Deadline (April 6) looms to comment on two new B.C. salmon farm applications

Undated handout photo of Atlantic salmon on a fish farm in British Columbia.

 

Deadline (April 6) looms to comment on two new B.C. salmon farm applications

By LARRY PYNN, VANCOUVER SUN April 2, 2014

Ongoing government reviews of two salmon farm applications on the B.C. coast fly in the face of recommendations of the Cohen Commission related to expansion of the industry, industry critics charged Wednesday.

"It looks like there is major support from DFO to expand farming on this coast while ignoring the Cohen recommendations and the evidence around the science," said Craig Orr, executive director of Watershed Watch. "They're kissing it (the report) off, ignoring most of the recommendations around aquaculture and science."

Read more: http://bit.ly/1dVQ2tY

Orvis Guide Rendezvous 2014 - April 3-5, 2014

Orvis Guide Rendezvous 2014 - April 3-5, 2014

The annual Orvis Guide Rendezvous is set to be held April 3-5, 2014, in Missoula, MT and will be open to all professional guides as well as featuring events open to the general public. Event highlights will include vendor showcase and live band at the Down the Hatch Fishing Festival and the weekend will be wrapped up by the Orvis Fly Fishing Film Festival, with 100% of proceeds from that event going to Montana Trout Unlimited for habitat protection work.  

#ogr14

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

Cast & Blast Schedule and Info April 4-6, 2014

Cast & Blast Schedule and Info April 4-6, 2014

Cast & Blast is a free event geared towards bringing unity, education, fellowship and fun into our community of Steelheaders. We have tried to cram a lot into this weekend so hopefully you can join us for a variety of events while still finding some time to fish. 

Click here for schedule: http://conta.cc/1dRb6BL

The problem is land use, the solution is land use

 The problem is land use, the solution is land use

Bow River Shuttles writes: Two articles regarding Alberta agriculture and the environment appeared recently. One in the Edmonton Journal - "Alberta fish kill this year could be worst ever (with video)" - and one in the Calgary Herald - "Farmers urged to cut footprint."

The info in the first article is the most worrying, regarding water quality and our fishery. Here is an excerpt:

"...Fish normally get oxygen from the water that passes through their gills so they don’t get much from the open air, but they are desperate.

The situation is going to be worse than usual this summer because of what’s happened in the province the past two years.

Lake Isle is like the canary in the coal mine or early warning system because it’s shallow and it’s located near headwaters that contain a lot of phosphate produced by all the ranches, feedlots and cows in that watershed, Sullivan said, noting that 80 per cent of Alberta’s watersheds are exactly the same.

“The problem is land use, the solution is land use,” he said. “We need more wetlands to filter the water, we need more riparian (riverbank) areas to filter water, we need to pay the farmers so they don’t have to grow every single acre and put it into production.”"

Read full article here: http://bit.ly/1mAtQoT
 
Read 'cut footprint' article here: http://bit.ly/1ktqYZF

Swing the Fly Magazine - Spring 2014

Swing the Fly Magazine - Spring 2014

Read here: http://bit.ly/QA2SDH

Look to the beaver for flood prevention, scientists say

Researchers are studying beavers at the Sibbald Research Wetland in Kananaskis Country to determine how they might impact flooding.
Photograph by: Courtesy CHERIE WESTBROOK , Calgary Herald

Look to the beaver for flood prevention, scientists say

By Colette Derworiz, Calgary Herald, March 28, 2014

"...As the Alberta government looks at ways to mitigate against future floods, focusing on infrastructure such as diversion canals and dry dams, scientists suggest the province should also consider nature’s top engineer: the beaver.

But Nikki Booth, a spokeswoman for Alberta Environment, says the province isn’t considering any natural solutions.

“We’ve been focused on flood mitigation through infrastructure,” she said. “The nature piece and beavers specifically have not come up.”...

Read more here: http://bit.ly/1e1AIWY

Join The Orvis Company – Participate in Earth Hour 2014

Join The Orvis Company – Participate in Earth Hour 2014: Tell us How You’re Celebrating

Watch the 2014 video!

http://www.earthhour.org/

Fish Tales Fly Shop - Customer Appreciation Day - Mar 29

Fish Tales Fly Shop - Customer Appreciation Day - Mar 29

Water Docs International Film Festival - Mar 21-29, 2014

Water Docs International Film Festival - Mar 21-29, 2014

The Water Docs Film Festival is presented by Ecologos and showcases documentary films from around the world. Come to see feature-length and short films about all things water, screened with guest speakers and directors who inspire discussion and debate. Taking place in downtown Toronto March 21-29, Water Docs is a film festival that entertains, informs and educates about water issues -- always with the aim to provide a channel for action.

http://ecologos.ca/waterdocs/

TUC The Big One - Today's the Day

All photos, © Bow River Shuttles All rights reserved

TUC The Big One - Today's the Day

More than a dozen volunteers were involved earlier today with the set-up for the Bucket Draws, Silent Auction and Live Auction for Trout Unlimited Canada's major fundraising event.

More volunteers came in throughout the day to take care of the myriad of tasks that needed to be looked after, both prior to the 5 pm start time, as well as throughout the evening.

Photos, Michelle, owner/operator of Bow River Shuttles, helping with silent auction set up. 

'Fly Fishing Movie Madness' package - Bow River Shuttles's contribution to the bucket draws.

Nobody Wants To See Your Rotting Corpse

Nobody Wants To See Your Rotting Corpse

by Louis Cahill, March 19, 2014

This is why my hero shots will always look better than yours!

I try not to do this. To give up on a well-reasoned argument and turn to an angry rant, but once in a while I can’t help myself. I’m sick and tired of opening Facebook and seeing photos of a dead fish and some grinning asshole. You’re not a hero and that’s not a hero shot.

Fish are beautiful, living creatures and like all living things they are only beautiful when they are alive. Nobody wants to see a photo of your dead girlfriend and I don’t want to see a photo of your dead fish. It’s a corpse, not a trophy.

Read more here: http://bit.ly/1pdm6st

Flooding on Rural Landscapes - April 04, 2014

Flooding on Rural Landscapes - April 04, 2014

The Legislation and Policy Committee is hosting a workshop on Flooding on Rural Landscapes: Responsibilities and Liabilities at the Cochrane Ranchehouse on Friday April 4th, 2014 from 8:30am – 3:30pm.

The four themes of the workshop are below.

1. Understanding flood dynamics: There will be flooding in the Bow Basin in the future. Each flood will be different. Flooding is designed by nature and provides many benefits to the natural world. Riparian areas are regenerated through flood events through influx of sediments, nutrients and energy. Flooding occurs where energy dissipation is possible. Re-channelization occurs within floodplains and creates new floodways.

Home built Driftboat for sale - ready to fish

Home built Driftboat for sale - ready to fish

14'6" centerline

Includes:

Heavy duty trailer - 2500# axle, 15" tires
New 9'6" Carlisle oars
Anchor

$4250.00 - serious offers will be considered

To view call
Brian: (403) 274-9119
Brunsie: (403) 276-6544

Canada Water Week - Mar 17-23, 2014

 

Canada Water Week is a week-long celebration of water from coast-to-coast-to-coast, held annually in the third week of March to coincide with World Water Day on March 22.

Individuals, organizations and governments across the country are encouraged to get involved by organizing or participating in fun and educational events. Together, we can raise the profile and understanding of water!

http://canadawaterweek.com/

Join Us for the Big One! Mar 20 @ 5:00 pm

Join Us for the Big One!

Thursday, Mar 20 5:00pm - Thursday, Mar 20 10:00pm

Join Trout Unlimited Canada (TUC) and Dinner Chair, Doug Suttles, President and CEO of Encana for our 30th Annual National Conservation Dinner & Auction in support of TUC's programs and projects.

As with previous conservation dinner and auctions, we will have an outstanding array of trips, artwork, fishing gear, wine and much more in our Live and Silent auctions and our raffles.

2014 National Calgary Conservation Dinner and Auction

Thursday March 20, 2014
Hyatt Regency Hotel
700 Centre Street SE
Calgary, AB
T2G 5P6
5:00 pm Reception
7:00 pm Dinner.

Learn more here: http://www.tucanada.org/index.asp?p=2140

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Happy St. Patrick's Day

ID and win! 

Sponsored by Fish Tales Fly Shop

Clara’s Big Ride Kicks Off

Clara’s Big Ride Kicks Off
March 13, 2014

Six-time Olympian Clara Hughes starts Clara’s Big Ride - her monumental 110-day, 1,200 km bicycle tour across Canada – on Friday, March 14, 2014.

Visiting 95 communities along her route, Clara will be furthering her work as national spokesperson for Bell Let’s Talk by helping to increase awareness and break down the stigma surrounding mental illness.

Read more here:  http://bit.ly/1gj7xz4

Happy International Day of Action for Rivers!

Happy International Day of Action for Rivers! For 17 years we've come together as a global movement on March 14 to celebrate, honor and fight to protect rivers worldwide.

Join the movement - like and share to show your support. #RiversUniteUs

Conservationist urges province to ‘work with nature’ to reduce flooding

Renowned conservationist Harvey Locke says if more work is done to protect the headwaters of rivers west of Calgary and High River, southern Alberta would have “a lot less of a flood problem.”
Photograph by: Bruce Masterman

Conservationist urges province to ‘work with nature’ to reduce flooding

By Colette Derworiz, Calgary Herald March 14, 2014

As Alberta works to protect against future flooding, a well-known conservationist says the province needs to start thinking about what nature needs.

Harvey Locke, who won the prestigious Harkin Award for his lifetime commitment to conservation last year, will speak Friday night at Wild Soiree: Nature Needs Half event, hosted by CPAWS Southern Alberta (Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society) in Calgary.

“We have some pretty serious examples of not living with nature’s needs in mind,” Locke said in an interview. “If we protected the headwaters of the rivers west of Calgary and High River, we would have a lot less of a flood problem.

“Let’s work with nature instead of against nature.”

Read more here: http://bit.ly/1iL3Lpd

The Contemporary Sportsman - February 2014

The Contemporary Sportsman - February 2014

Silver Ghosts on Gaspe, The Ultra-Remote Seychelles Atolls,  Newfoundland and more.

 

Read here: http://bit.ly/1i8Ym7O

"Beyond the Walls" - Student Video Contest

"Beyond the Walls" - Student Video Contest

Take Me Outside writes: "The 2nd Annual Take Me Outside Student Video Contest is open! In partnership with Banff Mountain Film Festival, Mountain Equipment Co-op, David Suzuki Foundation and Banff National Park, we're excited to see some great videos this year. If you know teachers/schools who might be interested in this project, please share. Good luck students!"

Looking back along the Bow River - 2012 Season

Photo, © 2012 Bow River Shuttles All rights reserved

August 2012

#bowriver #flyfishing 822

Nature Needs Half - March 14, 2014

Nature Needs Half - March 14, 2014

CPAWS Southern Alberta writes: "We are so excited that our Wild Soiree: Nature Needs Half event is tomorrow (Friday) night at Hotel Arts! It's not too late to purchase tickets, you can find them online or call our office at 403-232-6686. A huge thank-you to our event sponsors: DIRTT Environmental Solutions, Alpine Club of Canada, and Talisman Energy."

More info here: http://bit.ly/NKbG8l

Patagonia Women's Fly Fishing Collection

Patagonia fly fishing ambassadors April Vokey and Millie Paini talk about the best features of the new Women's Spring River Waders and the River Salt Jacket -- the keystone pieces of the new women's fishing collection.