I have always enjoyed fishing for trout in small streams and creeks. It was at one such place in southwest Alberta, where as a young teenager, I was introduced to fly-fishing while on a school camping trip. Within a week or two of returning home, I became the proud owner of a brand new fly rod. Continue reading
The Crowsnest Pass Public Art Gallery’s summer show, Soundscapes, opens on Saturday. A variety of works by local artists will be on display. One of my photographs, Beckoning Waters has been selected for display in the exhibit. More information about the show and the story behind my photograph can be seen in the Exhibits page of this website.
The art gallery is located right along Highway 3 in the town of Frank. The show runs from July 14 – August 26. Admission is free.
For years, small towns located along busy highways and byways have erected larger-than-life roadside attractions, in hopes of drawing tourists to their communities. Often, these “world’s biggest” attractions are sculptures representing something the town is known for, such as an industry, local wildlife, or some other familiar symbol. Continue reading
The salmonfly hatch is in full swing on the Crowsnest River and fishing conditions couldn’t be better. It’s not very often where the river is clear and fishable during this elusive hatch. It is this year, though. This stonefly hatch occurs every year but it usually coincides with the spring runoff, a time where the river is running high and discolored. Everything has come together perfectly this time around, and who knows, it might be another 10 years before it happens again.
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Prairie crocuses have always been one my favorite wildflowers. Not only do I enjoy looking for them in the outdoors this time of year, I also like photographing them. Continue reading
Waiting for the ice to melt on a frozen lake can be like watching paint dry. You have to be patient because sometimes it can take a while. Ice-out is a few weeks late this year but it appears to be starting on several of our local lakes. Continue reading
There’s a famous saying in Crowsnest Pass in regards to the weather. It’s quite simple and it goes like this. “If you don’t like the weather, just wait a few minutes.”
I know there are lots of places that use the same expression, but with the rate and frequency in which things can change in the Pass, it describes our weather to a “Tee.” Continue reading
Spring has been late arriving this year and it’s beginning to look like it’s going to bypass us altogether. It almost seems as if winter is here to stay for good. Although the first day of spring officially occurred three weeks ago, on March 20th, there have been few spring-like days, thus far. The weather doesn’t always behave as we think it should, and it seldom pays attention to what time of year the calendar says it’s supposed to be. All I know is the prolonged wait for spring has caused an increase in the cases of cabin fever. With some individuals, symptoms have gone from mild to severe. Almost everyone I know has had their fill of winter and are anxious to get outdoors to enjoy some sunshine and warmth, and maybe indulge in a few favorite spring activities. Continue reading
The fly-fishing world was saddened last week by the news of the passing of legendary angler, Bernard “Lefty” Kreh. Lefty died on Wednesday, March 14th at his home in Cockeysville, Maryland, north of Baltimore. He was 93. I did not know Lefty personally but had the great pleasure and honor of meeting him at a Trout Unlimited event in Calgary in October of 1985. Continue reading
In early January, I posted an article here of a snowshoeing trip I made along Allison Creek, west of Coleman in Crowsnest Pass. Since then, we’ve received a pile more snow in the Pass. Warm Chinook winds that often blow over the Rockies from the Pacific have been few and far between this winter. As a result, there has not been a lot of melting going on. Street corners and boulevards in our towns are lined with snowbanks, piled ten feet high in places. Backyards and front yards are filled to capacity. Everyone is running out of space to put their snow. For the past two months, there’s either been too much snow for me to shovel on my days off, or it’s been way too cold outside to even bother getting out on my snowshoes. All that changed a couple of days ago when I was able to go for another walk in the woods. Continue reading
