I am a home grown albertan, born and raised. I have spent many many years fishing, hunting, camping, etc. But lately, i have been concerned....

As many of you may know, there is a decreasing number of trout in many areas of Alberta. I have seen it in various lakes, streams and rivers. Places once loaded with fish where a guy could catch and release 30+ fish in an afternoon, now they are more like 0-5 fish in a day in some spots.
Naturally, there are good days and bad, but not too many like ten, or even five years ago. In my travels, i have been to many remote spots. Spots that show humans have been there. Littered with smoke butts, beer cans, etc. Quads and dirt bikes riding, washing, and crossing our rivers and streams. This plays a larger role on damaging the river beds and breeding areas worse than the cattle do. Just last weekend, i was in prairie creek and peppers lake areas. Quads, side by sides, and dirt bikes were all crossing the creeks and rivers. I only saw a ranger in the area once in the five days i camped.

I wonder when the province of Alberta will step in on these ATV's and other off roaders, campers who do not clean up after themselves? Before those of us that leave as found are banned from these areas as well. I know wardens, fish and game etc. are on the lookout and areas have signage, but what else do we need to do? Do we NEED babysitters and paid campgrounds built to manage this? Privately owned atv tracks that charge to get in, check registration and for booze hidden? We as Albertans need to step up and look out for our own land! Before it is too spoiled and nothing left for our children!

There are reports from Alberta Fish and Game Association that show numbers of species of trout, etc have drastically dropped over the last 10-20 years. Streams and rivers holding up to 1200 trout per kilometer and now we are less than 65. What do we need to do before there is nothing left to enjoy this sport and past time?

This will be the first article of this topic, as i am passionate about it and feel the rest of our outdoorsmen and women need to be the same if we are to sustain what we have, and maybe even better it. If we all practice good catch and release tactics, wet hands, keep the fish in the water as much as possible while removing hooks, use of lures instead of baits, and it the hook is set too deep, cut off as close to as possible.

Another note, as there is a large debate on the felt sole footed wading boots. Clean your equipment regularly! Also, many boots come with alternative soles which are great! But if the soles of your boots will transfer whirling disease, (although it is said by many that it started at the local fish stocking areas) what about your waders, boats, tubes, gear, etc...????

Clean your gear people please, for the good of our habitat and wildlife, and so our kids may take their kids out fishing and enjoy the outdoors!

All images are sourced from Google.