Anyone Fishing Athabasca River

Walleyelifer · #1 08-26-2015, 11:41 PM

Im thinking of bringing the JetBoat out and target some Athabasca Walleye.Ive never run this river before any tips or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.Im gonna be running a 17 foot custom cab foreward flat bottom with a 80 at the pump Jet.Thanks all

ROA · #2 08-27-2015, 01:20 AM

They like to hang out at current breaks where fast water zips past slow water they will be right on that break slightly in the fast water most of the time. Fish in the portion of the river that allows bait for your best chances.

CK Angler · #3 08-27-2015, 08:13 AM

Not sure what area of the river your fishing, but any creek mouths are worth checking out, and find current breaks and back eddys off points, or even sand bars that have deep pockets in front.

Positrac · #4 08-27-2015, 06:33 PM

What part of the Athabasca are you fishing?

T.W. · #5 08-27-2015, 08:46 PM

Put the boat in at Blue Ridge last weekend, water was pretty low, lots of log jams. Pike fishing was good, caught 2 in the 20 pound range

FlyTheory · #6 08-27-2015, 09:45 PM

I know this sounds stupid.. But my friend fishes the Athabasca for walleye every September and does very well. He always uses crankbaits and he swears by the Cotton Cordell wally diver in silver as well as "clown". Also white crank baits with pink highlights work very well. If you purchase crankbaits that dive deep and hit the bottom, you'll catch more fish. But also lose a couple more lures. I'm going to potentially get out this year with the flyrod and see what damage I can do. Good luck man

catnthehat · #7 08-27-2015, 10:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FlyTheory

I know this sounds stupid.. But my friend fishes the Athabasca for walleye every September and does very well. He always uses crankbaits and he swears by the Cotton Cordell wally diver in silver as well as "clown". Also white crank baits with pink highlights work very well. If you purchase crankbaits that dive deep and hit the bottom, you'll catch more fish. But also lose a couple more lures. I'm going to potentially get out this year with the flyrod and see what damage I can do. Good luck man

In the fall crankbaits are our main lures where I fish on the Athabasca.
Jet boat accessible only however.

I think Positrac fishes the same holes as I do!

Cat

Positrac · #8 08-28-2015, 07:45 AM

From just over a week ago. A little over 29 inches.

We're hoping for a bigger one tomorrow.

catnthehat · #9 08-28-2015, 07:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Positrac

From just over a week ago. A little over 29 inches.

We're hoping for a bigger one tomorrow.

Yup, dat's da place!!!

You need a new hat , Bro!
However, the double 'stache you're rockin' these days is quite stylish !

Cat

Positrac · #10 08-28-2015, 08:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catnthehat

Yup, dat's da place!!!

You need a new hat , Bro!
However, the double 'stache you're rockin' these days is quite stylish !

Cat

It's pretty recognizable for anyone who has been there before. But, if you recognize it then you probably already know how good the fishing is.

It's also a little fun getting there right now with the lower water.

catnthehat · #11 08-28-2015, 08:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Positrac

It's pretty recognizable for anyone who has been there before. But, if you recognize it then you probably already know how good the fishing is.

It's also a little fun getting there right now with the lower water.

Oh, yeah, some years are worse than others for sure!
"Double Time" is still down south right now, I may not be able to hit the river for another week until I can find room to park it!

Cat

Positrac · #12 08-30-2015, 08:50 PM

We spent yesterday parked in the "spot" and the fishing for Pike, Walleye and Goldeye was unbelievable.

We thought it would be fun to keep count of the fish we landed. 75 for me and 60 for my partner. Pretty amazing when you think about it considering we stayed in the same location. We didn't count long line releases but only the ones we pulled the hooks out of. A couple times the fishing would slow down for a bit then another push of fish would come through and it would be back on!

The biggest Walleye was 25" with lots in the 19 - 22 inch range.

CK Angler · #13 08-31-2015, 09:19 AM

That's awesome! I was up yesterday, not as far as you go, fishing was slow for us. Mostly Goldeye, only a few small walleye. Managed to make it all the way up to the Mnt. Rapids and back no problem only to smack a rock hard once back in the Clearwater.. Took a chunk out of my intake housing.. Good thing for insurance, but puts a damper on my fall season...

Red Neck · #14 08-31-2015, 10:56 AM

The best and biggest fish I have ever caught have come out of the Athabasca river. Not sure were your heading to but all the info your getting is good.But the power of a 'Pumkin seed gulp jig" is amazing it usually out fishes fozzen minnows.The later in the fall you wait,the bigger and better the fishing get. do your self and your crew a big favor and go get some giants

Red Neck Out

:

Positrac · #15 09-01-2015, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CK Angler

That's awesome! I was up yesterday, not as far as you go, fishing was slow for us. Mostly Goldeye, only a few small walleye. Managed to make it all the way up to the Mnt. Rapids and back no problem only to smack a rock hard once back in the Clearwater.. Took a chunk out of my intake housing.. Good thing for insurance, but puts a damper on my fall season...

Ouch! That's a good smack.

I ordered a new intake for my 115 from Formula earlier this year for $350.

I just got back from spending the night in the boat anchored in the "spot". I had a Pike up to the boat yesterday evening that would be pushing 15 lbs. Chomped right through the 20 lb leader I was using and away he went. I couldn't seam to break the 25" mark for Walleye, but I did get three that size that could have been triplets. Lots more Walleye, Goldeye and a few Pike up to about six pounds.

Water flow is pretty low so I wouldn't try and make it any farther than you went. I've got a tunnel on the back of my Explorer so the skid plate usually hits before my intake. Lots of places you are running in less than a foot of water. Some of the falls also have rocks at the bottom of them which are hard to see on the way back down. Marking them with the GPS on the way up is the only way to avoid them on the way down.

Positrac · #16 10-07-2015, 06:32 PM

Looking forward to a weekend of fishing on the Athabasca. The big guys should be showing up in the "spot".

Dale S · #17 10-07-2015, 06:46 PM

Can't beat river fishing in the fall. No matter where in Alberta.

monad · #18 10-08-2015, 01:31 PM

Wow I've often wondered if the spot is still as good as it was before I left the Fort 10 years ago. Looks like it is. Good luck I hope to get back there one of these years.

CK Angler · #19 10-08-2015, 05:49 PM

Good luck! I'm going up north Saturday

Positrac · #20 10-08-2015, 05:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CK Angler

Good luck! I'm going up north Saturday

Ahh, come on buddy, follow us up...I'll give you a tow back.

Positrac · #21 10-08-2015, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CK Angler

Good luck! I'm going up north Saturday

I may end up that way also. Water up river is pretty skinny right now and I've beat my boat up enough this year.

CK Angler · #22 10-08-2015, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Positrac

I may end up that way also. Water up river is pretty skinny right now and I've beat my boat up enough this year.

Had a friend go up to your hole last week Wednesday with out issue. If you end up north you know where to find me.

Positrac · #23 10-08-2015, 06:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CK Angler

Had a friend go up to your hole last week Wednesday with out issue. If you end up north you know where to find me.

How did he do? I'm hoping that this fall fishing lives up to the hype?

What time are you guys heading out?

CK Angler · #24 10-09-2015, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Positrac

How did he do? I'm hoping that this fall fishing lives up to the hype?

What time are you guys heading out?

The guys I know that went up was more for the site seeing, saw they caught a couple walleye but nothing worth bragging about.

I'll msg you later tonight when I know what time we're going out tomorrow. Won't be to early, usually we start around noon and fish till dark.

buckbrushoutdoors · #25 10-09-2015, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CK Angler

That's awesome! I was up yesterday, not as far as you go, fishing was slow for us. Mostly Goldeye, only a few small walleye. Managed to make it all the way up to the Mnt. Rapids and back no problem only to smack a rock hard once back in the Clearwater.. Took a chunk out of my intake housing.. Good thing for insurance, but puts a damper on my fall season...

Ive broke two of those, they are only 400$ to replace. not sure why you would need insurance?

CK Angler · #26 10-09-2015, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by buckbrushoutdoors

Ive broke two of those, they are only 400$ to replace. not sure why you would need insurance?

First timer, made the mistake of pricing out Mercury parts and was looking at over $1000, got pointed in the right direction from a fellow AO member, cost me $500 after tax and freight ordering parts.