The Watershed

The Watershed from EMILY ANDERSON on Vimeo.

Today along the Bow River

Photo, © Bow River Shuttles

The rain held off until this evening. In the meantime, it warmed up nicely early in the day, hitting our daytime high at around 1:00 pm, and staying there until later in the afternoon. At least two pontoon boaters were out, leaving at different times from Glenmore, and ten or so drift boats were also enjoying the first day of our Victoria Day Long Weekend.

The Bow River flow rate has jumped from 70 cms to almost 100 cms over the past 48 hours.

#bowriver #flyfishing

High today 17°C, overcast, wind avg 16, max 30.

Bow River at Calgary flow 98 cms

throat sampling

Post by Fish Tales Fly Shop.

Serbian Fest Calgary - May 17 & 18

Serbian Fest Calgary - May 17 & 18

“BE SERBIAN FOR THE MAY LONG WEEKEND”
AT CALGARY’S FOURTH ANNUAL SERBIAN FESTIVAL

Join the Calgary-Serbian community as they entertain, feed and wow you with fantastic cultural and sports events during the May long weekend (May 17 &18). This spectacular event will feature a broad entertaining program showcasing some of the best cultural dances, cuisine, sports and displays that the Serbian community has to offer. Don’t know what Serbian culture is? Come out and join us for some fabulous homemade Serbian food, cultural exhibits, sports competitions and much more. So save the date and mark it in your calendar today. This family friendly event has something for everyone.

WHEN: Saturday, May 17th - 11am-7pm (Opening Ceremony at 12pm)
Sunday, May 18th – 1-7pm

WHERE: Marda Loop Communities Association
3130 - 16th St. S.W., Calgary, AB. T2T 4G7

Conservationists say flood mitigation will cause more problems

Carolyn Campbell of the Alberta Wilderness Association says the province needs to take another look at it flood mitigation plans. (photo, CBC)

Conservationists say flood mitigation will cause more problems

Concerns raised over the province's plans to divert rivers

CBC News: May 01, 2014

From the article:

...Trout Unlimited is concerned about how much rip-rap, a man-made material, is being used to stabilize riverbanks, rather than using trees and other natural methods.

Brian Meagher says boulders actually speed up rivers when they flood, potentially causing more damage as rushing water cuts deeper into riverbeds.

"By doing that, you lose that connection between the trees and the riparian zone which is so critically important for all kinds of ecosystems."

It's estimated large mitigation projects will take several years to complete if they're approved.

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

Today along the Bow River

Photo, © Bow River Shuttles

Although it was a chilly 4°C first thing this morning, it gradually warmed up as the day went on. Several drift boats were out, along with a few more bank anglers than we've seen in several days. All getting a head start on our Victoria Day Long Weekend.

#bowriver #flyfishing

High today 14°C, mostly cloudy, wind avg 12, max 22.

Bow River at Calgary flow 90 cms

Province closes McKinnon Flats access due to safety hazards

Click on poster for larger image

wheels out of water: Keep out!

listen to ‘wheels out of water: Keep out!’ on Audioboo

Awareness ad to remind OHV'ers to stay out of creeks, rivers, streams, muskegs and other sensitive fish habitats.

Landing at Policeman's Flats

Landing at Policeman's Flats

Many drift boaters have described the difficulty of getting into the 'pond' at Policeman's Flats, even at current very low water levels.

There are boulders extending into the current just a few feet above the narrow opening in what's left of the rip rap that fronted Policeman's prior to the 2013 flood.

And, because it's an outside corner, the current pushes the boat towards all of that rock. Once you miss the boulders, you have to very quickly punch through the eddy line in order to avoid being swept into the boulder rapid that is just downstream, in the main current.

This boater makes it look easy. Well done, Jeff!

Recommended reading

"Float-Fishing Strategies: Tactics and Techniques for Drift Boats, Rafts, and Pontoon Boats" (2011) by Neil Streeks

Available at your favourite Calgary fly shop

Today along the Bow River

Photo, © Bow River Shuttles

Showers here and there most of the time. But generally a pretty nice day.

#bowriver #flyfishing

High today 16°C, light rain, wind avg 15, max 39.

Bow River at Calgary flow 75 cms

May Long Wkd Fishing Reports

Photo, courtesy Alberta Fishing Guide Magazine

"The May Long Weekend fishing report is available at our blog" - from Alberta Fishing Guide Magazine

Read report here:  http://bit.ly/1oVzTpb

McKinnon Flats Road Closed Until Further Notice

Michelle chatting with Alberta Transportation and ESRD reps.
All photos, © Bow River Shuttles.

Yesterday, we met reps from Alberta Transportation and from ESRD while we were at McKinnon Flats. They told us that they planned to close the road later in the afternoon, as soon as they could fix the damaged gate. 

When we went back today, the gate was up and locked.

Women anglers and the USA’s economy — The female factor

 Getting the attention we deserve - #WomenAnglers #TheFemaleFactor #WomenOutdoorNews #WomenFish

Via Dun Magazine

Fishing Reports - Country Pleasures Fly Fishing - May 13 2014

Fishing Reports- May 13, 2014 from Country Pleasures Fly Fishing

We made it out of the last round of soaking rains, blizzards, etc. without too much in the way of degraded water conditions. The Highwood, Sheep, and Fish Creek are not a very nice color but have started to improve and drop a little in the last couple of days.

Last week saw some more consistent rising fish (more consistent, not entirely a no-brainer) a few afternoons and evenings had decent numbers of heads.

Other than that, the fishing was pretty decent on nymphs and streamers. The only poor reports we have heard are from anglers who only fished from the boat. We all want to get our drift boats on the water to start the season, but at this time of year you are most effective when you are on foot, covering the water more methodically. If you want to drift, pick a short float and spend most of your time stopped, fishing specific structures, seams, runs, etc.

McKinnon`s road and launch area are in horrible shape and they say Carseland will not open in 2014. We ask that anglers not use McKinnon’s as vehicles are causing damage when using the road. This is on ASRD’s radar and may be closed for a period soon for repairs and re-surfacing. City launches and Policeman`s are OK.

Hatches: Midges, BWO`s
Streamers: Clouser-Brown/White, Geek Leech-Purple, ¼ Pound Bugger-Olive
Nymphs: Heavy Metal Worm, Jimmy Legs-Dark Brown, G/B R/L Hares Ear
Dry Flies: Film Critic-BWO, Parachute Adams,

Highwood at the Confluence

Photo, courtesy Jason Ayling

Highwood at the Confluence

Thanks to Jason Ayling for posting this photo from Sunday May 11. It shows the Highwood River flowing into the Bow River.

At McKinnon Flats, on Sunday and again on Monday, the water colour was certainly brown. Yesterday, on Tuesday, it was more of a murky green with a brown tinge.

Bow River Fishing Report - Sunday May 11, 2014

Photo, © Bow River Shuttles

Bow River Fishing Report - Sunday May 11, 2014

22X/Fish Creek Park to Policeman's Flats

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

Sunday, May 11th, my son-in-law (Mike) and I floated the Bow from Fish Creek down to Policeman’s Flat’s.

I was very surprised to see how much the river had changed since the flood. On the west side of the bank the water was murky, but on the east side the water was much clearer, I’d say 3 or 4’ of visibility.

We had minimal success, Mike had a hard hit shortly after we set out, but we never had a look at it, in a nice piece of water Mike landed a Whitefish about a foot long, he took the worm and in a good run just after the Stony Trail bridge I caught a small Rainbow on a pheasant tail.

The crazy part of the float was attempting to get into Policeman’s. I can’t believe how difficult it was to get into that little pond around the large boulder that protrudes out into the river causing rapids so strong we took on water.

After going past the pond by about 100 yards the anchor finally dug in so we could get out and have a look. We found out we had to pull the boat back upstream over a shallow piece of water and into the pond. I backed the truck and trailer over some fairly large boulders and we were on our way.

On the way out we could see just how devastating the flood was by seeing what the force of the flood had done to the parking lot and the interlocking stones that had up until the flood been a very impressive road into the area.

Still the sun came out and the weather finally was warm enough “not” to see your breath. All-in-all it was a great way to spend Mother’s Day.

Next year Mike and I promise to spend time with you women, unless the “Fishing Gods” tell us to do otherwise.

Thanks for having a look, Wayne

Flyfishers INC (NZ) Magazine - May 2014

Flyfishers INC (NZ) Magazine - May 2014

Read here: http://www.flyfishersinc.com/

Today along the Bow River

Photo, © Bow River Shuttles

A very nice day to be on the river. A number of drift boats were out, including this one.

#bowriver #flyfishing

High today 18°C, scattered clouds, wind avg 9, max 26.

Bow River at Calgary flow 70 cms

Help is on the way...

Help is on the way...

We received word from ESRD that the department is looking at how they might repair the road down to McKinnon Flats. It would be a pricey project. So securing funding will be the key to the scale and timing of any work. Given its current state, a road closure could be in the offing in the short term.

In the meantime, we would discourage people from attempting to use that road any time there is rain. You'll only make matters worse. And if you slip off what one shuttle client described as 'the goat trail', you won't be getting out of there without a great deal of trouble.

If you doubt my word, have a look at my May 03 report "Stuck in the Mud at Mac" at this link: http://on.fb.me/1jFxcYB

Today, we managed to find the high ground all the way down, for both my shuttle van and the van and trailer that we were moving. (see video above) No bottoming out! And we managed the same feat on the way back up. :-)

Experts say building dams and diversion channels not the best way to deal with floods

Scientists and conservationists would like to see more focus on natural solutions to floods and droughts, suggesting the proposed McLean Creek dry dam could further degrade a sensitive headwaters area. Rendering courtesy Government of Alberta

Experts say building dams and diversion channels not the best way to deal with floods

By Colette Derworiz, Calgary Herald May 6, 2014

Scientists and conservationists say the province needs to put more focus on avoiding floods rather than spending millions on infrastructure that could further damage the landscape and increase the future risk of both floods and droughts.

On Thursday evening, University of Saskatchewan hydrologists Paul Whitfield and John Pomeroy gave a presentation at the Whyte Museum in Banff on the science behind the 2013 flood.

“Alberta needs to rely much more on avoidance,” Pomeroy said in an interview Friday.

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