River conditions affecting trips plans

[Steve fly guy]

We had planned to camp and fish Cataract creek and rivers in that area however with resent weather causing severe blow outs. I am now considering changing coarse and trying to formulate an alternative location.
Local river water levels would be great to hear. Possible alternate are Nordegg ( ram system), pincher creek ( oldman or elk) or grand cache ( muskeg).
If you have any information and would be willing to share that would be great!

[Bhflyfisher]

Originally Posted by Steve fly guy

We had planned to camp and fish Cataract creek and rivers in that area however with resent weather causing severe blow outs. I am now considering changing coarse and trying to formulate an alternative location.
Local river water levels would be great to hear. Possible alternate are Nordegg ( ram system), pincher creek ( oldman or elk) or grand cache ( muskeg).
If you have any information and would be willing to share that would be great!

I think you have to head way north. Red deer and ram systems are completely pooched as well.

[osedma]

Originally Posted by Steve fly guy

We had planned to camp and fish Cataract creek and rivers in that area however with resent weather causing severe blow outs. I am now considering changing coarse and trying to formulate an alternative location.
Local river water levels would be great to hear. Possible alternate are Nordegg ( ram system), pincher creek ( oldman or elk) or grand cache ( muskeg).
If you have any information and would be willing to share that would be great!

I'd stay away from rivers for a few days...CBC news show that there is many rivers with high flows...the sheep river? wow! looks very dangerous.

How about some stillwater fishing? that could an alternative plan for you! head out to BC

[Steve fly guy]

The trip is slated for Canada long weekend and we are bringing our trailer.
" heading north", that what I was thinking, I had done some research on Muskegg river but never fish that far north.
Thanks so far guys, the information really helps. Summer is short enough and would be a bummer if lost to weather.

[MtnGiant]

My plans are nixxed

[Bhflyfisher]

Originally Posted by Steve fly guy

The trip is slated for Canada long weekend and we are bringing our trailer.
" heading north", that what I was thinking, I had done some research on Muskegg river but never fish that far north.
Thanks so far guys, the information really helps. Summer is short enough and would be a bummer if lost to weather.

The muskeg isnt worth your time. Better rivers in the area.Although, the problem is, anywhere you go is going to be highwater if the rivers come from the mountains. Up north wont be as torrential as down south. But it will still be high and make for some tough fishing.

If i were you, i would take this chance to go fish for grayling near whitecourt/swan hills. Closer then the muskeg is to you. The rivers aren't fed from the mountains and water conditions are good. The freeman, and other rivers are worth a trip.

You can pm me if you want to know more.

[Guitarplayingfish]

Oldman and bow system are completely out of the question. To give you an idea at how grim it looks over here (SW AB), here is a list of washed out roads/areas:

Satoris
Lynx
Maycroft
The Gap
West Castle
Atlas
Adnac
Forestry Trunk Road

Not seen, but I have heard K-country is in bad shape too.

Basically every access in SW AB that leads the mountains is in terrible shape, and the rivers are not only unfishable, but they are dangerous.

[Steve fly guy]

If I was to start looking at lakes what's everyone's thoughts on :
Swan lake ( north)
Fairfax lake
Phyllis lake
Muskiki lake
And if I venture to BC, what lakes and where are they located. Again thanks everyone for chiming in.

[pipercub17]

all rivers in the grande cache area are blown out too

[DiabeticKripple]

Rivers in edson are blown out.

[1/2 oz Bucktail]

Grande Cache rivers are all blown out

[Steve fly guy]

I might work that weekend and take a full week off mid July and go to Montana camp, fish and motorcycle around. I might have even talked the wife in to renting a guide for the day to fly fish. Might be worth it!!
Again thanks everyone and if I go to Montana I will post trip pics

[Xiph0id]

I'm going fly fishing this weekend!
Hope to catch a bunch!

[Daceminnow]

lots of water coming down. both rivers not due to crest for a couple more hours. it will be a brand new game again on many of the drainages in sw alberta once all this water recedes. many most certainly will look very different than they did just a few days ago. looking forward to it. not the wait though.


Dace








The Bow in Cochrane courtesy of a Buddy.

[streamdreamer35]

Does this mean the Livingstone is washed out too? Damn, hope this doesn't kill the trip I had planned for mid July. Hopefully the rivers and streams will be calm by then. I don't relish the thought of being stuck on a crummy stocked pond for the rest of the summer... boooo

[Steve fly guy]

Once the rivers crest and water stabilizes, what do you think the state of the fish will be. Spooked or ready to feed

[HopperDropper69]

clearly youve all seen the pics and footage of the highway near canmore.

http://www.outdoorsmenforum.ca/attac...1&d=1371828357

Tied up a bunch of Gurglers for the trip, guess I'll have to wait to get that first Bass just hope all are doing well My parents were evacuated lastnight at midnight so did my sister and her family. We have a full house this morning, we are all just sitting here watching the news and drinking coffee. Gotta go help my bro n law with a pump.

[sheepguide]

Many main roads are closed west of Sundre, Caroline and Rocky so you can't get into most areas there anyways.

[osedma]

some info about the livingstone??

[streamdreamer35]

Chances are that if the Oldman is blown out then the Livingstone river is too as it connects to the oldman. Anyone hear anything about conditions on the Blackstone?

[Calgaryguy1977]

Originally Posted by osedma

some info about the livingstone??

Livingston actually got more than the bow or the oldman.....so its probably the worst. Or so they said on the news

[Guitarplayingfish]

Originally Posted by osedma

some info about the livingstone??

I said it once, and I will say it again:

Oldman, Livingstone, tribs.... All blown out, the roads are all washed out and there are numerous campers and recreational users still stranded on the forest reserve. Don't go up there, CO's will be hard at work this weekend trying to make sense of it all..

[MoFugger21]

Originally Posted by Guitarplayingfish

I said it once, and I will say it again:

Oldman, Livingstone, tribs.... All blown out, the roads are all washed out and there are numerous campers and recreational users still stranded on the forest reserve. Don't go up there, CO's will be hard at work this weekend trying to make sense of it all..

Ya, the issue with Livingstone isn't so much the river flooding as most of the river is contained in the valley. It's the tributaries and rivers washing out the roads.

And ya, the Livingstone range got ~6inches of rain while places east were getting 2inches.

I'm not sure how long it will take to repair the trunk and gap roads, but I'm willing to bet any camping plans in mid-July are safe.

[Daceminnow]

had to make a run into the city first thing this morning. didn't stay long as the talk of the bridges that weren't closed, were at some point soon to be. took a couple shots as i crossed the sheep and the bow in a couple different places. not sure some guys realize how much water is flowing through these drainages down here right now. asking about conditions and access at this point in the game is futile. as suggested above stay away from the rivers and streams as well as the back county they flow through until things slow down some. chances are there is limited to no access and lots of the country you're used to seeing, won't even resemble what it did a few days ago. there are missing people down in this area sw of calgary and defiantly no need for anymore. stay safe all.


Dace


Sheep off Hwy 2 North



Bow at Dunbow bridge looking towards Policemans



Bow at Ivor Strong on DF northbound



Bow at Ivor Strong on DF southbound



Bow at Dunbow bridge looking up river toward 22x



Sheep on southridge dr in okotoks

[kinwahkly]

The livingston area has received over a 175 mm of rain.