Bow Burbot

[The Fisherman Guy]

Howdy fellas,

A girlfriend of mine was scuba diving in the Bow this weekend in between Bowness and the Weir in Calgary this weekend and she has reported that there are strong numbers of HUGE Burbot (up to 36 inches) and Pike (up to 30 inches) all over the place in the pools. I live near the Bow and I have not heard many reports about Pike being in the bow. I have caught MANY pike out of the Elbow, so it makes sense that they are in the Bow.

What I am curious to know is does anyone fish for Burbot exclusively in the Bow? If so what are you using? The only bait allowed is maggots in a certain slot.

As well, the Bow is closed to fishing in the Ghost to Weir section until Nov 30, does anyone fish or have caught Burbs down from the Weir? Burbotman where are you on this one?

Tight Lines

[bowchaser]

I have caught one across from the highwood last year, surprised the heck out of me. Heard of the odd one being caught but pretty few and far between.

[tchow]

Before the Bait Bans for the Bow, Burbs were caught more often. Although it is now, but they can still be caught a variety of Lures. I've used Jig and Rubber tails to catch them. Another tactic is to Texas Rig a Rubber Worm and work it slowly across the bottom of the deep pools. Or drift them on the bottom with a Slip Bobber.

[deanmc]

I caught them years ago out of the peace river but that was with bait. I wonder if some type of powerbait would help?

[The Fisherman Guy]

Good advice on the jigs, thank you. I have seen a technique where one drifts a bucktail or jig with tail under a slip bobber with about 5ft more line below the bobber than the average water depth. 10ft average depth, run a 15ft leader and drift it in a drift boat. The bobber, assisted by the current, irregularily jigs the lure on bottom.

I think this could be a good system with a worm, leech or jig for Trout, Pike and Burbot in the Bow. Basically what you were describing tchow. Dec 1 I am giving it a shot.

[jeprli]

I've caught small pike around Calgary zoo, and i've seen lots of them there, but all tiny, like a pencil. I know one really deep spot on the bow, between crowchild bridge and pumphouse theater, i'll try there when season opens. Cought a burbot right under glenmore dam when water level was high, on a spinner right under a rock on which i was standing. There are some odd pictures of burbot being cought on the bow, but no 30 inch pike within city limits.

Would burbot bite on a scented lure(like the ones for catfish, tube over a treble)??? Since we can't use bait