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Old 11-19-2012, 07:38 PM
Hopper Hopper is offline
 
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Default 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!
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Old 11-19-2012, 08:56 PM
onthefly onthefly is offline
 
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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
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Old 11-19-2012, 09:18 PM
Hopper Hopper is offline
 
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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!
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Old 11-19-2012, 10:10 PM
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J.B. J.B. is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by onthefly View Post
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
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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Old 11-19-2012, 10:20 PM
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Speckle55 Speckle55 is offline
 
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next message
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Old 11-19-2012, 10:21 PM
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Speckle55 Speckle55 is offline
 
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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.
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Old 11-19-2012, 10:47 PM
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Guitarplayingfish Guitarplayingfish is offline
 
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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.
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Old 11-20-2012, 12:26 AM
onthefly onthefly is offline
 
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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.

Last edited by onthefly; 11-20-2012 at 12:39 AM.
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Old 11-22-2012, 02:38 PM
Bow flyman Bow flyman is offline
 
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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.
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Old 11-22-2012, 10:54 PM
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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,
__________________
Fishing isnt just a way of life, it is life!!!
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  #11  
Old 12-04-2012, 08:45 PM
Fishtooth Fishtooth is offline
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Flyfishing for bulls in the winter is my absolute favorite thing ever

Can be challenging
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