I have always enjoyed fishing for trout in small streams and creeks. It was at one such place in southwest Alberta, where as a young teenager, I was introduced to fly-fishing while on a school camping trip. Within a week or two of returning home, I became the proud owner of a brand new fly rod. Continue reading
The salmonfly hatch is in full swing on the Crowsnest River and fishing conditions couldn’t be better. It’s not very often where the river is clear and fishable during this elusive hatch. It is this year, though. This stonefly hatch occurs every year but it usually coincides with the spring runoff, a time where the river is running high and discolored. Everything has come together perfectly this time around, and who knows, it might be another 10 years before it happens again.
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There’s a famous saying in Crowsnest Pass in regards to the weather. It’s quite simple and it goes like this. “If you don’t like the weather, just wait a few minutes.”
I know there are lots of places that use the same expression, but with the rate and frequency in which things can change in the Pass, it describes our weather to a “Tee.” Continue reading
Today is the final day of the 2017 fishing season on the majority of rivers and streams in southwest Alberta. It seems like only yesterday that I was looking forward to another great season on these waters. Beginning tomorrow, November 1, there’s only going to be a couple of rivers around here where anglers will be permitted to fish. These include portions of the Crowsnest and Oldman rivers. At least there are some places where folks will be able to stream-fish over the coming winter months, if they so desire.
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Earlier this week, I had the opportunity to spend a day on the water with my good friend, Herb Vitale, of Lynchburg, Virginia. It had been a year or two since Herb fished for cutthroat trout in BC, so we headed over to one of his favourite streams in the area, beautiful Michel Creek. Continue reading
It’s that time of the season where some of the best dry-fly fishing on our local streams occurs late in the day. This is especially true in places like the Crowsnest River, where bright, sunny weather, combined with low, clear water conditions, can cause larger trout to wait until just before dark before they start to feed. If you are on the water at this time and are patient enough for the evening hatch to begin, you stand a good chance of catching some nice fish. Continue reading
Trout fishing has long been a popular activity in Crowsnest Pass. Numerous rivers and streams in the area have been attracting anglers from near and far for decades. Perhaps the best known of these waters is our very own Crowsnest River. When it comes to trout streams, the Crow is one of the most user-friendly places to fish in the province. It’s almost as if it was created with anglers in mind, particularly those who like to fly-fish. Continue reading
Today is the day many southern Alberta stream anglers have been looking forward to since the end of last October when the 2016 fishing season came to a close. Their long 7-1/2 month wait is finally over. It’s opening day of the 2017 fishing season! Continue reading
I spent a few hours yesterday afternoon fishing for rainbow trout on my home stream, the Crowsnest River. The west winds made casting a little challenging at times but it was a great day to be on the water, nevertheless. Continue reading
The fishing season on the majority of rivers and streams in southern Alberta will come to a close after tomorrow, October 31st. This means there’s only one more day left, where you will be able to whet a line in these waters. Beginning November 1st, you will have to wait until next June, before you will be able to visit these streams again. There are a couple of exceptions, though, as portions of the Crowsnest River (downstream of the East Hillcrest Bridge) and the Oldman River (downstream of the Oldman Dam) remain open to fishing during the winter months. Continue reading
