Alberta Conclave 2023

[Jim Fox]

While the snow lays thick on the ground here in Calgary it is time to start planning for another Alberta Conclave. I figured out just this week that this will be the 25th Alberta Conclave so it is going to have to be special! A bonus for me is that I retired last fall and I will be able to scout the area thoroughly prior to our trip.

This year, we are going to visit the south west part of Alberta setting up headquarters on the upper Oldman River (somewhere near Google Maps coordinates 50.001987, -114.516037). From this camping location, there would be foot access to a section of the Oldman River above the confluence with the Livingston. The rest of the Oldman and Livingston rivers (and their tributaries) is just a short drive away. Longer trips can be made to the Crowsnest River (I will spend one day there for sure), Cataract Creek and the upper Highwood River, and possibly even the Elk or Castle systems if you want to drive further. Great fishing water is plentiful down there - mostly dry flies for cutthroats, rainbows and hybrids. There are some also large bull trout around that can be tempted with streamers. 

We will be gathering during the week of August 14. As usual, we will be random camping (details on specific location to follow) and anything from a pup tent to a massive RV would be suitable. Everyone is welcome to attend! 

As we get closer to the date, I will provide specific details on the camping location. Reach out to me if you have questions.

Jim Fox
 

[Jim Fox]

Happy belated Canada Day everyone! I hope you are all doing well and are keeping safe – wildfire smoke, floods, evacuations and other nasties have been an issue for many across North America this spring and early summer. Hopefully we are past the worst of it and the rest of summer will be more enjoyable.
 
This year’s Alberta Conclave is being planned for the Oldman River basin. These waters opened up on 16 June and I was down there a few days later checking things out. Runoff was very early this year and the rivers were in very nice shape, though still a bit cold. I managed a personal-best cutthroat on a parachute PMD pattern on the Livingston River but it was too much to handle the fish properly and get a picture. I estimate he was 19” and vibrant!
 
With early runoff and a generally low snowpack, the issue we may face this year is low water levels. If the summer is dry, the water may be so low and warm that even the most skillful C&R can harm the fish. The provincial government may impose time-of-day closures on streams if we don’t get more rain. I got a message from David Blair (owner of Fish Tales Fly Shop in Calgary) about this a few days ago and I will post any updates.
 
For those thinking about coming, our camp site will be along the upper Oldman River, upstream of the Forestry Trunk Road (near 49.948882, -114.439932 in Google Maps). I will send out an exact location the day before the conclave starts – depends upon how many people, what kinds of RVs and where other groups are set up. I’ll also have a visible sign so you can find the site by just driving up the road. The site won’t have services but there are water pumps nearby. Let me know if you have questions as options are available.
 
At this point, please let me know if you are planning to attend – I need a rough count to find the right spot. Also, include any questions you have. 

Looking forward to celebrating our 25th Alberta Conclave with all of you!

Jim    
 

[JeffW]

Would love too, unfortunately vacation days are spoken for this summer.

It seems like the south and North/central are polar opposites in terms of precipitation.  Streams still seem to be running a little too high and fast in the NSR and Athabasca drainages....still waiting to get on the N Ram..

Jeff

[TJD]

I should be there. I have a trailer.

Terry

 

[italk2u]

Unfortunately that is the same time I'll be in Europe.

[msedmonton]

I'll be there with a tent.

[Jim Fox]

This afternoon, Alberta imposed time-of-day angling restrictions for all southern Alberta streams for a minimum of 14 days. This move is due to warm and low water conditions. 

https://mywildalberta.ca/fishing/advisories-corrections-closures/time-of-day-angling-restrictions.aspx

 

This includes the Oldman and Livingston rivers near where the conclave is going to be held. I am hoping that cooler and wetter days may be coming, though that’s not what the forecast holds. I won’t make any changes to conclave plans just now but I’ll keep an eye on things. 

 

Jim 

[Jim Fox]

On Wednesday, I did a pre-conclave scouting trip to find a couple of specific camping locations for our meeting and to test out the river. The trip was a success on both counts!

 

FIrst, and most importantly, was the fishing. Water in the upper Oldman River was low and clear. On dry flies, I managed 2 cutties of about 8" right by the proposed site and three more up to 14" in other spots. Pretty good for about an hour of fishing effort. 

 

I identified a number of possible camping locations but one stood out. This site is about 8.5km up the Oldman River Road and looks perfect. It is back from the road with some screening trees and there is plenty of room for RVs and tents. Maybe most important, it is screened from other campsites and was empty when I was there yesterday. Because access in this area is first-come-first served, we can't be 100% sure that it will be vacant when we arrive but I have backups. More on that as we get closer to the date.

 

The area is posting fire danger as EXTREME (not surprisingly) so wood campfires will be out of the question. I wonder if someone has an enclosed propane fire pit to bring along? I'd be happy to pitch in on fuel if you do.

 

I will be sending another note out this week with some details about the trip. Despite the time-of-day closures, I think this will be a great gathering!

 

Jim

[Jim Fox]

One week to go before our 2023 conclave and I'm excited! A coupe of details that you should consider:

• Alberta technically requires people to have a Public Lands Camping Pass to camp on the eastern slopes (where we will be). I've never heard of anyone being asked to show this pass but it is a technical requirement. It can be purchased here: https://www.alberta.ca/public-lands-camping-pass.aspx
• I will be heading down Monday morning (August 14) hopefully early. I think there will be a person or two coming along with me. As soon as we get a location fixed, I will put up the sign visible from the road.
• Dan Tulik is going to bring a propane fire pit (thanks again Dan!). We may need an extra propane tank for this.
• As usual, we will have a pot-luck on Friday evening. Bring something to share with the group (not too much!). This is often the night when we break out the good whisky and toast friends present and absent. This year, it being the 25^th Alberta Conclave, I will be including something special. Feel free to do so as well.

One final time I would ask you to let me know if you are coming (if you haven't already). Also reach out if you have any questions or need directions. I will be sending one more message to this group before I go. The site is well outside cell phone coverage so once there, I won't be reachable. Looking forward to seeing you all!

 

Jim

[Jim Fox]

So I am heading out early tomorrow morning to the conclave site. We should be at our site before noon. The map coordinates for the #1 site are 49.99058° N, 114.49814° W. If you get here and there is no sign, keep driving until you see the sign.  I hope nobody will get lost. 

 

Email me any questions here or call me at 403-471-3108. I will likely check one last time in Longview, mid-morning. After that, cell service becomes sketchy. 

 

Weather looks like it’s going to cooperate so it should be a fantastic ‘clave. Looking forward to seeing everyone!

 

Jim

[Jim Fox]

The 25th edition of the Alberta Conclave went off with a bang last week. We had visitors from Syracuse, Montreal, and Edmonton area enjoy southern Alberta waters and great company. Despite the time-of-day closures the weather treated us all well (mostly) and we had a fantastic time.

For me the trip started with meeting up with Luis Nasim (Montreal) at FishTales Fly Shop in Calgary. After making a last minute purchase or two, we drove down south of town to our destination, the Oldman River. Once off the pavement, we found the roads in pretty poor and dusty condition but we made it to our camping spot anyway. I marvelled at how organized Luis’ camping system was going up. By the time we got finished with the basics, only a few minutes remained before the 2pm closure so little fishing got done. The same night, JP Labonte, Dan & Irene Tulik, Karen Harris, and Michael Dell all showed up. Though there is still a fire ban on the eastern slopes we got Dan’s propane fire going and had a great evening.

On day 2, Luis and I fished upstream from camp. It was a hot day but fish were active early. I managed an 8” cuttie out of “Home Pool” right at camp so the day was going to be good! On the next pool, I managed the best fish of the day – a 17” female who came out from under a rock to take my yellow stimulator. Luis and I leapfrogged each other and had a fantastic day familiarizing ourselves with the water and the bugs we would see. That evening we were joined in camp by Steve Weiter, who drove all the way from Syracuse, NY. There was an argument about who drove further – New York is a long way from southern Alberta but Luis drove the all-Canadian route over Lake Superior. I’ll let them settle the argument after they return.

Day 3 saw Steve and a group fish the Gap area, looking for bull trout. Luis and I went downstream as well. After fishing some pocket water and seeing a lot of people, we decided to walk for a while to find un-inhabited water. We did find one pool with some trout rising occasionally. Perfect! We started throwing flies at them. Some would get a look, others nothing but we got no takes. With about 30 minutes fishing to go, Luis figures it out – ants! Luis took the first fish with an ant pattern and I took the second. Several more cutties were caught, including my personal best cutthroat from the Oldman at about 20”. What an afternoon! A bit later, Irvin and Dory Lajimodiere stopped by. Also, as we were just sitting around trying to cool off in the afternoon, we got a visit from George Genyk from Hamilton. George saw the sign and pulled in to investigate. While nobody in camp had met him before, we share a number of mutual friends including Sheldon Seale, Tyzun James, and Eli Robillard.

Day 4 was an off day for me. The rest of the group fished the Crowsnest River and caught a few fish, though as everywhere low and warm water toned down the fishing. Dan Tulik saw a bear (just faintly visible in his picture) and some sampled the fabled Cinnamon Bear Bakery sweets. 

Day 5 was also on the Oldman for me – went downstream and had a pretty good time fishing the pockets and small pools. Again, the river was very crowded but I managed 4 fish to hand. Nothing record breaking but gorgeous fish. Friday night was also Potluck Night and we enjoyed the best of each others’ culinary masterpieces. We had a giveaway of some flies tied by Luis, a couple of Syracuse culinary curiosities from Steve, and some gifts from our friends at FishTales Fly Shop. 

Saturday I had to pack and go but several others stayed and I will let them offer any exciting experiences.

This was a truly excellent conclave. I left with new friends, exceptional memories, and a renewed passion for organizing the 2024 edition. I even got an invitation to join the NE Conclave Lake Placid next year. I am currently figuring out how I can manage this, even though both Luis and Steve told me “Don’t expect fishing like in Alberta”. I need to go just to see if this report is true.

I promised pictures to several people so keep an eye out for these in the coming days. I will probably make a public Google Pics album to share them, once I get some shots from people who are still traveling.

Jim Fox