Recently...

A few things to keep in mind that I thought of recently - mostly because this is what we've been doing:

When streamer fishing a small stream, a power taper, WF line is invaluable. Essentially over-lining the rod, this line will flip and shoot with ease, limiting your false casting and have you in the zone with one false cast. Strip in, roll forward, one false cast, lay it on the water. Repeat. Very effective.

When fishing browns during a light hatch on murky waters, being able to shoot line on one false cast helps a lot. Why? The fish will be searching and could move anywhere about a 20 foot feeding window. When it rises, brown trout often are just lazily moving in the soft water looking for food. Being in a good position to simply roll forward, one false cast, lay it 3 feet above the rise will give you a chance. These trout aren't stationed and being able to get the fly in front of them will save you a lot of casting time.

Here's some shots of fish taken by the above means the past week or two.

The importance of altruism

I find myself seeing the world differently in many different ways and realizing the difference. The past 2 years I did some soul searching regarding a couple repetitive patterns in my life that impacted some of my relationships, and part of my personal evolution has been observing the importance of altruism. Obviously, I fall short of it.
I've had quite a few positive comments and emails about the New Fly Fisher tv show I did with Phil & Tom. I think the reason the show was so well received was each of us afforded the other to do what we each did best for the greater good of the show. I wasn't pumping my guide company's tires, Tom wasn't pumping his rounded fly fishing abilities, fishing contact network, nor Orvis, and Phil wasn't trying to be one of those "look at me" hosts. Instead, I had a skill to share with hunting and sight fishing browns, Tom has a wonderful charisma about him, and Phil brought out the information with subtle questions, taking a back seat in many instances. It helped that we got along fabulously. Each simply did what we do and made no extra bones about how good we are/aren't. The goal was the bigger picture - to make the show the best it could be. And the show was very well received, which was my hope from the get go - far more than worrying about how I look or how much exposure it brought our company.
The above is nice, but not the jogger for the post.
I attended a Red Deer Fisheries Round Table meeting recently. I've written here about pursuing an updated Fisheries Management Plan for the Red Deer R for years. The local biologist Vance has committed to it many times the past 12 years I've been pressing, only to see other things get in the way - can we not only focus on lake dwelling walleye in this region? The RDR FMP was to get going, but a new gov policy has come down the pipe where intensive public involvement with government must gain approval from a cabinet committee. Yes, something so trivial as this faces up against health care, education, finance, o&g issues, etc. This wouldn't be a big deal, except the concern that caused this motion is that the gov is attempting to minimize negativity coming back to MLAs and cabinet.
If you look at the past 15 years on the Red Deer R, there has been a group hot to implement their plan to change fisheries management policy, procedure, and protocol - by implementing an aggressive stocking plan of triploid rainbows, a daily license fee, trophy license, a dedicated river bio & officers, amongst other things for the Red Deer R. Without commenting on the meat of it, the reality is that it flies in the face of how fisheries are managed in this province. Time & time again they tried to ram their proposal through by going over the local biologist's head, meeting with MLAs, environment ministers, etc. I doubt you can find an MLA near the Red Deer - Rocky Mountain House area that hasn't heard from them. All I can comment on is that the result has been that each MLA and cabinet minister has to rely on its staff expertise and the policy, protocol, and policy. Hence, the group's hope has been quashed at every turn and the experience has generally been negative. The great irony is that the group has not attended a single Red Deer Region Fisheries Round Table meeting, choosing to circumvent procedure and go straight to upper government.
The connection now is that the Red Deer R needs an updated Fisheries Management Plan. The one existing was printed in 1994, was supposed to be update every 5 years with science occurring. Time marches on, a massive flood alters the river, and things change. The walleye population has changed upwards dramatically, the whitefish are in the dumps, the browns are holding their own, and pike remain a bit of an enigma most of the year save opening 2 weeks. We need a fall closure for the whitefish and browns, and whitefish regulations need to shift downwards. And we need some new guiding principles, public input and support for direction on the river - a fisheries management plan. It's obvious.
However, a group that has pushed so long and hard to get changes on the river, the changes they deem fit, has caused such a stir of negativity in government that - get the irony - the public process may not be granted by cabinet for fear of negative government interaction. How do you like that?
It's one thing to see an issue, see areas where change is needed. It's another to have personal thoughts. But it's altogether another position to honor the system, the people, the policies, procedures, and protocols while trying to 'improve' things that you might hope to. The altruistic see these things and hope for a positive change that benefits the whole, not just themselves. Is it possible to have altruism in a completely different dimension - yes. But if your altruism in your dimension is completely opposed to reality, yet you fervently oppose those in reality, that's where it breaks down. And that's exactly where the Red Deer River Fisheries Management Plan may never get off the ground.
My encouragement is to those seeking to get involved in any issue to make our society or resources better - seek out the foundations of what you trying to change first, get in touch with the guiding principles, policies, protocols, and procedures and see how they might work/blend with your ideas. If they can be worked with or modified and you work within the procedural boundaries to effect change, perfect. Even if we are going to simply support a cause it's up to us to know these things before supporting it.
Yes, I'm fully aware that even talking on the level of altruism I'm going to get raked over the coals by these people, even though I've not mentioned if I agree with their points or not. I only hope they appreciate the intent is not directed solely at them, rather, using their example as a basis to the point for everyone who is considering involvement. Speaking altruistically of course.

Red Deer to Golden aerial pics

I was updated via email about a fellow's trip from Red Deer to Golden in his Piper Cub. A neat flight with some photos of the area - 61 in all. It's neat to see things from a different perspective, so here's the link to the pics:
http://s112.photobucket.com/albums/n186/AB_Summit/Flight%20to%20Golden%20BC/?start=0

Can I touch you to see if you're real?

One of my favorite songs opens with the line "Can I touch you to see if you're real?" Eyes of a Stranger by the Payolas remains a classic. Last night's theme song... in spades.
As I worked my way up around a bend a beaver spooked in the low light, wooshing into the water and sending small wavelets into the current, startling me. I hadn't seen it and it simply took me off guard. I was on my way up and focusing on the water ahead. It's a good thing I stopped, as a nice brown fed a rod length above me, three... four times. It was a simple flip of the fly to above the last rise and a slight twitch - the 19" trout landed a few minutes later. Curiously, the beaver wooshed again. And again.
Every fly fisher knows where this is going.
I sat and watched as the subtle current seam carried the mayfly hatch past a thick weed bed, a dead zone along a deep trough. I watched as a huge head popped up again, the yellow lips unmistakable. Beaver, no. The male brown was so large it couldn't help but make a popping sound, leave a white wake, and send wavelets into the stream. Every few takes it would charge into the current and slash at a bug before returning to the subtle rising inside the weed bed.
I lowered myself and cast below the fish, hoping to get it on a downstream cycle, also not wanting to over commit. "Protect the edge" I always tell myself and others. Work your way in from the outside edges of what is perceived to be the trout's feeding zone first, tempt the fish to come to you so you don't make the error of lining a fish by not knowing its cycle. Especially if it's slow water during a moderate or light hatch that allows for random takes. I listened to my own advice. The first cast at the lower, outer edge. Next, a little deeper into the perceived zone, but still on the downstream edge. Next, the outer edge of the seam above and let it drift into the edge. Again, a little further in but still drifting down. The fish rose again 2 feet in. Like so many trophy browns in New Zealand, it wouldn't commit to anything outside its zone. Cast again, 2 feet above its last rise, right on its line.
The lips came up with a deep yellow ochre. Then came the unmistakable sucking sound. Knowing its size, I used the old New Zealand adage - "God Save the Queen" prior to hook set, to allow the large fish to take the fly, turn, and drop back into the water prior to hook set. It really works on large fish, allowing the hook to be taken in so the hook set is firm, and not simply a light peripheral, or complete miss, on the lips. And I was on.
The fight went as most do with big fish. A measure of posture from each - followed by the other responding in kind. Moments of uncertainty as the rod throbbed with heavy head shakes. Once seeing the hook solidly wedged, however, I knew time was all that was needed. It jumped 3 times and made 2 unsuccessful runs at the heavy timber below us. Not today, my friend. Finally, it was in the net. Well, 1/2 of it anyway.
"Can I touch you to see if you're real?" and the percussion ran through my head in the dim light. More lines from the song "Have you been sleeping for all of these years? Is it magic that makes you appear?" Mood music, certainly. I'd been past this same run so many times previously, never seeing so much as a fish rise. But tonight... tonight the magic set in, magic that made him appear. Reality set in. It was a massive trout. I've fly fished Alberta a long time, since I was 5. 33 years now. I'd seen 30+" trout on the walls of a friend's house, caught on Rappallas and jigs. I always told a friend of mine, Steve, that I somehow would be disappointed if I caught a 30" brown on a streamer or nymph. He always asked me why - why be disappointed by something so magical? The answer I always came back to was that it would be so happen chance - so unknown - so random. To catch it on a dry fly, either by sighting it in the water or seeing a rise first allows you to engage with the knowledge that you are about to engage something special, something that you willingly participate in.
And there it was, in my net.
I've recently read the threads of the Alberta record brown trout caught - somewhere in the 21 pound class caught on spinning gear. Awesome. I've also read some interesting brow-beating discussion that the person killed the fish. Discussion ran between the purist that wants everything honored and released, and the opposite view where that kind of fish takes dedication and many years of hunting special waters to catch... and being legal, why wouldn't you want to mount the fish as a trophy of the accomplishment? I appreciate both sides. For me, a 21lb brown will never happen. I've always sought a 10lb brown on the dry fly in Alberta - that's all I've wanted to do. Back 15 years I always wondered if I would keep such a fish to commemorate the event. It wasn't even a thought until just now. There was no question, no thought of it. Last night, I simply held the fish, put a piece of tape around the rod where its tail (unpinched) came to on the rod. 30-3/4" when I got home. Let's call it 30", and most certainly 10 pounds. Was it 12? I don't know, I don't care. We've caught several 30+" New Zealand 10+ lb browns on dries and sighted. But to do it on the dry on my home waters... spectacular. All I know is that fish created a moment for me that I'll always appreciate. The view of the yellow lips coming up, the white wake, the pop, and being able to stroke a paused hook set was magical. I managed a photo before letting it swim away, its tail waving through the silver water as it disappeared.

Another lesson

We've been puttering around small lakes in our jon boat for a few years now, using a small marine battery pack from Canadian Tire. We bought a second as back up, never really intending to attempt to fish larger lakes or longer reaches of river with them. They served us well, but a spring trip to MB Parkland had us cursing the short lived power that kept us from exploring the entirety of the lakes there. That wasn't the first time that we'd had some limitations - some of the floats on the Red Deer R have seen a little more rowing than we care to admit. But, we've gotten by and there's never been a big impetus to replace the battery packs.
Until last night.

I was out on a local water, enjoying late night fishing. A few very nice trout were caught, I had the place to myself, and eagles, deer, and a series of waterfowl and songbirds kept me company. It was very pleasant. The fishing really came on strong. As dusk settled, I saw the silver edges of two huge thunderheads in the distance. But there was lots of time and the fish were turning on yet. I cast to a few risers as I made my way. Time passed and the thunderheads drew near. What was pitch black turned to daylight, streaks of lightning flashing the shoreline and trees to full daylight. Time to get going! About that time I was giggling to myself that only a week earlier a group of us were scathing the fellow in Ontario that was killed by lightning in a tube just 2 weeks ago. You never expect it to be you. I kept track of the lightning to thunder time. Most were over 10 seconds, but a few claps came 7 seconds. My electric motor slowed. I rowed. And I rowed. The claps drew down to 7 seconds avg. I knew I was pushing it. The motor was nearly dead when the lightning switched from mostly behind or from the side to a blinding fork bolt with nary a second delay to the clap.

And I was 200m from my car at 11:45 pm.  Bugga!

So, there I sat, in a stand of trees. Waiting. And I waited. The lightning was intense, wonderful to watch, a joy to be in. But, for the life of me, I couldn't fathom how much less I could have enjoyed the time than getting soaked under a tree 200m from my car, waiting until 12:45 before the lightning and small hail lifted so I could get off the water just as the second cell hit.

It's 8:20 on Saturday morning. I hear the stores open at 9. Guess where I'll be?  1000 amp deep cycle battery anyone?
It's amazing the things we don't worry about until forced to. Something so simple as running 2 battery packs should have been enough, and have been enough the 3 trips on the same water, simply weren't when needed. Just a reminder to us all to make sure that you have plenty more than enough of whatever you might need... because you might need just a little more some time.
Cheers!

July 30 Fishing Report

July 30 - 2010
The region is in almost perfect condition, though water levels remain higher than normal. Lingering impacts on fishing are now down to the Ram in the mid to lower canyon reach where water levels continue to scour the sandstone, keeping visibility down and sediment loads up. Otherwise, most everything is in good to great shape! Perfectly timed for this long weekend!

N Ram is fishable - 4 - 5 foot vis and green-clear @ Nice Cr
S Ram - mid to lower canyon is a little high (watch the crossings) and visibility definitely poor. Much better upstream.
Upper Red Deer is in good shape - watch out for jet boats this weekend.
Blackstone is in good shape
Prairie, Red Deer tailwater, Little RDR, FallenTimber, Dogpound, etc are in good shape, though lower reaches may be impacted by the t-storms forming further out from the foothills recently.
Hatches - golden stones, pmds, brown drakes, tricos, caddis, midges, mid sized hoppers, yellow sallies, lime sallies, flavs, green drakes in high country.

The Hinton - Edson waters along the #16 corridor are all clear and low as of this morning.

Jet boats on the Red Deer revisited

About 10 years ago I wrote an article "Motor Trouble on the Red Deer", lamenting jet boats on the river and how out of place and unsafe they are. A lot of it had connotations derived from my dislike of the jets, how their use on my river intruded on my solace. While I still believe there to be a serious safety issue in certain braided and narrow reaches of the river, it's generally a non issue. Last night AJ & I floated for a few hours. We knew heading in that we weren't going to see a lot of rising browns, we hoped for one or two each. We worked a few more than that. We knew it would be a beautiful evening of sunset, bird life, and few others on the river. We put in, and right away the sound of a jet turbine filled the air. Sure enough, minutes later a boat flashed past, only doing mach 3 or so. These are tournament boats, not your little jon-jet combos seen on the Bow, nor smaller converted inboards. These are jet turbine propelled boats, $4-500 an hour to run. And they go fast. And God knows they must be fun to be in. And they are loud.
But you know what? They knew we were there. We knew that they are on the river. Why get upset? They'll be gone by early evening, and we knew no fish were to rise prior that anyway in those conditions. It mattered so little to us that these guys were out having fun on a wide causeway of the river. They have the right to enjoy the river as anyone currently. And likely will for a long, long time to come.
Why get upset given those parameters? Especially if you know, from countless data points of experience, that those are the parameters of the river well before setting out.
So, we chatted to them as we floated past their take out. The group of boats were in good spirits and we were as well, looking forward to our peaceful float. And you know what? We simply looked at them having fun as much as we were, in separate ways. Each was courteous and happy.
Would my perspective be different if there had been 4 or 5 boats doing doughnuts around our boats or tearing up the shoreline? Well. No. Not any more. When you have expectations of having a river with rising brown trout in every shoreline seam and having the river to yourself, with no other users, the Red Deer is the last one in our home range to come to our minds. There are many other users and few care about brown trout. If you fish the river, you have a 50% or greater chance of having someone impact your fishing. That's just the way it is. To be upset by it or even get worked up, what's the point? We're the oddballs, not the other users.
Happiness and contentment is not derived from others. It can be a state where we enjoy the moments as they unfold, realizing that we can control none of what happens anyway and we're just along for the ride. If our entertainment package wishes come to fruition, great, but if not we simply enjoy whatever unfolds. The key is that we can't control it, so why let it control our emotions or thoughts with perceived negativity? There was so much more to enjoy last evening, be it talking to happy jet boaters to our own company, to relaxing together and enjoying the hunt of a few nice browns. And we most certainly did just that.

Short Float

After catching up on planning for the coming month or two, we were able to sneak out for a short float. It went well with 6 or 7 risers worked in the 3 hrs on the river. A few good hook ups too. It was  nice evening, perfect sunset, perhaps a touch cold when darkness set in. But, the fish were up and feeding steadily, which is what you always love to see. I could have used a much larger net for this brown though... and below AJ patiently outlasts a feeding brown in a seam at sunset.

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