Winter Bulls
 

Hey Fellow Fly fishers,
I just got the latest subscription of Fly Fusion in the mail(A fantastic Christmas gift from my wife, I hope I have been a good boy this year and get another) And they have a great article on Winter Bull trout. I have fished for Steelhead in winter, and will be heading down to Northern Cal next month for another go, but have not hooked into any Bulls in winter.
Any suggestions/stories on great winter Bull fishing? Have you been? I know parts of the Crow are open yearly, but haven't had luck with Bull trout there, only feisty Cutts.
I haven't done research on it yet, the article got me excited, and turned here for research first!

No bulls in the crow that I know of. Your best bet might be the elk river in BC (only 30 minutes from the Crow)... Haven't tried it but there is a little info on the link below, the fly shops in Ferne would be able to give you more info.

http://elkriver.ca/river-reports

Thanks otf,
The Elk system is fantastic.(except the 20$/day Class 2 waters) I didn't know it was open all year. Might be worth it to take the drift boat out there and frost up the leads!

Definitely bulls in the crow...I've caught a couple below the falls...if there is a section open down there I would try it there...

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Jasper National Park ... Athabasca River Nov 1 to April

Bulls are there as they winter in some hole just you will have to work for them i have fish the river from the Park boundary to above the Falls

David:)

Athabasca River

(Note: the Athabasca River has three fisheries management zones.)

Zone 1: From Athabasca Falls upstream.
Year Round.

Zone 2: From 12 Mile Bridge (Km 22, Hwy 16 East) upstream to Athabasca Falls.
March 31 1 to September 3 and November 1 to April 1.

Zone 3: From 12 Mile Bridge (Km 22, Hwy 16 East) downstream to east park boundary, including all side channels, Pocahontas Ponds and other connected wetlands.
June 1 to September 3 and November 1 to April 1.

Yeah, there are bulls in the crow.

I rarely see them, but have seen 2 in my years. Both around 3-5lb.

I have never targetted bulls in the winter, but if your catching little whites there is a possibility of a bull hitting it... Had a monster hit my whitefish last feb winter flyfishing, left some good teeth marks.

There can be the odd bull in almost any river system including the bow... I wouldnt waste my time targeting them in the crow as it would be like targeting pike in the bow... Yes there is the odd one but it will be a long time between catches. I only fish drys on the crow so I guess its not to surprising I haven't come across one, never heard of anyone fishing it for bulls. Although its north yes the Ascabatha would also be a good bet & wouldn't cost the annoying $20 fee, there are some huge bulls in there.

I have caught one Bull trout in the crowsnest river in 20+ years flyfishing this river. Below the falls. So, not worth the attempt in the winter if you want a bully. But I have also read about the Athabasca river in winter for the big char. I suspect the fishing would be slow, but at least you would be fishing.

Check out the section of the Oldman river bellow the reservoir, holds lots of big bull and rainbows and it is open all winter I believe. Just be warned the winds can make flyfishing miserable at times.

Cheers,

Flyfishing for bulls in the winter is my absolute favorite thing ever

Can be challenging