Listen To The River: A Packraft Adventure

Listen To The River: A Packraft Adventure from Wild Confluence Films on Vimeo.

**** "A number of years ago, my husband Armand and I had the good fortune to enjoy canoe trips on both the North Fork Flathead River and the Middle Fork Flathead River in Montana, which are not far south of the Canada/US border. (In fact, the North Fork begins its journey in Canada) This short film takes us on a trip to the South Fork Flathead River." - Michelle **** 

Listen To The River: A Packraft Adventure 

A classic summer adventure on the roadless South Fork Flathead river in Montana's vast Bob Marshall Wilderness. Follow the Wild Confluence crew on their fully self supported packraft adventure as they enjoy some of finest fly fishing in the lower 48, endless solitude and the rhythm of this pristine river. And just as the trip of a lifetime is about to come to a close things take an unexpected turn for the worse...

The Canadian Connection: Ft. Paula Shearer

The Canadian Connection: Ft. Paula Shearer

by Kyle Wilkinson, Trout's Fly Fishing, January 28, 2016

Read on to learn more about the girl from Canada who catches bigger fish than you.

Click this link: http://bit.ly/1Sf06Rv

Paula Shearer - PS on the Fly | ‪#‎bowriver‬ | ‪#‎flyfishing‬ | ‪#‎yyc‬

Get ready to talk, text, tweet and share - ‪#‎BellLetsTalk‬ day is tomorrow!

Got any plans tomorrow? Join @ClaraHughes_ and the #BellLetsTalk Day team as we fight to #endthestigma. https://t.co/jRS1kkfM14

— Bell Let's Talk (@Bell_LetsTalk) January 26, 2016

  http://letstalk.bell.ca/

Coalition calls for limits on off-road vehicles in Alberta to protect water

A designated off-road vehicle trail and sign post in the Castle Wilderness Area of Southern Alberta in October 2012. Gavin Young / Calgary Herald archives

Coalition calls for limits on off-road vehicles in Alberta to protect water

by Colette Derworiz, Calgary Herald, January 25 2015

Alberta’s conservation community is calling for strict limits on off-road vehicles on public lands and a total ban on their use in parks and protected areas in the Eastern Slopes of the Canadian Rockies to look after water and wildlife. 

The move, which is supported by dozens of scientists and environmental groups, comes a few months after the NDP government announced the expansion of an existing wildland provincial park and the addition of a new provincial park in the Castle. 

It shut out logging, mining and future oil and gas surface development, but it still allows for off-highway vehicle use on designated trails.

Read more here: http://calgaryherald.com/…/coalition-calls-for-limits-on-of…

Read AWA new release here: https://albertawilderness.ca/easternslopescommunique/

H/T to Kevin Van Tighem & Jordan Pinkster
 
‪#‎bowriver‬ | ‪#‎flyfishing‬ | ‪#‎yyc‬ | ‪#‎CastleWildnerness‬

Patagonia Opposes TPP

Patagonia Opposes TPP

by Rose Marcario, Patagonia CEO, The Cleanest Line, Nov 13, 2015

Now that full text of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) has finally been made public, we can say unequivocally that we oppose it, as it advances the interests of big business at the expense of the environment, workers, consumers, communities and small businesses. This confirms our previous fears (here and here) about the agreement’s serious social and environmental costs.

The proposed trade agreement between the U.S. and 11 other Pacific Rim nations, crafted behind closed doors over a five-year period, may indeed cut tariffs, increase trade and build closer economic and regulatory relationships among its signatories, as its proponents say. But it will also weaken worldwide labor standards, harm the global environment, diminish regulatory safeguards and enable corporations and individuals that already have far too much influence gain even more at the expense of everyone else.

Read more here: http://www.thecleanestline.com/…/11/patagonia-opposes-tpp.h…

Patagonia Calgary | ‪#‎bowriver‬ | ‪#‎flyfishing‬ | ‪#‎yyc‬ | ‪#‎TPP‬

New study aims to show water demands in the Bow River Basin

Morning light along the Bow River near Calgary, Alta., on Thursday April 23, 2015. (Mike Drew/Calgary Sun/Postmedia Network)

New study aims to show water demands in the Bow River Basin

by Amanda Symynuk, Bow Valley Craig & Canyon, Dec 18, 2015

A new study by the Alberta WaterPortal Society is researching the effects of the increasing demand and competition for water in the Bow River Basin.

“There are a number of competing demands for water in southern Alberta, or in the Bow in particular, and what this project is doing is helping develop a knowledge base around helping decision makers work on water allocations and further progress in water management,” said Mark Bennett, executive director of the Bow River Basin Council.

Read article here: http://www.thecragandcanyon.ca/…/new-study-aims-to-show-wat…

‪#‎bowriver‬ | ‪#‎flyfishing‬ | ‪#‎yyc‬ |

Western Canadian Fly Fishing Exposition - Jan 15-17, 2016

Western Canadian Fly Fishing Exposition
 
Spruce Meadows Equiplex
 
18011 Spruce Meadows Way SW
Calgary, AB

JANUARY 15 - 17, 2016
 
Friday | 12:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Saturday | 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday | 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
 
http://www.flyfishingevents.com/ | Western Canadian Fly Fishing Exposition

Drowning in money: the untold story of the crazy public spending that makes flooding inevitable

‘Vast amounts of public money are spent every year on policies that make devastating floods inevitable.' Illustration by Daniel Pudles Daniel Pudles/Guardian

When will we ever learn... ?

Back in early December, 'Storm Desmond' swamped north-west England as well as parts of Northern Ireland, north Wales and southern Scotland. Honister in Cumbria recording 13.4 inches of rain in 24 hours, the most rain to ever fall over a 24 hour period. http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-35023558

Locals are wondering why the multimillion-pound defences that were built following floods in 2005 are failing to keep the deluge out from people's homes.

Turns out the cause of their problem is upstream, the result of clearcutting the hills, and digging drainage ditches, for sheep farming!

Our recent floods in Calgary and southern Alberta were exacerbated by similar problems in our Bow River watershed - clearcutting for lumber, damage from ATV use, killing all the beavers, etc.

And Calgarians are being led to believe that the current upgrades to berms and dikes, plus the proposed Springbank dry dam, will protect us from the next 'big one'. 

Seems we never learn...

Drowning in money: the untold story of the crazy public spending that makes flooding inevitable

George Monbiot, The Guardian

We all know what's gone wrong, or we think we do: not enough spending on flood defences. It's true that the government's cuts have exposed thousands of homes to greater risk, and that the cuts will become more dangerous as climate change kicks in. But too little public spending is a small part of the problem. It is dwarfed by another factor, which has been overlooked in discussions in the media and statements by the government: too much public spending.

Read more here:  http://www.theguardian.com/…/flooding-public-spending-brita…

2015 Fly Fishing Photo Contest: The Results

All the official selections from Hatch Magazine 2015 photo contest at this link:
 
http://www.hatchmag.com/…/2015-fly-fishing-photo-contest-re…

Westslope Cutthroat Protected

Photo, courtesy Kevin Turner/Oldman Oldman River Chapter- Trout Unlimited Canada

"Trout Unlimited Canada was pleased to learn that DFO registered and published a Critical Habitat Order for the Alberta population of Westslope Cutthroat Trout ". Read more here: http://www.tucanada.org/index.asp?p=2055&vn=399

Cutthroat trout get habitat protection from federal government

by Colette Derworiz, Calgary Herald, December 2, 2015 

Alberta’s threatened population of westslope cutthroat trout is getting additional protection from the federal government.

The critical habitat order — registered by Department of Fisheries and Oceans Minister Hunter Tootoo on Nov. 20 and announced in Wednesday’s issue of the Canada Gazette — prohibits the destruction of the native trout’s habitat.

“The prohibition will apply to anyone undertaking activities in and around the critical habitat that would result in the destruction of any part of it,” according to an email from a Fisheries and Oceans biologist that was obtained by the Herald.

The prohibition pertains to any recreational, commercial or industrial use that could destroy trout streams in the southern Alberta foothills.

Conservation groups said they are thrilled with the additional protection provided by the federal government.

Read more here: http://calgaryherald.com/…/westslope-cutthroat-trout-get-cr…

‪#‎bowriver‬ | ‪#‎cutthroattrout‬ | ‪#‎flyfishing‬ | ‪#‎yyc‬

SPARK Disability Art Festival (Calgary) - Nov 30-Dec 04, 2015

Artist Paula Timm holds her mixed media piece entitled “I wonder, Woman” in Studio C Gallery in the Burns Building downtown. Timm is one of the artists taking part in SPARK, a festival of artists with disabilities in galleries around Calgary.

 

SPARK Disability Art Festival (Calgary) - Nov 30-Dec 04, 2015

***** Our grandson, Morgan Paul ( Artist: Morgan M. Paul ) is involved in this special event. He will be participating as a panel member at the Closing Reception at Studio C, December 3, 2015. Those attending this event (it's FREE, 6:30-8:30 pm) will hear feedback directly from the diverse artists who exhibited in SPARK 2015. They will learn about the challenges and successes of being a Calgary artist from five emerging visual artists who approach art and disability from unique perspectives.***** 

(http://calgaryartsdevelopment.com/…/industry-event-spark-di…) (http://www.indefinitearts.com/PDFs/SPARK_Event_Flyer.pdf)

Spark Festival showcases creativity regardless of disability (text & video)

by Stephen Hunt, Calgary Herald, December 1, 2015

It took dying for Paula Timm to understand the value of art in her life.

Timm is one of the close to 100 artists featured in the 2015 Spark Disability Art Festival, which kicked off Monday at a quartet of venues across Calgary (ACAD, Studio C at the Burns Building, Loft 112 in the East Village and InDefinite Arts Society at 8030 Fairmount Dr SE).

It’s a festival that’s been produced since 2011 by Studio C, an arts centre run by Prospect Human Services, a non-profit focused on helping anyone who has barriers to employment, says program manager Colin Menzies.

“We offer skill development,” says Menzies, “so that people can get those skills to get out into the workforce through art — or we train companies as to how to be more diverse and inclusive and again we engage them through the creative process.”

That culminates each year in the Spark Festival, which showcases artists from across the city, and the country, Menzies says.

“It’s Calgary’s only disability visual art festival,” Menzies says, “and so in that sense, it’s a celebration of creative expression by emerging artists and professional artists who identify as having mental, physical or sensory disabilities.

“It’s also for artists,” he says, “who might be experiencing mental health barriers, brain injury or any chronic illness as well — so it’s really just creating a really cool platform for them to share about their experiences and it allows them to advance within their own arts practice in Calgary.”

Read more here: http://calgaryherald.com/…/spark-festival-showcases-creativ…

Ladies night at Fish Tales - December 04

Ladies night at Fish Tales - December 04

Fish Tales Fly Shop writes: "Ladies - you're invited to join us for a fun-filled night on Friday, December 4 starting at 7 p.m. This is a great opportunity to take advantage of some deals on Patagonia and SIMMS gear for yourself, expand your product knowledge, and more.

As per previous Ladies nights we will have some fun activities during the event.

Ladies if you have an avid fly angler in your life.... this may be a great opportunity to get some Christmas shopping taken care of." 

More info here: https://www.facebook.com/events/608511645954875/

B.C.'s Elk River a crown-jewel fishery

Ben catches a huge bull trout on our 2015 October trip. Photo, Jim Hoey

B.C.'s Elk River a crown-jewel fishery

by Jim Hoey, Calgary Herald, November 10, 2015

Rarely does a fly fisher find a crown-jewel fishery.

I have been fishing for most of my 43 years, and have fished all over Canada for many years as host of The Dimestore Fishermen TV show. The Elk River in southeastern B.C. is arguably one of the best fly fisheries I have ever fished.

We first covered the fishery on our program in 2001. We met and fished with Darren Servatius, owner and operator of Pro Fish Guiding and Rafting Service. It was mid-July, with a warm sun greeting us every morning to carry us through our days. My good friend Devon and I fished for two days on the river.

Together we caught more than 200 fish on “dry fly.” Fish commonly key on young insects that are emerging from their pupal state in the river — the dry fly technique mimics this. Fly fishers love dry fly fishing, as the thrill of watching a fish rise to the surface of the water to eat a fly is exhilarating. Caddis flies were the choice of the trout on our first sojourn. Our experience in 2001 was remarkable.

Read more here: http://calgaryherald.com/…/b-c-s-elk-river-a-crown-jewel-fi…

Don't Tell These Ranchers Climate Change Isn't Real

Mac Blades (middle) fellow ranchers Frances Gardner and Gordon Cartwright recently won a long battle to have their drought-resistant heritage rangelands protected from coal bed methane and other energy developments. Photo by Ed Struzik.

Don't Tell These Ranchers Climate Change Isn't Real

The push to make Alberta's cattle ranges drought resistant.

By Ed Struzik, TheTyee.ca, November 17, 2015

Among the many pictures on the walls of the Rocking P ranch house is one of owner Mac Blades with singer Ian Tyson and other local ranchers riding their horses across a snowy hillside in the Livingstone Mountain range of southwestern Alberta. The photo made the front pages of both national newspapers in the fall of 2002, when Tyson, Blades and the Pekisko group of ranchers went public with their call for a moratorium on oil and gas development in the region.

Their call came on the heels of the worst prairie drought in more than 70 years.

Read more here: http://thetyee.ca/…/20…/11/17/Alberta-Cattle-Ranges-Drought/

REI ‪#‎OptOutside‬

REI ‪#‎OptOutside‬

"REI is closing for Black Friday. Instead, we’re going outside and we want you to join us. Learn more and find ways to #OptOutside."

28 mega retail chains will remain closed on Thanksgiving—one throws in Black Friday

By Leslie Salzilloj, Daily Kos, Nov 10, 2015

"... And then, we have companies that are taking positive steps in treating their employees with high regard by giving them Thanksgiving Day off. REI, a large outdoor gear and clothing store, is going the extra mile by closing their stores on Black Friday, and giving their employees that day off, as well. They are reportedly one of the only major chains to do so. Some might ask, “what about online shopping?” 

Again, REI takes the lead:

About 20% of REI's sales are made on its website, but the retailer won't try to lure online shoppers on Black Friday either. Customers will be able to place orders, but its homepage will try to divert buyers with a "cover screen" encouraging them to explore the outdoors instead.
"You need people to go to the mountain, you need people to catch that outdoor bug," says Jerry Stritzke, CEO of the REI chain.

That mantra has worked for REI. With 5.5 million members, it's the nation's largest retail co-op and has seen two years of double-digit growth..."

Read more here: https://www.dailykos.com/…/-28-mega-retailers-will-stay-clo…

World Fisheries Day - November 21

photo, Canadian Wildlife Federation

World Fisheries Day - November 21

From Canadian Wildlife Federation: "It’s World Fisheries Day! This is a day to celebrate the importance of Canada’s aquatic habitats and its role in sustaining both aquatic life and life on land. It’s a day to salute Canada’s fishermen – many of which are becoming stewards of water conservation. But it’s also a day to reflect and recognize the negative impacts we have had on our marine and freshwater resources.

The Canadian Wildlife Federation is determined to make a difference to our water. We’re proud to announce that we have published a document about open-pen aquaculture which you can read here."

Read more at this link:  http://cwf-fcf.org/…/do-som…/events/world-fisheries-day.html

Biologists race to save fish from Brazil river contaminated by dam collapse

Scientists say the dam collapse could have a generational effect on aquatic life in the Doce river.

Photograph: Ricardo Moraes/Reuters

Biologists race to save fish from Brazil river contaminated by dam collapse

So-called Operation Noah’s Ark aims to relocate aquatic life from Doce river by moving fish in tanks provided by mining company Samarco to area lakes

The Guardian, November 16, 2015 

Teams of biologists are rushing to rescue fish from a river that was contaminated after two dams at an iron ore mine in Brazil collapsed earlier this month, unleashing a deadly wave of mud.

Read more here: 
http://www.theguardian.com/…/biologists-relocate-fish-brazi…

Heart Waters: Sources of the Bow River (Official Book Launch) October 18, 2015

Kevin Van TIghem (right) and his son, Brian, collaborated on a book about the Bow River called Heart Waters. Gail Van Tighem / For the Calgary Herald

Almost sold out!! Only 5 tickets left! 

 Ticket info here: http://bit.ly/1KDaSxM | Trout Unlimited Canada

Kevin Van Tighem | RMB | Rocky Mountain Books | Trout Unlimited Canada | Trout Unlimited Canada - Bow River Chapter
 
‪#‎bowriver‬ | ‪#‎flyfishing‬ | ‪#‎yyc‬

Opinion: Stopping the floods has barely begun

A truly progressive approach to mitigating flood risk would mean restoring the badly impaired forest landscapes that produce the water that drains into our rivers. Gavin Young / Calgary Herald

Opinion: Stopping the floods has barely begun

by Kevin Van Tighem, Wendy Francis, Stephen Legault and Katie Morrison, Calgary Herald, November 13, 2015

"...Repairing the scars and restoring the water retention capacity of our headwaters would not only mitigate flood risk basin wide, it would restore the vast, green, living reservoir that stores groundwater against future droughts. It would also restore and improve habitat for the threatened grizzly bear, bull trout and west slope cutthroat — and all of us who go into the foothills and mountains in search of stunning beauty, spiritual renewal and outdoor recreation...." 

Read article here: http://calgaryherald.com/…/opinion-stopping-the-floods-has-…

Kevin Van Tighem | Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative | CPAWS Southern Alberta | Castle-Crown Wilderness Coalition | RMB | Rocky Mountain Books

‪#‎bowriver‬ | ‪#‎elbowriver‬ | ‪#‎flyfishing‬ | ‪#‎yyc‬

TUC Bow River Chapter - 2015 Fall Splash - Nov 26, 2015

TUC Bow River Chapter - 2015 Fall Splash - Nov 26, 2015

Country Pleasures Fly Fishing writes: "Now is the time to support this! Trout Unlimited Canada - Bow River Chapter has seen a revitalization this year. More conservation projects done, under way, or slated than we have seen in years. This dinner is an important source of funds for these projects (yes, the money will be used by the chapter) so get out there and support it." 

https://www.facebook.com/events/417797675072887/

‪
#‎bowriver‬ ‪#‎troutunlimitedcanada‬ ‪#‎flyfishing‬ ‪#‎yyc‬