The arrival of Spring and Barry Mitchell's Alberta Fishing Guide, means it is time to get a licence and start thinking about fishing. What does the record snow-fall mean for trout streams?
Like many fly fishermen in western Montana where the summer days are almost Arctic in length, I often do not start fishing until the cool of the evening. Then in the Arctic half-light of the canyon, all existence fades to a being with my soul and memories and the sounds of the Big Blackfoot River and a four-count rhythm and the hope that a fish will rise. Eventually, all things merge into one, and a river runs through it. The river was cut by the world's great flood and runs over rocks from the basement of time. On some of those rocks are timeless raindrops. Under the rocks are the words, and some of the words are theirs. I am haunted by waters.
The arrival of Spring and Barry Mitchell's Alberta Fishing Guide, means it is time to get a licence and start thinking about fishing. What does the record snow-fall mean for trout streams?
Like many fly fishermen in western Montana where the summer days are almost Arctic in length, I often do not start fishing until the cool of the evening. Then in the Arctic half-light of the canyon, all existence fades to a being with my soul and memories and the sounds of the Big Blackfoot River and a four-count rhythm and the hope that a fish will rise. Eventually, all things merge into one, and a river runs through it. The river was cut by the world's great flood and runs over rocks from the basement of time. On some of those rocks are timeless raindrops. Under the rocks are the words, and some of the words are theirs. I am haunted by waters.
The movie was a great one. One of Brad's best.
I worked with a guy years ago who was big in the movie indusrty and BIG into the fly fishing, personally taught Brad how to Fly Fish. He said they went out and bought the best of the best and when the movie was over he gave him his rod and reel that was used in the movie.... Now I don't know alot about fishing but that is still pretty cool if you ask me.
Thanks for sharing that video.
Highwood river Cutthroat trout Check regulations for opening season.
20 minutes out of city.
However many parts of the Bow river can fish like a smaller river.
Have you considered a Wade and walk with a local shop and guide?
Fish Tales in SE Calgary offers these.
I was looking into fly fishing, never tried it but need to practice. I will consider anything right now. I want to see what supplies are affordable but not cheap and then I will take a look at anything that will help me fly fish. I am new to this. I did boat fish before on prairie lakes but its a lot different then fly fishing.
Highwood river Cutthroat trout Check regulations for opening season.
.
I don't think there would be any cutthroats there. Mostly rainbows and whitefish.
Small streams - Dogpound Creek, nw of Cochrane (browns and brooks). Cataract Creek - south of Highwood House (brook trout). Quirk Creek - west of Bragg Creek (brooks and cutties)
I picked up a fly rod and some flies over the holidays. Planning on learning this spring and hopefully catching a trout or two this summer. Any advice for a noob on what gear to get for starting (waders, footwear, net, vest)?
I would recommend breathable waders - Wardell, made in Calgary. Wading boots. Vest. Won't often need a net in small streams, unless you are fishing the Bow a lot.
Prairie boy born and raised, used to trolling with damn near any spoon for Jack, hell even an actual spoon works.
Or jigging around structure for some nice walleye.
This spring/summer though my research is taking me back to the Rockies, at the UofC Biogeoscience center: http://bgs.ucalgary.ca/
Just 10 minutes south of Highway 1 towards Nakiska Ski Hill. I will be spending months walking up and down Mount Allen collecting streamflow measurements in the Marmot Creek Research Basin.
I own a lot of fishing gear, but no fly fishing gear. I am going to buy a combo package when Cabelas opens up here in Stoon in early May, and use that to try my luck out there.
Any recommendations for spots close to where I will be, that I could get to and fro after supper with enough fishing time to make it worth it?
Also, how do you fly fish? Haha... this is going to be an adventure.
I heard a rumour that in Alberta there are 2 fisherman to every fish... how true is this?
__________________ "In brightest day, in blackest night / No evil shall escape my sight / Let those who worship evil's might / Beware my power, Green Lantern's light!"
Prairie boy born and raised, used to trolling with damn near any spoon for Jack, hell even an actual spoon works.
Or jigging around structure for some nice walleye.
This spring/summer though my research is taking me back to the Rockies, at the UofC Biogeoscience center: http://bgs.ucalgary.ca/
Just 10 minutes south of Highway 1 towards Nakiska Ski Hill. I will be spending months walking up and down Mount Allen collecting streamflow measurements in the Marmot Creek Research Basin.
I own a lot of fishing gear, but no fly fishing gear. I am going to buy a combo package when Cabelas opens up here in Stoon in early May, and use that to try my luck out there.
Any recommendations for spots close to where I will be, that I could get to and fro after supper with enough fishing time to make it worth it?
Also, how do you fly fish? Haha... this is going to be an adventure.
I heard a rumour that in Alberta there are 2 fisherman to every fish... how true is this?
Im wondering the same. Also how much should I budget for. I would love to hit up some mountain streams, then a beer at the camp site too boot.
This spring/summer though my research is taking me back to the Rockies, at the UofC Biogeoscience center: http://bgs.ucalgary.ca/
Just 10 minutes south of Highway 1 towards Nakiska Ski Hill. I will be spending months walking up and down Mount Allen collecting streamflow measurements in the Marmot Creek Research Basin.
I own a lot of fishing gear, but no fly fishing gear. I am going to buy a combo package when Cabelas opens up here in Stoon in early May, and use that to try my luck out there.
Any recommendations for spots close to where I will be, that I could get to and fro after supper with enough fishing time to make it worth it?
Also, how do you fly fish? Haha... this is going to be an adventure.
I heard a rumour that in Alberta there are 2 fisherman to every fish... how true is this?
Sounds like a great summer to me.
I'm not aware of great fly-fishing around Nakiska. There is a small lake (Wedge Pond) stocked with grayling. The Kananaskis River is poor, because water levels fluctuate too much because of the Dam. Smutts Creek between there and Spray Lakes could be okay. There are some high alpine lakes that are good if you don't mind hiking ex. Fortress Lake. Stream fishing is not great around there from what I can tell. The Upper Highwood drainage would be better.
I often don't see another angler all day when I go fishing. Fishing small streams in the East Slopes is heaven on earth. Be careful about bears.
Last edited by troutman; 03-22-2012 at 04:31 PM.
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Looking forward to the season as well. Finishing up a fly tying course right now which is only adding to my excitement to actually get out and test some of my creations. I do shift work during the summer so if all goes well, which it did last year, I should be spending 4 out of 8 days fishing in/near the Oldman River. For anyone who is new to fly fishing I would recommend this area, seems to be a fool proof area to try and learn. Tons of wide open areas to cast and the fishing is just phenomenal.
My six year old boy wants to go fishing - any ideas on a good place for some spoon casting that is nearby the city? I could try in the bow I suppose but I'm guessing that's not the best for shore casting with spoons?
I'm not aware of great fly-fishing around Nakiska. There is a small lake (Wedge Pond) stocked with grayling. The Kananaskis River is poor, because water levels fluctuate too much because of the Dam. Smutts Creek between there and Spray Lakes could be okay. There are some high alpine lakes that are good if you don't mind hiking ex. Fortress Lake. Stream fishing is not great around there from what I can tell. The Upper Highwood drainage would be better.
I often don't see another angler all day when I go fishing. Fishing small streams in the East Slopes is heaven on earth. Be careful about bears.
Jumpingpound Creek...hike in from the gravel roads. The more inaccessible...the better the fishing. No better way to kill a day. Concur about heaven on earth; also concur about the bear danger. Wear a ball cap with a bell on the peak. Worked for me...tons of bear signs but never saw a bear in ten years out there. You can still "walk light", so you don't "spook" the creek, just keep the bell ringing while you're moving upstream and they'll move on.
I lived in Valley Ridge from 1993-2002 and spent most of my disposable time on the east slope creeks.
I've got some emergent nymph patterns that you'd probably enjoy Troutman...but those are my fathers own ties, and that will have to remain as "proprietary" information...
My six year old boy wants to go fishing - any ideas on a good place for some spoon casting that is nearby the city? I could try in the bow I suppose but I'm guessing that's not the best for shore casting with spoons?
Sort of close to the city is Pine Coulee Resevoir about 5 minutes west of Stavely. There are boats there, but you can cast from shore and catch fish.
Otherwise either the Bearspaw or Carseland dams are good for that sort of fishing as well.
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2012 Fishing Thread
