The runoff has begun on the rivers and streams in southwest Alberta, including the Crowsnest River. Water levels have been rising gradually for a week or so, as warm temperatures are beginning to melt the snow at higher elevations. After checking the Alberta Environment web site, it appears the snow storm that passed through southern Alberta earlier this month helped a little, in terms of increasing our mountain snowpack. However, with the exception of a few places where snow accumulations may be slightly above average, most areas are currently sitting at below average measurements for this time of year. Providing we don’t receive excessive amounts of rain over the next several weeks, the runoff could finish early this year. Maybe everything will be fishable by June 16th, when the season opens on all the trout streams in this part of the province.

If you’d like to fish somewhere/anywhere while waiting for the runoff to subside, you may want to head over to one of the local trout lakes. The fishing has been quite productive at Lee, Beauvais and Beaver Mines lakes. Summit Lake, located just across the border in BC, has also been providing good fishing as of late. Remember, though, you’ll need a BC license to fish here.

Crowsnest River Salmonfly Hatch

I checked the lower Crowsnest River this morning for signs of salmonflies and found a couple of empty shucks on the abutments of the “Iron Bridge,” just downstream of Hwy. 3. It looks like these big bugs are beginning to hatch on the river, and right on cue, too. It’s not unusual for the emergence of these stoneflies to coincide with the spring runoff. Wouldn’t it be nice, though, if the river cleared up a bit, before these insects have finished hatching?   

   

The spring runoff has started on southern Alberta's rivers and streams

The spring runoff has started on southern Alberta's rivers and streams

SHOP NEWS
We’ve changed to our summer hours and are open 9:00 am – 6:00 pm, each and every day. We’re really excited about the coming season and look forward to seeing all of you again.
Help Wanted in Fly Shop
We’re looking for summer staff in the shop (June – September/October). Duties will include retail sales, issuing angling licenses, stocking shelves, store clean-up, providing local fishing info/advice to customers … etc. Resumes can be sent via email to Vic Bergman (info@crowsnestangler.com) or dropped off at the shop. They can also be mailed to: The Crowsnest Angler – Box 400, Bellevue, Alberta T0K 0C0. If you’re friendly, enjoy meeting people, and you like fishing and talking to others about it, and would like to work in a fly shop for the summer, we’d love to hear from you. Applicants must have fly-fishing experience/knowledge. Only successful applicants will be contacted for an interview.
2010 Licenses
 A reminder that Alberta and British Columbia angling licenses are available at our shop. If it’s more convenient for you, it’s possible to purchase your licenses online.  For Alberta Wildlife Identification Numbers (W.I.N.) and angling licenses, click here. 
BC licenses are available by clicking here. If you’d like to pick up your BC license at our shop, and you had one last year, remember to bring it with you. In order to issue this year’s license, we need your “Angler Number.” You can also record the number on a slip of paper. If it’s an Alberta license you require, bring your W.I.N. card to the shop. Until next time!