ES3, NB1 streams (Freeman River et al) too warm. Reconsider creek fishing
With warmer temps coming this week, its especially perilous for the muskeg / foothill creeks of ES3, ES4, NB1, with their native arctic grayling and Athabasca rainbow trout populations.
My father and I were out at the Freeman yesterday. Definitely quit early; river is just too warm for fishing.
Anything that is muskeg based, stained with tannins, that is the colour of Earl Grey tea is dark water that warms quickly.
Please reconsider your plans if you are fishing creeks in this area. My guess is they are ALL too warm. And it will only get worse.
Probably a good guess that AEP will put advisories out for the entire eastern slopes soon.
Think I'll be limiting myself to rivers those whose sources are high mountain glaciers, with clear, blue water and whose temperatures are less than 65F.
Forgot my thermometer yesterday, but the Freeman was for sure over 70F.
Smitty
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