Red deer river in Drumheller

Battery · #1 05-12-2015, 08:36 AM

We were in Drumheller fishing this weekend at one of the trout ponds and noticed the river looks real nice right in town. I know it opens this weekend, however the regs confuse me as I dont know where the Tolman Bridge is lol. From what I understand, you can use maggots in the stretch of river near and in Drumheller. Will a slip bobber with a hook and maggots work here?. I am admittedly not a good river fisherman and usually stick to lakes (have only ever caught one fish in a river). Any tips/tricks/suggestions are much appreciated!

Sharpie · #2 05-12-2015, 08:55 AM

Toleman is quite a ways upstream of Drumheller, so follow the regs for down stream of Toleman bridge. Something bigger than maggots with a weight on bottom so you are not constantly re-casting your bobber and keep your line tight. Hooks right full of worms or minnows of any size but not too small. There are big pike and walleye in the deeper channels. You never know what your gonna catch with all the species in there.

Battery · #3 05-12-2015, 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sharpie

Toleman is quite a ways upstream of Drumheller, so follow the regs for down stream of Toleman bridge. Something bigger than maggots with a weight on bottom so you are not constantly re-casting your bobber and keep your line tight. Hooks right full of worms or minnows of any size but not too small. There are big pike and walleye in the deeper channels. You never know what your gonna catch with all the species in there.

Thanks for the clarification on where Toleman is, I see the regs say bait Allowed (including dead bait fish), which is pretty awesome!. Thanks for the tip!

FlyTheory · #4 05-12-2015, 09:25 AM

I fished the red deer River across from the ghost town of Dorothy. It was still runoff season and I was fly fishing so no luck.. But I think there are tons of goldeye in there.

Sharpie · #5 05-12-2015, 09:44 AM

Ya, dont get me wrong they are fun to catch, but when your fishing for BIG walleye they get annoying because you can't keep them off.

Battery · #6 05-12-2015, 10:02 AM

I don't really care what I catch (have never caught Goldeye, so would be cool to add to the list) I just want to catch fish!

FlyTheory · #7 05-12-2015, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Battery

I don't really care what I catch (have never caught Goldeye, so would be cool to add to the list) I just want to catch fish!

You'll enjoy them if you use lighter tackle, they fight pretty well

Bill L · #8 05-12-2015, 05:55 PM

5 of diamonds and Red & White spoons work good as well

Renegade J · #9 05-13-2015, 06:42 PM

I fished the Red Deer River about a year ago at the bridge near Dorothy. Caught quite a few Goldeye and lots of river Chubb. Fairly non stop action on a pickerel rig baited with worms.

FlyTheory · #10 05-13-2015, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Renegade J

I fished the Red Deer River about a year ago at the bridge near Dorothy. Caught quite a few Goldeye and lots of river Chubb. Fairly non stop action on a pickerel rig baited with worms.

How large were the chub?

Renegade J · #11 05-14-2015, 09:15 AM

If I remember correctly they were 10 inches or so. I didn't know they got that big and had never caught one before. My girlfriend and I caught quite a few that day. Even had 2 on at once!

Battery · #12 05-15-2015, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill L

5 of diamonds and Red & White spoons work good as well

Will these get all the species? What size should we be throwing?. We are going to head up first thing in the morning tomorrow and see what we can pull out of there.

the local angler · #13 05-15-2015, 07:59 PM

also be sure to have on a wire leader too there's the odd pike in there too.

Battery · #14 05-16-2015, 08:24 PM

Thanks for the tips all. Caught about 8 goldeye and two jacks, one was an absolute pig. Lost quite a few more fish too. I will post some pics later. Definitely found our new fishing hole.

FlyTheory · #15 05-16-2015, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Battery

Thanks for the tips all. Caught about 8 goldeye and two jacks, one was an absolute pig. Lost quite a few more fish too. I will post some pics later. Definitely found our new fishing hole.

Great to hear! Cant wait to see the pics

edmhunter · #16 05-16-2015, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FlyTheory

You'll enjoy them if you use lighter tackle, they fight pretty well

Caught some monster Goldeye in the NSR, they remind me of mini Tarpon lol, they do fight well. Going fishing tomorrow, can't wait!

Renegade J · #17 05-17-2015, 07:38 AM

What did they bite on Battery?

Battery · #18 05-17-2015, 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Renegade J

What did they bite on Battery?

Medium sized red devil and a medium sized 5 of diamonds tipped with a worm...we didn't change our hooks all day haha

Battery · #19 05-17-2015, 11:51 AM

Talking moose · #20 05-17-2015, 12:56 PM

Great pics. Your smile says it all!

FlyTheory · #21 05-17-2015, 01:17 PM

Great catch battery! That pike is definitely a chunker! First pic is a Mooneye but the last fish is a goldeye, just thought I'd let you know

Battery · #22 05-17-2015, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FlyTheory

Great catch battery! That pike is definitely a chunker! First pic is a Mooneye but the last fish is a goldeye, just thought I'd let you know

How do you tell the difference? Thought they looked the same haha Im assuming something with the eye?

Battery · #23 05-17-2015, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Talking moose

Great pics. Your smile says it all!

I was feeling a little yellow...but thanks! haha

FlyTheory · #24 05-17-2015, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Battery

How do you tell the difference? Thought they looked the same haha Im assuming something with the eye?

Yeah, Mooneye are generally on the smaller side (never much more than a pound), and their eye is only ever half gold, sometimes all silver. Goldeye always have a full golden eye and can get much bigger. There are some small physiological features too, but the best way to ID is by the eye.

JareS · #25 05-17-2015, 08:11 PM

Fished for a couple hours on Saturday and was able to pull in a large goldeye on a P-Rig and minnow. Wouldn't touch the earthworms surprisingly. Are suckers and burbs common around Drumheller area?

Fishslayer99 · #26 05-17-2015, 09:20 PM

Nice haul, the RDR can produce a variety of very large fish if you time it right and find a good spot, obviously you did just that!

spinN'flyfish · #27 05-17-2015, 11:12 PM

nice job on the rdr, great way to spend the day!

JareS · #28 05-23-2015, 06:44 PM

Went out to my spot near Drumheller for the second time this year. 5-6 hours of fishing with smelts and one fish to shore. It was evident the goldeye weren't there that day. Is this a lake whitefish? Guys beside me said it was a chub, looks nothing like the pictures of google

Habfan · #29 05-23-2015, 07:18 PM

I caught one just like it, buddy from BC said it was a squaw fish ! Caught similar looking ones in Montana and was told the same thing, squaw fish ! I also caught mine in the Red Deer river.

the local angler · #30 05-23-2015, 11:51 PM

yup river chub