Bow River Shuttles

Turning Tail

2012-02-27T21:21:00.000-07:00

The latest from Gray Ghost Productions. Atlantic Salmon along the east coast of North America.

New York judge upholds fracking ban in towns

2012-02-27T17:55:00.000-07:00

Photo: Dan Wiessner, Reuters

New York judge upholds fracking ban in towns

By Dan Wiessner,

Reuters, Albany New York

Calgary Herald

February 25, 2012

A New York state judge on Friday upheld an upstate community's ban on gas drilling, marking the second victory this week for opponents of the drilling method known as fracking.

The authority vested in towns and cities in New York to regulate use of their land extends to prohibitions on drilling, acting state Supreme Court Justice Donald Cerio ruled on Friday, dismissing arguments by a landowner who had already sold leases on almost 160 hectares.

"Municipalities are not preempted . . . from enacting local zoning ordinances which may prohibit oil, gas and solution drilling or mining," Cerio wrote. "The state maintains control over the 'how' of (drilling) procedures while the municipalities maintain control over the 'where.' "

Read more:

Looking back along the Bow River - Season 2011

2012-02-27T14:11:00.000-07:00

Photo: Copyright Bow River Shuttles

‘Best Film’ of Back Cast Fly Fishing Film Festival 2012

2012-02-26T23:55:00.000-07:00

Photo, courtesy Jay Jones (Humble Fisherman)

Photo, courtesy Dave and Amelia Jensen (Jensen Fly Fishing Productions)

I was very pleased to be able to showcase the films from two local, very talented, fly fishing film producers – Jay Jones (The Humble Fisherman) and Dave & Amelia Jensen (Jensen Fly Fishing Productions) yesterday at Cardel Theatre.

'Glacial Bull Trout' from Jay and 'New Zealand Cutthroat' from Dave and Amelia.

Thank you to both for making the big effort that I know was required to put together your respective films.

I sincerely appreciate receiving both of your submissions and I commend you for having the moxie to put your product out in front of the public to be judged.

It was wonderful to see your movies up on the big screen, and it was obvious that the audience very much enjoyed both films.

In fact, the voting resulted in a difference of only a handful of votes between the two… literally. It was that close. However, when the counting was done, Jay’s total edged out the count for Dave and Amelia.

So, sincere congratulations to Jay Jones and 'Glacial Bull Trout' on achieving ‘Best Film’ of Back Cast Fly Fishing Film Festival 2012!

As Armand announced last night, your cheque will be in the mail. :-)

A great big 'thank you' goes out to all our Back Cast Fly Fishing Film Festival fans who came out to enjoy all of the films, including the two in competition. Your attendance made this event possible, which in turn, supported my efforts on behalf of Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing Canada.

And, last but not least: Thank you to Cardel Theatre for the use of your wonderful facility, thanks the “Supporters of Back Cast FFFF” for your donations for the draws, and a special ‘BIG THANKS’ to our “Friends of Back Cast FFFF” for joining us with your displays in the lobby. Your presence added hugely to creating a true ‘festival atmosphere’ throughout the entire afternoon and evening.

Kindest regards,

Michelle

Looking back along the Bow River - Season 2011

2012-02-26T12:59:00.000-07:00

Photo: Copyright Bow River Shuttles 2012

Countdown to Back Cast Fly Fishing Film Festival - only 1 day!

2012-02-24T22:11:00.000-07:00

From “The Making of ‘The Waters of Greenstone’”

Special thanks to Taylor Kirkpatrick, Gambit Stone, for this exclusive photo.

Bow River Shuttles is proud to present "The Waters of Greenstone’" at Back Cast Fly Fishing Film Festival 2012.

Gambit Stone is a producer of adventure sports media that aims to help preserve and protect the environment in which we live, play, and film; while concurrently bridging the gap between filmmakers, musicians, and audiences

Back Cast FFFF supports Project Healing Waters Canada (PHWFFC). Net proceeds donated to PHWFFC.

Click this link for more information about Back Cast Fly Fishing Film Festival, including film line up, synopsis of each film and film trailers.

Rush tickets will be available at the door. Adult $20 per show, Child/Youth (age 17 & under) $15 per show

A Tale of Two Guides & Back Cast FFFF & GoPro Videography Techniques

2012-02-24T17:08:00.000-07:00

Sat Feb 25 (10 am): A Tale of Two Guides

Two Bow River guides, Kevin Peterson and Jeff Thomson, walk us through their boat bags and fly boxes. See what each carries for gear and ammo, as well as techniques they use when they're "at work".

Country Pleasures Fly Shop - Seminars

Sat Feb 25 (Matinee Doors Open 12:00 noon, Show 1:00 pm, Evening Doors Open 5:30 pm, Show 6:30 pm): Back Cast Fly Fishing Film Festival.

Go straight from Country Pleasures to the Cardel Theatre for the launch of the 2012 Back Cast FFFF!

Enjoying a number of full length films, by some of the very best fly fishing film makers from both yesterday and today.

Rush tickets available at the door. Adult $20 per show, Child/Youth $15 per show.

Back Cast FFFF information here

Sun Feb 26 (1:00 pm): GoPro Videography Techniques

This seminar will be presented by Faceless Fly Fishing and Kurtis Giles.

Join Dorian from Calgary’s Faceless Fly Fishing for this discussion focused on videography techniques with the GoPro cameras. He may even give the lowdown on how/why Faceless came to be…. Seminar will be wrapped up by Kurtis who can answer your questions about what Go Pro product is available at Fish Tales.

Fish Tales Fly Shop - Seminars

Fracking fluid rules expected by year's end

2012-02-24T16:00:00.000-07:00

Hydraulic fracturing has created a boom in domestic supplies of natural gas liquids,

including propane. But environmentalists say the extraction method has

contaminated drinking water sources. (image: inhabitat.com)

Fracking fluid rules expected by year's end

By Rebecca Penty,

Calgary Herald

February 23, 2012

Alberta's energy regulator expects to have rules in place by the end of the year that would make companies publicly disclose ingredients in hydraulic fracturing fluids.

The Energy Resources Conservation Board intends to make it easy to search for any provincial well on a single website and find the fluids a company has pumped underground to force oil and gas to flow.

The move came out of a review of unconventional oil and gas rules that started in 2010 and a commitment to align some regulations with Saskatchewan and British Columbia, said Cal Hill, executive manager of regulatory development for the board.

"B.C. has moved to disclosure and we're working to follow," Hill said at a media briefing on Wednesday.

The regulator hasn't yet decided whether it will join the fracfocus.ca website that went live in B.C. last month and said it is considering making disclosure mandatory only on new wells.

Alberta has been behind other jurisdictions on forcing disclosure, a requirement that started in the United States after widespread concerns from environmental groups and landowners about the risks of water contamination and pollution they linked to rampant development of gas in tight shale formations.

Read more:

Looking back along the Bow River - Season 2011

2012-02-24T13:09:00.000-07:00

Photo: Copyright Bow River Shuttles 2012

Countdown to Back Cast Fly Fishing Film Festival - only 2 days!

2012-02-23T23:56:00.000-07:00

Francis Degere ('Digger') (left) from "The Making of Digger"

Special thanks to Peter Nelson, Stony Kill Films, for this exclusive photo.

Bow River Shuttles is proud to present "Digger: Portrait of a Bamboo Fly Rod Maker" at Back Cast Fly Fishing Film Festival 2012.

For over 50 years, Francis Degere has been making bamboo fly rods in his Adams, Massachusetts home.

"Digger," as he is known, spends 100 hours handcrafting each split-cane rod from a single culm of bamboo. His skills and techniques are revealed as he teaches the craft to his apprentice, Fred Moran, thus passing on the torch to the next generation.

Back Cast FFFF supports Project Healing Waters Canada (PHWFFC). Net proceeds donated to PHWFFC.

Click this link for more information about Back Cast Fly Fishing Film Festival, including film line up, synopsis of each film and film trailers.

Purchase tickets online here, until midnight Thursday Feb 23

This Is Fly - #33 Feb/Mar 2012

2012-02-23T20:08:00.001-07:00

If you enjoyed the tiger fishing in Africa segment at my recent Canadian Premiere of CONNECT, you’ll certainly want have a look through “Fanged Creature of Awesomeness”.

Or you might want to start with a very good article “Bamboo Kid from Jersey”.

Interesting that one of the featured films at my upcoming Back Cast Fly Fishing Film Festival is “Digger: Portrait of a Bamboo Fly Rod Maker”.

Great to see the next generation picking up that tradition!

Either article will give you a good start on the current issue of “This Is Fly”.

Looking back along the Bow River - Season 2011

2012-02-23T11:00:00.000-07:00

Photo: Copyright Bow River Shuttles 2012

Countdown to Back Cast Fly Fishing Film Festival - only 3 days!

2012-02-22T16:56:00.001-07:00

Roderick Haig-Brown from “Fisherman’s Fall”

Special thanks to The National Film Board of Canada for this exclusive photo.

We are very pleased to have obtained permission from The National Film Board of Canada to screen a 'Canadian classic' from 1967 - "Fisherman's Fall".

This film, now 45 years old, features one of Canada's best known fly-fishermen, essayist Roderick Haig-Brown, demonstrating the art of salmon fishing in the Campbell River of northern Vancouver Island, against a background of early autumn foliage.

Bow River Shuttles is proud to present “Fisherman’s Fall” at Back Cast Fly Fishing Film Festival 2012.

Back Cast FFFF supports Project Healing Waters Canada (PHWFFC). Net proceeds donated to PHWFFC.

Click this link for more information about Back Cast Fly Fishing Film Festival, including film line up, synopsis of each film and film trailers.

Purchase tickets online here, until midnight Thursday Feb 23

The Majestic Plastic Bag - A Mockumentary

2012-02-22T16:37:00.001-07:00

At first glance, this may not seem like a water issue, or a fisheries issue… But it is both. And then some.

Thanks to Rolf S. for passing this along.

Looking back along the Bow River - Season 2011

2012-02-22T11:51:00.000-07:00

Michelle chatting with shuttle clients

Photo: Copyright Bow River Shuttles 2012

Countdown to Back Cast Fly Fishing Film Festival - only 4 days!

2012-02-21T22:08:00.001-07:00

The Jump from “The Making of Tapâm”

Special thanks to Daniel Göz and Jan Bach Kristensen for this exclusive photo.

About Daniel and Jan:

Daniel is a full time freelance photographer and filmmaker. He is based in Frankfurt. Daniel has been traveling of the beaten path for nearly two decades. He traveled most of the Americas, East Africa and Asia. His low impact travel approach lead to the discovery of unseen forms of flyfishing.

Jan has a true passion for photography, traveling and anything that has to do with flyfishing. He is located in Copenhagen, and never misses a chance to visit near and far destinations with flyrod and camera in hand. In Denmark Jan mainly fishes the beautiful and varied beaches for sea-run brown trout, an all-year fishery with a long tradition.

Bow River Shuttles is proud to present “Tapâm” at Back Cast Fly Fishing Film Festival 2012.

Back Cast FFFF supports Project Healing Waters Canada (PHWFFC). Net proceeds donated to PHWFFC.

Click this link for more information about Back Cast Fly Fishing Film Festival, including film line up, synopsis of each film and film trailers.

Purchase tickets online here, until midnight Thursday Feb 23

Tickets also available at the following locations, until Wednesday Feb 22 (CASH ONLY):

Fish Tales Fly Shop

Country Pleasures Fly Fishing

West Winds Fly Shop

SouthBow Fly & Tackle

Bow River Troutfitters

The Fishin' Hole

Calgary Women Fly Fishers Club meetings

Calgary Hook & Hackle Club meetings

Calgary Hook & Hackle Club – Open House Wed Feb 22

2012-02-21T18:24:00.002-07:00

Photos from last year's 2011 Open House

All photos: Copyright Bow River Shuttles 2012

Everything you’ve always wanted to know about the Calgary Hook & Hackle Club, but were afraid to ask. That’s what the club’s Open House is all about!

Club members will have display tables set up on many subjects, including the following:

As well, Jim Stelfox (Senior fisheries biologist, SRD Fish and Wildlife) will be on hand with a display table on Fish Identification.

Family Day along the Bow River – Mon Feb 20 2012

2012-02-21T17:15:00.000-07:00

Improving the odds? Two rods - fly gear and spin gear.

All photos: Copyright Bow River Shuttles 2012

It got all the way up to -1.0 °C on Family Day, and that was good enough to bring out some hardy Bow River fly fishers.

Countdown to Back Cast Fly Fishing Film Festival - only 5 days!

2012-02-20T23:57:00.001-07:00

A New Zealand brown caught on a green Stu Tripney foam fly
“The Making of ‘A Foam Odyssey”

Special thanks to Stu Tripney for this exclusive photo.

About Stu Tripney:

"Fly fishing and fishing in general has been a passion of mine for a very long time. It probably didn't help that my grandfather and great grandfather were champions, well known as great fishermen of the time. At the age of eight I caught my first brown trout (7 inches) which I proudly took back to my grandmothers for tea.. (we'd never heard of catch and release in those days). Two years later I won my first fishing competition, then another, and another. I would win some lovely trophies and cups for coming first but if I won "Heaviest Trout of the Day" I would also win some money, which I saved up enough to buy and build my first fly rod. There was no looking back after that!"

Bow River Shuttles is proud to present “A Foam Odyssey” at Back Cast Fly Fishing Film Festival 2012.

Back Cast FFFF supports Project Healing Waters Canada (PHWFFC). Net proceeds donated to PHWFFC.

Click this link for more information about Back Cast Fly Fishing Film Festival, including film line up, synopsis of each film and film trailers.

Purchase tickets online here, until midnight Thursday Feb 23

Tickets also available at the following locations, until Wednesday Feb 22 (CASH ONLY):

Fish Tales Fly Shop

Country Pleasures Fly Fishing

West Winds Fly Shop

SouthBow Fly & Tackle

Bow River Troutfitters

The Fishin' Hole

Calgary Women Fly Fishers Club meetings

Calgary Hook & Hackle Club meetings

40 music stations and Alt Country - it's all good!

2012-02-20T20:41:00.002-07:00

Music lovers across Canada will be impressed with the new CBC Music site launched last week.

Featuring 40 web radio stations and ’14 genre-based online communities’, listeners will be able to download music, stream podcasts, watch concerts and access the CBC archive.

Included in the station line up are three ‘Country’ stations, including one labeled ‘Alternative Country’. Who knew!

One band listed as Alt Country is ‘Blackie and the Rodeo Kings’.

Looking back along the Bow River - Season 2011

2012-02-20T10:41:00.000-07:00

Michelle meeting shuttle client

Photo: Copyright Bow River Shuttles 2012

Countdown to Back Cast Fly Fishing Film Festival - only 6 days!

2012-02-19T23:34:00.000-07:00

“The Making of ‘Off the Grid”
RA Beattie with fly collection

Special thanks to RA for this exclusive photo.

RA Beattie started Beattie Outdoor Productions (BOP) after graduating from the University of Puget Sound in 2005. A fly fishing guide in the mountains of Colorado throughout high school and college, Beattie has combined his passion for fly fishing and photography to create numerous short films about the fly fishing lifestyle. Over the years, BOP has been fortunate enough to shoot photography on every continent including Antarctica.

Bow River Shuttles is proud to present “Off the Grid” at Back Cast Fly Fishing Film Festival 2012.

Back Cast FFFF supports Project Healing Waters Canada (PHWFFC). Net proceeds donated to PHWFFC.

Click this link for more information about Back Cast Fly Fishing Film Festival, including film line up, synopsis of each film and film trailers.

Purchase tickets online here, until midnight Thursday Feb 23

Tickets also available at the following locations, until Wednesday Feb 22 (CASH ONLY):

Fish Tales Fly Shop

Country Pleasures Fly Fishing

West Winds Fly Shop

SouthBow Fly & Tackle

Bow River Troutfitters

The Fishin' Hole

Calgary Women Fly Fishers Club meetings

Calgary Hook & Hackle Club meetings

Go Hard or Go Home

2012-02-19T20:16:00.000-07:00

Some local Alberta action on the fly!

Looking back along the Bow River - Season 2011

2012-02-19T12:11:00.000-07:00

Heading for home from the river

Photo: Copyright Bow River Shuttles 2012

Countdown to Back Cast Fly Fishing Film Festival - only 7 days!

2012-02-18T22:10:00.000-07:00

“The Making of T-Motion Video” for Catch Magazine

Todd Moen behind the camera.

Special thanks to Todd and Catch Magazine for sending us these exclusive photos.

Todd Moen travels to amazing fly fishing destinations, like Chile, British Columbia, Mexico and many others. Then, with an artist’s eye, he wraps the great fishing around an interesting storyline that brings out the relationship with the angler, their environment and why we all enjoy this sport so much.

Bow River Shuttles is proud to present “The Best Videos of Catch Magazine” at Back Cast Fly Fishing Film Festival 2012.

Courtesy, Todd Moen and Catch Magazine

Click this link for more information about Back Cast Fly Fishing Film Festival, including film line up, synopsis of each film and film trailers.

Purchase tickets online here

Tickets also available at the following locations (CASH ONLY):

Fish Tales Fly Shop

Country Pleasures Fly Fishing

West Winds Fly Shop

SouthBow Fly & Tackle

Bow River Troutfitters

The Fishin' Hole

Calgary Women Fly Fishers Club meetings

Calgary Hook & Hackle Club meetings

Montana Fly Fishing Magazine - Premiere Issue No 1

2012-02-18T15:11:00.000-07:00

Many Bow River fly fishers have ventured south of the 49th to the Missouri, Yellowstone and Bighorn Rivers.

Those who have will certainly enjoy the Premiere Issue of “Montana Fly Fishing Magazine”.

It opens with a Greg Lewis photo essay “Winter on the Bighorn”. Frosty images of icicles hanging from the boat trailers and snow piling up on the drift boats and towing vehicles.

Every couple of months, Montana Fly Fishing Magazine says that they will offer subscribers “a collection of strong, original articles and photographs focused on the magnificent fish species, rivers, and landscapes that define Montana as ‘the Mecca of fly fishing.’”

Via: Midcurrent

Looking back along the Bow River - Season 2011

2012-02-18T13:11:00.000-07:00

Photo: Copyright Bow River Shuttles 2012

Countdown to Back Cast Fly Fishing Film Festival - only 8 days!

2012-02-17T21:54:00.001-07:00

"New Zealand Cutthroat" by Jensen Fly Fishing Productions
will be competing for "Best Film" of Back Cast FFFF

Photo: Courtesy Dave & Amelia Jensen, Jensen Fly Fishing Productions

Click this link for more information about Back Cast Fly Fishing Film Festival, including film line up, synopsis of each film and film trailers.

Purchase tickets online here

Tickets also available at the following locations (CASH ONLY):

Fish Tales Fly Shop

Country Pleasures Fly Fishing

West Winds Fly Shop

SouthBow Fly & Tackle

Bow River Troutfitters

The Fishin' Hole

Calgary Women Fly Fishers Club meetings

Calgary Hook & Hackle Club meetings

Steelhead prawns & Friends of Fish Creek

2012-02-17T16:23:00.002-07:00

Sun Feb 19 (1 pm) Tying Steelhead Prawns with Matthew Slater

Matt will demonstrate fly tying techniques of the intruder with some modifications to make them more prawn-like.

He will also be venturing away from the standards of rhea and ostrich and into the world of synthetics – EP fibers and rubber legs.

Matt, who made his first trip out for steelhead last fall, “has the bug.” Plus he’s an accomplished and creative tier.

Fish Tales Fly Shop - Seminars

Sat Feb 18 (10 am): Friends Of Fish Creek

Katie from the Friends of Fish Creek Provincial Park will be presenting on Watershed Stewardship.

Katie will explain the various programs the Friends do to make Fish Creek Park better for all of us.

You'll learn plenty about the area, its inhabitants and the simple things you can do to help protect it. A bit different, but don't miss this one!"

Country Pleasures Fly Shop - Seminars

Looking back along the Bow River - Season 2011

2012-02-17T11:40:00.000-07:00

Photo: Copyright Bow River Shuttles 2012

Countdown to Back Cast Fly Fishing Film Festival - only 9 days!

2012-02-16T21:23:00.000-07:00


"Glacial Bull Trout" by The Humble Fisherman will be competing for "Best Film" of Back Cast FFFF Photo: Courtesy Jay Jones, aka The Humble Fisherman

Click this link for more information about Back Cast Fly Fishing Film Festival, including film line up, synopsis of each film and film trailers.

Purchase tickets online here

Radical Groups

2012-02-16T17:41:00.001-07:00

We've noticed that there might be a few 'radicals' lurking in the local fly fishing community. :-)

Looking back along the Bow River - Season 2011

2012-02-16T12:45:00.001-07:00

Making hay while the sun shines!
Photo: Copyright Bow River Shuttles 2012

Protesters rally against logging - Castle

2012-02-15T20:48:00.002-07:00

Dressed in a bear costume, Sean Nichols joins a protest

Tuesday at the McDougall Centre against logging.

Photograph by: Grant Black, Calgary Herald, Calgary Herald

On Mar 18, 1998, the Castle wilderness was added to the list of Alberta’s ‘Special Places’. This program was an initiative to complete a network of protected areas to preserve the province's environmental diversity.

You’d never know that today, from the way this area is being treated.

- Bow River Shuttles

Protesters rally against logging

Plea for Castle, Bragg Creek woodlands

By Clara Ho And Darcy Henton,

Calgary Herald

February 15, 2012

Protesters in Calgary and Edmonton rallied Tuesday afternoon, waving banners and making speeches, in hopes of halting logging projects in the Castle and Bragg Creek regions.

About 50 representatives from various environmental and wildlife groups gathered on the steps of the McDougall Centre in downtown Calgary, wielding signs that read "Don't Clear-Cut my Heart" while the Calgary Raging Grannies sang "God Save the Bears."

Blank Valentine cards were also distributed so attendees could write to Premier Alison Redford and let her know how much they love their forests.

Gordon Petersen with the Stop Castle Logging Group said he wants the province to reconsider logging in the southwestern Alberta region, even though construction on an access road has already begun.

"We're concerned about grizzly bears, westslope cutthroat trout, bull trout, recreation, tourism-based businesses. There's a whole number of things we're concerned about in the Castle, and logging is going to be detrimental to all those things," Petersen said, adding members of the public have sent thousands of letters and e-mails to the premier and to MLAs with their concerns.

Read more here

Stop Castle Logging

Art Works for Wild Spaces created this public art project in an attempt to protect trees from logging. the sie is along Highway 774, four kilometres south of the area being logged in the Castle region. Photo, Courtesy Art Works for Wild Spaces

“Even the Art Works for Wild Spaces group, which ‘spotlights environmentally sensitive areas through art events,’ got involved with the case and wrapped several trees in the Castle region with colourful, handmade afghans in an act known as ‘yarn-bombing.’” - Calgary Herald

More photos from YarnBombing the Castle

Art Works for Wild Spaces

Looking back along the Bow River - Season 2011

2012-02-15T16:50:00.000-07:00

Photo: Copyright Bow River Shuttles 2012

Love Flyfishing

2012-02-14T20:01:00.000-07:00

Love Flyfishing. Volume One. from Jah Raven Creation on Vimeo.

Via: Shredneck, posted on Fly Fish Calgary Forum

Special Event celebrating Free Fishing Weekend - February 18th!

2012-02-14T15:46:00.001-07:00

Click directly on poster for larger image

Join Bow Habitat Station for our special event to celebrate Free Fishing Weekend on February 18th!

FREE outdoor family fun from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. including:

snowshoeing,
fishing games, and
demonstrations.

Explore indoors in our Fish Hatchery and Discovery Centre for a special price of $5 per person (children 4 and under—free)!

Check out our event page on Facebook

bowhabitat.alberta.ca/

Looking back along the Bow River - Season 2011

2012-02-14T11:21:00.000-07:00

“Best Film of Back Cast Fly Fishing Film Festival” Competition

2012-02-13T12:45:00.000-07:00

Click directly on poster for larger image

Click this link for more information about Back Cast Fly Fishing Film Festival, including film line up, synopsis of each film and film trailers.

Purchase tickets Online Here

Tickets also available at the following locations (CASH ONLY):

Fish Tales Fly Shop

Country Pleasures Fly Fishing

West Winds Fly Shop

Southbow Fly & Tackle

Bow River Troutfitters

The Fishin' Hole

Calgary Women Fly Fishers Club meetings

Calgary Hook & Hackle Club meetings

Looking back along the Bow River - Season 2011

2012-02-13T10:33:00.000-07:00


Michelle with shuttle clients Photo: Copyright Bow River Shuttles 2012

Today along the Bow River - Feb 12, 2012

2012-02-12T22:20:00.000-07:00

Northern Gateway Pipeline, Pebble Mine/Bristol Bay and God

2012-02-12T18:42:00.000-07:00

Charles Heit, a Gitxsan First Nation member opposed to the $5.5-billion Enbridge oil pipeline from Alberta to the British Columbia port of Kitimat warms himself beside a fire at a camp outside the Gitxsan Treaty Office in Hazelton, B.C., on Thursday January 12, 2012.

THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck (click on photo for larger image)

“Is there any set of circumstances, other than an assurance of God Himself, under which you would approve any pipeline going through our precious wilderness?”

Clark, Harper, Enbridge Taking Suicidal Risks With BC's Future

By Rafe Mair

Jan 13, 2012

“Who are we to think we can play God with these places?”

Meandering Thoughts on A Problem: Hubris

By Headwaters: Fly Fishing History blog

Feb 10, 2012

Looking back along the Bow River - Season 2011

2012-02-12T10:06:00.000-07:00

A Tight Loop - No 4

2012-02-11T22:34:00.001-07:00

We think you should begin this issue of ‘A Tight Loop’ by going to the photo essay “The Driftless Region” by Brad Eaton.

“The Driftless Area or Paleozoic Plateau is a region in the American Midwest noted mainly for its deeply carved river valleys. While primarily in southwestern Wisconsin, it includes areas of southeastern Minnesota, northeastern Iowa and extreme northwestern Illinois. This region's peculiar terrain is due to its having escaped glaciation in the last glacial period.” - Wikipedia

The Fly Fishing Film Tour (F3T), which kicked off a couple weeks ago, includes a short piece “Reverb: A Punk Rock Love Story”. It’s part of a longer film, "Heart of the Driftless", which will be released this spring.

"Reverb" Trailer from RT on Vimeo.

Looking back along the Bow River - Season 2011

2012-02-11T14:11:00.000-07:00

Jeep Rubicon heading downstream

Streamers & Archeology for Anglers

2012-02-10T19:54:00.000-07:00

Sat Feb 11 (10 am): Mike Gifford will present on some of his most effective techniques for fishing streamers, from foot and from the drift boat.

Sun Feb 12 (1 pm): Introduction to Archeology for Anglers. Rivers were the highways of First Nations and Native Americans. A source of transportation and fresh water, the vast majority of archaeological sites are found in and around river drainage systems. With hundreds of sites in Calgary alone, come hear archaeologist Sean Britt talk about the nature of archaeological sites, what to look for and what to do if you encounter something while out on a float or a walk and wade.

Big win for fly fisherman

2012-02-10T19:06:00.000-07:00

Gérard Bilodeau (left) and Patrick Vincent, Regional Director of Fisheries Management (right), congratulate Mr. Claude Bernard (centre) as he receives a 2011 National Recreational Fisheries Award.

Keith Ashfield, Canada’s Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, has announced that Claude Bernard is a winner of a 2011 National Recreational Fisheries Award.

“As Mr Bernard is committed to ensuring that recreational fisheries are preserved, so is our Government,” said Minister Ashfield. “We are proud to honour the efforts of such dedicated volunteers who make such an important contribution to this tradition.”

Bernard has made a rich and lasting contribution to recreational fishing and its legacy for all Canadians by introducing many students to fly fishing and fly tying, often devoting his lunch breaks to educate others.

He was also the driving force behind the creation of the culturally important Canadian Fly Fishing Museum in Waterloo and co-founded the Québec-Maritimes Fly Fishing Forum which attracts more than 2,000 participants annually.

In addition, he has contributed his knowledge and passion to the creation and maintenance of streams suitable for fly fishing, such as the development of spawning beds, fish passages and other work on the North Yamaska River. He is currently leading development of a manual for the Pêche en herbe programme for young sport fishers; a programme that introduces 9-12 year-olds to recreational fishing.

Canada’s National Recreational Fisheries Awards were created in 1989 to recognise outstanding contributions by individuals and organisations in areas such as recreational community leadership, restoring and enhancing fisheries and fish habitat or promoting conservation and sustainable recreational fishing.

LINK (Via: Fisheries and Oceans Canada)

Source: Midcurrent via Fishneweu

Looking back along the Bow River - Season 2011

2012-02-10T11:47:00.000-07:00

Flymage - No 11 Winter 2012

2012-02-09T20:58:00.000-07:00

You’ll want to head straight to the Flymage Mag’s photo essay ‘In Our Memories’ which features some wonderful images from Quebec, including the Madeleine River.

After that, take some time for the feature article ‘Protecting the Magic of Bristol Bay’ by Kate Taylore (a.k.a. Rogue Angels).

In your choice of English or Spanish.

Golden Trevally at Ningaloo Reef

2012-02-09T20:15:00.001-07:00

Another look at the wide world of fly fishing from 'Kevin of Central Alberta'!

Looking back along the Bow River - Season 2011

2012-02-09T13:55:00.000-07:00

Behind the scenes - Inside look at Bell Let's Talk Day

2012-02-08T22:56:00.001-07:00

Enjoy and inside look into the filming of the Let's Talk Day campaign, and hear the stories of Olympic champion, Clara Hughes, comedian, Michel Mpambara, and musician, Stefie Shock.

See how you can help break down the stigma associated with mental illness. Visit http://letstalk.bell.ca/ today!

The Contemporary Sportsman – Winter 2012

2012-02-08T21:57:00.000-07:00

There’s plenty in this issue of ‘The Contemporary Sportsman’

to entertain the fly fisher.

‘Taimen Fishing in Mongolia’, ‘The Perfect Fly’ and ‘Taking the Sky Out of the Equation’ will appeal to many.

But for local Bow River types, especially those who attended the recent Country Pleasures Steelhead Night featuring Jeff Bright, the starting point will be ‘A Spey-fishing Primer’ and ‘The Sea-run Angle’.

Both are written by Jeff and include some of his great images.

Connect: What do you know. A video with a message.

2012-02-08T17:23:00.000-07:00

Connect: What do you know. A video with a message.

Are you getting what you need with your ad dollars in video? In Connect you do.

AnglersTonic.com

Posted on February 8, 2012

by Greg Thomas

There are a lot of dollars being sprinkled around fly fishing today, mostly to support video projects that may or may not give a company some air time at one or more of the film tours that roll across the country each year. Their presence on the tour, of course, depends on whether they are even good enough to make the cut. And many of them aren’t.

This support of video isn’t bad news because the potential for that market—and more importantly the potential to reach outside our core people and draw newcomers into the sport—is huge. I’m just waiting for some consistently good material to rise to the top. What I’m getting at is this: fish porn is ok, but that doesn’t make the cut unless your showing it around a group of guys, fueled by some hard stuff, with music pumping out of high-decibal speakers. Don’t get me wrong. I’m down with that crowd. I’m just asking, what are you going to do the rest of the time? Rest on the couch by yourself or invite a new girlfriend to sit down and watch? Can you say death sentence. Going to whip up some popcorn for the kids and let them listen to a procession of f-bombs and watch a bevy of scenes where anglers are throwing back the whiskey shots after landing an 11 inch trout, celebrating as if it’s the birth of their first child?

Looking back along the Bow River - Season 2011

2012-02-08T11:31:00.000-07:00

Let's Talk!

2012-02-07T23:35:00.000-07:00

Most Canadians leery of fracking, poll shows

2012-02-07T16:37:00.000-07:00

Most Canadians leery of fracking, poll shows

6 Feb 2012

Calgary Herald

NATALIE STECHYSON

POSTMEDIA NEWS

The majority of Canadians oppose hydraulic fracturing — better known as “fracking” — and would support a moratorium on the natural gas extraction method, according to a new poll.

The environics research poll, commissioned by the Council of Canadians, found that 62 per cent of the Canadians polled supported amoratorium on fracking for natural gas until all federal environmental reviews are complete.

British Columbia residents were most likely to support a moratorium, at 67 per cent. B.C. was followed by Atlantic Canada, where 66 per of those polled supported a moratorium, and then Ontario (65 per cent), Manitoba/ Saskatchewan (64 per cent), Alberta (57 per cent) and Quebec (55 per cent).

“The poll results send a strong message that Canadians are really wanting the federal government to put in place a moratorium until the reviews are complete, and so we’re hoping that the federal government will take up the call,” said Emma Lui, the water campaigner for the Council of Canadians. “One of the biggest concerns are the impacts on water sources, in terms of potential contamination and the amount of water that’s used for fracking, but there’s also greenhouse gases and then impacts on public health in that we don’t know for sure what chemicals companies are using.”

Twenty-eight per cent of Canadians opposed a moratorium on fracking. Opposition was strongest in Quebec (36 per cent), where the practice has already been halted.

Fracking sees a mix of water, sand and chemicals pumped underground into drilled wells to break apart shale-rock formations, freeing gas to rise to the surface. Critics have connected the practice to groundwater and soil contamination and earthquakes.

The Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers maintains that the practice can be done safely and reliably, and released a new set of fracking guidelines in late January.

There is no federal legislation on fracking, and regulations on water and drilling permits vary from province to province.

The Environics Research survey was conducted by telephone during the period of Jan. 5 to 15. The survey used a random sample of 2,000 adults age 18 and over, living in Canada, split evenly between males and females. The margin of error is plus or minus 2.19 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.

More information here