Winter Fishing The Bow River

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Homing In On March Trout

Today was a day a trout fisherman could not pass up the opportunity to get the hooks out and the line wet. Soon the weather will turn cold again and we will be watching fishing shows on television. So off to the Bow River we go and catch some of our own trout. There was three days of warm weather here in Calgary so there was a copious amount of water draining off the streets and into the Bow River system. This made the water dirty, and yesterday it was too dirty to fish. But I remained positive and returned to the river today for some trout fishing action. Dean played hooky from work and Tom was on his way as he had the day off. Tom said “I have that fishing itch I just have to scratch”. You know the itch he means, the one where you are cooped up for weeks and no fishing has been done for months.

Spirits were high and the hooks were sharp. Up the icy bank and into the deep hole I walked gingerly, ice cracking half way up the river. I was the first to arrive, and therefore I was able to latch into four nice rainbows before Dean and Tom arrived to meet me. As they say “the early bird gets the worm”, well actually he gets the trout. Dean was walking up the bank and I could see him in the distance as I battled my fifth rainbow within an hour. It looked like it was going to be a day for many rainbows. Then Tom showed up and then the river became quiet, like Mother Nature turned off the switch. A brief period passed with no trout hooked but then as the day started, the river came alive once again.

Tom was into a respectable brown trout that measured out at twenty three inches. The camera shutter snapped a few pictures and then Tom released the fish back into the chilly stained water. As tom released the fish into the Bow River, I held onto his coat just to make sure he did not slip and enter the river. Ice hanging over the rivers edge can be dangerous so when you are walking on it you must check it first for stability, getting wet when the water is this cold will end your day immediately. No one got their boots wet only their hands from releasing the fish we caught back into the river. Catch and release is a great idea to preserve the fishing resource we have here in Alberta.

Today we were predominantly using crank baits such as the Rapala Countdown, the Rapala Husky Jerk and the spinners were working also. I was using the Bang Tail made by Lure Jensen and hooked into two rainbows with it. Dean approached me and asked me what color he should switch his lure to. I suggested he try the green Rapala as I have seen many big fish caught with it. It was approaching three o’clock and this has always been a great time here on the Bow River to catch fish.  As the clock struck three, a huge Brown struck dean’s Rapala, the same green hook he just finished tying up. I could see the splashes from just down river where I was casting. I just knew this fish was extra ordinary so I clumsily trotted up the river to capture some video of his monster. This male brute was battling dean to the bitter end with many head shakes and rolls to try and shake his lure free. No way was Dean about to loose this fish. He reeled him slowly into the bank and chose a spot where he could get close enough to grip him. All twenty seven inches came out of the water; this is what we were looking for all day!

As dean’s eyes opened with amazement, I popped the hook from his tooth jaws careful not to harm this beautiful wonder. There was no problems unhooking him and we were able to capture the moment on film for you to see. When landing a fish this big, we are careful not to let the fish lay on the ice at all. It is better to keep the fish off the ice and get it back into the water as soon as possible. This reduces stress on the fish and improves the chances of fish survival. High fives were in order for this trout. I applauded dean for his skills and his presentation of the Rapala as it was necessary to do so. I hope you enjoy the picture of this Bow River fat boy. I know I enjoyed watching dean hook and land this exceptional trout.

February Fishing The Bow River

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The Three Amigos Fish the Bow River

There were originally going to be four amigos trout fishing the Bow River today but there only ended up being three. As I drove down the road towards the river I watched the Canada flags flap consistently. The wind was blowing from the west as the thermometer continued to rise above zero. While driving to the river I could not help but notice the ominous looking full moon to my east.  I picked Dean up at eleven o’clock and Todd was already stringing up his fishing line on the bank of the Bow. I scoped Dean up and bolted to the agreed meeting spot along the river. Todd had just arrived at the river and had already begun to tie his hook onto the fishing line. I hurried to tie my hook up and off we went upriver to find some big fish.

As we walked to a deep sector of the river, we noticed a major ice flow from one bank of the river to the next. The ice was just from the low overnight temperature, not the kind of ice that form big sheets and makes the river un-fishable. I said to Todd and Dean “this ice will melt away in forty minutes and then we will be into the large trout”. After just a half an hour the flow of ice had dissipated and we were casting into ice free, clear cold water. That’s when I was able to hook the first fish of the day, a mid sized Brown Trout that had some line peeling off as he scrambled to shake the Rapala lure from his mouth. A handful of rolls and I calmly reeled him into the ice lined river bank. That’s one for the Bow River Blogger.  Not long after I landed my first, Todd was hooked up and battling a decent looking fish, again another sweet Brownie. He landed the female and released her back into the icy cold water. Then the river grew quiet and no trout were hooked after many casts. A decision had to be made! Todd piped up and suggested we cross the river and hike up to the honey hole. All in favour say “I”.

We all packed the tackle back into the back packs and made the journey over to the other side. After hiking over a quarter mile we were there, “The honey hole looks good Mike”. I concurred and then the frantic casting began. We were like three fishermen who were desperate to hook into a trout, kind of like a dog that impatiently waits for his owner to finish putting the food into his bowl. Hungry we were indeed. After three long casts that made it to the opposite bank I hooked into a nice sized brown, this fish was not happy that my lure was artificial and did everything in his power to break free. No chance, and ashore he came rolling and skipping with head shakes. Tough fish those brown’s are. After hooking three more browns and a very nice rainbow, Todd and I decided it was time to move along. I never like staying in one place for very long.

We were in search of some deep holding water. We found it many steps upriver. This hole was perfect and we both catapulted our lures outward. Not long after we arrived I was into another rainbow, smaller trout but a scraper indeed. Then it was like the hole came to life, one trout after another was hooked and landed. Bang, bang, bang and fish on. No sooner did Todd say “this hole might very well hold a trophy”, he was into the largest winter brown I have seen in quite some time. When you hook on of these bruisers your adrenalin goes through the roof. Heart pumping head shakes came off this big boy and after a couple of minutes the jaw dropping trout was landed. Sometimes I guess you get what you speak out loud. The photo posted here does not do this big boy justice but I had to at least let you experience what winter fishing the Bow River is all about. After who knows how many beautiful fish were landed and released, the three of us walked back to the vehicles parked where it all began just a few hours earlier. What a day fishing the Bow River. With a little luck and the right lures, we shall return tomorrow hoping to do what we did today.

Bow River Fishing Information

bow-river-float-sheldas-birthday-party-015Getting Your Lure in The Right Spot

Anyone who fishes in Alberta knows that there is great fishing found in our local river systems. We head out in search of Brown Trout and Rainbow Trout and hope to hook into a bunch. Every one knows that there are plenty of fish in the Bow River system and we know that we have the right tackle to hook into some. That’s great so off we go fully armed and ready for the fight of a big Bow River fish. We get to the river and tie or favourite knot onto the hook and fire away in hopes of a big fish. I like little one’s too but I would rather hook a big one! I’m sure you would too? But every season dictates where the fish sit in the water, and how high or low they dwell. Different times of the day also play a factor of what depth in the water the fish feed.

So here are some examples of what I speak of. In the spring there is lots of water in the river after the run off so I get down deeper in the river with diving lures such as Countdown Rapalas and Berkley Frenzy’s to target the trout. Or while using spinners like Panther Martin or Bang Tails, I will cast upstream and let the lure bounce on the bottom a few times before reeling slowly back into the shoreline. This keeps the lure down where the fish are feeding as long as possible and hooking me more trout. In the spring stay low to the bottom where the fish are located and you will catch more trout.

Summer months a few things must change, if it is hot out the fish tend to stay low to the bottom of the river so the same rules apply as in spring. Water temperature, and outside air play important factors in what depth you need to fish. If it is hot, 20-30 degrees Celsius you will need to get down deeper in the water. In the early hours of the morning in the summer fish will be rising for flies so fish the top of the water where the fish are feeding or more in the middle of the water. Retrieve speed will help you get the right depth. A faster retrieve will keep your spinner in the middle or at the top or if using a Rapala, keeping your rod tip up higher will also keep the lure at the top. Check the Rapala chart for proper lures and their fishing depths.

Fall in Alberta is a time when water levels slow and drop considerably. Fish your lure or spinner at the middle or near the top of the water. The lures and the techniques you were using in the spring and summer may not work well in the fall. Remember there is less water in the river so your Rapala may dive to deep when the water is shallow. This is when you need to use a different hook or adjust your technique somewhat to improve your odds of hooking into fish.

Winter on the Bow River provides some of the best fishing for trout, especially large trout. Fishing pressure is low and the food source is also low. The fish are feeding on mostly larva at this time so your odds go way up. The trout head into their over-wintering locations so there are many trout in one fishing hole or stretch of river. When winter arrives I give the fish something large to eat as they are usually willing to take big bait in the winter. I increase the size of my lures. I find the bigger the lure, the bigger the fish I catch. The water is shallow at this time of year so I make my way into deeper holes or pools and fish at all depths. The river bed is clean and free of most types of weeds so I start deep and work my way up to the top of the water level. I primarily fish crank baits in the winter or jerk baits in slower calm holes. Great success will be yours if you are able to fish in a prime location of the river.

Fishing your lure at the right depth will increase your chances of catching fish. I try all depths when I fish the Bow River, keeping a close eye on where in the water I catch my fish. It is important to always watch your line and see every fish hooked. You will dial in and have many great days fishing. You will learn the water and know every move of the trout. If you keep learning as you go you will keep catching fish, BIG fish and more of them!

Bow River Fishing

Merry Christmas to All

It has been a great year for me here in Alberta. Christmas has come and gone once again. Lots of cash spent on gifts and cards and the usual time spent at the mall and other department stores. I was not able to fish the last few weeks due to very cold weather here. The temperature dropped to minus 20 degrees and lots of unwanted snow. I am impatiently waiting for a Chinook to blow in so I can fish once again. I do not ice fish so a Chinook is a warm welcome here.

I was blessed to receive a few gift cards for the local tackle store so I will make my way over to Wholesale Sports and see what’s new to add to my ever growing tackle selection. Variety is good I say! I have been reading a lot since it has been cold, a good fishing book always helps me pass the time and it adds to my knowledge base as well. Every author has a different angle on fishing and some of these books are packed with great information to help me improve the art of spin fishing. I usually buy books on trout fishing as that is the species of fish I prefer to catch.

The 2009 fishing season promises to be a good one again, we have had lots of snow here this winter which makes for a good spring season. Lots of snow equals plenty of water in our rives and lakes. I have just acquired a new video camera and promise to shoot many fishing videos and video tutorials to pass on to you. I am set to buy a large raft for this season so comfort and stability will be yours to fish in. My rates will go up a little from last season so please watch for this increase in price. See the “Guided fishing trips” page of the Blog for new prices in 2009.

I am looking forward to the New Year and the 2009 fishing season. If you would like to book a trip in advance for the prime slots in the season you can do that anytime via the “Guided fishing trip page” of the Blog. As always, all major credit cards are accepted through PayPal. June and July will be the prime times to hook big Rainbows and later in the summer/fall the big Browns will show up. If you would like to fish other rivers close to Calgary, I can accommodate that also. The Highwood and the Crowsnest rivers are good alternatives to the Bow River. So I would like to thank you all for the support in 2008 and the loyal readership. Thanks to those who floated with me in 2008, your business is greatly appreciated. I hope to see you out again in 2009.

Thank you,

~Mike.