Legend with Jack Dennis

Legend with Jack Dennis

from American Rivers, Feb 23, 2016

“My job was to enjoy this beautiful country, and give back for what it had given to me. And doing the Wild & Scenic bill and being involved in all the things here, I felt like I accomplished that.” – Jack Dennis

We would certainly agree, which is why we made this short film featuring a thoughtful conversation with legendary fly fishing guide Jack Dennis about his involvement, and the efforts of late Senator Craig Thomas, American Rivers, and its partners, in designating the Upper Snake River Headwaters in Wyoming as one of the nation’s most comprehensive Wild & Scenic Rivers.

Through this film, you can experience a small taste of the beauty of the Snake near Jackson, as well as feel the joy between Jack and his grandson as they ply the currents of this beautiful stretch of water. And as he says about the experience of working on more than 400 miles of Wild & Scenic protections for the river, “It was the most satisfying thing, outside of family, that I have ever done.” Thanks, Jack.

Our goal with this film is to celebrate this important success and inspire people to protect more Wild and Scenic rivers, with an eye toward the 50th anniversary of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act in 2018. I hope you enjoy the film, and if you would like to promote it through your networks or publications, we would greatly appreciate it.

The Peel Project (Arts Commons, ‪Calgary‬) - Dec 9, 2015 - Feb 29, 2016

The Peel Project (Arts Commons, ‪#‎Calgary‬) - Dec 9, 2015 - Feb 29, 2016

Peel (http://thepeel.ca/) is a multi-layered project bringing together film, the arts and sciences as a means of telling a uniquely Canadian story of art, adventure and Canadian identity. The Peel highlights the landscape, culture and wildlife of the Peel River Watershed (PRW) in Yukon/Northwest territories. This watershed is one of the last undeveloped watersheds left in Canada, spanning nearly 68,000km2 of intact arctic wilderness. As of January 2014 71% was opened for economic development related to mining and oil exploration — that decision has been continuously fought.

More info at these links: https://www.artscommons.ca/WhatsOn/ShowDetails.aspx… | https://www.artscommons.ca/WhatsOn/ShowDetails.aspx…

Fly Fishing the Peel River: Dolly Varden - This colourful fish is found in two areas of the Yukon: the Tatshenshini River drainage in the southwest and the Peel River drainage in the far north. Other Yukon fish include Arctic Grayling, Bull Trout, Rainbow Trout, Inconnu, Burbot & Northern Pike. 

http://www.env.gov.yk.ca/huntin…/how_to_catch_yukon_fish.php

http://www.protectpeel.ca/

‪#‎flyfishing‬ | ‪#‎yyc‬ | ‪#‎bowriver‬

Letters: ask Ottawa to review the decision to dump the PFRA

image courtesy of Hamilton Greenwood

Letters: ask Ottawa to review the decision to dump the PFRA

by Trevor Herriot, Trevor Herriot's Grass Notes, February 14, 2016

....If you care about our native grasslands, send a letter to the Hon. Lawrence MacAulay, the federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-food Canada...

We believe there is a possibility that the new federal government may consider reviewing the Harper decision to dump the PFRA pastures system. However, for that to happen, our elected MPs, and the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-food Canada in particular, must hear about it from concerned citizens.

So we are asking everyone to send letters to the Minister of Agriculture, and the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, as well as the Hon. Ralph Goodale and the Prime Minister as soon as possible (see addresses below).

We have a brief window of opportunity to convey our deep concerns over the demise of the PFRA Pastures in Saskatchewan and to ask for the federal government to halt the transfer of the pasture lands and conduct a full review of the Harper government’s decision.

Read more here: http://trevorherriot.blogspot.ca/…/letters-ask-ottawa-to-re…

‪#‎grasslands‬ | ‪#‎saskatchewan‬ | ‪#‎bowriver‬ | ‪#‎flyfishing‬ | ‪#‎yyc‬ | 

h/t to Kevin Van Tighem
 

F3T Fly Fishing Film Tour Canada (Calgary) - Mar 03, 2016 @7pm

Filmmaker Travis Lowe is the man behind "Finding Fontinalis." (photo credit: Travis Lowe)

F3T Fly Fishing Film Tour Canada (Calgary) - Mar 03, 2016 @7pm

Hosted by Fish Tales Fly Shop at Canyon Meadows Cinemas

Trout Unlimited Canada Okanagan chapter member Travis Lowe is an accomplished film maker. Travis's latest project, Finding Fontinalis, premiers this February at F3T. Congratulations Travis.

Nipigon, Ontario world record brook trout is back story for new feature film

By Gord Ellis, CBC News, Jan 07, 2016

Read more here: http://www.cbc.ca/…/nipigon-ontario-world-record-brook-trou…

‪#‎bowriver‬ | ‪#‎flyfishing‬ | ‪#‎yyc‬ | ‪#‎F3T‬ | Trout Unlimited Canada - Bow River Chapter

FISH-tival - Feb 13

FISH-tival at Bow Habitat Station - Feb 13

Family Day Weekend is just around the corner, and we're getting geared up for family fun at this Saturday's FISHtival! Snowshoes, marshmallows and all sorts of fishy fun are in store. See you there! 

http://bit.ly/BHSFishtival2016

#‎bowriver‬ | ‪#‎flyfishing‬ | ‪#‎yyc‬ | Calgary Women Fly Fishers

Fuck you, Jian

"...Grant says in many other crimes, in which it’s one person’s word against another’s, the same questions are not asked.

Take a simple assault, she says. “We wouldn’t start questioning the victim about whether or not he likes being punched in the face. Was he dressed in a way that would invite punching in the face? Did he talk to the person after he was punched in the face?

“If you think about these arguments in other crimes, you start to see how absurd it is.”...." 

- Isabel Grant, professor at University of British Columbia’s Peter A. Allard School of Law, National Post, February 06, 2016 

Read article here: https://bonebrothandbreastmilk.wordpress.com/…/fuck-you-ji…/

‪#‎IBelieveYou‬ | ‪#‎SurvivorBlaming‬ | ‪#‎JianGhomeshi‬

Calgary Communities Against Sexual Abuse | Women Against Violence Against Women-WAVAW | Association of Alberta Sexual Assault Services

Photo, courtesy Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press

No right to a discriminatory defence 

by Joanna Birenbaum, Pamela Cross, Amanda Dale, The Star, Feb 08, 2016

"... Fewer than 10 per cent of sexual assault victims will report to authorities. Even fewer go to trial. Fewer still are convicted. This too makes sex assault unlike any other crime. We are dangerously close to creating the conditions for impunity...." 

Read article here:  http://www.thestar.com/.../no-right-to-a-discriminatory...

Image, courtesy YouTube

The prosecution in the Ghomeshi trial isn't incompetent. The game is rigged

By Michael Stewart, February 9, 2016

"....That means prosecutors cannot "coach" a witness or prepare them for a withering cross-examination the same way a defence attorney can. The Crown specifically cannot "prepare witnesses to the point of shielding or immunizing them from probing questioning that might uncover an inconvenient truth harmful to the prosecution's case," Garossino says. As we've seen so far with Ghomeshi's defence, there's no hold Henein can't unbar....." 

Read article here: http://rabble.ca/.../prosecution-ghomeshi-trial-isnt...

Guide to Winter Fly Fishing In Southern Alberta

Photo, courtesy Bow River Troutfitters

Guide to Winter Fly Fishing In Southern Alberta

by John Bransfield & Mark Storey, Bow River Troutfitters Blog, Feb 2, 2016

Winter fishing is a wonderful way to break the ice of the long winter freeze, stretch out the legs, and get that casting arm going again. Despite the chilly temps, winter fishing is a beautiful time to be on the water, and the low flows can really aid the angler to gain a better understanding and perspective of the holding water that exists on the rivers you may fish. The Bow River and the Crowsnest River, are pretty great systems to fish during the winter months.

Read more here: http://www.bowrivertroutfitters.com/…/Guide-to-Winter-Fly-F…

‪#‎bowriver‬ | ‪#‎crowsnestriver‬ | ‪#‎flyfishing‬ | ‪#‎yyc‬
 
H/T to @Aaron Feltham & @Maxwell Robinson

F3T: The Fly Fishing Film Tour (Calgary) - March 03

2016 Fly Fishing Film Tour Trailer from The Fly Fishing Film Tour on Vimeo.


F3T: The Fly Fishing Film Tour (Calgary) - March 03

Fish Tales Fly Shop writes: 

"We're bringing F3T - Fly Fishing Film Tour Canada to Calgary! Join us at Canyon Meadows Cinemas on Thursday, March 3 at 7 p.m. for this year's F3T.

Proceeds from this event will be donated to the Oldman Watershed Council (OWC) We chose this non-profit to help highlight some of the challenges that watershed is currently facing and because it's a much-loved resource for Alberta anglers.

The OWC is currently at work on a film project - check out the trailer here.... http://oldmanwatershed.ca/film-trailer

Tickets to F3T are available to purchase on-line ($11USD) (https://www.ticketriver.com/event/18765) and will be available in-store next week ($15CDN).

Watch here for additional trailers and other information. Looks like a GREAT lineup!"

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/