Bow River Blog – Page 54 – Is Your Fishing Resource For Spin Fishing The Bow River

May 23

A Focus On Alberta Fisheries Management (Part 3)

By Mike Robertson in Fisheries Management

Regulation Compliance and Enforcement

The first steps taken to protect and ensure the wise use of Alberta’s fish resources should always be proactive and preventive. Public consultation and education activities undertaken by fisheries managers and biologists, Conservation Officers, and conservation groups help anglers and others to understand the biological requirements of fish populations and the need for more restrictive harvest
regulations. The enforcement presence shown by Conservation Officers on routine patrols acts as a deterrent to would-be resource violators.

Fortunately, most anglers and other resource users comply with regulations. When illegal activities do occur, Conservation Officers take enforcement action. Penalties include license suspensions, fines up to $100,000 and jail for up to six months. Judges ensure the severity of the penalty relates to the severity of the offence.

Investigations conducted by Conservation Officers sometime lead to the prosecution of organized groups or “poaching rings”. These rings severely impact fish resources by harvesting very high numbers of fish, sometimes from vulnerable populations, for sale on the black market. However, by far, the greatest number of resource violations involve individuals contravening catch and size limits. While some may consider these infractions to be minor, especially where they involve “just” one or two fish over the limit or fish “just” a centimeter or two below the legal size, it is the large number of these infractions that can and has negatively impacted fish populations.

The Report-A-Poacher (RAP) program was established to involve all Albertans in reporting illegal wildlife activities, regarding fishing and hunting. Offences can be reported 24 hours a day, toll-free to 1-800-642-3800. Assistance from the public is critical to the protection of the fishery.

Whirling Disease and other Unwanted Invaders

Aquatic organisms can be accidentally moved from water body to water body. Undesirable species, parasites and diseases can easily upset the delicate balance in aquatic ecosystems and fisheries. Eurasian water milfoil is a restricted aquatic weed that can spread rapidly and outcompete other plants. Whirling disease, a potentially fatal illness of trout, has been found in Montana and many other western states. The tiny parasite that causes whirling disease can survive within live fish, dead fish and in water and riverbed mud. It can even survive in dry mud, including that on boats, trailers and equipment.

Anglers and boaters are urged to clean their equipment well, to not transport fish, plants or water from one water body to another, and to not dispose of fish parts in or near water when cleaning fish.

History of Fisheries Management in Alberta

“We’ve come a long way,” doesn’t begin to describe the evolution of fisheries management in Alberta. With the benefit of hindsight we can say that mistakes were made, despite our forefather’s beliefs and good intentions. We are learning from these mistakes and beginning to rebuild depleted fish populations. When the first pioneers settled this province they looked upon its resources as endless, a land of plenty. They believed that these resources, including fish, could support themselves and many others. This attitude prevailed until the latter part of the 20th century when serious fish stock problems were evident.

Before the 1960s and 1970s, a very small number of government staff members and a handful of university academics undertook “fisheries management” in Alberta. It wasn’t until the provincial government began hiring biologists and technicians that our fish resources and the users of this resource were monitored. The prevailing management philosophy of the time required biologists to prove that fish populations were being depleted before regulations could be changed. The public was concerned that their fishing “rights” would be taken away from them unfairly. During the time required to gather this “proof”, fish populations were further depleted.

Today, fisheries management operates under a restrictive code (termed “precautionary management”), where conservation is the primary goal and harvesting fish is permitted if a surplus is available. Prevailing attitudes and beliefs influenced activities in our past. The bull trout (Alberta’s fish emblem), was once considered “ungodly and barbaric” for its fish-eating behavior that at times included cannibalism. Bull trout were systematically removed and destroyed; Conservation Officers of the 1930s reported on the number of bull trout destroyed in government reports. Negative attitudes toward northern pike, also called “slough sharks” and “slimy snakes,” included the belief that they could
never be over harvested. Small pike were pickled whole while spawners were harvested with pitchforks and fed to pigs.

Fish stocking and fish transfers have a colorful history in Alberta. Fisheries managers introduced large and smallmouth bass into Sylvan, Gull and Cooking lakes in 1908 and into Lac La Nonne in 1924. Atlantic salmon was introduced into several water bodies in both Banff and Jasper National Parks from 1915 to 1962. None of these populations became self-sustaining.

During the construction of the Canadian Pacific Railroad circa 1903, (eastern) Brook Trout were carried in cream cans to Alberta’s east slopes and deposited in streams to “improve” our stream fisheries. Brown trout were stocked in the same waters for the same reasons, and with the hope that they would displace the “inferior” bull trout that was much less exciting to catch. The natural ranges of
Cutthroat trout and rainbow trout in Alberta were expanded as well. Yellow perch and northern pike were transferred from water body to water body by Conservation Officers, biologists, and sometimes by people who simply felt that it was a good idea.

Not only are we dealing with past mistakes, but also with diverse beliefs and technological advances of the present. Improved access afforded by new boats and roadways, combined with improved technology in the form of powerbaits and GPS equipment make the harvest of fish easier now than it has ever been. One goal of present-day fisheries managers is to bring our fish resources “back to the future”. Those who began sport fishing in the 1990s were introduced to a resource that was already depleted. It will take patience, time, and the acceptance of restrictive harvest regulations in order to return as many of our fisheries as possible to their former glory.

Keep Fish in Our Future

There are many ways to support and improve the status of Alberta’s fish populations. All Albertans can volunteer their time, money and/or equipment to help enhance, restore or create fish habitat, to provide lake aeration systems, assist biologists in conducting fish inventories and provide input during public Consultations. The Alberta Conservation Association, Alberta Fish and Game Association, Trout Unlimited, or your local fish conservation group may have more information about volunteer opportunities. Anglers can be a good role model for other anglers by sharing their knowledge and fishing ethics and practicing safe fish handling techniques for catch-and-release fishing. And, by supporting and complying with regulations, they can help maintain and recover
fish populations.

Fisheries are a valuable public resource that all Albertans are responsible for safekeeping. Ensuring wise management and healthy fish stocks now will guarantee healthy and abundant fish populations for the future.

Again, information on suspected violations, including the destruction of fish habitat, should be reported immediately to the Report-A-Poacher (RAP) hotline, 24-hrs. a day at 1-800-642-3800. Know the RAP line and don’t hesitate to call it; it is everyone’s responsibility to keep fish in our future!

This article’s original source lives here http://www.whyte.org/time/riveroflife/fishmgmt.pdf

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May 14

Bow River Guided Fishing Trips

By Mike Robertson in Fishing Trips

A Guided Float Fishing Trip

My eyelids creek open at the sound of the radio blaring in my left ear, after all I am a deep sleeper and need to make sure I awake and shower for the day ahead. I am due at the river in two hours so I need to make sure I never hit the snooze button. Two clients are waiting for their big day on the Bow River. There is much to plan for before one hook even touches the water. I make sure all the reels have fresh line and all the hooks we will be using are well organized and easily accessible. I want to make sure my two clients make the most of their time on the water, every second counts to me. I meet them at the coffee shop and shake hands with an introduction, “Hello I’m Mike Robertson, nice to meet you” I say before lining up to get a much needed coffee into me. “Would you like a coffee as well” I ask them both. “Yes please”.

We sip coffee and chat about the river, my mind is already thinking about the river. In my mind I am planning where we are going to pull over, thinking about where I caught trout the day before while out on reconnaissance. I am picturing the river in my mind, the grassy banks where the fish are eating grasshoppers falling off into the rivers edge. The undercut dwellings where the fish are swimming, looking for their morning meal. I am thinking like the trout, getting into their minds. They are smarter than you think so you must be smarter! You must be precise with your casts and you must be fast, very fast.

Upon arrival at the boat launch, I string up the rods for the days trip tightening down the mono, carefully cinching the knot down to the split ring of the Rapala. I never want a trout to break free of a clients hook! I then undo the tie-downs from the trailer and then back the car into the river. That’s when my heart starts to beat faster, I know what is about to happen. “Are you ready for this” I ask them with a smile. “Let’s do it”. I then help both the clients into the boat making sure they are safe when they enter the Saturn inflatable. I shove the boat hard into the current of the Bow River and we are off, six thirty AM and we are finally floating.

I row aggressively to reach the far shoreline; the paddles glide into the choppy waves on every stroke. Across the far bank is a small creek which meets the main channel. The trout are usually on the bite here! A perfect cast is placed just two inches from the bank and the lure is ripped away and paused, then it is slowly retrieved back to the boat. Before the lure is even half way in, a trout grabs onto the minnow offering and breaches the surface to shake loose. “Looks like it is going to be one of those days” I say cheerfully! The client is thrilled as we net the rainbow and pause for a quick picture.

Many more fish are caught and released after two hours of fishing. It’s lunch time and we decide to pull over to eat, the food is devoured after all that hard work casting and reeling in hard fighting trout. The wind picks up and blows across my left cheek; it is a southern wind and cools us down. We make some casts from our shaded spot along the shoreline where take a twenty two inch brown trout that was lying close to shore sharing the shade of the overhanging cotton woods. Not a monster fish by Bow River standards, but the markings on this male was astounding.

We quickly make our way down river moving back and forth across the river to access the best fishing water possible. One more bend around the corner and the float trip is finished. I row the boat hard to reach one more back pool in the river. The boat drifts into the corner and glides onto the shoreline. Two more fish take the Rapala crankbait in this deep back pool. Then we shove off the water’s edge and dock the boat at McKinnon Flats. Fatigued from the long day and the hot sun, we load the boat onto the trailer and pause for some deep breaths of air. Jim says, “That was an awesome day, I have never caught so many trout in one day. Thank you so much for guiding us today Mike, we will be back out with you again very soon”. A generous tip is offered and willingly accepted. As we drive away from McKinnon Flats I can’t help but think of just one more fish. Not the fish that got away but the one’s that are yet to be caught!

May 06

Bow River Fishing In May

By Mike Robertson in General Info

The Bow River and the Month of May

Hello friends, I hope everyone has been out fishing lately and catching some fish. I was out this past weekend fishing the beautiful Bow River. I arrived and did some reconnaissance to find a section of the river that was clean enough to fish. I was in a tournament and needed to bag a twenty two inch fish to win the bounty over at Bountyfishing.com. The river was running fast a dirty and my chances looked bleak at best. It is that time of the year when the water turns dirty from the mountain run off. I selected to fish a little out of the city limits near Policeman’s Flats where I thought I had the best chance at hooking a twenty two inch trout.

I rolled in and sized up the water conditions, dirty but not like dark chocolate milk. So I selected to use a lure that was colorful and made noise as well. I wanted to use a lure that would dive down to the bottom of the river as I felt the fish would be hugging the bottom. I tied up and made copious casts in prime water with not so much as a nibble. Then I moved into some faster moving water where I figured the oxygen levels in the choppy water would be greater. After twenty minutes of casting practice, I moved up the river in search of that first fish, hopefully a twenty two inch fish to be precise. There was two hundred dollars on the line and I wanted to cash in. After two hours of walking up and down the banks of the Bow River, I had no bites and not one fish to be seen.

May is sometimes hit and miss for fishing the Bow River. I’ve had great days fishing the Bow River in May and I have had days where the water is too dirty and therefore not so productive. You will now see the water get even dirtier as it’s time for Mother Nature to take its course. So what do you do when the Bow River gets too dirty to fish, do you keep fishing it hoping to get some action? Do you say forget it and go elsewhere in search of trout or do you switch species and go east for Walleye or Pike? Well that’s precisely what I do; I head east or south and chuck crank baits for hungry ice off Pike. Or sling up a Pickerel rig and kick back in my comfy lawn chair waiting for the Walleye to chow down.

In Alberta and most Canadian provinces, there is so many species of fish to choose from. You do not have to sit back on your couch and complain! You can pick a new destination, a place where maybe you have never fished before and try your skills there. I will fish at least three to four new places this year. I will pick a destination a week ahead of when I plan to fish and study the lake. I will learn what lives in the lake by doing my homework, while others are on the couch complaining about how the river is too dirty, I will be mapping the lake and studying access points. Then I will go and buy the necessary fish treats to make my day productive. Frozen minnows where allowed, or leeches, or perhaps a bag of smelts will be the bait of the day. Whatever the bait may be or wherever I decide to go, one thing is for sure. I will not be on my couch complaining about the sad state of the river, I will be on the lake slamming Walleye, or Pike or Burbot. Then once Mother Nature has run its course, I will be back in my boat floating down the Bow River!

What do you do when your river is too dirty to fish, do you sit on your couch or do you get out somewhere else and enjoy a different species of fish? Please leave a comment and tell us what it is you do!

Apr 24

Fishing Reel Maintenance Tips

By Mike Robertson in Ask Mike- Tips & Advice

Tackle Maintenance Tips (Part Two)

Spinning Reel Basic Maintenance

Next on the list of things to do before we take out our gear to the water this spring is to make sure all of our spinning reels are working properly and smoothly. I have over ten reels that I use or I let my clients use while they are on a fishing trip with me. It is critically important that not only I, but my customers are completely satisfied on their fishing trip with me. There is nothing worse than a bad reel that ruins a client’s day and keeps them from ever coming back to fish with you. This is where checking your gear becomes extremely important.

So let’s begin with the basic lubrication and preventative maintenance tips for your spinning reel so you can have a great, hassle free day out on the water. To start out, wipe down the reel/reels with a damp cloth or rinse them with a moderate spray of clean water. Now remove the handle of the reel. Most new reels have a dust cover on one side of the handle so go ahead and remove the dust cover also. Twist the dust cap off by turning it counterclockwise. Look into the reel and if you see any bearings or bushings, give them one or two drops of oil. Then oil the handle knob and replace the handle back into the reel.

I prefer to use Ardent Reel Butter oil for this application. Reel Butter Oil is high-performance synthetic oil developed by Ardent specifically for fishing reel components. Ardent Reel Butter Oil is a 100% Full Synthetic product with specially engineered additives to provide superior, long-lasting lubrication for any model fishing reel. Applying Reel Butter Oil to ball bearings, spool shafts, and other wear points in your favorite reel on a regular basis will ensure a smoother, quieter, and high-performance experience. Reel Butter oil will not gum up or react with old lubricants.

The next step is to loosen the screw that holds the bail wire to the bail arm. Now place a drop of reel butter oil where the line roller turns on the shaft, or if you see bearings supporting the line roller, place one drop of oil on them. At this stage it is a good idea to examine the line roller to see if there are any groves in it that could cut your line or cause a weak spot in the line. If no groves are present, tighten the screw back to firmly hold the bail wire to the bail arm.

Now you can loosen the screws that hold the bail and the bail arm to the rotor of the reel. Place several drops of oil to the pivot points and then tighten the screws back up. Move the bail and forth and small distance by hand to evenly distribute the oil and gauge the strength of the bail spring. Now remove the spool and check the lip of the spool for deep scratches or gouges that may cause the line to fray or cut the line all together. Now you can place several drops of oil where the main shaft enters the pinion gear and turn the reel handle a few times to work the oil down into the shaft. Once the oil is ant the base of the shaft, replace the spool.

You can now finish the maintenance of your reel with a light spray of silicone spray and then wipe the reel off with a clean lint free cloth. Your reel is now ready to use for the upcoming fishing season. It is important to have your reels working as they did out of the box or better. You can repeat these maintenance steps every two months depending on how much you are out on the water fishing. A reel that performs well everyday will keep you happy and will help that reel last much longer.

The Bow River clean, and ready to fish!

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A Focus On Alberta Fisheries Management (Part 3)

Bow River Guided Fishing Trips

Bow River Fishing In May

Fishing Reel Maintenance Tips

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