Monday, September 30, 2013

Last Excursion of the Season

The Blackstone at its finest
This is why we keep coming back to this area: mountain vistas, blue skies, real wilderness and a river bubbling with trout. Who could ever ask for more...

A classic 'trophy shot' with Scott Wilson
Despite the the fact that it was late in the season, and most of the trout were starting to hunker down in the deep pools, the trip started off with all indications suggesting the days ahead would be filled with warm temperatures and wily trout. Senior R.F.A. inductees, Scott Wilson and Denis Charron were able to get an early start and had the camp set up and some fish landed by the time I arrived in the late afternoon. We opted for a leisurely night around the camp fire, as we assumed there would be no shortage of fishing opportunities over the next few days.

Sometimes things don't go as planned when you're a world class angler. Such was the case on our yearly outing to the beloved Blackstone. Our timing was less than perfect, and instead of contending with the frisky trout and white fish we were hoping for, we were forced to contend with the frigid temperatures and white snow that welcomed us when we awoke.
A blustery morning at camp

Another classic 'trophy shot' with Scott Wilson
The true sportsmen is prudent, and is prepared and able to make the best of any situation in the woods. We had the foresight to get our upland game bird licences on the way to Nordegg, and it was a good thing we did. With snow on the water and the futile prospect of fishing, we were still able to bring a nice catch back to camp. We bagged a nice plump ruffed grouse and beauty of spruce grouse. Both were roasted up for dinner that evening over the camp fire, and though they paled in comparison to the bacon wrapped venison roast that Denis prepared the night before, the grouse made for a delicious and memorable meal. The upland bird numbers in the area have experienced some growth over the last couple years, indicating that the perplexing 10-year cycle that grouse populations follow is on the upward trend. I made a note of this with the intent of heading back to the area for next year's grouse season. On that note, I'll sign off until the rivers thaw and the fish are hungry. Here's to another unforgettable season on the water. See you all next year.

Photo credits: Denis Charron, James Cocchio

Monday, July 1, 2013

Summer at Slave Lake

Sunset on a glassy Slave Lake
It wouldn't be summer without spending some time at the lake. So after an undocumented adventure to the Swan River involving a broken truck, a bear, a folk singer, a .22 rifle and more mosquito bites than anyone could possibly count, Scott and I headed to Lesser Slave Lake for a little R and R. 

This trip was made all the more special because were able to meet up with some key supporters of The Alliance upon our arrival at the Lake House. These unsung heroes of angling are the sole reason we are able to enjoy the sportsmen's life. By this I mean to say that without them giving us permission, we would never be allowed to venture out of doors. It is with great reverence that I introduce the better half of the Scott and James duo...
Jess and Ashley... Truly Scott and James' best catch ever.
Despite there being 'plenty of fish in the sea', by some incredible stroke of luck Scott and I were somehow landed by these amazing ladies.
Ashley's showing off her fishing skills
(she learned from the best)
There were plenty of fish in the lake too, and we were able to have a feast of a fish-fry. Few things taste better than freshly caught walleye fried up lakeside on a hot summer evening... made all the better by the people we were blessed to share it with.





Sunday, May 26, 2013

McLeod River - Early Season Woes

James fishing a bend in the McLeod River.

The title of this post is probably a bit misleading. First off, we knew before heading out for the weekend that we were likely going to be subject to some wet weather. That being said, we had no idea that the area we planned on fishing and setting up camp in would be covered in 15 cm of snow. But part of being an angler is persevering through tough circumstances like inclement weather, steep hikes or long drives. So we decided to stick around. Camp was set up and wood was processed with extreme prejudice and efficiency - out of necessity, it was pouring rain.      

James' truck majestically overlooking a campsite. 
So despite the rain and snow we were set up for a pretty good camp. Using a tarp to reflect the heat of the fire and using the psychological heat of beer and whiskey, we managed to have a couple good nights by the river. Long, philosophical, and engaging discussions about anything and everything, are always welcome around the fire.  
McLeod River, May 2013
The McLeod was running high and fast, and as a result of the early season runoff, was very murky so catching anything on the fly was unsuccessful. We tried heading upriver closer to the headwaters west of Cadomin, we tried finding any curve in the river that might be a bit slower, calmer or more visible, but had no luck catching anything. All that being said, I rarely see any outdoor adventure as a complete loss. First of all, as I mentioned above, we still had some great night by the fire and some fun days exploring the river from the headwaters down to our campsite. Second, any chance to get out of town, spend time with angling companions and get some fresh air is welcome in my books.  

The rail bridge adjacent our camp on the shores of the McLeod River

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

A Sucker For Early Season Fishing

A handsome Peter Grelli, with a not-quite-as-handsome carp
The local rivers have been unseasonably high this year and the late spring has ensured that a lot of the smaller stocked lakes were still under ice when the season opened. Undaunted by the prospect of a challenging start to the season, The Alliance is always keen to get our lines in the water. We headed to the nearby confluence of the Sturgeon and North Saskatchewan Rivers to officially start the season. Alliance members Scott W., James C. and new recruit Peter Grelli were all present for the inaugural outing. Though a only modest excursion, The Confluence is always a convenient and accessible setting; perfect to toast the start of a new season with.

It was the first warm weekend we had seen and the fishing was comfortable and relaxing. The atmosphere perfectly matched the lazy and blasé conduct of the spawning carp, who would casually rise and breach the surface of the shallows right in front of us, indifferent to our presence and seemingly in no rush to return to the sanctuary of the deeper waters they are known to dwell in. Though not considered a true sport fish by the Alberta Statutes and Regulations, hooking into one of their delicate mouths on a 3 weight fly rod with a number 17 hook and landing it in a swollen, fast moving river was a welcome test to start off the season.
Scott Wilson with a healthy Sturgeon River Carp
Carp in Alberta don't have the best reputation amongst anglers, which is chiefly due to the ignorance and uneducated opinions which abound amongst would-be sportsmen. I have heard on several occasions that anglers who unwittingly hook into carp, or 'suckers' as they are referenced to, will just abandon them on the river bank because they fear that the carp will out-compete more attractive species and damage the future prospects of the fishery. This is of course absolute boulder-dash. Carp fill a niche in their native ecosystems and actually help to keep the lakes and waterways they inhabit healthy by eating decaying plant matter and zoo-plankton that are overlooked by most other species. Also of note, is that their eggs and juveniles provide an important food source for sport fish and other predators. Granted they are not regarded as the most palatable of fish, their meat is actually lower in environmental contaminants when compared with predatory fish from the same ecosystem. Because toxins such as heavy metals and carcinogenic plastic particles accumulate in species higher up the food web, carp tend to not carry as many pollutants in their tissue.

The bottom line is that these fish have been a part of the ecosystem for longer than we have. To regard them as rubbish and adopt policies that actively try and exterminate them is not only foolhardy and short sighted, it is reminiscent of how species like Burbot and even the Provincial Bull Trout were treated in times past. We have a better understanding of the importance of such species in their local environments now, and have since actively tried to conserve and rehabilitate populations that were damaged by such attitudes. If you insist on harvesting one of these native fish from their habitats, don't let it go to waste. They make great bait or fertilizer and I have heard tell that there are some recipes that make these fish taste absolutely delicious. Though I have yet to try any of them for myself.

Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Cutthroats and Campfires

July is the perfect time to visit the Eastern limits of the Rockies. The weather is usually mild and the fish are usually hungry. We sent some casts out into a few of the rivers and streams near Nordegg, but decided to dedicate the bulk of our time of the ever popular Blackstone. For the first time in our collective memories, there were actually some other sportsmen on the river. They were quick to tell us that they hadn't seen a single rise or felt a solitary bite the entire day. Not to be deterred, we set about hiking upstream to set up camp and start fishing.
The Eastern Rockies with Comrade Marc

It was such a great day on the river that we barely bothered with the setting up camp part and simply threw down our sleeping bags on the river bank and spent the rest of the day fishing. We each landed some beautiful fish. On his Inaugural visit to this river, Comrade of the R.F.A. Marc Ballantyne landed the Blackstone-Trio by netting a Bull Trout, a Cutthroat and a Mountain Whitefish... all before stopping for lunch. If there were ever any doubts regarding Marc's place in the Alliance, this trip ruthlessly put them to rest.

Campfire Cookin'
Being the newest recruit of the Alliance, Ballantyne volunteered to take charge of the menu. To his sole credit, we ate like kings. The most memorable meal was a delicious fettuccine alfredo slow-cooked over the fire with some refreshing and well deserved beverages graciously cooled by the currents of the Blackstone. We slept under the stars with the mountains as a backdrop and the flow of the river as a soundtrack. We filled the final day by catching a few of the fish that had previously escaped us and exploring and surveying the headwaters of the river upstream from Mons Creek. This was another great adventure that will undoubtedly stand out amongst the countless remarkable exploits of the R.F.A.

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Luck on the Lil' Smoky


Comrade of the R.F.A., Marc Ballantyne
Let me start off by applauding Marc Ballantyne for completing the requirements for membership to the R.F.A. and officially being initiated into its esteemed ranks. Simply put, he makes an invaluable addition to our organization and has already contributed to make unprecedented progress in our mission. Congratulations Marc.


There is no bad time to fish the Little Smoky, but historically we have always fished it in the Autumn when the ice has just started to creep out from the banks, the Grayling are aplenty and the otters are up to their usual light-hearted antics.
Two Revered Forces of Nature: The Little Smoky and Denis Charron
This past weekend, we decided to try our luck on this Woodlands County gem in the spring... and it did not disappoint. With the unseasonable amount of rainfall we've had, the water levels were high and the flow was fast. Being that are party consisted of 3 Senior R.F.A. Members (Scott Wilson, Denis Charron and James Cocchio) along with new recruit Marc Ballantyne we were undaunted by the prospect of fishing such imposing waters. There was a rather excitable King Fisher a stone's throw away from our camp that eagerly dove into the river searching for a prize. We followed her lead and spent the day at the water's edge plying our trade.


Local Laureate Peter Grelli
The Smoky was indeed productive and everyone hooked into a few of those dapper little Grayling that the river is known for. As much as we at the Alliance love fishing, the real highlights of this trip were the simple joys that come with spending a weekend at the riverside in good company. We filled the evenings by relaxing around the campfire, sipping on some fine whiskey, indulging in a savoury cigar or pipe, musing over the day's catches, listening to the sizzle of grilled steak and asparagus mingle with the crackle of the coals and flames, and enjoying the type of casual and sincere conversation that only seams to happen in these sorts of settings. To top it off, we had local writer/musician/barista/raconteur Peter Grelli along for the trip. His presence around the campfire should be included amongst the other 7 Natural Wonders of the World. It was an unforgettable experience. He happens to be a close friend of the Alliance and has joined us on a couple of memorable outings over the past year.
A weekend along the Little Smoky has always meant writing a new chapter of memories with friends, and I can't help but reminisce a little on some of the earlier chapters we wrote here with Ron and Nina and the Legendary Scott Middleton. It's experiences like this that make fishing a life's passion rather than a past-time... Alas, one weekend is far too short a time to spend among such excellent and admirable company.
(Photo Credit: Scott Wilson, Peter Grelli)

Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Masters of Muir Lake

Muir Lake is always a worthwhile destination for taking in some fresh air and hooking into some rainbows. We headed out for a few evenings to take advantage of the prolific hatch and the mild weather.
 This is such a great spot to head out to on short notice because of it's proximity to Edmonton. The only downside is that with such easy access to the lake, it is almost a guarantee that you'll be sharing it with a couple other anglers. We opted to fish from the shore and managed to out-wit a few of the wily rainbows that are stocked there. Naturally, we had quite a bit more luck (read: skill) than anyone else that was on the lake. After all, you don't get an invite into the R.F.A. for not catching fish. 

In all seriousness, I love the idea of having stocked lakes with easy access near cities. They create a great opportunity to head out and watch some wildlife, breathe some fresh air and catch some fish. This may make for a bit more of a crowded experience than would be ideal, but ultimately these types of lakes keep the pressure down on some of the more out-of-the-way waterways that are the home to more sensitive populations of native species. I definitely prefer the solitude you get out on the Blackstone, North/South Ram or even the Little Smokey; but who can argue with being able to catch beauties like these only ten minutes from town... and don't worry, there's still plenty of time to get out to those more remote places.


(Photos: Top: James with the majestic Muir lake as a backdrop. Right: R.F.A. Senior Member Scott Wilson with a handsome little rainbow caught from Muir. Photo credit goes to Scott Wilson)

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Scouting Stauffer's

It was a beautiful sunny afternoon and you could just barely smell a hint of spring on the unseasonably warm breeze. Fishing open water in the middle of February in Alberta means only one thing: The North Raven River.

This pre-season trip was about making sure we were organized and prepared as a team for the trips to come. It was about honing our casts and elevating them to an art form. It was about sharpening our minds and our eyes to catch that fleeting glimmer under the surface that would otherwise go unseen... We managed to get all that out of the way before we even finished packing the truck, which left us the rest of the afternoon to lazily chase the brooks and browns that skirted their way through the creek. So thank you to the land owners who make this little gem available to us; it was a perfect start to the 2012 season.


While navigating our way back along the river, we came across a moose carcass that had clearly been harvested within the last couple months. I was tempted to make a sarcastic remark about somebody making a shore lunch out of it, but instead I’ll just say this. I hope it was harvested legally and with the land owner’s permission. We are lucky to be living in such an ecologically rich country and to have opportunities to explore and enjoy it. So I’ll take this opportunity to stress the importance of respecting the regulations, the environment and the land owners. We’ve all been tempted to keep one that isn’t quite big enough, or to start the season a week early or to squeeze in one last trip in the fall after the season close… and we all know why we shouldn’t. The footprints of your boots should be the only footprint you leave behind at the end of a trip. Anyone that practices this is a friend of the R.F.A.

(Photo credit goes to Scott Wilson)

Thursday, July 29, 2010

The Mighty Blackstone

This trip was one for the books...

We loaded up the truck on a stormy Friday afternoon and headed for the hard to reach rivers just south of Nordegg. This was a special occasion because for the first time this season we had the true dream team of anglers out together. Senior members Scott Wilson, Denis Charron and myself testing our wits against the swollen and boiling Blackstone River. We took the Forestry Trunk Road out as far as we could and then shouldered our backpacks for the remaining kilometres. The weather cleared up for rest of the weekend and we spent three perfect days chasing bulls, cut throats and mountain whites along the picturesque valleys of the Blackstone. As if to remind us that all good things come to an end, as we were bidding farewell to the river a concluding hailstorm rolled in and sent us running for the truck.

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Baptiste Lake: Local Beauty


Local fishing authority and loyal R.F.A. member Denis Charron headed up to Baptiste lake a couple weeks back. He sheds some insight on the importance of fishing regs. and conservation... As the picture shows, he also demonstrated his mastery as an angler. This is what he had to say...

I had the chance to get out to Baptiste Lake a couple weekends ago. We stayed with some new friends at a cabin at White Gull, one of the five summer villages on the lake.

160 km out of Edmonton in Athabasca country, the popularity of this medium-sized lake raised concerns about its health, including its water quality, fisheries, shoreline condition, and water level. Initially, minimum size limits were imposed; however, these limits attracted more anglers to the lake, which increased fish harvest (both legal and illegal) and accidental hooking and handling mortality, putting additional pressure on the fishery. As a result, the walleye and pike fisheries collapsed and Baptiste Lake became a highly restrictive fishery (catch-and-release only for both Pike and Walleye).

As of today, and after just two years of zero limits for walleye and pike,Baptiste Lake’s walleye population is now recovered enough to allow a small harvest of walleye by draw and a limited harvest of pike. It’s important to follow the regulations in place at any body of water you encounter, and practice safe handling of caught fish. For more information on studies released for Baptiste Lake, see these articles.


That said, Matt and I had a wonderful time fishing walleye catching 30+ fish in the afternoon. The action was as hot as the weather, and the fish were strong and healthy the whole time. We also hooked into the occasional pike, including this giant. Knowing we were only interested in catch-and-release, we brought our camera (to prove our fish stories) and left the scales and rulers at camp. We’ve estimated this northern to be between 100 and 115 cm long and heavier than a 10lb sack of potatoes. What a beauty.

Friday, June 18, 2010

Smoky Walleyes



This was a perfect Sunday afternoon... Denis and I made the trek up to Smoke Lake (Just west of Fox Creek) where we met up with the legend himself Scott Middleton. We spent the day on the boat reeling in some beautiful Walleye and the odd Pike. Afterwards we fired up the barbecue and had a leisurely campfire just off the shore. We really owe this one to a generous couple named Ron and Nina who we met fishing the little smoky in October of 2008. They introduced us to the place. Nina shared her home grown tomatoes and Ron shared his Walleye catching wisdom with us. He is a true scholar on the subject and a master angler. So thanks to both of you, sorry we missed you this year. Here's to hoping we meet again on some warm sunny October afternoon with our waders on and with Grayling nipping at our flies. (The picture is fishing legend Scott Middleton doing what he does best...)

Sunday, March 28, 2010

The Beginning



With only a few short weeks to go before the season kicks off, I thought it was time to launch this little project. The hope is to be able to document some of the trips and have a place to post some of the pictures for all members of the alliance to have access to. But we'll see how things go once the novelty wears off... I can't wait to spend some time in the bush this spring. I was just at an outdoor trade show with Scott and Denis (two senior and highly decorated members of the R.F.A.) to get set up for the season and to check out some of the new gear. I left empty handed, but Scott got his hands on a shiny new set of hip waders and Denis left with a beauty of a spin cast rod (Fenwick HMG). Needless to say, after spending a few hours surrounded by camping and fishing gear, we were itching to get our first real trip of the season under our belts. Here's to hoping it'll be one for the books. ( The picture is a handsome little North Ram cutthroat from a trip last fall)