Bull trout help

[270WINCHESTER]

This is my first year in search of catching a bull trout but have no clue where to go. I know those who fish for them usually keep there honey holes secret, but i was wondering if anyone could please at least point me in the right direction in terms of locations. I don't really even know where to start looking. Like i said, im not looking for your exact spot, im excited to find my own

Thanks

[diamonddave]

Fernie

[Red Bullets]

A couple suggestions...

I have caught lots using a spinners and rapalas so streamers and flies should work good too. Use big presentations cause bulls have good appetites.

The Red deer river upstream of gennifer lake and dam.
Clearwater river by Rocky Mtn. House.


Get them before they shed their horns.

[badger]

A great place to catch a bull trout is Kananaskis lakes, there are many over the current provincial record in there too.

[goldscud]

Many over the record? Man I need to catch different ones. Not seeing many over 8lb let alone 17lb. How long are these 15lb + fish?

[badger]

Originally Posted by goldscud

Many over the record? Man I need to catch different ones. Not seeing many over 8lb let alone 17lb. How long are these 15lb + fish?

I've got a few over 30", probably went over 12 lbs. Talked to Jim Stelfox who did the hatchery program on lower Kan, they sampled some over 17. The problem is getting an official weigh on the fish, can't remove it from the lake. Also saw some on the finder that were huge, and more than 50 feet down. I don't have downriggers.

[kpfishngame]

Originally Posted by Red Bullets

A couple suggestions...

I have caught lots using a spinners and rapalas so streamers and flies should work good too. Use big presentations cause bulls have good appetites.

The Red deer river upstream of gennifer lake and dam.
Clearwater river by Rocky Mtn. House.


Get them before they shed their horns.

When do these river's runoff usually clear up by?

[Speckle55]

They are catching Bulls in Jasper on the Athabasca 2015 first pic and out here too

here are some pic's sent to me by friends

also Kootenay Lake and river are good at times

here is Kathy's hog(BC) .. even Lance(hubby had too grovel)

enjoy your quest

David



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[J D]

If you are going to target bulls on the fly I highly recommend running big white heavy flashy flies. I base most of my patterns on rabbit or marabou with added flash. Don't be afraid to go big 4-6inch in my common size but have thrown larger flies yet.

White, peach, pink, tan, black, green, and purple are my go to colours. I always carry a box of flies with a mix of these colours but white or white combined with other colours listed has been my top producer.

If conditions are right you can take them on dry mouse patterns

I have targeted bulls throughout Alberta and BC. Some tell me I have taken this species to an obsessive level lol.

When river fishing bulls be prepared to cover ground. At times you need to really search them out. If you want to catch bulls don't flogg the same hole or run all day. They are often aggressive so if they are there and you present you're fly right you will hook up. Some systems they school up others you will only find 1-3 bulls in a hole.

I have dragged new bull trout fishermen through rivers and have the day start as nothing for a few hours and a lot of wading and the day end with non stop action.

Many of the flowing waters in western Alberta hold bulls but numbers very.

Upper red deer, highwood, livingstone, and upper Oldman are a few well known rivers that can be good for bulls. Most rivers west of Rocky are worth it as well

[Red Bullets]

Originally Posted by kpfishngame

When do these river's runoff usually clear up by?

I haven't looked up the regs this year for when they are opened. I like going in early May when the snow is gone but the mountian runoff hasn't started going full tilt. Typically, mountain runoff starts in late may/early june. Then after July the rivers run fairly clear if it doesn't rain. If it hasn't rained for a week the streams and rivers are usually running clear from july till it snows. My favorite times are early/mid May and September till freeze up.
That said, when the rivers are running higher the fish are moving around more. The pools are easier to approach without spooking the fish when the water is dirty too. I have caught some nice bulls in very dirty water using black rubbertail jigs.

[lannie]

Originally Posted by diamonddave

Fernie

^^^^^For sure^^^^^^

Don't stop in Alberta- Go directly to the Wigwam.

[Flieguy]

fish some of the bigger freestone rivers for cutthroat. When a cuttie gets stolen off the end of your line, throw on a 6" streamer and swing it through the hole

[Xiph0id]

Originally Posted by Flieguy

fish some of the bigger freestone rivers for cutthroat. When a cuttie gets stolen off the end of your line, throw on a 6" streamer and swing it through the hole

I had a beast bull catch my 10" cutthroat on the lower Ram one time.
Scared me a bit as I had the cutty just about out of the water and the bull came up like a shark and grabbed the cutty.

1 minute later bull let go and then line broke, lost both...

[Deo101]

Originally Posted by lannie

^^^^^For sure^^^^^^

Don't stop in Alberta- Go directly to the Wigwam.

shhhhhhhh haha

[Bron]

Originally Posted by Deo101

shhhhhhhh haha

better get there soon, word is that it's been proposed that they start limiting angler days on it. Given the **** show last year, I wouldnt be surprised if they do.

[Myles]

What happened last year?

[Badine]

If you have the time head to the peace river around Hudson hope ..great fishing all around there.

[Parker Hale]

http://i1077.photobucket.com/albums/...psldajpslr.jpg
Big streamers, fairly heavy if the current is strong. My favourite is olive green top half and white lower (rabbit strip) with a large cone head and a flash of pink behind the head. If they are aggressively feeding then the color doesn't matter that much. I use a floating line with 8 - 12 feet of leader depending on depth and current.

[silverman4224]

wow never seen such a thing !! soo cool

[Bron]

If you're the first guy through a pool, you'll know they are there. Look for rock gardens and swing your unsuspecting fly through. Make sure your swing is slow, they're not going to take it if you've got a big downstream arc in your line and your fly is rocketing across the river.

[WhitefishLady]

Oldman River is a place to try as well! Caught my first below hwy22 on a woolly bugger. Not a very big guy but put up a great fight. Good luck!