Bow River Blog – Page 53 – Is Your Fishing Resource For Spin Fishing The Bow River

Jan 23

Winter Trout Fishing The Lower Bow River

By Mike Robertson in Winter Fishing the Bow River

Outdoor Fishing Fun In The Chinook Sun

It has been along time since I have been able to fish. The weather was pleasant on Friday which made my decision an easy one. Time to go fishing! The warmth of the Chinook on my face was welcomed. It has been bitterly cold here the last month and not suitable to cast a hook. Usually the third day of a Chinook is the perfect time to get out and fish the Bow River. The ice that floats down the river disappears and is replaced with open fishable water. The fish have been lying low and are looking for a big fat juicy minnow or two. So guess what I tied up on my eight pound test line, yep a big fat juicy minnow imitation.

Today I walked up the river into a slow calm pool where I knew there would be fish. How did I know you ask? I have studied this location very carefully in past years and know it intimately. I also know that this is an over wintering location for both brown and rainbow trout. This spot has everything a trout loves. It has slow moving water; it has weed and rock cover along with ice cover from the bank. It also has another important feature and that’s a good food source. Bugs gathered on the ice ledges that cling to the bank and those small minnows cursing under the ice ledge make for a prime fishing location. It is important that you get to know your local fishery. I have spent many days and even nights getting intimate with the Bow River. I can honestly say that I know every great fishing location from Graves Landing to the Carseland Weir.

Once I arrived in that perfect location I fired the Rapala into the current. It was not long until the first fish hammered my offering. This was the first fish I had battled in over a month’s time and it sure felt good to feel the pull of a hard fighting brown trout on the end of my life. I landed the fish and release them back into the river. I then walked to the top of the hole to see if I could catch that monster trout I had been waiting over a month to catch. Three or four casts later I was into a brown trout that was over 20 inches. What a pretty fishy he was! Dark brown colors and that bright orange under belly brought a grin to my face from ear to ear.

I had my new E21 Carrot Stix rod with me and attached to it was the new Shimano Stradic spinning reel I just signed for a few days ago. I bought both the rod and the reel from E-Bay so I was hoping that my money was well spent. I must admit, the reel is awesome but the rod is going to take me some getting used to. It’s kind of like driving a car one day and then driving a pick up truck the next, feels awkward. The more I use the rod the more comfortable it will feel in my hands. One thing is for sure, the rod is sensitive and well built.

I walked up and down the river’s edge hooking and landing both rainbows and browns. It is important for me to not stay in one location for too long. This gives the fish a rest and I find that I have more success moving up and down the bank then fishing a hole out for too long. I only fish a section of water for five or ten minutes and then I move on either upstream or down stream. This is my system of fishing the banks of the Bow River. I hope you enjoy the photo of the brown trout I caught. I also hope to see you all out this winter fishing the banks of the Bow River. Please use caution when walking on the ice and always fish with a partner and let someone know where you are going. Be safe and have fun out there.

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Jan 17

International Game Fish Association Announces New Records Catagory

By Mike Robertson in General Info

IGFA Launches New All-Tackle Length Record Category

The International Game Fish Association (IGFA) has decided after a few years in the making to announce its newest record category. The All Tackle Length! What makes this different from IGFA’s other categories is that for the first time in history, IGFA will have a category that will award records for the longest fish and not the heaviest fish! This new category will allow the use of fly and conventional tackle up to 130 lb with the typical provisions and regulations of traditional All-Tackle records accompanied with a few exceptions. Gaffs may not be used in any fashion to land fish for All-Tackle length records. Instead of certified scales, this category will utilize a standardized measuring device. The new catagory is available Jan 1 2011 so you will need an IGFA Measuring Device and you are good to go.

The measuring device is available at the IGFA’s website here http://store.igfa.org/ The device is 49.95 US and will be available online and through several major tackle retailers. I am not sure which retailers will be selling these rulers yet but once I know which one’s they are I will update this post for you and let you know where you can find the rulers here in Alberta.
This new length category is not meant to replace IGFA’s records based on weight; this category will offer a new means of awarding angler achievement. It will differ from traditional IGFA records in a few ways. First, this is an absolutely 100% release category where fish must be returned to the water alive and unharmed. Secondly, a fish that is entered for the All-Tackle length category is not eligible for weight categories. Catch and release is the name of the game with this new category.

Here are the rules and regulations pertaining to this new All Tackle Length Category.

General Information: All fish entered for Length Records must be measured by anglers at the site of capture and released so that it swims away on their own and in good condition. Fish should be revived by moving it forward in the water to ensure a healthy release. Fish caught and entered for length records are not eligible for weighing and submission for other record categories.
Rules and equipment regulations: All IGFA rules and equipment regulations stipulated for fishing with conventional and fly tackle in fresh and saltwater shall apply with the exceptions below. All angling and equipment regulations shall apply until the fish is measured and released alive.

Gaffs and Nets: The use of gaffs to land fish is prohibited. Nets used to boat or land a fish must not exceed 8 feet (2.44 meters) in over all length. (When fishing from a bridge, pier or other high stationary structure, this length limitation does not apply.) The use of knotless, rubber coated nets or other similarly designed nets that minimize slime and scale removal is strongly recommended.

Measuring Device: All fish must be measured using an official IGFA measuring device. The measuring device mat may be shortened by cutting it, but it may not be rejoined after it has been shortened.

Angling Regulations: The following acts will disqualify a catch. Failure to comply with IGFA equipment or angling rules. If the fish dies during the documentation process, or does not swim away on its own accord after release.

Length Record Requirements: All fish entered for Length Records are subject to the same requirements stipulated for other record categories with following additions and exceptions.

Measuring Requirements: Fish must be measured using an official IGFA measuring device on a flat surface. The fish’s snout must be touching the nose stop with the mouth closed and free of lures or lifting devices. With the fish lying on top of the measuring device, measurements will be taken from the most forward part of the fish’s snout with the mouth closed to the rear center edge of the tail. All measurements will be made in centimeters. Fish that measure between centimeter increments shall be recorded at the lower of the two increments. For example, a fish that measures between 45 and 46 centimeters will have a recorded length of 45 centimeters.

MINIMUM LENGTH REQUIREMENTS FOR VACANT RECORDS: Fish entered for vacant record categories must measure within the top half of that species maximum recorded length, as shown in the eligible species list.

MINIMUM LENGTH REQUIREMENTS NEEDED TO DEFEAT OR TIE EXISTING RECORDS: To defeat an existing record, the fish must measure at least two (2) centimeters longer than the existing record. A catch which matches the length of an existing record or exceeds the length by less than 2 centimeters will be considered a tie. In the case of a tie claim involving more than two catches, length must be compared with the original record (first fish to be caught). Nothing measuring less than the original record (first fish to be caught) will be considered.

PHOTOGRAPHIC REQUIREMENTS: Photographs included with applications must contain the following information. The full length of the fish on the measuring device clearly showing the position of the mouth and tail. The fish may be held in position, but must be done in a manner that does not obscure the view of the fish on the tape. A close up showing the position of the fish’s nose and tail on the measuring device. The angler with the fish. The rod and reel used to make the catch.

Here is a list of the fresh water species available here in Alberta for the new records.

FRESHWATER SPECIES:

Dolly varden Salvelinus malma 50 cm
Grayling, Arctic Thymallus arcticus 37 cm
Perch, yellow Perca flavescens 18 cm
Pike, northern Esox lucius 68 cm
Trout, brook: Salvelinus fontinalis 34 cm
Trout, brown: Salmo trutta 51 cm
Trout, bull:   Salvelinus confluentus 51 cm
Trout, cutthroat: Oncorhynchus clarki 44 cm
Trout, golden: Oncorhynchusa guabonita 35 cm
Trout, lake:   Salvelinus namaycush 74 cm
Trout, rainbow: Oncorhynchus mykiss 54 cm
Walleye:   Stizostedion vitreum 52 cm

So let’s get busy and get some “long” fish so we can start setting some new IGFA records in the new “Length” category. Please follow the rules carefully and minimize the time you have the fish out of the water while measuring and taking photographs. I know many anglers are responsible and will have both their camera and the ruler ready to go. Good luck to everyone going after the new record!

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Jan 08

Bow River Winter Fishing Tips

By Mike Robertson in Winter Fishing the Bow River

Fishing Tips For The Bow River In The Winter Months

Ice has formed on the Bow River and when ice forms it adds new challenges into the fishing equation. Finding the right location to fish becomes ever more challenging. Ice has an affect on oxygen content in the river, sources of food, shelter for the fish and the tactics you use to fish. So where do you find the fish when the river is full of ice? Ice dams form in the river creating cover and shelter for the trout. On one side of the dam or the other, water is still able to flow past the dam. These areas of faster flow channel food particles that drift downriver and into a tight flow of water. Large browns and rainbows can often be found lurking just outside the flowing water eating the food particle s as they pass by. When you spot these channels, it is often productive to fish the slack water below the ice dam. The open water below the dams are usually fairly close to the bottom of the river, so fish a lure that is going to stay fairly close to the riverbed and fish it slow with long pauses. Take note, when ice dams become too large fish will move away as the water flow becomes to fast which makes it hard for them to intercept their food or hold their position in the water.

Another good area to fish seems kind of unlikely but you will hook fish. Ice bergs or better described; large floating chunks of ice present catching opportunities to fishermen. The flow of large ice chunks dislodge invertebrates hiding in the river bed and offer the trout a higher than normal food source. Trout that gather around bases of floating icebergs are perfect targets for the winter fisherman. After the ice berg has passed your location, cast your spinner or crank bait out and drive it down close to the bottom. You can even let your spinner hit the bottom a few times and peel it off the river bed while slowly retrieving. The bottom is clean of weeds and debris so you should not snag up using this technique in the winter months. This tactic only works well if the ice berg is drifting slowly down the river. If the ice is moving quickly or is accompanied by other pieces of broken ice around the berg, the trout will take cover and therefore this tactic should be changed.

Ice shelves are also a good place to find winter trout in the Bow River. Ice shelves protect the trout from over head danger like predatory birds. When snow accumulates on the ice shelve, it acts as an insulator keeping the water below slightly warmer. As stated previously in this post, ice provides a habitat for invertebrates and a perfect food source for fish that seek shelter there. In the Bow River I have seen larva in abundance along these ice shelves. As the water levels rise and fall these larva are washed into the river. Look for trout near the edge of these shelves feeding on this larva. Cast your offering upriver close to the ledge, and keep your lure as close to the ledge as possible. Trout that are seeking cover under the ice will often come out and hammer your lure. When I fish close to the ledge, I keep my lure in the middle of the water or near the top while fishing in these areas. It is also wise to carry a long handled net when fishing these areas so you do not have to venture out to the ledge and perhaps fall in. Nobody wants to get wet when it’s freezing cold out. Don’t let the ice and cooler temperatures deter you from fishing the Bow River in the winter months, this is where you will see HUGE fish that are hungry for your lures.

Jan 01

Happy New Year To All My Fishing Friends

By Mike Robertson in General Info

Happy New Year Everyone!

I hope everyone had a great Christmas. I also hope Santa brought you all that you asked for. I am impatiently waiting for my gifts to arrive that I ordered myself from E-Bay. I have added a few new tools to my arsenal, a new rod I bought for myself a few weeks back, The E-21 Carrot Stix I picked up off of E-Bay and a new reel to complement the rod. I choose the Shimano Stradic 5000. That’s dynamite in a package right there. There is a bait ban in the Bow River and no dynamite is allowed, so I have the next best thing. A Rapala, a Carrot Stix rod and a new Shimano reel. Bang, Bang; I’m going to shoot out the lights this fishing season. Watch out for the guy with the orange rod folks! And let the trout’s beware, I’m coming to gettcha.

This past fishing season was a blast for me, many more clients as a result of hard work and the new boat. The Blog still is a work in progress, I am learning all the time. I am humbled by the amount of visitors and great people I have met in my blogging journey. I believe I can never learn enough about life and fishing as well. I look forward to 2011 which I know will be a great year for large Bow River trout. For those of you who are still on the fence about a guided fishing trip, come out and check it out. You will not be disappointed you did.

I want to thank all the folks who have commented on the Blog, and all the great people whom I was able to guide this past fishing season. I also want to thank all the people who are loyal readers of the site. Thanks so much for allowing my site to grace your computer screens on a regular basis. For that I am humbled and grateful. I would also like to thank my fellow bloggers out there who run some awesome fishing websites, I know first hand how much time and effort goes into writing and editing Blog posts, so my hat is off to you guys and gals. That to me is what makes the internet so cool, if you want to find something fishing related you can do so fairly easily.

So here is to a happy and healthy new year to you all. I hope you all will continue to read the Blog, as it continues to grow and prosper. Happy New Year!!!!

That’s a Wrap on the 2024 Bow River Season

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Reporting Poachers- Why it’s Important to Do Our Part

Labor Day At the Lake

Fishing on a whole new level: My $1500.00 Rod and Reel Investment

Winter Trout Fishing The Lower Bow River

International Game Fish Association Announces New Records Catagory

Bow River Winter Fishing Tips

Happy New Year To All My Fishing Friends

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