With fall fishing in full affect, the angling on the Bow River has been great this month. October is normally a great month to fish as the trout are munching down, putting on weight before winter sets in. I have noticed the fish are moving out of shallower water or current and settling into their over-wintering holes. It’s important to take note of this if you want to put fish in your net. Remember, the fish are not always in the same locations in all four seasons of the year! Learning the patterns of the quarry you intend to catch always gives you the upper hand and normally translates into a good day on the water.
The second part of the puzzle is figuring out the lures to use and the speed of presentation for the water temperatures. A key point to note here is, as the water temperatures lower, the fish also slow down. Adding a pause, and or several pauses to your retrieve speed, will most often let the fish catch up to your hook and smash it. Lately on our last several trips, I have been using an old lure called a minnow spinner. I can cast it into places where even a shallow diving lure cannot go.
Getting creative on the water and using lures the fish have not seen before can increase your odds. Using colors that are different and unique will most often find you fish. As an angler and guide, I am not afraid to try new things, whether it be colors of lures or size of lures to find success and catch fish.
Trying new ideas or things on the water can increase your catch rate and help you become a more well-rounded angler. I encourage you to try different colors, sizes of lures or even new water to find success and happiness while enjoying the splendors of nature and our beautiful province of Alberta.
~Mike
