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.