The times are changin’ again. Long drawn traditions, like hunting and fishing are more accessible now than they have ever been. Internet forums, sites, interest groups and twitter lists provide infinitely more educational content than has ever been available to the hunter or angler.
Again this year, hunters in Alberta can complete their entire Draw process online through www.AlbertaRelm.com
We’ll document the process to show you just how easy it is, and over the next few weeks I’ll be sharing some of the sites and education options available for new hunters online.
Some things have changed out at Dolberg Lake, and sadly others have not.
The one thing I noticed, it was sure a lot quieter this year when half the Internet was not invited to come along with us. Natch! Which is really why it was not broadcast this year, but intimated we might be going there. Also, because there was a Fire Ban on in that area it was especially quiet.
Another thing that changed this year, is that there was spotty cell phone coverage in the area, which is both a blessing and a curse. It allowed us to get in touch with the spouses, but by the same token, they could get a hold of us. Never a good situation.
Again, though as always there are still a few bad apples to come out and spoil everybody’s fun. Namely, that of the Poachers! That never seems to change out there, especially whenever the stocking truck comes to make an appearance. They are like ambulance chasers in that regard.
I actually have video of an unnamed ethnic group hauling out a white Glad garbage bag full of live fish out of the water and caught them dumping them into their vehicle. Fish & Wildlife (Report A Poacher) was, of course, called out to the scene a number of times for this and other incidents witnessed. From folks fishing with multiple rods, and catching and keeping numbers of fish well over the bag limits.
So, did Fish & Wildlife ever come out? Uhm, no, of course they didn’t. They are stretched so thin as we always hear. It’s just a put and take fishery so who cares? So really, what is the point of reporting offenses if they are never followed up on then?
Also, did the County of Barrhead bother to send someone out either when several other campers reported that a sole “family group” (I say that term loosely – that they were descended from apes would be a closer description), had a fire out there, nay a huge bonfire late into the night. So that the next day when they went fishing all day long, and later actually packed-up and left (Thank God!) that fire was still left unattended for others to put out. Not cool, but again not unexpected out here.
We went fishing, and we caught fish, and for the most part we enjoyed the silence and the dark skies that a fire free zone offers you.
You can check out some pictures we took here, of the trip and also here. Perhaps later on we’ll post some more video and podcast materials.
Yes, we’ll be back. Yes, we’ll continue to phone again.. but will it ever do any good?
Space shuttle Atlantis is due to take off for it’s final flight this Friday. Our ship is also now boarding.
Mmm… pi.
But, for all you know, maybe we’re already sitting around a cozy campfire someplace, and I just blogged this from my iPhone. Ahh, the joys of space age technology eh?
But, you’ll never know for certain… yet! However, suffice to say, the camera gear and flight recorder(s) are turned on.
As the Ranger has alluded to several times, we’re hoping to make this a special year here at 50 North. We’ll be working hard to document and share our experiences on the water and in the field this year in an effort to share our sport(s) through our eyes.
We will have a few challeneges though. I’m expecting another child in June which will no doubt hamper my weekend travel for the better part of the season. Not that I mind – but it means we’ll be doing more ‘real-time’ media and podcasting.
Also on our list of commitments is my work with Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing Canada which will keep me busy working with local clubs and connecting veterans and other sufferers of PTSD and Physical injury with the PHWFFC program.
Please take the time to visit their site and think of them when the phone rings for your support.
Disclosure:
Greg is the Director for Edmonton and Northern Alberta Project Healing Waters Fly FIshing Canada.
Back from fishing the pond this morning for a couple of hours, it’s ice free. Apparently, it’s also fish free too.
Give it another week for turnover to be complete, about 2 foot visibility right now. A few others pounding it with a flyrod and spin gear reported no luck either.
The back swimmers were quite abundant, even scraped a few off my windshield.
P.S. – Stringray Flats is also ice-free, may have to go chase some Sturgeon down again soon.
Uhm, likely because he saw the ‘HEMI’ engine sticker on Greg’s new Dodge Pick’Em-Up Truck. That and we were in a hurry to get to some open water.
Man, six months seems like an eternity when you live and flyfish North of 50. We share your pain duffers, but at least Tiger Woods is trying to make a comeback.
Hmm.. I suspect those are two words that should not ever be used in the same sentence again.
