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Old 01-24-2017, 11:18 AM
ntsougri ntsougri is offline
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Default Brook Trout Fishing in Alberta’s Cataract Creek

Brook Trout Fishing in Alberta’s Cataract Creek

Hello everyone, I have a new post on my website: flyfishingexplorer.com.

This new photo essay is about having some fun hiking and dry fly fishing for aggressive Brook Trout on Cataract Creek while enjoying the amazing eastern slopes of the Rockies Mountains!

It is so much fun trying to catch these smaller Brookies especially when the farther you hike from the road the more aggressive & unsuspecting fish you find. You know you've had a great day when you lose track of how many fish you actually caught on the dry fly,

Check out my other photo essays from the Oldman, Livingstone, Elbow and Highwood Rivers. Also you can watch my interview videos with legendary Jack Dennis and Jim McLellan as they discuss their fly fishing topics.

January Tip: Now is the time to check you fishing equipment and see what you will require for the upcoming season. Your local fly shops will appreciate a visit this time of year and they have great deals where you can save big and show your support.

Tight lines,

Nickolas T.
flyfishingexplorer.com

http://flyfishingexplorer.com/advent...ataract-creek/
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File Type: jpg Cataract Creek 2.jpg (68.5 KB, 528 views)
File Type: jpg Cataract Creek 4.jpg (67.6 KB, 544 views)
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Old 01-24-2017, 01:16 PM
Jason.seaward Jason.seaward is offline
 
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Thanks for the post and pics. I have never fished there, but looks perfect!! Thanks for planning seed ideas for this summer.
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Old 01-24-2017, 05:42 PM
rycoma rycoma is offline
 
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Its a fun little creek haven't been there since the flood. Super eager brookies when the creek warms up.
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Old 01-24-2017, 07:53 PM
Bobdep Bobdep is offline
 
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Awesome!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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Old 01-24-2017, 09:49 PM
calgarygringo calgarygringo is offline
 
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It is a great place to fish. Great fishing and awesome scenery. I have been fishing there since the late 70's and keep going back. There are many to be had and if you are willing to walk upstream a ways and fish the honey holes and beaver ponds there are some bigger ones than most people think could be in a creek of that size. 15 inch plus are not unusual up there.
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Old 01-25-2017, 07:44 AM
Dr.Shortington Dr.Shortington is offline
 
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I have a few questions for those that fish cataract...

Do you start from where it flows into the highwood and work your way upstream? Or do you head to the campground and fish from there?

From the campground do you fish upstream or downstream?

Also, where are "the falls"?

Thanks guys. Not trying to pry anyone's secret spot. But I have heard many great tales of success on cataract but just cant figure it out! Thanks.
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Old 01-25-2017, 09:04 AM
ntsougri ntsougri is offline
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Hi Dr. S.

My photo essay on my website says we went west or upstream of the bridge that crosses Cataract Creek and the Forestry Truck Road.
The further away from the road you hike westward the more Brookies you will find to catch on the dry fly. In my opinion there are too many 4 to 6 inch Brook Trout in the headwaters of Cataract Creek and adjacent ponds.

If you head east or downstream on Cataract Creek you can actually hike all the way to the confluence of Cataract Creek and the Highwood River in the Kananaskis Park. There are several falls and you will find many people hiking in this area. Fishing can be good but it takes more skill to catch them the closer you get to the confluence.

I suggest you view a topographical map and then plan a Cataract Creek fishing adventure this summer. Be bear aware in this region and good luck.

Cheers, Nickolas

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Old 01-25-2017, 04:26 PM
Dr.Shortington Dr.Shortington is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ntsougri View Post
Hi Dr. S.

My photo essay on my website says we went west or upstream of the bridge that crosses Cataract Creek and the Forestry Truck Road.
The further away from the road you hike westward the more Brookies you will find to catch on the dry fly. In my opinion there are too many 4 to 6 inch Brook Trout in the headwaters of Cataract Creek and adjacent ponds.

If you head east or downstream on Cataract Creek you can actually hike all the way to the confluence of Cataract Creek and the Highwood River in the Kananaskis Park. There are several falls and you will find many people hiking in this area. Fishing can be good but it takes more skill to catch them the closer you get to the confluence.

I suggest you view a topographical map and then plan a Cataract Creek fishing adventure this summer. Be bear aware in this region and good luck.

Cheers, Nickolas

Thanks! Great pics too.

I stayed at the campground last summer. We hiked up stream for a long time which was rather treacherous and unrewarding. Didn't find a single pool or fish the whole way. Kind of disappointing. I am honestly starting to think we weren't on Cataract creek
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Old 01-25-2017, 04:32 PM
Dr.Shortington Dr.Shortington is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dr.Shortington View Post
Thanks! Great pics too.

I stayed at the campground last summer. We hiked up stream for a long time which was rather treacherous and unrewarding. Didn't find a single pool or fish the whole way. Kind of disappointing. I am honestly starting to think we weren't on Cataract creek

Quick trip to google earth and I have confirmed we werent....looks like some little tributary that flows into it from the south.....FML
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Old 01-25-2017, 04:56 PM
Taco Taco is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dr.Shortington View Post
Quick trip to google earth and I have confirmed we werent....looks like some little tributary that flows into it from the south.....FML
Wilkinson Ck,

Cataract and Wilkinson were historically fishless The planted brookies really populated Cataract but for some reason not Wilkinson. The area biologist did plant some cutthroat in Wilkinson way above the FTR at one time but it doesn't seem they survived and reproduced at all.
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Old 01-25-2017, 05:05 PM
Dr.Shortington Dr.Shortington is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Taco View Post
Wilkinson Ck,

Cataract and Wilkinson were historically fishless The planted brookies really populated Cataract but for some reason not Wilkinson. The area biologist did plant some cutthroat in Wilkinson way above the FTR at one time but it doesn't seem they survived and reproduced at all.
It was crazy small. Most parts 4-5 ft wide or even less, barely 3-4 inches deep if that.

Looked like the flood did a number on this creek too. Downed trees and carnage everywhere made for some really rough trekking.
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Old 01-25-2017, 05:18 PM
calgarygringo calgarygringo is offline
 
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Go downstream from the campground and follow the meadow to head to the falls. You will run out of path but if you watch on the right side it will continue up in the bush. Follow it and you will see the falls on the left of you and way down.

Go upstream of the campground and follow the creek/meadow. There are lots of deep pools along the way and you can walk for hours upstream if you are into that. Watch for beaver ponds and several beaver runs that look like nothing but you will be surprised what comes out of some of those small runs that the beavers have dammed up. Some of the deeper pools right along the edges at the end of a good run tend to produce some surprises as well.
I have lead a few treks of this forum in the past as well and many had some pretty good days on our outings and were surprised what comes out of that little piece of water.
Back in the day we used to get the odd rainbow out of there too and they were usually pretty nice size. Haven't seen one in years so must be fished out or flushed out I would guess.
This is one of our favorite camping places as well as it is usually pretty quiet and not very busy on most weekends.




Quote:
Originally Posted by Dr.Shortington View Post
I have a few questions for those that fish cataract...

Do you start from where it flows into the highwood and work your way upstream? Or do you head to the campground and fish from there?

From the campground do you fish upstream or downstream?

Also, where are "the falls"?

Thanks guys. Not trying to pry anyone's secret spot. But I have heard many great tales of success on cataract but just cant figure it out! Thanks.
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Old 01-25-2017, 07:29 PM
Taco Taco is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by calgarygringo View Post


Back in the day we used to get the odd rainbow out of there too and they were usually pretty nice size. Haven't seen one in years so must be fished out or flushed out I would guess.
Brook trout crowd out the rainbows just like cutthroat. There used to be quite a few cutthroat above the last bridge on the haul road.
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Old 01-25-2017, 09:08 PM
Quiksilverj76 Quiksilverj76 is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dr.Shortington View Post
It was crazy small. Most parts 4-5 ft wide or even less, barely 3-4 inches deep if that.

Looked like the flood did a number on this creek too. Downed trees and carnage everywhere made for some really rough trekking.
I took my cousin up Wilkinson thinking it was Cataract, we caught some brookies in there. In fact the biggest one we caught all day was in Wilkinson, maybe 8-10 inches. Rather girthy (if that is even a word) in size too. There is some in there. Little ones for the most part, but still fun to catch!
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Old 01-26-2017, 03:12 PM
ntsougri ntsougri is offline
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Thanks for all the responses. Remember the headwaters of Cataract Creek are a great place to take your kids creek fishing. The scenery and abundance of Brook Trout will make for a fun trip.
Tight Lines,
Nick

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Old 02-09-2017, 10:10 PM
ntsougri ntsougri is offline
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Check out my new post on my website called - Fly Fishing the North Ram River:

http://flyfishingexplorer.com/advent...rth-ram-river/

Thanks to everyone for visiting my website and all the positive responses.

Cheers,

Nickolas
flyfishingexplorer.com

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Old 02-13-2017, 09:50 AM
quadmaster quadmaster is offline
 
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Thanks for the photos
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Old 03-20-2017, 09:12 AM
ntsougri ntsougri is offline
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Default TU 2017 Tackle Swap

Support theTrout Unlimited Canada - Bow River Chapter

2017 Tackle Swap and Boat Sale

Sat April 15
10 am to 12 noon
South Calgary Community Association
3130 - 16 Street SW

Lots of great deals on Fly Fishing and Spinning Gear.
Don't miss this great opportunity!


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Old 04-09-2017, 04:42 PM
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Stryker2 Stryker2 is offline
 
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Default Great Blog and photos!

I love your web site and blogs, it's a wonderful way for me as a fairly new fly fisher to give me direction to where I might be able to fish in rivers. I've been fly fishing for 3 years and so far only fished 3 or 4 rivers/creeks mostly because I didn't know where to go and it's very hard finding any information about where to fish as everyone is part of the "Secret Society". LOL! and I don't have the codes to get in. Being a woman in Northern Alberta fly fishing isn't easy! Thanks for sharing with us!
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Old 04-10-2017, 09:50 AM
ntsougri ntsougri is offline
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A great source for fly fishing information and locations is Barry Mitchell's Annual Fishing Guide Magazine with over 1400 Alberta listings. The 2017 edition was just released and is usually available in bookstores or at Canadian Tire.

Cheers,
Nickolas
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Old 04-10-2017, 06:01 PM
CraigJ CraigJ is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Stryker2 View Post
I love your web site and blogs, it's a wonderful way for me as a fairly new fly fisher to give me direction to where I might be able to fish in rivers. I've been fly fishing for 3 years and so far only fished 3 or 4 rivers/creeks mostly because I didn't know where to go and it's very hard finding any information about where to fish as everyone is part of the "Secret Society". LOL! and I don't have the codes to get in. Being a woman in Northern Alberta fly fishing isn't easy! Thanks for sharing with us!
Most people won't publicly post fishing spots out of fear of the unwashed masses descending on that spot. I have been told if you PM some of the more experienced members (I'm not one of those) they may provide you advise and suggestions
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Old 04-11-2017, 03:02 AM
drhu22 drhu22 is offline
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Please don't publicly name streams and bodies of water, etc. As nice as it might seem to know where to catch that trout. Many areas are already on the tipping point of losing biodiversity due to human activity... the worst thing to do is add to it by advertising.


Edit: I would add that I'm referring to fragile/endangered natural areas.

Last edited by drhu22; 04-11-2017 at 03:08 AM.
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