Whistler Blackcomb (WB) has involved themselves in a controversial run-of-river power plan for Fitzsimmons Creek that has the potential to disrupt a threatened bull trout population in the Whistler Valley watershed. Run of River Power has been developing private power projects throughout  British Columbia in recent years with controversial aspects of their hydro projects that include corporate democracy and shortsighted planning that, in the interests of this post and its readers, ultimately disrupts fish habitats.

WB issued a news release back in the fall of 2008 outlining their plan to install a 7.5 megawatt hydroelectric generator on Fitzimmons creek and claimed that, “The Fitzsimmons Creek area provides the ultimate conditions for a successful small hydro electric project. The creek has an abundance of water, the necessary vertical drop, it is not a major fish-bearing stream, nor is the creek used recreationally within the project area. “

A little bit of research lead me to the Whistler 2020 website and revealed this post from a Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) Fish & Wildlife technician in and around the same time of the WB press release. At press time the RMOW were in the process of erecting a fence in the stream allowing technicians to monitor the spawning bull trout.  It goes on the mention “In BC, bull trout is a blue-listed (threatened) species, meaning that they are a sensitive species vulnerable to human and natural disturbances. The small tributary streams these species use for spawning and rearing are extremely susceptible to human impacts such as sedimentation, loss of streamside vegetation, and increases in water temperature.”

WB’s news release claim could be true with respect to the fact that Fitzsimmons Creek is not a major fish-bearing stream assuming they’re referring to fish population. That said, the RMOW has clearly identified a spawning population of a threatened species of bull trout in a stream that is now undergoing the development of an upstream hydro generator that will inevitably impact the free flow of water in addition to the amount of water that WB already removes from the creek to aide in the operation of their snow making machines. I’m of the opinion that the bull trout species is of major importance to the Fitzsimmons Creek habitat and the sustainability of a threatened species.

Renewable energy should be the ultimate goal, but at what cost? Interested in voicing your concern on this topic? Have a look at this letter from Watershed Watch. You might want to do a bit more research and send something similar to the following people:
- Whistler Mayor Ken Melamed
- David Lede, Chairman & CEO, Ledcor Group of Companies
- Dave Brownlie, President and Chief Operating Officer, Whistler Blackcomb Mountain Resorts Limited
- Brian Collins, President of Intrawest
- Arthur DeJong, Whistler Mountain Planning & Environmental Resource Manager

“Why build new hydropower dams that have definite and certain environmental impacts for a minor reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and a highly uncertain contribution to reducing the environmental impacts of climate change globally? Instead, we would recommend that Whistler Blackcomb increase its already successful energy conservation efforts to a level that would both eliminate the need for this project and “achieve a net-zero footprint.” ”
- From Watershed Watch

Moldy Chum dug up this nugget of news from the Victoria Time Colonist regarding a BC Forest Practices Board report that outlines the alarming state of BC access roads that are built near fish bearing streams and rivers.

“For all the talk about threatened salmon stocks and the need to protect critical environment, the government is allowing streams and rivers critical to migrating fish to be blocked by roads,”

Read the full article here.

Kudos to the Chum for posting this as they’re not BC residents (as far as I know) yet stay tuned to what’s important to them regardless of where they live.

Here’s a mellow short film about Wyoming Cutthroat on the fly by RA Beattie . Enjoy.

Singlebarbed goes to the spey side “Because regular fly fishing just isn’t mysterious enough“

An entertaining and insightful read if you’re a spey jedi or just  just getting into swinging flies with two hands. Make sure to read Part 2 as well.

For those that use mono for your fly leader (and any closet gear chuckers out there) here’s a great new alternative to monofilamet. Bioline is a biodegradable fishing line who’s roots lie in surgical stitching technology. It retains 100% of its tensile strength for up to 12 months and boasts superb casting distance and exceptional knot strength along with UV and abrasion resistance. With these features and the added benefit to biodegrade within 5 years, this should be the de facto fishing line standard from this point forward.

This doesn’t mean the you can leave your leader trimmings on the river bank or cast away your tangled line into the water -  you should still leave not trace. Bioline technology is beneficial when when you need to break of due to a snag or your stubborn fish wants your fly and leader as a memento of your encounter.

The foil bag has a zip lock seal to keep the spool ‘fresh’ when not in use and the spool itself has a nice little feature which I’ve never personally seen on any other spool - a little cleat, similar to that of a dental floss container, that lets you cut your length of leader from the spool without using a pair of clippers.

I’d be curious to hear from the folks at Bioline if there has been any feedback from users about extending the life of the line by resorting to unique storage scenarios like keeping the package in a wine cooler or in a tupperware container in your deep freeze as some photographers do with their batteries.

For the cost conscious angler, you’ll be happy to know that Bioline is better value on a cost per yard basis.  A spool of Maxima Ultragreen, which I usually use, contains 110 yards while a spool of similarly priced Bioline contains 210 yards. That amounts to a savings of approximatley 40%.

I’ve got some 12lb test on hand at the moment and am keen to see how it holds up. I’ll do my best to create another post down the road after the Bioline has spent some time on the reel and on the water.

UPDATE: Word on the street is that Bioline will be introducing a line of tippet product in the not too distant future!

For a reasonable fee, the folks down at Recycled Waders in Wa. state can ‘repurpose’ your old leaky waders into fine angling fashion accessories with from & function such as:

Wallets

Messenger Bags

‘Nook Sack

Fanny Packs

As of press time, 208 pairs of waders have avoided the landfill. Just another innovative idea from the Pacific Northwest.

From the Outdoor Recreation Council of BC, here’s the most endangered rivers of BC for 2008 as nominated by council members, the general public and resource managers.

BC’s Most Endangered Rivers of 2008;
1. Upper Pitt River (Independent power project proposal)
2. Flathead River – tied (proposed coal mine, coalbed methane development)
2. Fraser River – tied (urbanization, sewage, pollution, industrial development)
3. Taku River (proposed mine, acid mine drainage)
4. Peace River (hydro-electric dam proposal)
5. “Sacred Headwaters” of the Skeena, Nass and Stikine (coalbed methane proposal)
6. Kettle River (water extraction, development, power project proposal)
7. Coquitlam River (excessive sedimentation, urbanization)
8. Glacier/Howser Creeks (power project proposal)
9. Coldwater River (water extraction)
10. Okanagan River (channelization, water extraction, urban encroachment, riparian habitat loss and the building of dams and weirs)
11. Salmon River (near Salmon Arm – low flows, pine beetle, riverside habitat loss)
12. Little Campbell River (development, agricultural impacts, water quality concerns)

Although I’ve linked each river to a related site, here’s the PDF document from the Outdoor Rec Council with their rationale for each river.

Also, here’s a link to a media player that allows you to choose from a few short documentaries regarding some of the above listed rivers.

Hustle & Fish is the latest offering from Rollcast Productions and sounds like it’ll hit the streets sometime in 2009.

Their first production ‘Fishizzle‘ was released in 2007 and accompanied AEG’s  Fly Fishing Film Tour. With creative camera work and a fantastic soundtrack, the comedic narrative added a fresh perspective that takes a nice departure from the usual angling DVD’s that adorn the front counter of your local shop. Rather than being bombarded with angling action in Fishizzle, your immersed in  candid, as well as well directed, fishing moments. How could you resist supporting a film sponsored by Al Braughtinwood?

Fishizzle was an excellent first effort from this production company and I’m sure they can look back on it as great training ground that has honed their skills to give us an even better production with Hustle & Fish. Check out the trailer.

On the slopes of Garibaldi Mountain the proposed development of a golf course, condos and ski resort, that falls within the catchment basin of Brohm Creek, is a looming disaster for the salmonids of this Squamish and Cheakamus River tributary. Brohm Creek is one of, if not, the most densly populated steelhead rearing streams in North America based, in part, on rehabilitation efforts of the stream in recent years. The potential damage from golf course fertalizer run-off alone in the Brohm Creek catchment basin is enough to upset the chemical balance of the stream and jeapordize fish stocks.

Here are some links to better inform you on the background and current situation surrounding this develpment and efforts being taken to prevent its progress.

Global TV news report

Save Garibaldi

Brohm Creek Report (pdf)

BC Environmental Assessment Office Project Info