Alberta Conclave 2022

[Jim Fox]

Friends, here is your first call-out for the 2022 edition of the Alberta Conclave. I am hoping we will be out of COVID danger by August but we managed to gather safely in 2020 and 2021. I am confident that conclavers will find a way!

 

Our location this year will be a new one, where the Forestry Truck Road crosses the North Saskatchewan River (Google Maps - 52.3967226, -116.0753206). This location gives us fairly easy access to many of the waters we have been fishing in recent years - the North Ram River and the Blackstone River. It also gives us access to the North Saskatchewan, a big river with lots of water to explore. To help with this exploration, Wally Lutz has agreed to bring his jet boat and is willing to ferry people around as long as we cover his fuel costs.

 

On timing, we will be on location from August 8 to 14. I don't have a specific site in mind yet but I will do a scouting trip when spring comes and send that out later. For those of you who have been there, you will have seen several spots nearby to set up camp for both RVs and tents. Anyone with specific ideas, I would love to hear them. 

 

This year we will once again be planning a pot-luck for the Friday evening. More details later.

 

If you are looking for an adventure to drive away the pandemic blues, look no farther than the Alberta Conclave. I can't guarantee there will be no political arguments but I can guarantee abundant fishing opportunities, great stories around the fire and the unparalleled beauty of Alberta's wilderness.

 

I will send more information in updates as I figure out the details. Looking forward to seeing you there!

 

Jim Fox   

[italk2u]

Jim, is that not the Aylmer PRA?

 

[Jim Fox]

The Aylmer site is there, yes, but I am thinking more of a random camping area near there.  I have not scouted the area so I don’t have an exact location yet.  
Jim

[Michael Dell]

On the north side of the river there are random camping sites. 

[Jim Fox]

We are all living through high gas prices and there is likely no relief for those until Russia leaves Ukraine or something else that dramatic. To try to make this Alberta Conclave a bit more affordable to the bulk of people (coming out of Edmonton), I am moving the event to a location just a bit closer. This year, instead of the North Saskatchewan River near Nordegg, we will hold the conclave on the Athabasca River, about an hour north of Edson. Google Maps location is 54°00'37.1"N 116°50'26.2"W.

This location has well-treed camping space and is about 500m downstream of where the Berland River meets the Athabasca. There are native Athabasca rainbows and grayling in both rivers, along with a few bull trout and probably whitefish, though I’ve never caught one. There is a fantastic float down the Berland, a really great day trip with lots of eager trout and grayling on dry flies. Bring your pontoon boat or other appropriate river floating craft. I also know of several spots to fish the Berland from shore, if that strikes your fancy. Last August on the Berland, I had a 50+ fish day with grayling rising continuously to dry flies for hours.

 

We had a conclave at this location once before and I have fished here several times with Wally and Michael Dell. The program is pretty much the same - I will head up on Monday (August 8) and will stay until Sunday. We will do some sort of potluck dinner, probably Friday evening. If you need more information, contact me directly. If you’ve never caught an Athabasca rainbow or a grayling, or you just want to experience some beautiful water with great fish action, this is your year. Hope to see you there.

 

Jim

[Jim Fox]

We are a couple of weeks away from the conclave and I just want to make sure everyone has their questions answered. Our location will be on the Athabasca River, about an hour north of Edson. The Google Maps location is 54°00'37.1"N 116°50'26.2"W. I will be driving up from Calgary on the morning of August 8 - I hope that I can get an early start. I will be leaving on Sunday 12 August. There isn't too much fancy stuff planned for this event so far but consider bringing a contribution to a pot-luck dinner Friday evening.

 

The fishing can be either from shore or by pontoon (or other small craft). A float down the nearby Berland River is a really fun event. I will bring both of my pontoons and I believe there are others who will have spare capacity as well. The fishing is for grayling and Athabasca rainbow trout. Whitefish and bull trout also exist in these waters. I'm sure streamers and nymphs work but dry flies will be prominent.

 

If you have questions, reach out to me. It would be great to hear from people who are planning to attend but you can also just show up.  

 

Hoping to see you there!

 

Jim

[italk2u]

Hi Jim, I've never been up that way..what's the best way to go..from Highway 43 or from Edson? How are the roads?. Is there available firewood or do we bring our own? Is there an outhouse? I'll be coming up on Wednesday morning, where exactly will everyone be parked?

That's all for now.

[Jim Fox]

Ok so we are just a few days away from our latest conclave and this will be my last formal message, barring some sort of issue.  I will be heading up from Calgary early Monday morning to meet up with Wally and some others around lunchtime in Edson. If you are also coming out Monday, feel free to let us know and we can connect for the drive from there. 

 

Looks like we will have enough organization to do a pot luck on Friday. Bring a bit of something to share and we can celebrate getting back to normal (sort of). We have several pontoon boats coming, including a couple of spares, so floating will be part of the fun. Dry flies will be the game but there are also some bull trout in the system, feeding on the smaller rainbows and grayling so bring your big streamer box as well.

 

It would be good to get a count of people and understand who might be coming when. Email me (Jim_and_dorothy@hotmail.com or post here on the Forum) if you plan to come, or even if you just might. We can save a spot around the fire for you.

 

Jim

[Jim Fox]

In response to the question, I think it is easier to head in from Edson but that may be because I always come from the south. The roads are good (or we’re when I was last there in August 2021). We will all be camped on the north side of the river, just downstream of the bridge - there should be a sign.  We may have cell service here so text me at 403-471-3108 if there are issues. 
 

there should be ample firewood for the cutting but bring some if you have it. Last time I was there, there was no outhouse but some people might jurry-rig something.