Bow River Access Plan

[Rig-Rat]

https://talkaep.alberta.ca/bow-river-access-plan

Not sure if this has been put out there. Looks like a plan drawn up from survey results. I have only recently gotten back into fishing and pretty new to fly fishing, so I am in no way a Bow River expert, but this seems like a positive.

[Timothy]

I personally think we need less access to our rivers, streams and lakes.

[Mr Flyguy]

Originally Posted by Timothy

I personally think we need less access to our rivers, streams and lakes.

Huh Who allowed you on an Outdoors Forum?

[Timothy]

I’d rather put in the work to get to good remote fishing spots than have them open to every dick and Jane.

I’ve worked around fox creek for quite a while and I’ve seen what access to the little Smokey has done.

Outdoorsman go to the outdoors to be outdoorsman.

[Mr Flyguy]

Originally Posted by Timothy

I’d rather put in the work to get to good remote fishing spots than have them open to every dick and Jane.

I’ve worked around fox creek for quite a while and I’ve seen what access to the little Smokey has done.

Outdoorsman go to the outdoors to be outdoorsman.

Did you actually read the plan for the Bow River?

[goldscud]

There has been concerns raised about falling trout populations in the Bow with very unclear causes (whirling disease, low water flows/high temps, ever increasing angling pressure, waste water/pharmaceuticals, municipal/industrial run-off, effects of invasives). If the fish populations really are in jeopardy then increasing access and adding more people and boat traffic may not be the most wise thing to do.
At what point do you love it to death?
Hopefully a greater investment in quality science can establish some good baseline data from which an intelligent management plan can be developed.

[Timothy]

Originally Posted by Mr Flyguy

Did you actually read the plan for the Bow River?

Absolutely not. It’s 26 pages dude.

[ward]

Originally Posted by goldscud

There has been concerns raised about falling trout populations in the Bow with very unclear causes (whirling disease, low water flows/high temps, ever increasing angling pressure, waste water/pharmaceuticals, municipal/industrial run-off, effects of invasives). If the fish populations really are in jeopardy then increasing access and adding more people and boat traffic may not be the most wise thing to do.
At what point do you love it to death?
Hopefully a greater investment in quality science can establish some good baseline data from which an intelligent management plan can be developed.

I respect your optimism, but addressing even a couple of the issues you mention is damn near impossible.

[Weedy1]

Originally Posted by Timothy

Absolutely not. It’s 26 pages dude.

There's lots of pictures though.

[Jamie]

Originally Posted by Timothy

Absolutely not. It’s 26 pages dude.

How can you have a opinion without doing the research about what you are complaining about?

Sorry, I don't understand that. I 100% believe everyone should have a opinion but only if you can back it up.

[SNAPFisher]

Originally Posted by Weedy1

There's lots of pictures though.

Maybe they need to come out with Bow River Access Plan, the comic book version. Better coverage that way across our concerned Albertans.

[crazy_davey]

Originally Posted by Timothy

Absolutely not. It’s 26 pages dude.

Dude, I know! Reading is hard!

[Rig-Rat]

I get better access could lead to increased pressure on the river, but I don't see it bringing out more people. Just spread them out, and what I like is it promotes more outdoor usage, and less closing areas down.

[Timothy]

Originally Posted by Jamie

How can you have a opinion without doing the research about what you are complaining about?

Sorry, I don't understand that. I 100% believe everyone should have a opinion but only if you can back it up.

All I needed to see was:
“The final plan establishes a 52-kilometre connected river access network that will be an excellent draw for anglers, water recreation enthusiasts and the more than one million people that live along the shore of the Bow River.”

That close to a big city? What do you thinks going to happen. Maybe you guys like rolling outta bed, and wading through garbage and people to fish.

[Jamie]

Originally Posted by Timothy

All I needed to see was:
“The final plan establishes a 52-kilometre connected river access network that will be an excellent draw for anglers, water recreation enthusiasts and the more than one million people that live along the shore of the Bow River.”

That close to a big city? What do you thinks going to happen. Maybe you guys like rolling outta bed, and wading through garbage and people to fish.

Maybe some slightly improved access and promotion will allow a few more new outdoorsmen into the scenario.

You don't play well with others do you?
:-)

[Timothy]

Originally Posted by Jamie

Maybe some slightly improved access and promotion will allow a few more new outdoorsmen into the scenario.

You don't play well with others do you?
:-)

You got me there. When I’m fishing or hunting I don’t want to see anyone else. I guess I shouldn’t complain. I’d never fish the bow that close to Calgary.

[smitty9]

Originally Posted by Timothy

You got me there. When I’m fishing or hunting I don’t want to see anyone else. I guess I shouldn’t complain. I’d never fish the bow that close to Calgary.

But never fishing there and not reading the report doesn't hamper having an informed opinion does it? lol

Anyways...The Bow is facing some issues indeed. Worthy of debate, but I think more options to do half day floats makes sense, and to spread anglers out.

The Bow is a not a "get-away-from-it-all" type of wilderness river; at least not in that stretch by any means. Best to have a plan in place that does balance off access and user 'use'.

Folks need to go to the Missouri river in Montana to see what a busy river with lots of access truly looks like. The Bow ain't so bad.

[Mr Flyguy]

Originally Posted by smitty9

But never fishing there and not reading the report doesn't hamper having an informed opinion does it? lol

Anyways...The Bow is facing some issues indeed. Worthy of debate, but I think more options to do half day floats makes sense, and to spread anglers out.

The Bow is a not a "get-away-from-it-all" type of wilderness river; at least not in that stretch by any means. Best to have a plan in place that does balance off access and user 'use'.

Folks need to go to the Missouri river in Montana to see what a busy river with lots of access truly looks like. The Bow ain't so bad.

Only fished the Missouri around Craig a couple of times but never saw a problem with garbage or yahoos. Mind you, it's not exactly in a 1 million population area either and most of the boaters are serious fishers.

[smitty9]

My point being that it is a very busy and very popular river that is managed intensely.

[Albertadiver]

And no access to Bearspaw still.....

[Bhflyfisher]

More access to the bow sure wouldn't help your "outdoors" experience at other rivers now, would it?

Maybe... just MAYBE, Making it easier for your average "dick and jane" on the bow within city limits might make them think twice about heading to the smaller out of the way places where you can be alone.

Let's be negative though regardless and stay narrow-minded. Let's disregard the efforts of varying non-profit groups that worked hard on this project to enhance an urban river experience with world-class trout fishing.

[TheHotChili]

Now thats funny. complaining about the report and not even having read it.
I read it took less then 10 minutes (including time load the dish washer).
It gives a brief history of the main Bow River access locations in and near calgary.
THen a brief summary of site access, facilties (garbage/washrooms/boat launch), what signage needs to be present etc and what it takes to maintain those sites. Nothing earth shattering. lol

[michaelmicallef]

I would be nice to have more / better access to the river as it should be. Just have to manage the resource, why the hell can’t they do that effectively in Alberta.