The Benchmark:
The Bow River was recognized as one of North America’s great trout rivers 30 years ago. The opportunity to catch large rainbow and brown trout on a dry fly became legendary in fly fishing circles. It increased in popularity as a destination, uniquely running through a city the size of Calgary and highly accessible with world class amenities for the visiting angler. Unfortunately, river access by boat and foot has not kept up with the increasing pressure. Without new and improved river access and a government commitment to enhance fishery management, the Bow River will reach a breaking point as a sustainable fishery
The Vision:
Bow River Trout Foundation has been registered as a not-for-profit under the Alberta Societies Act with eight core objectives and a primary purpose to advocate and support for the Bow River as a recreational fishery, ensuring its access and sustainability.
One of our initial advocacy roles has been to address the lack of designated boat ramp access on the Bow River. In the spring of 2016 the Calgary River Users’ Alliance was established to improve river access facilities within Calgary. As one of the founding members, it became evident to me that the interests of the fishing community for improved boat ramps would be better served as part of a larger and more encompassing organization that included the paddling community. This belief was realized with engagement with Calgary Parks and the passage of Calgary’s River Access Strategy with a commitment to finance $7.6 million in new and improved river access points over the next 5 years. The fishing community will benefit from new boat ramps at Ogden Road SE and 12 Street SE in 2018. Along with the redevelopment of Harvie Passage and an expansion of the West Baker Park boat ramp facility, anglers will be able to float the entire city reach of the Bow River.
Alberta Environment & Parks started a consultation process to upgrade Policeman’s Flats and McKinnon’s Flats in the short-term, with a commitment to new boat ramps strategically located down the river. A Bow River Access Plan will be presented to the public in July of this year. Our consultation process with the Province has emphasized the need for a Regional River Recreation Management Plan that would expand the river access point of reference to include sustainable fishery management and encompass all outdoor recreational activities in the Bow River Basin.
The Needs:
Improvements in river access and enhancements in fishery management will only be possible with a strong and committed user base. Funding is also needed to meet our commitments to river access infrastructure and advocate for improvements to a sustainable fishery. Calgary’s River Access Strategy was made possible by a commitment from river user groups to contribute $275,000 to the capital budget. Bow River Trout Foundation will support this commitment with grant application and fundraising to the extent of $75,000 for new boat ramps.
Two events are planned for this year to support our fundraising initiatives:
The Bow River One Fly Tournament on September 30 2017. A fun event, with a goal to raise $10,000 for river access projects. Participants will have the option of purchasing a guided boat for the day, or for a lower cost using their own boat. An awards ceremony and social meeting of BRT will be held afterwards. Details will be available on the website soon.
The Bow River Trout Fundraising Dinner on November 22, 2017. Our vision for the future of the Bow River fishery will be presented to a downtown audience were local businesses and corporations will be able to engage with our membership and support our initiatives.
The Future:
The success of the fishery is dependent on a management plan to assure environment protection, adequate water flows throughout the year and human interface with fish population. Whirling disease was identified across the Bow River Basin in 2016 that probably has impacted trout survival in recent years. Therefore, there is a need for a better understanding of the current Bow River trout population dynamics to better manage the fishery. Redd counts have given an overview of brown trout spawning success, but are difficult if not impossible with spring spawning rainbow trout when river flows are high. Fish population monitoring has been sporadic at best. Bow River Trout Foundation advocates and supports a return to regular population monitoring that will guide the direction of the fishery management.
In addition, the Highwood River and its tributaries are the breeding ground and nursery for Bow River rainbow trout. Protection of the upper reaches of the drainage is needed to assure a sustainable Bow River trout population. Recent approvals to log the upper regions of the basin need to be monitored closely to assure the trout population is protected.
Bow River Trout Foundation
"A Commitment to a Sustainable Sports Fishery"
"I have been very fortunate in my life having traveled from my birthplace in southern England to vacation spots in Europe in my teenage years, then later to working in Canada, Brazil and the United States. As a youngster growing up in England I was drawn to the countryside, working on a large estate where driven pheasant shooting was king and could only be enjoyed by the privileged few with the right connections. I could only observe the sport from the sidelines. Fishing was totally different and during the summer months I spent countless hours fishing my local river ending up as a passionate competitive course fisherman on weekends.
When I moved to southern Alberta in my twenties the door was opened to the vast array of outdoor pursuits that were free for the asking, away from the class and financial restrictions of the UK. My passion for fishing grew over the years, with the introduction to fly-fishing in the seventies and the inevitable love affair with the Bow River.
My youth ties to the vision of the Bow River Trout Foundation “Return to the fishery for the enjoyment it has given to me”.
Peter Crowe-Swords