FraserN

I always thought it was kind of random where trout spawn, although for years and years the browns would spawn in the exact same places every year on the bow in Bowness. Right below a bridge in relatively shallow water with lots of gravel; an ideal spot. Then came this season, with the lowest flow in november, I have ever seen. Now, there are redds in the middle of the river, in the fastest flows. It is very interesting how the fish respond to changing conditions when it comes to behavior as important as producing the next generation of trout.

Neat. The really technical casting required. COOL.

have not caught one since I fished them for the last time in Northeastern B.C in the 1980s. . An absolute joy on the fly and gorgeous to the eye. I miss those simpler times

Thank you for posting this. I just purchased my fishing license today.

Excellent discussion. Gave me some valuable insights into some aspects of this situation I had not considered, or was not aware of. It was quite surprising to discover that the pressure on the spring highwood run was a negligible factor in the decline of the rainbows, as was winter fishing. Both of those facts went against my perception that they were far more important factors than they actually turn out to be. Very interesting information.

I agree with bcubed. I caught over 100 trout on the Bow this season, and killed at least 2. One was a 15 inch rainbow that took a stonefly nymph in the gills and could not be saved. Up in the Nw stretch, that would be a 3 year old+ fish. The majority of trout I caught were small rainbows and Browns under 10 inches on small flies, so recruitment doesn't seem to be a problem. The young rainbows looked very healthy, so a recovery from whirling disease is likely happening. The main thing is a lack of larger Rainbows caught. I strongly suspect, at least in the city, that they get caught and released too many times, and these bigger fish succumb to the ordeal. As a result of being highly proficient at catching trout on the river now, my impact is affecting the fishery. Next year I have decided to voluntarily fish 50% less days on the river. I would also like to see closures for winter fishing, and during spawning times. It will be interesting to see how they go ahead with management decisions for the river. I do want to see the river, especially in the city stretches, recover to a state it once was in several decades ago.

I am becoming more concerned about the rip rap, each year. Like Jayhad mentioned, some great stonefly action occurs along these stretches, especially in the NW. It is just that, as I get older, each rare fall I take seems to hurt a little more. I am seriously worried I will inevitably break something besides reel or rod (already done that) some day. Rocks that look stable can roll out from under your feet when you step on them. Rip rap can be a serious menace, a dilemna with no apparent solution, given just how much of it there really is lining the banks of the river.

The Job lake cutthroat trout originally came from Marvel lake in Banff. Marvel lake cutthroats are 100% pure strain Westslope species. as are some in a few remote lakes somewhere in other parts of the park.

I read the entire study, and I agree. The Crowsnest river Rainbow trout fishery is headed for some very hard times for years to come. Thanks for downloading this latest information, Don. It is very eye opening.

i agree that vibram soles alone are inadequate for the Bow. I just use standard 3/8 inch screws on the bottom of my simms freestone boots. I replace them when they wear out. Problem nearly solved. I say that because Bow river substrate can be really slippery and tricky to navigate, and I have had my fair share of falls, even with good boots.

Fish up in the NW are in specific spots, especially the bigger ones. This year, there have been tons of little guys from 4 to 8 inches, which bodes well for the future. Any small mayfly nymph pattern will catch these fish. The big ones have been absent all summer in the heat, but some should show up in the fall. It is a tough stretch, but putting in time will reap rewards. Just have less expectation. especially in terms of size, than further south.

I am having the same problem. It sure would be nice to know the flow rate of the Bow river in Calgary right about now.

I too have completely stopped fishing for Bull trout. Very rarely, they are a by catch while fishing for other species. I also now only take a couple trips seasonally for the Cutts, which I still desire for the dry fly action. By voluntarily limiting my catch this way, I can uphold my conservation ethic. There is far to much pressure nowadays on these fish to justify any other attitude.

My season on the Bow was my worst ever in terms of effort/ # of trout caught. Where I live in the Nw stretch, above Crowchild trail, the numbers of fish are significantly down. And this stretch already has considerably less fish than below Calgary. Small rainbow trout numbers have really crashed. The browns are about the same as last season, but hardly impressive catch rates. Only have taken 3 whitefish, despite protection for this species. I used to have days I could catch multiple numbers in a single evening of this vanishing species. Most of my bigger rainbows were taken in May, prime spawning time. It should have remained closed during the spring season. Now that it is open all year, I see guys hitting the redds hard a lot of days. The river is in trouble, and yet, as mentioned, there seems to be an all time high in numbers of mergansers and ospreys in this stretch. But angling pressure has increased substantially. More fishermen fishing for less, highly educated trout leads to a very mediocre fishing experience these days.

I had the same problem on a river down South, this summer. The Cutts refused literally every dry fly I threw at them. It sure isn't like the old days, when you could drag a size 14 elk caddis over their head and they would take. Things have really changed.