Bigtoad

I'm thinking about coming down to Calgary on Sunday and doing a little nymphing. I was thinking about somewhere fishcreekish? What areas are open and what areas are closed??? I find that the fishing regs aren't really clear. For instance, on the far upstream side of fishcreek park on the west side of the river, you can't cross that side channel/creek and fish off of the island can you? It's a reserve or something? Is that in the regs? Where is a good place to start for this time of year? Anyway, if someone could even PM me and let me know a general area that I could at least start from that would be swell. Something a bit more specific than "in the water," but not necessarily as specific as "after the last tree, take 5 large steps 30 degrees north, 15 smaller steps due South, tie on a # 20 prince-nymph with one white biot and the other a light tan. Cast upstream at a 40 degree angle with 15 feet of line and hold on," although I wouldn't be complaining about exact location either. I'm just looking for a little help. Also, I've been seeing on here that most are catching fish on snow-cones, and other small nymphs? Is this where I should start? Do you guys put the weight at the bottom of your 2 fly rigs or above the flies? Cheers.

Ok, so I know ice fishing isn't fly fishing and no-one really wants to start thinking about the ice and snow but this one's been on my mind. There are a lot of wire-worms and stuff out there for ice-fishing but there's got to be something better that guys are tieing up? There also has to be some guys on this forum that understand the entomology of stillwater in the winter right? For instance, do waterboatmen run around during the winter? Is there a pattern out there people have used in the winter? What about leeches? Or caddis? What about dragonflies and damsels? So, as you can see, lot of questions with little answers. Let's pool all of our knowledge together so that I can reap all of the benefits this winter. Win/Win right? Cheers

Yes!

I went with Joe last year. He is worth the trip just for the entertainment. You could go and not catch a fish (although unlikely) and it would still be worth the money. Cheers.

Great info, thanks. And again, I'm not complaining about the size... catching 20+ inch fish on a regular basis just spoils a guy. My fishing is usually ruined for a few weeks after I fish the Bow just because no where else can I catch that big of fish so regularly. It's like eating the best steak you've ever had (which by the way is ALWAYS on the Bow on my annual overnight float trip, slowly cooked over the coals after it's been marinating for a couple days... seriously best steak I've ever tasted!) and then going back to eating some processed meat crap. It just ruins a guy. And the fight! You're right, even the 16 inchers have some kind of complex and think that they are 18's. Pound for pound they could go up against any, anywhere. Cheers.

That is sick. Any photos? Brown, Rainbow, or sucker? Why aren't there more that size? Cheers.

Ok, here's a question that I've had for a while now. I want to preface it by saying that I am in no way complaining about the size of the fish in the Bow, because quite frankly, whenever I fish it (maybe twice a year?) I am blown away by the size, especially the average size, of the fish in the Bow. However, I've been wondering why aren't there 15+ lb rainbows and browns in the Bow like in other places,like New Zealand for instance? (I've been there, fished some, and saw a couple of monsters. When the local flyshop says "if you see a log that looks like a fish but you think "that can't be a fish... it's way too big to be a fish." well, believe it, it's a fish," you know there are some hogs around). I saw a couple browns and rainbows pushing 15 lbs and let me tell you, they were a sick sight to behold. So anyway, back to the question, why aren't there bigger fish in such a great river like the Bow? Is it the long winter that slows down growth? The fishing pressure? Or are there some seriously monster fish in the Bow that just rarely get fooled into being caught? It seems like growth just kind of stops at maybe 8 lbs or so (still a sick fish... obviously, I get that). So why does it stop there? Any insights? Chees

I haven't done it myself but I have a couple cousins that have done it the past 2 or 3 years. They usually do it right at ice off but before run-off...there is a pretty good sized river to cross that can be pretty tricky if water levels are too high. They go in one day and camp for 2 or 3 nights. This year they made little carts to push in front of them with all the gear. Seemed to work well. Before they just humped the bellyboats and gear in with backpacks. Pictures they bring back make it all seem worth it to me. I just haven't been able to time when they go with my time off or I would be up there in a heartbeat. Cheers.

I don't think that was the reason.... I tie my knots the same way I do other things; lots of lubrication and I take my time. However; like other things, sometimes even though I think I'm doing something right, doesn't necessarily mean that I am. Cheers!

What kind do you use?

Went on a float trip with my dad at the beginning of this week. Was using a Bow-River-Buggar when this guy hit. Immediately was airborn and then took me way into my backing. Finally landed the hog. He was shorter than I had expected at 22 inches but his shoulders were like a linebackers. Best brown by far for me. Had lots of action on big foam dries in the evening and early morning as well. Caught lots in the 17-19 range. I purchased some "climax" 10 lb tippet before going out and it seemed to keep breaking at the knot on me. It didn't seem rotten or anything but my line broke way too often right at the knot when there didn't even seem to be much pressure. Is the brand crap or what? Cheers.

Below the walking bridge on east side of bow (parked at fish creek and walked over).

What do you use for "pupae?" The browns seemed to be rolling on whatever they were eating. I clearly saw snouts, and then enough of their side to see that they were browns. Don't know if that means subsurface or not? Thanks again for the insight.

Thanks for the info! I'll definitely give that a go. Cheers!

Hi, I'm not from Calgary but I was down for a few days helping my brother-in-law drywall (He owes me so big!) and was able to sneak out a few evenings. On Friday night I went out to fish creek park and found a beautiful spot with monster browns porpoising 6 feet off the grassy bank. Walking past the lone willow tree next to the water I couldn't help but see it swarming with small caddis flies. "Too Easy!" I thought as I tied on the smallest deerhair caddis I had and threw it out into the boil. 2 hours later, MANY caddis and caddis-like flies (had no emergers) tried and I still had no takes while the fish continued to steadily rise. What's the deal? Maybe I just need a refresher in caddis hatching? Were they eating emergers? Or were they eating the caddis as they went back to the water to lay eggs and I just didn't have the right size/color, etc? Also, what do you think the conditions are going to be like in a week for a personal float-trip? Is it still going to be humming? Cheers!

You had me at hello.... you had me at hello. I freaking love your videos. Some of the best I've seen. Cheers.