snakeman Posted January 29, 2008 Share Posted January 29, 2008 I'd like to do an early season (mid to late April) bull trout trip, and instead of going south to the Oldman below 22 I want to check out a few streams north of Calgary. The Clearwater, Red Deer, North Saskatchewan, and Tay rivers are all streams that I'd be interested in trying. If any of you central Alberta guys have targeted bulls on these rivers, would you say that it is even worth my time? I'm not looking for lunkers, I just want to get a pre-runoff bully fix. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bulltrout Posted January 29, 2008 Share Posted January 29, 2008 there's no bulls up that way... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brownstone Posted January 29, 2008 Share Posted January 29, 2008 Ive fished Bullies out of the Panther, no monsters mind you but good numbers, nice little river to walk and fish. Fished the Tay only once, never seen a fish, although I heard stories of nice Browns..dunno about Bullies in the Tay.. The Panther will scratch your Bully itch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cheeler Posted January 29, 2008 Share Posted January 29, 2008 Panther's not open until June though (and you still stand a good chance of getting caught in a snowstorm). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tako Posted January 29, 2008 Share Posted January 29, 2008 PM for info. Not giving it away to the public Exhibit A: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NormanMcLean Posted January 29, 2008 Share Posted January 29, 2008 I'd like to do an early season (mid to late April) bull trout trip, and instead of going south to the Oldman below 22 I want to check out a few streams north of Calgary. The Clearwater, Red Deer, North Saskatchewan, and Tay rivers are all streams that I'd be interested in trying. If any of you central Alberta guys have targeted bulls on these rivers, would you say that it is even worth my time? I'm not looking for lunkers, I just want to get a pre-runoff bully fix. Thanks The Tay was far too dirty in April last year when I tried it. But the "Clear"water is your best bet for bulls in April. The big pools are separeted by a large distance, so be prepared to do some hiking. If in a boat, be very careful as the Clearwater is a dangerous river. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lonefisher Posted January 29, 2008 Share Posted January 29, 2008 Hey tako what uniform is that? Nice fish by the way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueNorther Posted January 29, 2008 Share Posted January 29, 2008 I haven't taken a bull out of the Tay,lots of browns and brookies.The Clearwater has given up a fair number of nice bulls for me. As mentioned above,the Clearwater is a dangerous piece of water,use utmost caution if you're going to wade. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harps Posted January 29, 2008 Share Posted January 29, 2008 As mentioned above,the Clearwater is a dangerous piece of water,use utmost caution if you're going to wade. ... you have to watch out for the jetboats... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neil Waugh Posted January 30, 2008 Share Posted January 30, 2008 Don't forget the Atha-B in JNP. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bulltrout Posted January 30, 2008 Share Posted January 30, 2008 those pics are all taken down south...there's nothing to fish north of calgary... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ricinus Posted January 30, 2008 Share Posted January 30, 2008 There are no rivers worth fishing north of the big "C". You're way better off fishing the Bow. Regards Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suntoucher Posted January 30, 2008 Share Posted January 30, 2008 The Clearwater can be rewarding once you find a nice pool or log jam. I've found the better Bull fishing in it's tribs but the big ones of size are in the main river itself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fisher26 Posted January 30, 2008 Share Posted January 30, 2008 All the fish are south of Calgary If I were you dont even bother up north Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glenbow Posted January 30, 2008 Share Posted January 30, 2008 The only bulls worth catching are below the OM dam I hear. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SamIam Posted January 30, 2008 Share Posted January 30, 2008 There is a bully trip I want to do North of Calgary this spring. Its about a 40km trip in if anyone is game. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snakeman Posted January 30, 2008 Author Share Posted January 30, 2008 Thanks all I figure some of these rivers wouldn't be too much more of a drive than Lower K or the lower Oldman (probably the best southern options at that time of year), and they probably don't receive as much pressure as those spots. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tako Posted January 30, 2008 Share Posted January 30, 2008 Thanks all I figure some of these rivers wouldn't be too much more of a drive than Lower K or the lower Oldman (probably the best southern options at that time of year), and they probably don't receive as much pressure as those spots. :blink: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snakeman Posted January 30, 2008 Author Share Posted January 30, 2008 :blink: Care to explain your apparent shock? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tako Posted January 30, 2008 Share Posted January 30, 2008 Most of the best bull trout rivers are north of Red Deer, I would say. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snakeman Posted January 30, 2008 Author Share Posted January 30, 2008 Most of the best bull trout rivers are north of Red Deer, I would say. "probably the best southern options at that time of year" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tako Posted January 30, 2008 Share Posted January 30, 2008 Oops my bad. I meant west of RD Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suntoucher Posted January 30, 2008 Share Posted January 30, 2008 Speaking of big bulls, the Smokey River drainage has got them plus no Calgary crowds either! And yes, that's north of Calgary. But there not open in the spring though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMasson Posted January 31, 2008 Share Posted January 31, 2008 About the only stream, with decent bulls, that'll be open in April will be the Clearwater. That's usually blown out until mid to late April at the earliest. Not much off trunk road opens up until June and they're blown out and not fishing well until the end of June. Tried to fish Prairie Creek one week after opening and it was a no-go. Chocolate milk and a good two feet higher than usual. The Clearwater was worse. James Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bulltrout Posted January 31, 2008 Share Posted January 31, 2008 Speaking of big bulls, the Smokey River drainage has got them plus no Calgary crowds either! And yes, that's north of Calgary. But there not open in the spring though. i'll keep on saying it...there's no bulls north of calgary!!!! all the bulls live in BC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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