jpinkster

Last week Bulls were placed on the threatened species list which could be interpreted as a step back. That being said, we also ran into a unusually large amount of Bullies on our trip to the Oldman last weekend. Rumors of Bull trout demise may be greatly exaggerated.

The big guy was caught on a 4 weight. We got the big Bull on the Livi, which was really shocking. I'd expect to find a Bull that size below the Oldman falls, but I haven't seen one that big in the Livi before. We saw one below the Oldman Falls the next day that was easily 30"+.

Took a trip out beyond HWY 22 over the weekend. I was very disheartened early in the week to hear the news that Bull Trout had been placed on the threatened species list for Alberta. I was able to draw some encouragement from a terrific weekend of Cutties and Bulls. We caught close to a dozen bulls over the course of the weekend that spanned from 8" all the way to a 27.5" monster. We also had numerous opportunities to watch Bull Trout chase our Cutties all over the pools, some almost came right on to shore in desperate pursuit! Another tremendous weekend in one of the most beautiful places Alberta has to offer.

Awesome stuff, always like hearing stories about healthy bull trout populations.

September is one of my favorite times of the year to be on the river, you won't be disappointed!

My lovely girlfriend and faithful sidekick planned a heli-fishing trip up to Landslide Lake or Lake of Falls (they won't tell me which) for my birthday. Unfortunately due to the forest fires near Rocky Mountain House, it sounds as though or trip is in jeopardy. Sounds as though the helicopter service has been shut down until the smoke clears, and the hiking path up to the lakes is temporarily closed. We are slated to leave on Saturday, so fingers crossed things clear up over the next few days. Time to start making Plan B!

Someone's been reading Prospecting for Trout

Location, location, location. I've found that I have to look in different areas for the Browns. Muddier bottoms tight against a deep bank have been the ticket to start the year for me. I've found the further downstream you go the more Browns you run into.

The more of these stories I hear the happier I am that I rarely fish alone. It's nice to have a few buddies around.

I really like the point about cutting the line if the fish has swallowed the hook too deep. Being the cheap Dutchmen that I am, I often shed a tear or two when I see a few dollars going down a fish's throat, but it is absolutely worth it. I've had my share of nasty experiences doing unnecessary damage to pike that decide to inhale a husky jerk (little harder to stomach when it's a $15 lure). There is nothing more rewarding than seeing a beautiful fish swim away unharmed after a spirited bout.

Not sure if it's been mentioned already, but having a bailer on board is a must. Unless of course you want to go down with your ship. You'll also need a first mate, and since we are roommates I think I've already staked a claim on that. Hell, I even bought the hat already.

Looks a lot like Carseland.

No sir, mine was more or less intact.

Looks like the otters have found a way to mimic the same face Albertans get from the locals out there!

PS: Is that fish missing an eye?

Hurray for firsts! Caught my first pike on the Bow a week ago also at police (not trying to steal your thunder!): I've been talking to quite a few seasoned Bow anglers and they know that pike like these are in the river, just not used to seeing them this far upstream.

I had a similar experience last year. PMDs weren't working so I tied on an ant as an emerger. Cutties killed that thing, it was great.

My favorite Southern Alberta lake for pike is Keho Lake. Keho is super accessible with a road that goes all the way around the lake. You can fish easily from shore on the north or south banks as well as the channels on the east and west ends of the lake. The monster pike should be in the shallows in the Spring if you can avoid the wind. Alberta record was pulled out of Keho, something like 36lbs.

I've just never understood why someone would want to keep a fish in the 80-100cm pike anyways. The meat on those fish isn't as good as the 40-50cm fish. Getting those bigger fish back into the lake is incredibly important. I do most of my pike fishing out sure Keho. I watch a ton of guys take their limit out every day and have always worried about the future health of that pike population.

I'm looking at getting some more experience fishing for Brook Trout in 2014. I managed to get a couple into the net out at Sibbald this year, but I'm looking for some additional locations within an hour and a half of Calgary. I've read recently that there are Brookies in the upper Highwood, but they are few and far between. I had some luck with leeches last year, but that was about it for my experience. Anyone have location/rig tips for hooking into some decent Brookies?

Lots of pike being found down by Carburn Park as well. The floods washed most of the hammer handles into the river and we've been hooking into a few of them as of late.

I'm going to chime in as a resident noob having only taken up fly fishing this year. I'm more of a 'up to my knees' kind of guy, but I've often wondered if I've mentally prepared myself for a fall or taking a plunge. When I'm up on the Oldman I'm always wearing my wading belt, but I'll admit I rarely wear it on the Bow. What are some best practices when getting water above your waders? What's the right action to keep yourself from ending up on the news? Obviously an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of the cure, but accidents still happen. Best advice gets my stereo when disaster inevitably strikes.

That hooked bully in the third video looks like he has some serious dino damage.

I haven't heard many good things about fishing in Barrier Lake unfortunately. Do yourself a favor, buy a leech pattern and a few small strike indicators and head over to Upper/Lower Kananaskis Lake. It's only another 20 minutes from Barrier. Even if you don't catch anything, the scenery is to die for.

Hey fishing friends, looking for a way to try and pass the cold fishless winter? Have a spot to fill on my Men's team for our upcoming FW13/14 season. Details: - Not position specific - returning team that has been together for 2 years - playing in All Cal - fees are $590 for a 30 game season starting in early October - relatively competitive team (probably Div 4 or 5 in an 8 Div league). Private message me if you're interested, looking to fill this spot ASAP. Money due by November 1 but hoping to collect a deposit shortly.