Before I head out to fish a river at night I will go out and do some scouting during the daylight hours. I look for hazards that could endanger me and I also look for prime fishing water while there. I look for classic trout holding water such as pools, slow deep runs and under cut banks where fish could be holding. When fish are hiding here during the day it can be quite difficult to cast to them, or they are not going to feed during the day. As nightfall happens, these fish move out of their cover and come alive into more approachable fishing water where you can cast to them.
For these reasons your prime water at night might now include slow outside bends, tail end of a pool, inside shallow bends, and those calm open flats can all start to produce fish once the cover of darkness arrives, especially if this water boarders deeper “classic†holding areas.
The lures I prefer to use at night include plugs like Rapala’s, Berkley Frenzy’s, Matzuo jointed minnows. What I will do when fishing at night is have two fishing rods rigged up and ready to go. I do not like fumbling around at night trying to tie on hooks. So I avoid this hassle and get prepared before hand in the daylight hours.
When approaching the location of water you plan to fish, do so quietly and softly as to not scare off any fish that are holding near the edge of the bank. Also keep your flashlight or head mounted light away from your targeted water. Remember, the less you disturb your location the more chance you will have at landing a trophy Brown.
Please remember fishing in the dark is sometimes awkward and can be challenging. This type of fishing is purely based on feel. But once you have done it a few times you will become productive and could be rewarded with the trophy Brown Trout of your dreams.
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Hey Mike,
You’ve already answered this question, but I can’t find the reply….
Like I said before, I’m coming up in APril.
Can you give me a few “in city” spots on The Bow.
ANyhting close to the Marriott?
You mentioned Float trips – anthing going on in April, or is that too early?
13 weeks and COUNTING!
Hey Dave, How are you. Looks like you are staying downtown at the Marriott. Nice hotel, here are the spots to try. I have a few recomendations for you Dave as per where to fish on the Bow River. April can sometimes be a little tricky to fish because of run off from our Rocky Mountains, but April should be o.k. for you. I think April could be a little early in the season here to float to be very honest with you. I would suggest late May or early June as the fishing here at that time is unreal. I would love to have you float with me in early June. My rates and Info are on the Guided Fishing Trip page of the Blog. 50 fish days here are no problem in that month. Here is where I suggest you fishing when you come here. 1. Where the Elbow River meets the Bow River. 9 th avenue in a district called Inglewood which is just out of downtown. Should do well there. 2. Under the Centre St bridge may also produce some fine Bow River trout. Here is another option for you Dave. I will come and pick you up from your hotel, supply you with all your fishing supplies, tackle, rods and lunch if needed for a small fee. I will take you to my personal fishing hole and that way I know you will get into some LARGE trout. I hope you have a great trip while in Calgary and look forward to serving you in the future. Your last comment was made on the “ASK MIKE” section of the Blog. This is where you will find the tackle that I reccomended for you to use on the Bow River. Mike.
THanks Mike.
We should be good for tackle & bait.
I plan on shipping everything to Calgary b/4 we get there.
Also, HUGE fishing show in LA the 1st week of March where I’ll load up on Rapala’s, buzz bombs, line, new rods, ….
I’ll have a car, but we’d be interested in a Sunday morning (Apr 8) “expidition”.
There will be 3 of us.
3 or 4 hours (I want to be in Fairmont H.S. before dark)
You can e-mail me info if you want to keep the blog “non-commercial”.
Let me know.
Thanks Dave, sounds like you guys are going to have a blast. I sent you an e-mail and it looks like you are all set to go. The fishing here in April can be awesome so I hope you catch lots of scrappy Bow River Trout. Mike.
Hi Mike. I am 27 years old and have just taken up fishing in the last few weeks.It started out as just a way to get out of the house but now realize how much I enjoy fishing.I am from PEI and though fishing is pretty big there I have always been a city boy and never felt the urge to fish.Now I havent actually caught anything yet,hahaha but I realize there are tons and tons of trout out there.I have no one to ask for advice and reading alot of your blogs and seeing some photos you would be the perfect person to ask.I know that you cant use live bait other than maggots and my buddy has alot of other fake bait weve been using.My question is what would be best to use.Im not trying to set any records…Obviously,haha but I just need a push in the right direction.Lures,bait any info you could supply me would be soooo much appreciated.Im just beginning to fall in love but once I finally catch something it will be over for me.Ill be “hooked” I realize its a pretty general question im asking here but just any tips you could give me I have no knowledge and anything would be useful.AWesome site by the way.Oh and dont know if this will help but we are fishing on the bow just outside of Okotoks close to Naturers Hideaway campground.Thanks in advance if you can help me in any way.Great stuff on here.
Also I was wondering.I live in the city(calgary) and I dont know if youre allowed to fish just anywhere or not?? Just curious because I live on the Bow pretty much in Montgomery NW.Any spots close to me?
Good Day Chad, Thanks for your comment and I hope this next piece/s of info will help you latch into those monsters the Bow River has become famous for. In regards to the bait question, NO bait allowed on the Bow River except for maggots and only for one month of the year, September- October only but check the regs guide to be sure. I never use live bait while fishing the Bow River as there are so many immitations on the market today I do not have to.
Here is my recomendation for what kinds of lures and spinners work well at all times and seasons of the year. We will start with bait-fish immatations first. Rapala lures are dynamate hooks for fishing trout on the Bow River. Look for colors that are natural looking or that are native to what is in the river. For example, Brown trout eat other Brown trout. Brown trout eat Rainbow Trout and Brown Trout eat Whitefish, so purchase lures with those colors in them and you will find success. This goes for all other types and brands of lures as well. Berkley, Storm, Blue Fox are all great lures for Trout fishing here and anywhere really.
Now for the spinners, Panther Martin who have been around for decades will most always hook you into Trout. Gold at night or late evening works great and Silver in the early morning and on through the day works very well. Blue Fox makes excellent spinners which have caught me many sizable fish. Wordens Rooster Tail is another one of my favorates to use for Trout. Mepps XD spinners are solid lures to fish with. And last but not least try a spinner called the Bang Tail. I hope this helps you trout fishing cause and hooks you into some of the Bow River finest trout. Your next task will be learning how to read a river and then you will discover where trout will be located. Buy books on this subject and read and learn as I have done and you will become a more well rounded fisherman. Bring a camera with you when you fish and take lots of pictures. Keep reading the Blog and if you require more information, DO NOT be afraid to ask me, this is why we all become better at what we do, we ask questions and seek out the answers. Remember, no question is a stupid question. Please write back with you success stories, I would love to put the article on this Blog anytime.
Your second question is found in the regulations guide, but I will help you understand a little further. From the Western Headworks Diversion Weir (Memorial Drive) to the Carseland Weir, Open all year. Trout limit 1 under 35 CM. All fish over 35 Cm must be released. Barbless hooks all throught Alberta. No bait allowed other than Maggots and only for 1 month of the year, this includes any scent that can be applied to your lure/Fly.
Take care and have fun.
~Mike~
Thanks for all your advice.Very helpful!! If you could e mail me I would appreciate that I would like to talk to you about a guided tour. Thanks.
Oh and by the way as far immitation bait what would you suggest is the best for hooking brown trout. We have a few things but none of us know whats any good. Thanks again.