The good fortune of what we have....
and don't intend to lose.
We at Crowsnest Headwaters are deep in the throes of very busy and demanding times, like so many of our “sister” organizations. The workload is big right now, but that’s not mentioned for sympathy or high acknowledgement. It’s simply a statement of fact as we try, now in conjunction with our partner organization, Chinook Water*Shed Crew, to try and close the file on the coal mining of our headwaters in the East Slopes of the Rockies.
The above photo is where I spent my day which is the first time I’ve fished flowing water this year. I was by myself, encountered no other people on the water, and it was absolutely grand. Just me and the bugs….and I can live with that.
There were people in the valley, several of which were on side-by-side vehicles and we waved at each other in a friendly exchange while they stayed on the gravel road with their speed low as well as their noise level pretty darn quiet in my opinion. I thought, we’re all here in our own way to enjoy this beautiful backcountry. There was no animosity nor was there any attitude.
These are not easy times and I know that some will question my acceptance of what I encountered but, it’s the way it is and I make no apologies for it.
My need to be there was to take necessary time to clear my head and in doing that I chose to be okay with all that was there. Was I happy to see the logging? No, and I vacated that area quickly. But was I willing to confront motorized vehicle enthusiasts with either attitude or ignorance? No. I needed to benefit myself and I wasn’t about to sacrifice that for what I’m normally fighting for on a daily basis.
Sometimes we have to take the bigger picture into consideration, recognize what we can and can’t engage with for whatever reason, and look after oneself. Yep. I can see certain faces and hear disparaging comments from them but again, I make no apologies.
Today I needed to commune with Westslope Cutthroat trout. I had the luxury of being alone on two creeks with no other fishers about. Like I said, just me and the bugs.
I have been fishing these waters for the better part of 50 years and the population decline is more than just noticeable. To be expected with the amount of activity in these sacred places both with recreation and industry. At 75 I know my time is running out and I just want to be able to enjoy what’s left for awhile longer. It gets my head right and I am so thankful to still have some semblance of it still intact, (the environment and my head).
But we need to do more. I need to do more, (albeit the energy level is getting pretty skinny on my end). Please stand with me and Crowsnest Headwaters, Chinook Water*Shed Crew, Defenders of the Eastern Slopes, CPAWS, AWA, and all of the individuals and organizations that are are doing our/their best to preserve, protect, and defend this historic and legacy environment from further destruction, not to mention our source of water.
Thanks for reading.