Olympian Clara Hughes speaks to a crowd of 150 as she is welcomed to Calgary.
#ClarasBigRide

Hughes reaches Calgary in ride for mental health awareness

Olympian travelling across Canada on bicycle for 110 days

By Dylan Robertson, Calgary Herald May 30, 2014

Multi-Olympian Clara Hughes biked into her old stomping grounds Friday afternoon at Canada Olympic Park as part of a cross-country mission to raise awareness about mental health.

“It’s amazing to be here, back to Calgary where I got to live the dream for 10 years,” Hughes told a crowd of 150.

The athlete has a month left in her 12,000-kilometre cycle trip across Canada called Clara’s Big Ride. Sponsored by Bell’s Let’s Talk campaign, Hughes aims to fight the stigma of mental illness.

Read article here: http://bit.ly/1pvwQXI

#ClarasBigRide

— at Canada's Sports Hall of Fame.

 

 MLA Dave Rodney (centre), Associate Minister for Wellness, welcomes Sarah Hughes. Rodney holds the distinction of being the only Canadian to ascend to the summit of Mount Everest twice.

 "Opportunity Works is a registered non-profit agency that provides self-employment and mental health support to any individual in the Calgary community who identifies as a mental health consumer." http://www.opportunityworks.ca/

#ClarasBigRide — at Canada's Sports Hall of Fame.

New Canadian fishing group targets female anglers

Photo, courtesy Great Canadian Female Anglers/Outdoor Canada

New Canadian fishing group targets female anglers

By Bob Sexton, Outdoor Canada, May 2014

Attention women who fish: A new organization in Canada wants to hear your story and see your photos. Great Canadian Female Anglers is a grassroots group made up of volunteers, which was recently formed to promote fishing among women. “I came up with the idea of the GCFA during my most recent pregnancy and mat leave,” says Heather Reid, the group’s founder and director (pictured at above). “I wanted to reach out to other women who love fishing as much as I do, using social media as my tool.”

Stranded boaters on the Bow River

Click on photo for much larger image

 

Bow River Shuttles writes: "River reading skills needed here, and maybe some paddling skills. :-) 

 

Parks Visitor safety responded to some stranded boaters who lost their canoe in a log jam on the Bow River yesterday. Water levels are high right now and the river is powerful so make sure your skill level matches your paddling plan for the day. Keep a close eye out for sweepers or log jams, and expect some variations in the rivers course due to last season’s spring floods. For more information see http://ow.ly/xrPyM

If anyone has recent information about paddling conditions on the Lake Louise to Castle Junction, or Castle Junction to Banff sections of the Bow River, or any other recent river observations in Banff, Yoho and Kootenay National Parks we would be interested to hear about them.

 

Via:  https://www.facebook.com/ParksMountainSafety

World Fly Fishing Championship 2014 - Frymburk/Czech Republic - 1st day of competition

World Fly Fishing Championship 2014 - Frymburk/Czech Republic - 1st day of competition

Recent updates and results here: http://bit.ly/1rrMZ2g

Watch for John Nishi (Calgary) of Fly Fishing Team Canada at 5:12 and 5:20.

  

World Fly Fishing Championship 2014 - Frymburk/Czech Republic - Day 3rd

 

World Fly Fishing Championship 2014 - Frymburk/Czech Republic - Day 3rd

Watch for John Nishi (Calgary) of Team Canada around the 30 second mark.

World Fly Fishing Championship 2014 - Frymburk/Czech Republic - Day 2nd

World Fly Fishing Championship 2014 - Frymburk/Czech Republic - Day 2nd

Clara's Big Ride coming to Alberta

CTV News Calgary

Watch new clip here: http://bit.ly/1pzXCvp

Bell Let's Talk
clarasbigride.bell.ca/

Upcoming events

Calgary, AB, May 30

4:15 PM. Welcome Event. Canada's Sports Hall of Fame, 169 Canada Olympic Rd SW, Calgary, AB T3B 6B7

Calgary, AB, May 31

9:00 AM to 1:00 PM. FREE event, open to all ages. Activities include a formal presentation with Clara Hughes (10-11), mini mental health fair, two information speaker sessions, drumming, Kundalini yoga, arts. Calgary French & International School, 700 77 St SW, Calgary, AB T3H 5C8

Spey Casting with Loop Pro-Staffer Max Robinson - Frid/Sat/Sun May 30/31 & June 01

Photo, courtesy Paula Shearer

"As the newest and only Loop Dealer for Calgary, we have teamed up with Max Robinson to offer a weekend of Spey Casting Lessons." - Bow River Troutfitters

More info here: http://bit.ly/1mHy2Em

National Hamburger Day - May 28

National Hamburger Day - May 28

We missed #YYCBurgerWeek (May 2-10) and National Hamburger Month (May) is almost over. So the best we could do was to make sure we recognized #NationalHamburgerDay :-)

Canadian Fly Fishing Team to compete at World Championships

Photo, courtesy Fly Fishing Team Canada/CBC News

Canadian Fly Fishing Team to compete at World Championships
 

National fly fishing team heading to Czech Republic to compete for World’s title

By Rachel Bloom, CBC News Posted: May 24, 2014

As the ice on ponds finally thaws, fly-fishing enthusiasts are starting to don their waders and fetch tackle-boxes out of basements. For the Canadian Fly Fishing Team, though, the real season begins Tuesday when the 34th World Fly Fishing Championships are held in Czech Republic.

Didn’t know there was a Canadian Fly Fishing Team? Don’t feel too bad. Fly Fishing Canada’s bio on its website admits, “Competitive events remain relatively unknown to most Canadians.”

Read news report here: http://bit.ly/1gscWKd

Today along the Bow River - May 2014

Photo, © Bow River Shuttles

The greening of the Bow Valley.

What to make of the flow rate??? It peaked Friday midnight at 205 cms. It hovered between 205 and 195 cms until noon Saturday. And then, it began dropping, bottoming out at 127 cms at around 8:00 pm Saturday.

#bowriver #flyfishing

High today 20°C, overcast with a few showers, wind avg 14, max 32.

Bow River at Calgary flow 127 cms

World Fish Migration Day 2014 - May 24, 2014

World Fish Migration Day 2014 - May 24, 2014

With the World Fish Migration Day 2014 we want to raise global attention for endangered migratory fish, like salmon, sturgeon, giant catfish, dourado and eel. Migratory fish are particularly threatened by barriers such as weirs, dams and sluices, built for water management, hydropower and land drainage. These fish need free migration routes in order to survive. Water managers, fishery organizations and NGO's are restoring fish migration routes in rivers and between rivers and seas. Dams removed, sluices are managed fish friendly and fishway are built to help fish on their journey.

http://www.worldfishmigrationday.com/

"On World Fish Migration Day, Recalling When America’s Rivers Ran Silver" - By Andrew C. Revkin, New York Times, May 24, 2014

Read article here: http://nyti.ms/1otP2hX

"Recognizing World Fish Migration Day in the Amazon’s Waters" - National Geographic, May 23, 2014

Read article here: http://bit.ly/SvXiTr

Empty the Tanks Worldwide (Calgary) - May 24

Empty the Tanks Worldwide (Calgary) - May 24

This is an annual worldwide protest called Empty the Tanks. This is a day for everyone around the world to stand up against marine mammal captivity. The abuse and exploitation of these sentient beings has no place in the 21st century.

Thanks to Kurtis Giles for posting about Calgary's participation in this event this morning.

Main website: http://www.emptythetanksworldwide.com/

Calgary event site: http://on.fb.me/1hl2iA6

Don't worry... Be happy...

Click directly on graph for larger image

'Does snowpack predict flooding? The answer might surprise you.'

by ESRD, April 28, 2014

Read article here: http://bit.ly/QSUqPJ

Sunshine Village: Bow River headwaters
Little Bow Summit: Elbow River headwaters
Mount Odlum: Highwood River headwaters
Three Isle Lake: Kananaskis River headwaters

Province re-opens McKinnon Flats access

Please click on image for larger version

World Fly Fishing Championship 2014 - Cdn Team Captain John Nishi

Photo, courtesy Fly Fishing Team Canada

World Fly Fishing Championship 2014 - Frymburk/Czech Republic

John Nishi (far left) from Calgary is the Captain of our Canadian fly fishing team, who are in the Czech Republic.

More photos here: http://on.fb.me/RjbEFt

More info here: http://innovativeflyfisher.com/forum/index.php?topic=1219.0

Official website: http://ffch.cz/en/

Boat launch set to repopen on weekend

The access road to McKinnon Flats was closed May 16 due to safety concerns, cutting off access to one of the most popular spots for rafters to float on the Bow River. The road was graded and repaired Wednesday, and is expected to reopen this weekend.
Photograph by: Erika Stark, Calgary Herald

Road repair to reinstate access to Bow River for floaters, fishers

By Erika Stark, Calgary Herald May 22, 2014

A popular boat launch southeast of Calgary is expected to reopen this weekend, following a weeklong closure that had many anglers and outfitters worried about access to the Bow River.

The access road to McKinnon Flats, about 35 km southeast of the city, closed last week after the province deemed the road unsafe for traffic. It’s one of the most common takeout points for drift boaters who get on the Bow River around Calgary and float south.

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

Today along the Bow River

Photo, © Bow River Shuttles

My shuttle van crossing the high water side channel at Legacy Island today.

#bowriver #flyfishing

High today 25°C, mostly cloudy, wind avg 12, max 24.

Bow River at Calgary flow 173 cms

World Fly Fishing Championship 2014 - Frymburk/Czech Republic

 

World Fly Fishing Championship 2014 - Frymburk/Czech Republic

"The 2014 World Fly Fishing Championships will be held in the Czech Republic during the week of May 27th – June 2nd 2014. This should prove to be a great competition, and an event not to be missed, as the organizers and members of the Czech Team have stated that there are great numbers of fish in all of these venues that just are begging to be caught!" - From http://innovativeflyfisher.com/forum/index.php?topic=1219.0

Here's a link to the official website: http://ffch.cz/en/

McKinnon Flats Road Open

 Photo, © Bow River Shuttles

ESRD confirmed late today the gate is open and the site is accessible again.

Three rivers, two creeks on B.C.’s endangered waterways list

Photo, Graham Osborne For The Globe and Mail

Three rivers, two creeks on B.C.’s endangered waterways list

by Mark Hume, VANCOUVER — The Globe and Mail, Tuesday, May. 20 2014

Dams, acid leachate and a hazardous waste treatment plant are among the threats that have placed three rivers and two creeks on the annual list of British Columbia’s most endangered waterways.

The Peace, Fraser and Similkameen Rivers, together with Pennask and Callaghan Creeks, were selected from nominations made by the 100,000 members of the Outdoor Recreation Council of British Columbia.

Read article here: http://bit.ly/1jE43xQ

SAFFL Competition #2 Bulls Head Reservoir - May 24

Bulls Head Reservoir  Photo, courtesy SAFFL

 
Southern Alberta Fly Fishing League
 
Competition #2, Bulls Head Reservoir, Southern Alberta.

Saturday, May 24 at 8:30am

You were invited by Gary Hanke

Gary writes: "Just can't wait for this to happen. The last one was so much fun and loads learned about different techniques and watching it in action is considerably different than watching a video or reading about it. Watching these competitors is just magic. Competing with them is a dream."

More info here: http://on.fb.me/1n10iCz

Province hints at forgoing flood diversion projects in High River

Photo courtesy High River RCMP , Handouts

Province hints at forgoing flood diversion projects in High River

By Trevor Howell, Calgary Herald May 20, 2014

Alberta’s municipal affairs minister hinted that diverting surging water from the Highwood River around High River during flood events could be scaled back or shelved following a cost-benefit analysis.

“You may find when you start modelling . . . that you may not need diversions,” Greg Weadick told the Herald. “Or you may just find that you can do a modest diversion and not have to put a dam structure in, which would be incredibly expensive. Those are things we will look at.”

Read article here: http://bit.ly/RUXBGQ

Forum Spey Sherbrooke

Forum Spey Sherbrooke from HOOKÉ on Vimeo.

Today along the Bow River

Photo, © Bow River Shuttles

Who can complain about 20°C? And not a snowflake to be seen anywhere.

After breaking through the 100 cms mark about 48 hours ago, the flow rate on the Bow River in Calgary has climbed to 134 cms.

#bowriver #flyfishing

High today 20°C, mostly cloudy, wind avg 9, max 22.

Bow River at Calgary flow 134 cms

Today along the Bow River

Photo, © Bow River Shuttles

A very nice day, although a little bit windy at times. Oh well.. you can't have everything. :-)  Another slow day for activity on the river. A few banks anglers along each of the reaches, from Glenmore to Police. One drift boat that we know of... a family trip.

At the moment, the forecast looks good right through next weekend.

The Bow River at Banff seems to have leveled off at just under 50 cms since this morning, after shooting straight up from 16 cms over the past five days.

#bowriver #flyfishing

High today 17°C, mostly cloudy, wind avg 21, max 41.

Bow River at Calgary flow 113 cms

Sign at 22X/Fish Creek Park

 Photo, © Bow River Shuttles

Turns out we crossed paths with ESRD today, but didn't know it. The signs were made this morning. The first one went up at Police, which we saw when we did a shuttle from 22X to Police. ESRD then put up this one at 22X, after we had already departed that boat launch. LOL.

And the sign said anybody caught trespassin' would be shot on sight
So I jumped on the fence and-a yelled at the house, "Hey! What gives you the right?"

Five Man Electrical Band (Canadian) 1970

Sign at Policeman's Flats

Photo, © Bow River Shuttles

Sign, sign, everywhere a sign
Blockin' out the scenery, breakin' my mind
Do this, don't do that, can't you read the sign?

Five Man Electrical Band (Canadian) 1970

Photo Contest from Bow River Troutfitters (Calgary)

Bow River Troutfitters have set up a photo contest that gives you the chance to win some great fly fishing gear! Simply upload your favourite fly fishing related photo using the link below and get your friends to vote for you to win!

Click this link: http://on.fb.me/1nZgtlN

The Life Cycle of the Atlantic Salmon animation

"A nice wee movie about the life of the Atlantic Salmon!" says the Glasgow Angling Centre

Today along the Bow River

Photo, © Bow River Shuttles

Environment Canada’s special weather statement for this weekend ended this morning at 11:30 am. As did the 'high stream flow advisories' for the Bow River Basin.

Not much in the way of river traffic today. A couple of drift boats that we are aware of, plus this fishing raft. They were heading out only about 1/2 hour ahead of that thunderstorm that hit Calgary mid afternoon.

The flow rate on the Bow River at Calgary broke 100 cms for the first time this season.

#bowriver #flyfishing

High today 14°C, mostly overcast w/lilght showers first thing this morning and again mid-afternoon, wind avg 12, max 28.

Bow River at Calgary flow 104 cms