The Bow River’s 2012 Maiden Voyage

The Saturn Raft drifts again!

With warm weather upon us now and the sweet smells of spring that fill the air, what a perfect way to spend a day out trout fishing the Bow River. Pat and his son Steve were the first clients of this 2012 fishing season. We met at the coffee shop where a tall triple-triple was in order. It usually takes me a few of those to shake the cob webs off and feel like a normal human being! We slammed the coffee down the hatch and piled into my car with boat in tow. Another Friday in paradise was about to begin. Do I ever enjoy when my boat becomes my office for the day, beats sweating in that paint booth!

I was watching the Bow River Shuttle Blog for their boat launch reports all last week, my hopes were to float from Policeman’s Flats to MacKinnon Flats. Down at MacKinnon Flats there is ice build-up every year, heavy ice that piles up to 10 feet in height. This ice takes a long time to melt and usually disables boaters from floating here until May and even until June depending on the winter. I was delighted to see from the boat launch report that MacKinnon Flats was accessible with a channel of rock open to back a vehicle down to the river’s edge. Police to Mac it is then.

The car pulled into the parking lot at Policeman’s Flats and the men and I were pumped up and ready to get at it. I think Pat jumped out of the car before I came to a complete stop. As I exited my vehicle, the strong smell of Cotton Woods filled my nostrils and birds chirped above us happy that spring has arrived again. I gazed out at the flow of the river; I could see its glory right in front of my car. It feels so extra ordinarily good to be back in that boat launch again. It feels to me like being away from home on a long winter vacation, getting back home is such a reprieve. Home is where the heart is as they say, and my heart belongs to the Saturn Raft and the river she glides upon. Pat, Steve and I unpacked the contents of the boat and assembled her oars; we tied up Rapala Crank baits and gently put our rods into her belly. Then we were ready to launch her into the emerald green aqua.

A gentle shove and she was away, back in action once more. I rowed her across the river and let her drift free with no rowing. The first place I wanted to put a lure was is a trickle of water flowing into the main channel of the river; usually the trout will be sitting on the edge of the running water looking for an easy food source to drop over the ledge. Pat and Steve released the hounds into the ledge but came up empty this time around. We went a half an hour before we saw the first fish hooked and landed. I pulled the boat off the river in a bend, and we got out casting in the deep water I recognized held at least a few fish. Steve had the rainbow countdown on and within three minutes, he had a decent Bow River brown trout locked in. Steve held a tight line and had a steady hand to land the gem beneath his feet. I knelt down and detached the hook, a quick image and we sent her back into the river. Steve was quick to point out to dad, “That’s one to nothing dad”. I laughed as I think I have said that once or twice before.  Pat was determined to get his first prize and his first fish came as we dropped down a chute just in front of the old Lonnie’s Tree Farm. Pat and Steve both chucked the Rapala into the shoreline as I instructed, and both came up with a fish. “Double header” said Pat as they both reeled in and landed their fish. I rowed the boat into the shore to land Pat’s fish; Steve had landed his alongside the boat and released it quickly. I soared out as Pat had his fish coming into the rocky bank. A quick picture of his beast and we released him to swim another day.

The lower stretch was a little slower on the day; we fished every prime location but were unsuccessful in many of them. We also stopped along the banks a few times and came up empty most often. All our trout came while fishing into the banks in the comfort of the craft. Pat and his son landed 7 fish total, with three fish slipping off the hook without being landed. That is what happens sometimes when the fish just won’t stop fighting to break free. Some you win, and some you lose.

What a perfect day to fish it was! I would like to thank Pat for booking his guided fishing trip with me and Steve for accompanying him on the day, I am truly honored you were the first fishing trip of 2012, I was itching to get the SS Sienna back out on the river once more for some trout action. We will see you both back out again this June!