z
We would like to take this opportunity to clarify who Friends of the Red Deer River are as a Group and what our purpose is. Our current objective is to urge all the outdoor organizations to come together collaboratively and show support for a common goal. We are the first to admit this will not be easy each of our provincial organizations have various areas of focus and mission statements they focus directly on which is fine. It will be a difficult and bumpy road at times and we will get into heated discussions but that doesn’t mean we can’t all work together in times of necessity. The shared goal here is to find the avenue where we are all working in one direction on a sustainable path forward. We admit our core group of members is relatively small, but our efforts have been far reaching and have the support at many levels on a large scale. Our commitment and involvement have been all encompassing and we have had more than a few successes as you will see in this document. Our group has attended most of the Alberta Round tables, many of the AEP public forums and participated in most of the AEP engagement zoom webinars. We have contacted Alberta Prime Time for televised support and the Let’s go outdoors You Tube program as venues to provide clarity on the issues so far with no success. We are not sure why they haven’t shown an interest, hopefully it isn’t because they think there is other current situations that demand 100% of their attention. Our group feels this is a major issue and it needs to be dealt with now or it may be to late if we don’t deal with it promptly.
We have always been clear and precise on the issues we consider detrimental and provided very valuable solutions to resolve those issues. We think much of what we have proposed has fallen on deaf ears and the province, AEP, ACA, the outdoor organizations and the media have no appetite to cover or deal with the most debilitating problems we face regarding sustainable fisheries. That is very disappointing and not beneficial for the health of the province’s economy, sustainable fisheries, a desirable and diverse angling experience and the anglers of Alberta. These habitat and water related debilitating issues have been allowed to deteriorate and fester for over forty years without serious intervention. The very Government, Department Alberta Environment & Parks (AEP) and the Energy Ministry that have been tasked with being the custodians of Alberta’s fisheries sustainability and angling experiences. Neither the Government, Alberta Environment and Resources (AEP) or the Energy Ministry have had the interest or drive to deal with it in any effective manner so yes this is a big mess. We suggest it is high time we all roll up our sleeves and get at it. We think you will see there has been no lack of effort put out by Friends of the Red Deer River. Let’s just see who “Friends of the Red Deer River” are what have they been up to and what kind of support they have for their mission. Below please find a listing of all the core members of our group “Friends of the Red Deer River” for your information
LIST OF CORE MEMBERS OF FRIENDS OF THE RED DEER RIVER
Glen Rhodes Les Kolibaba
Pat Edens Sam Louisa
Randy Henderson Bryant (Bob) Edens
Roy Saunders Ken Thate
Pat Williams
Duane McBain 1
Our group has been part of drawing attention to underlying issues as well as engaging in many of the processes, issues and solutions to problems in Sustainable fisheries in Alberta for 35 years. Please find a list below of all we have been part of and participated in. Many anglers and our spouses have often said why isn’t the Provincial Government, Alberta Environment and Parks (AEP), the Alberta Conservation Association (ACA), Trout Unlimited, Alberta Fish & Game and the Red Deer Watershed Alliance out vocally spreading the word and actively pushing hard to address these issues your group speaks of. Believe us when we say that has crossed our minds also, but we also understand these other groups have other confining directives and regulations they must follow. Our group is pointing out and trying to get everyone involved to resolve these fundamental issues of our time that are negatively impacting Alberta’s fisheries. We should all realize all these other groups have their objectives and missions they just have a little different approach than our group. Many times, it seems like we are the only entity that realises both the issues and is pushing for positive solutions providing a successful path forward for sustainable fisheries in Alberta but we are not. We are not the only group everyone must realize there is a definite place for all our organizations and in their own way each group is doing their part. Things are getting done quietly behind the scenes by every level within the scope of our provincial fisheries, there is no question of that. Any success realized is hard won and very slow in coming to fruition. The successes are on a smaller scale that doesn’t seem to be reversing the deterioration of our fisheries and overall fishing experiences. There seems to be little in the way of progress in the areas or on a scale where it will provide the best results. For the immediate future at least we all must address these issues in a much more dynamic manner before it is to late to turn this train around.
It is our belief even though it is far from our first choice that the enhancement of fish populations is the most direct, cost effective and results oriented venue in the short term. A very cautious, constructive as close to wild enhancement of our trout fisheries through wild sourced genetics may be the only path forward immediately before it is to late. This enhancement process must be done carefully, and only at specific intervals that is acceptable to every organization when only absolutely required on our native trout watersheds. This must be done with wild genetics sourced from the very stream to be enhanced using processes that are as close to wild as humanely possible. Not only our native fish species at risk need this resourceful boost in the arm the naturalized (Brown Trout & Rainbow Trout) fish populations located in our large lower-level streams need the same practical support mechanism. If we can’t look at the overall picture and the greater overall good as a group and address it, we have a major problem. More to the point if we are to stubborn or short-sited to work together everyone involved in the end will lose the very fisheries we love.
There has been to much watershed and water related damage inflicted on the province’s watersheds and so many of these concerns may not even be reversible. The environmental concerns that can be reversed will take a lot of time, money and effort thrown at it to realize any major reversal of the overall harm. This is why we all had better deal with the simplest, most cost effective, sensible and surest way to deal with actual diminishing fish populations through this enhancement proposal. Deal with the short-term resourceful fix involving diminishing Trout populations now in the interim and focus on the environmental venues as we go along in the long-term. One other point our group would also like to make is that the province, AEP and all our organizations combined have not done near enough including our group “Friends of the Red Deer River” there is still much to be done. We just have to look at the state of our precious wonderful trout fisheries it is mindboggling how we have all stood by and watched this happen from the sidelines. Many times, the Government has had trouble grasping the forward-thinking vision we have offered as a whole and they have so far had little appetite to take on the issues head on.
2
Our groups efforts have involved many meetings with MP’s, MLA’s, public servants, biologists, connecting with two ministers of Environment Mr. Mel Knight and MR. Jason Nixon. A lot of very focused dedicated effort and we have realized some success but not nearly the success sustainable fisheries in Alberta require. Hopefully this has given you all a profile and understanding of our group’s passion for fisheries and our overall mission and objectives in the whole process.
LIST OF ALL OUR GROUP HAS BEEN PART OF
We have been one of the leading groups in both pointing out the issues for watershed connectivity, cold clean water quality, increased minimum flows, reducing increasing water temperatures.
We have also raised the concerns of widening flood plains and loss of overall river depth on both the Bow River and the Red Deer River.
These widening flood plains and shallowing of the rivers are the result of poor forestry practises, five major flood events, combined with the lack of options dam operators have to control top end flows.
We have often spoke on how to many of the province’s dams are to small and poorly thought out in order to harness water for storage. This opportunity to store water from spring runoff and major flood events has been sadly overlooked and because of this was not part of the original construction blue prints.
Our group has talked in length about if the need for very large dams to be constructed so minimum flows could be increased resourcefully and much more even stable flows could be realized. It can either be done though larger dams or off river storage reservoirs and waster can then be gradually re-introduced back inro the river when required.
We think our group takes into account the concerns of anglers of every pursuit and pushes for a much more diverse and pleasurable experience for all anglers.
We think our ideas and input support a very worthwhile possibility for a significant tourism revenue stream and successful path forward for sustainable fisheries in Alberta.
We have led the charge on the need to lower top end flows during flood events, the need to stop drastically and suddenly lowering and increasing instream flows below dams it kills fish species, aquatic food base and wipes out spawning habitat.
Our group has brought attention to the benefit of increasing minimum flows and establishing higher more even consistent stable mid-range flows will assimilate impurities and contaminants. How these same flows would provide increased over wintering habitat, increased food producing areas as well as spawning habitat for the various fish species.
These same increases and stability in flows will also assure that there is potable water for the communities that are relying on quality water form the Red Deer River here in Alberta and on downward to Saskatchewan and Manitoba.
We have brought attention to how widening flood plains on our lower elevation large trout streams have been caused through five huge flood events from 1990 – 2013 and how it is impacting fisheries.
We have raised concerns on how there is fourteen dams/weirs on the Bow River and its tributaries and how 11 of them are hydroelectric.
We have brought attention to how poor operation of the small insignificant dams negatively impacts fisheries and the overall pleasure of anglers.
3
These small poorly constructed dams were never designed with the health of the watershed or fisheries and aquatic food base in mind. They were designed purely for the needs of a very indulgent short sited province that directly embraces massive resource extraction and harnessing natures bounties.
These dams directly served an ever-increasing transient population moving to Alberta in the millions to get their cut of the oilfield industry. These poorly constructed dams leave operators in a less than resilient predicament, where managing for moderate and more resourceful minimum flows and much more consistently stable flows is very difficult. All of these short-sited decisions have caused so much damage maybe even some that are irreversible to our precious watersheds, fisheries and aquatic food base.
We have led the charge in trying to get the Alberta Government to realize our tailwater fisheries need much more stable even flows in so many areas. We further have gone on to make sure everyone is aware of what has been going on in the Kananaskis river above Barrier lake and on the Upper and Lower Kananaskis Lakes. Having to hydro electric dams at the base of both of these lakes has seriously limited productivity on the lakes and the river below.
Two hydro electric dams in a provincial park (Kananaskis Park) where recreationalists go to get away from eye sores present in less than natural unpopulated areas. The Kananaskis River contains the residual populations of two of Alberta’s native fish species that are defined as species at risk due to the very presence of these two dams. Especially when this section of the Kananaskis River has the best spawning gravel in the province.
Our group provided the Alberta Conservation Association (ACA), the Alberta Fish and Game Association and the Friends of the raven river with two letters of support. To provide the county council with background information in the action against the open gravel pit operations that Border Paving was pushing for.
Our group has continually provided a path on how to successfully deal with these issues in the most cost effective, realistic methods over and over again to the province for the last 35 years.
We are the only group we know of that has had the fortitude to submit FOIPS when we thought there was a concern that needed to be both clarified and rectified on more than several occasions.
The only group we know of that has put together 22 documents supporting our concerns and what we consider solutions to problems to the Minister Jason Nixon, Trout Unlimited, the ACA and the Alberta Fish & Game Association and at least four regional biologists.
Our group has brought attention to the unacceptable situation where guides coming in from out of province lawfully to guide on the provinces rivers and all the issues related to this.
Our group has brought attention to the matter of both in-province and out of province fly-fishing outfitters and guides needing to be licensed and certified
Our group has brought attention to the need for annual licensing fees to fly fishing outfitters ($ 500.00 once annually) and guides ($250.00 once annually) in Alberta.
Our group has brought attention to the fact that there needs to be a limit on the number of fly-fishing outfitters and guides and how many rod days any outfitter or guide can possess on any one stream or lake. This will help ensure there is ample opportunity for the non-resident guided angler and the local angler to enjoy a quality uncrowded angling experience. That is how Montana, Idaho and Montana handle these issues.
Our group has brought attention to the matter of sourcing funds for fishery programs by requiring seniors to purchase a license at a 25% discount and for Consumptive anglers to pay a modestly increased fee of ($10.00 extra once annually) for a consumptive angling license.
4
We have also clearly spoken out on how consumptive anglers should be required to purchase consumptive fish tags (5 tags @ a cost of $ 5.00 per tag per region cumulative total all fish species combined). In order to mitigate the costs of stocking fish to maintain their consumptive nature in an affordable manner.
Our group has been pushing for the re-instatement of the single barbless hook and only one single barbless hook per lure since 2011. The requirement of a barbless hook regulation province wide has been absent since 2011 it needs to be re-implemented now not five or ten years down the road.
Our group has been pushing for the requirement of a dry fly only regulation on stretches of four of Alberta’s most precious (east slope) West Slope Cutthroat streams. If not all four then at least one to start and see what the positive results could be and if positive move on to the other three. 4
Our group feels that the combination of wild incremental enhancement of native trout populations a single barbless hook and dry fly only designation will solve many lingering problems on these very special fisheries.
The wild incremental enhancement will ensure there is more trout per river stretch and mile to sustain the continual process of being hooked over and over again on a daily and cumulatively on an annual basis. The single barbless hook and dry fly only designation will positively improve both the cosmetic appearance and the conditioning factors of the native Cutthroat trout on these precious rivers. It will surely improve the over wintering survival rates of each year class of trout and decidedly improve overall conditioning factors for successful spawning cycles the following spring.
Our group has been pushing for a Pilot project and proving ground involving the Red Deer River tailwater fishery for thirty-five years.
Our group was first in bringing attention to the need for a catch and release regulation on the RDR tailwater fishery
Our group suggested that the regional fishery biologist “Doug Lowe” source wild mature Brown Trout from the Bow River instead of hatchery juveniles for a new fishery RDR tailwater back in 1992. This formula involving sourcing wild genetics worked and worked very well, the only shortfall in the whole project was that the province never pursued the program to a successful manageable methodology.
Our group brought attention to and pushing AEP and the political arena to increase minimum fines for the two most damaging activities illegal retention (Poaching) and per fish retained illegally.
Our group brought attention to and involved in dismantling the Commercial Fishery program in Alberta
Bringing attention to Alberta Environment and Parks biologists releasing River Otters three separate times into the east lopes in south central Alberta. We also sternly stated this disastrous situation should stop immediately any further transfers of River Otters into the east slopes was unacceptable.
Our group has brought attention to just how big a scale the Alberta’s obsessive Walleye program has been.
Our group has brought attention to the virtues of realizing the huge tourism values in fly fishing tourism for Alberta.
Our group has brought attention to many modern resourceful management opportunities and ideas that Alberta is not accessing or striving forward on to ensure and realize sustainable fisheries.
Our group has brought attention to a portfolio of opportunities where Alberta could effectively disperse angling pressure in a major way
Our group has brought attention to how Alberta can provide a much more diverse and pleasurable angling experience for all anglers in Alberta.
Our group has brought attention to the fact that the province supports programs for overly consumptive angling behaviour in a manner that is not sustainable on several venues.
5
Our group has brought attention to how trout fisherman that fly fish and are conservationists actually help ensure sustainability and a quality angling experience. The province has never addressed the need for balance between Walleye fisheries and Trout fisheries.
Right now, the entire province has only one to possibly three total catch and release trout fisheries in the entire province. These are on either miniscule little ponds and one smallish lake that has a lack of parking and can only take so much angling pressure.
The province also needs to address the desires and needs of conservatively minded fly fisherman in a much more balanced manner in relation to both Walleye fisheries and consumptive fisheries.
Our group has definitely brought attention to how Alberta can raise the (GDP) involving fishing from thirteenth overall to as high as third or fourth in the province.
Our group truly believes attention to how wild enhancement of both native and naturalized trout species both need structured non-natural as close to wild enhancement through wild genetics. It is quite possibly the only way to reverse this deteriorating fish population situation in the current environmental mess the provinces watersheds are in.
Our group has brought attention to the need for localized site-specific spawning creeks, spawning buildings and enhancement buildings.
Our group has brought attention to the fact over 160 small ponds and prairie potholes allow consumptive anglers to retain either five trout a day or one over 50cm. It is abundantly clear the province has addressed the needs of then consumptive angler.
Our group has brought attention to the fact that Alberta only has one quality trout fishery on still water that is catch and release and it is on a small prairie pothole with limited parking and cannot take a lot of angling pressure.
Our group has brought attention to the fact that the province needs to control legal selfish unsustainable consumptive behaviour and rampant illegal retention.
We have lobbied for the need of 15-20 large, deep clear cold lakes that provide a quality trout program and for sustainable table fare needs to be implemented. By large we mean lakes like Sylvan Lake, Glennifer Reservoir, Swan Lake west of Caroline, Waterton Reservoir, Beaver Mines Lake, Crawling Valley Reservoir, Burnstick Lake and there are many more promising Still water areas.
Our group has brought attention to the large number of lakes and rivers available in the province, where either the angling experience can be improved or new trout fisheries created.
Our group has brought attention to the fact that the province needs to visualize that both native trout species and naturalized trout species have a place and part to play in Sustainable fisheries and dispersing intense angling pressure.
Bringing attention to the fact Rocky Mountain Whitefish are a native species and probably originally resided in far more rivers and streams in the east slopes and low-level streams than any other native species of fish. To this point in time the province lists the Rocky Mountain Whitefish status as “secure” that is not accurate. When was the last time the province actually went out and sampled the situation what a shame will the province wait another ten years before they assess it again?
Our group has brought attention to the fact that Rocky Mountain Whitefish are much more susceptible to water temperature and water quality issues than trout.
Our group has brought attention to the fact Rocky Mountain Whitefish provide forage base for native piscivorous fish such as Bull Trout and they provide balance to the biodiversity and connectivity of fishery sustainability.
Our group has brought attention to the fact the Rocky Mountain Whitefish populations are in real trouble and we should not wait until they reach species at risk levels before we help them out.
6
Our group has brought attention to the matter that the province should strive to ensure all our precious trout streams contain quality numbers of trout per mile to ensure angling pressure is dispersed over more trout per mile. This is how Montana, Idaho and Colorado have dealt with intense angling pressure.
SOURCES OF ADVICE, EXPERTISE AND SUPPORT
Mel Kraft – Alberta Fish & Wildlife Biologist
Blue Ribbon Flies – Fly shop West Yellowstone Montana
Doug Lowe – Alberta Fish & Wildlife Division Biologist
Ken Macleod – Alberta Fish & Wildlife Division Biologist
Dick Vincent – Montana Fish & Wildlife Biologist
F.F.F. 5 Year Symposium Booklets – Biologist think tank event held every five years in Montana
Henry’s Lake Cutthroat Trout Spawning Footage – You Tube
Henry’s Fork Foundation – Located in Idaho (NGO) supporting a healthy watershed
Steve Asquin – AEP Water Resources
Stew Mckee – Alberta Department of Agriculture
Troy Langalar – West River Outfitters Red Deer Alberta
Montana Fish Wildlife & Parks
Kenneth J. Frazer – Montana Fish & Wildlife Biologist
Mr. Vance Buckwald – Alberta Fish & Wildlife Biologist
Kevin Stalker – Justice and Security General (public security Division) Central Wildlife Enforcement Branch
Tom Turner – Red Deer Fish & Game association member
Dirk Wunch – co-owner TimCon Construction – Financial Support Trout Enhancement Red Deer River Tailwater back in the 1990’s
Quinn Pumps – Via staff member Reg Prosteby – Financial Support to program back in the 1990’s.
Terraco – Oilfield Field Business in Alberta – Bruce Sutherland soliciting funds from 40 companies 1995.
Hwy2.TV – Mark Collings
Raven Printing Ltd. – City of Red Deer business owned by Harold & Muriel Raven
Chris Techroib – AEP water resources
Solicitor generals Office Staff – Help on securing FOIP paperwork
AEP FOIP Office – Providing FOIP (Freedom of Information Request) Request Results. Although begrudgingly at times.
Roy Saunders – Angler
Brian Johnson – Angler
JP Forget – Angler
Ken Weaver – Angler
Sam Louisa – Requesting FOIP paperwork
Wayne McElderry – Angler
Wayne Lilley – Angler
Toni Blake – President of the Central Alberta Chapter of Trout Unlimited back in the 1990’s
Red Deer Chamber of Commerce – For providing Letter of support
David Thompson Tourist Council – For providing Letter of Support
Just Fishin (Doug Wood) – Qualified biologist and local fishing business owner – Letter of Support
Sportsman’s Den (Dale Malin) – Local business Owner – Letter of Support
Mayor of Red Deer – Gail Surkan – Letter of Support
7
Alberta Law Society – Information access
AEP – Meetings – Many disappointing and frustrating meetings
SRD Round Tables – Nothing ever came to fruition
AEP engagement webinars via zoom – attended by our group on line
MP’s and MLA’s (Politicians) – meetings – information and support
Mike Duszynski – President off the Calgary Chapter of Alberta Fish & Game (CFGA)
Mike Duszynski – Fish Chair Alberta Fish & Game Association (AFGA) Zone 2
Dave Gegina – Owner of South Hill Window in Red Deer – Financial support
Ron Brown – Angler
Bill Anderson – Angler
Phil Pearsall – Member of David Thompson Tourism Council – Budget Expert Advice and Support
David Thompson Tourism Council – Letter of support
Below please find a list of donors who (financially) individually supported this specific proposal and the overall message and objective our group has been promoting over the last thirty-five years. There has been a lot of great angler and community support in all areas and even more encouragement to keep pushing for what our vision is. They have clearly stated that it is what all concerned and enthusiastic anglers believe is best for all and a plan the province needs to get behind. This is what has kept us going for 35 years the massive amount of support and encouragement that everyone has shown and the belief in what we are pushing for as a group.
LIST OF DONORS:
West River Fly Shop $20.00 Red City of Red Deer Fly Shop – Owner Troy Langelaar
Loretta Edens $ 40.00 86 years young amazing
Neil (Pat) Williams $ 40.00 69 years young amazing
Bill Anderson $ 30.00 63 years young amazing
Pat Edens $ 40.00 63 years young amazing
Rus Carlson $ 80.00 73 years young amazing
Sam Louisa $ 40.00
Beth Edens $ 20.00
Roy Saunders $ 40.00
Brian Johnson $ 20.00
J.P. Forget $ 20.00
Ron Brown $ 30.00
Bryant (Bob) Edens $ 50.00 63 years young amazing
8
Les Kolibaba $ 20.00
Ken Thate $ 40.00
DR. Ian Giebelhaus $ 40.00
Wayne Lilley $ 20.00
Our group would like to thank all the patient, caring and understanding people that have helped to educate us, supported us and believed in our overall vision for sustainable fisheries in Alberta. They have been a very big part of any successes we have been able to achieve and we can’t thank you enough. We feel sad about the many times we have not been able to convince others that we believe this is the best path forward for Alberta fisheries and a diversified economy. Basically 90-95% of all levels of support be that local business, community, recreationalists, Anglers, Outdoor Organizations, Biologists, Outfitters & guides or tourists at one time or another have supported what our group is trying to achieve.
The enclosed list clearly shows all the Public Servants, local Business owners, Organizations, Boards, Committees, Mayors and anglers who have contributed or supported our endeavours either in a financial, written or vocal capacity. Our group would like to thanks the thousands and thousands of anglers that have listened and provided their input and support for all Friends of the Red Deer River’s programs and efforts. We thank all of those who took the time to participate in our own little surveys and petitions, you are the people who deserve much of the credit. As well as our thanks for being a big part of what we have achieved in the past and what we may achieve in the future is all realized through your efforts. We could go on and on the list is a lot longer than this but we think our point has been made. We hope our goals serve every angler’s objective and will help to ensure sustainable fisheries for decades to come. We hope you also agree with us when we say what our group is proposing will assure all anglers a most pleasurable angling experience for years to come.