Teach a man to fish and you'll show him how to waste his life

Why do any of us fish?  Really digest that for a second.  You go out and spend hours on a body of water trying to insert a razor sharp hook into the mouth of a wild animal.  There is something primitive and basic about fishing, something that brings you back to an age when things were more simple.  Fishing is good for the soul; it tests one's patience, it tests one's focus and most of all it tests one's sanity.  For me fishing has always had more to do with spending time with family and friends than actually fishing.

When I think back to some of my fondest childhood memories, a windswept lake in Southern Alberta was often the setting.  My dad would take the entire family down to Keho lake where we would spend the entire day being eaten alive by insects, hooking into more weeds than fish and getting wind blasted for hours.  Those were some of the best days of my childhood.  We were there to spend time together as a family, catching the occasional fish was just a bonus.

Fishing was an opportunity to park life's many distractions.  We didn't have an Xbox, we didn't have cell phone reception.  What we did have were a tin of smelts, a few Red Devils and a handful of Banjo Minnows (My dad had a nasty habit of buying things from infomercials late at night...the Banjo Minnow was one of his more genius purchases).

As my younger brother and I got older, fishing became less and less of a priority.  We were both busy with our post secondary careers, and fishing unfortunately took a back seat.  My parents moved to the BC interior 7 years ago, and those childhood memories started to become distant adventures from long ago.  At one point I went nearly 5 years without ever getting a line in the water.

Two years ago I decided that I was ready to make a triumphant return to fishing.  My roommate Guide Dionne pestered me for a few years, and finally I caved.  This time was drastically different...this time I was going to be a fly fisherman.

Bass'n with Guide Dionne

Fly fishing was something foreign to me.  My childhood was spent casting big lures for pike or walleye; the subtleties of trout fishing was totally lost on me.  I feel as though fly fishing has given me an opportunity to truly reconnect.  The primitive and basic appeal of fishing is so much more apparent with a fly rod in your hand.  

The last two years of fishing have brought back a flood of memories of something that I left behind years ago.  The majority of my fishing has been weekend adventures with my buddies, but I have also had the privilege of creating new memories with my family.  

Pulling monsters from the ice with my brother

In the spring of 2014 my younger brother and I invited my dad out for a weekend of fishing at Keho Lake.  I was armed with my fly rod, my brother was armed with his Red Devil and my dad was armed with his tin of smelts.  We stayed in a dingy motel in Claresholm, and we would not have had it any other way (just stay away from the breakfast buffet).  The fishing was solid, but that hardly seemed important.  The memories that we shared that weekend greatly outweighed any monster spring pike.

This winter I have had the pleasure of taking my younger brother ice fishing a number of times.  He has no idea how to properly set a hook and still can't tie his own hooks, but we have a great time whenever we go (he is the Noob in case you were curious).  We aren't kids anymore, but when we are out on the water together those special memories come flooding back.

I think about the wonderful memories I have from my childhood, and I am so excited to build similar memories with my own children one day.  In a world that is continually becoming more complicated, I cannot wait to pass along my own version of escape to some young future Pinksters.

Summer float with my girlfriend.  She catches them, I unbutton them

Teach a man to fish and you'll show him how to waste his life.  I'm not sure I've seen a more false statement in my entire life.  Teach a man to fish and you will show him how to build a lifetime of memories.

Alberta - The Best Backyard in the World

Southern Alberta is truly a special place.  For anyone that enjoys being out in nature, Southern Alberta is one of the most incredible outdoor playgrounds in the world.  Within a two hour drive of Calgary you have the opportunity to fish for massive Northern Pike, gorgeous Cutthroat Trout, elusive Bull Trout and much much more!

Old Man River, Summer 2014

As of 2013 there were an estimated 4.0 million people living in Alberta (according to Alberta Population Projections by Census Division).  This number is expected to reach 6.2 million people by 2041.  Calgary particularly will be an area of massive growth in Alberta.  According to Calgary Economic Development the Calgary Economic Region had 1,419,800 people in 2014.  By 2021 this figure is expected to climb to 1,536,500.

Growth is typically a positive thing from an economic perspective.  While I personally am looking forward to welcoming many more Albertans in the coming years, the impact on our fisheries could be very serious.  Speaking hypothetically, if even 1% of these new Albertans actively use fisheries in Southern Alberta we can anticipate as many as 1,167 new anglers in the next eight years.

Our rivers aren't suddenly going to be flooded with more fish to accommodate this surge in population.  Fish aren't going to suddenly start spawning more to accommodate these new anglers.  Think your favorite fishing holes are crowded now?  Imagine where we will be by 2030.

I don't want anyone reading this to get the idea that I'm promoting Albertan isolationism.  I am a born and bred Albertan and I am proud to see my province grow and prosper.  That being said, we need to ensure that our natural beauty is sustained so that our future generations can grow up with the same incredible backyard that we currently enjoy.

Fish and Wildlife do not have the proper resources to properly police our fisheries.  Their budget is tight and is likely going to get tighter   Last summer Guide Dionne and I met a Conservation Officer near Nature's Hideaway.  That CO told us that there are only two dedicated officers for the Bow River system from the Calgary city limits to Bassano Dam.  That is nearly 200 km of river!

Bow River, July 2014

Poaching is an huge threat to the sustainability of our fisheries.  While I observe countless examples of responsible fishermen that respect the rules and regulations, there are just as many unspoken accounts of anglers that refuse to play by the rules.  According to Report a Poacher, in 2011 there were an average of 8 poaching events in Alberta every single day.  In 2011 293 poachers were arrested in Alberta.  By that math we convict roughly 10% of all reported cases of poaching.  Now factor in the large number of poaching events that go unreported every year.

So what can you do?  As responsible users of this amazing outdoor playground, we have a responsibility to be more vigilant and hold each other responsible.  It is your responsibility as an angler to know the rules and regulations on every body of water you cast a line into.  Not knowing is not an excuse.

Think you have witnessed someone in the process of poaching?  Call 1-800-642-3800.  Not only will you be doing the right thing, you may even qualify for a reward.  All caller information is strictly confidential, and even callers that remain anonymous can qualify for a reward.  Accurate and comprehensive information is the best way to assure a poacher is arrested.  Some information you will need to consider:

• date, time and location of the offense
• licence plate number of the vehicle 
• vehicle description, including any identifying features, dents, stickers, etc.
• description of the person(s) involved
• description of the evidence at the scene, or evidence of the crime that the violators took with them
• details of the violation

You can find more valuable information about identifying poachers at www.reportapoacher.com.

Alberta is one of the most incredible places in the entire world, let's work together to keep it that way.

Lake of the Falls, September 2014

Building a Better Fishing Party

Fishing isn't something I like to do alone.  Fishing is about getting really angry at inanimate objects and sharing ridiculous stories with your friends.  Here's some examples of my fishing partners, any of these folks sound familiar?

The Athlete

Somebody forgot to tell this guy that fishing isn't actually a competitive sport.  This is the guy who keeps a counter in his pocket and can vividly remember every fish he has caught for the last three years.  The Athlete has a rule book on what constitutes a landed fish.  Fish came unbuttoned as you were reaching down for it?  Too bad, doesn't count!  

If you are out fishing with the Athlete, he'll make you pull out the tape measure to prove that he still has the catch of the day.  This guy is fine to be around as long as he is catching the most/biggest fish,  but beware, this pro-star will throw you overboard the second his title is challenged.

The Princess

The Princess is everyone's favorite fair-weather fisherman.  The Princess won't even think about putting a line in the water unless the conditions are absolutely perfect.  "It's +12 outside, +12.5 is the lowest temperature I'll fish at".  The Princess always catches the fewest fish, but only because they have a line in the water the least.  

The Princess usually starts the day off by getting a nasty tangle and telling the rest of the boat that fishing is stupid and they want to go home.  Want to see something hilarious?  Go fishing with the Athlete and the Princess and see what happens if the Princess comes out on top.

The Pro

The Pro is a must have in any fishing party.  This guy has all the toys and is generally the only guy who knows how to tie a proper knot.  This guy only fishes with other people because his friends rip on him for fishing alone.  

The Pro literally believes he can talk to fish and takes credit for the fish that everyone else catches.  

This guy has a tackle box that is easily worth more than most countries in Africa and he owns a rod for every day of the week.  When you are fishing with the Pro remember one thing: Fishing is serious business.

The Vet

The Vet only gets out fishing because someone in your party got stuck with community service after a long night of drinking.  This guy literally has a fishing rod made out of wood and thinks that dredging the bottom with a treble hook is still a viable fishing method.  

The Vet wears more layers than everyone on the boat combined.  Make sure you keep an eye on this old guy when he inevitably doses off, you don't want to have to jump in and rescue him.

The Noob

Everybody hates the Noob.  The Noob doesn't have any of his own gear, has no idea how to tie a knot, and has no clue what he is doing.  After you finish tying the Noobs rig for him, he usually proceeds to catch a fish on the very first cast.  The Noob always catches the most fish and makes sure the more experienced fishermen hear about it.  

It wouldn't be so bad if the Noob actually unhooked his own fish:  "He swallowed this one really deep, you'll have to give me a hand!"  Seriously, screw this guy.