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-   -   Bullies in the Oldman (http://www.outdoorsmenforum.ca/showthread.php?t=369695)

markfisher0 09-19-2019 10:50 PM

Bullies in the Oldman
 
Hey guys,

I have been to the oldman numerous times and have had lot of success catching cutties and rainbows. However, every time I try for bullies I get skunked. My questions to you more experienced folks are: Where are some good pools containing bullies that many people say are awesome to fight? I have heard articulated streamers are usually good, how large and what color work the best?

Cheers guys!

goldscud 09-20-2019 07:53 AM

Have you considered that it is presently bull trout spawning season and perhaps they should be left alone while they are laying eggs?
The fish will have migrated to spawning ground areas and left their usual spots along the river.
Good stewardship of the resource will ensure more bull trout for the future

markfisher0 09-20-2019 08:29 AM

Thanks for the reply @goldscud. You have a good point for sure and I completely agree with you.

However, I am thinking of collecting some info and tactics for next season.

Jayhad 09-20-2019 09:39 AM

Bullies of a decent size eat other fish. Match the hatch.

Dragless 09-21-2019 04:08 PM

Spawning probably mostly done but if u stick to the main stem you wouldnt be targeting spawners anyhow i think they spawn everyotheryear so theres always fish not spawning try below any rapids where smaller fish become disoriented the bulls will lie in abmush spots ready to pounce, waterfalls and plunge pools are great habitat. Dont be afraid to use alot of splitshot to get down fast start with the biggest streamer you have and size down if you not having any luck. Good luck.

3blade 09-24-2019 01:24 PM

As big as you can cast. White and flashy, like their food. Deep, real deep, the ones that live to get big learn to avoid the surface. This is probably the number one reason you aren’t getting bulls, it takes a lot to get down there in fast deep water and it sucks to cast that much weight.

SHARP hooks, as in sharpen them throughout the day...they clamp down and often let go as you set the hook.

My “downsize” is used when I think they might be hook shy, because they never really key in on anything but fish. muddler minnow with lots of weight on a 15-20ft fluoro leader dragged through the bottom of a deep pool...but this pushes the limit of what you can really call fly fishing, more like jig fishing. Fun though, they do seem to really hate that pattern and strike hard.

Big heavy stonefly/salmon fly imitations sometimes work as well. I’ve thought of drifting an egg clump pattern, imitating whitefish eggs...never gotten around to it.

scel 09-25-2019 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3blade (Post 4030562)
]
My “downsize” is used when I think they might be hook shy, because they never really key in on anything but fish. muddler minnow with lots of weight on a 15-20ft fluoro leader dragged through the bottom of a deep pool...but this pushes the limit of what you can really call fly fishing, more like jig fishing. Fun though, they do seem to really hate that pattern and strike hard.

It does not surpise me your splitshot muddler is a go-to pattern. My #1 bull trout pattern is a modestly sized clouser minnow: straight white, white-olive, and white-brown. I think anything that sinks quickly and represents a 1-2 year old whitefish is to bull trout as a SJW or pheasant tail is to a rainbow trout---they have to eat, so they eat something that is somewhat

The clouser will sink much faster and will usually have a bit more glitz than a muddler, but it will push less water and the muddler plays dual duty as a whitefish and sculpin.

WinefredCommander 09-25-2019 02:29 PM

All I catch is bullies, and no I'm not sharing how because I AM THE COMMANDER!

Dubious 09-25-2019 02:50 PM

Big old Double bunnies and clouser minnows are my go to. Haven’t fished them in the spawn some times when the water is a bit muddy you catch more I think it’s because they don’t have time to think about what there hitting and just go for it. double bunnies also work really well for fly rod pike and that can be a lot of fun.

Bonescreek 10-04-2019 11:16 PM

Old fisherman's tails in stories like these are
written in good books gone by.

How the Clouser can catch all the bull in the thatch
when the water is muddy and dry.

"With some luck tonight, I might have her at my finger tips."

"It's a mighty fine way to go down."
"Put the kiss of the dawn on my lips."
"It's a mighty fine way to be bound."
"With some luck tonight, I might have her tonight at my finger tips."

GL

Yea I may have mixed up the lines, but
I know what it means to catch a fish. :)

Coulee 01-13-2020 09:20 PM

Fish a Bow River Bugger in deep holes. 'Nuff said.


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