Fishing Alberta

[Pythagoras]

My brother, an avid and accomplished Atlantic Salmon fisherman, came to visit me in Calgary for the week to taste the trout fishing here. It was 'one of those weeks'.

 

He flew in on Sunday and I picked him up at the airport. While loading his bags in the Jeep he asked how it (the Jeep) was treating me. I stated it was a rock...starts everytime, goes wherever I want, never a problem. Then, of course, it dosn't start...ugh...We spend a couple/few hours waiting for a tow truck and I pay a couple hundred bucks in towing fees and parking...ugh...We decide to take Sunday off and indulge in some beerz and catching up. It was a fine afternoon and we recanted many stories of past trips and fish (with both getting better/bigger with each beer!). Up early on Monday (damm 3 hour time change) and rent a car. Take a quick trip to the Bow here in town to give him the idea of nymphing. He really disliked nymphing and although it did produce a couple fish for him during the week he cursed it every time. No luck on the Bow so we head to the James to try some Browns. Got there a couple hours before dark and fished up stream from where the bridge washed out. This is the third time on the James for me and like the other times I was skunked again. We really fished hard and changed lots of flys but no joy.

 

Now I'm getting a little anxious. Plan A was to leave on Tues for a run down the Forestry Trunk Road. Highwood, Livingstone et all but the broken Jeep (now estimated to be a broken ignition for $350) wont be ready for another day...so we head down to the Highwood and have a nice day. Not lots caught and many, many refusals but still a nice day. Next day (with the Jeep now estimated to be a broken steering colum gizmo @ $1030 and 10 days) we drove down to the Livingston. About 30 mins later my brother hits his (borrowed) rod with a weight while nymphing and gives it a whole new look....sigh...that and we didn't pack his other rod (a beautiful Orvis 3wt). I spent the day playing guid and tying on flys so he could fish. We got a few to hand but, as has been said here before, most of the fish were marked or otherwise wounded). I will not go back there for that reason.

 

Next was the Bow near the confluence...no luck and by this time my brother vows never to nymph again and looks at me funny when I tell him I've never been skunked at this spot.

 

Now the Livingstone range to the pass is closed on fire watch...sigh...needed yes as it was tinder dry but, well....sigh....

 

Last day we head for the Highwood again. Perfect day. Beautiful river and great fishing. I ended up with about 10 to hand and he had 3 or 4. I watched him for a while and figured out that his hooksets were all a heartbeat too late. He says he is used to giving a Salmon the hook for a second before setting it...who knew...

 

Back at home, looking forward to a few beerz and sleeping in is when we notice the huge cigerette burn in the backseat of the rental car...fallout from that one still pending....

 

All in allit was a wonderful tour of some Alberta streams, some good/bad and ugly fishing (broke my reel in the final hours...arrgh). The fly shops were made just a little richer and, after a beer at the Black Diamond Hotel (now thats a tavern!) a promise from my broher to return next year.

 

 

I'm looking forward to it.

 

 

 

 

[SteveM]

Great story, Pythagoras! You should post that second pic in the "Fish Photo Shoot-Off" thread; it's majorly kewl!

[admin]

Good Story, but I don't think you could have had any more bad luck. lol Thanks.

[lonefisher]

Nice post that top pic is really epic....... Sorry to hear about the bad luck though..... sounds like most of my fishing trips. If no one is injured no gear is lost or broken and all vehicles are still running at the end- you know I wasn't on that fishing trip LOL