Lower oldman river, dry fly water levels

Summer Levels, Lower Oldman River

I drove to the the lower Oldman river this past weekend. The 3 ink blue silos off of the highway and the information sign saying, Head Smashed in Buffalo Jump 32km, always remind me that I have arrived. The river is finally at low summer levels/flow. It has taken some time as we are already in the third week of August. With the lower level there is a lot of flat water, dry fly opportunities. I've seen some big fish surface feeding and I was lucky enough to catch one on a spinner pattern, size 16; a 20+ inch fish. There still are a lot of fish focusing on emergers but some are eating Duns even in the bright sun. It depends on how strong the wind is blowing. PMD's are the main hatch with spinner falls at night. Pelicans are around which means fish! Drift boats are  around; this also means fish! The trout continue to be challenging and fairly selective. A fellow in a dinghy, with his son, floated up to me and said, "You are not catching anything". I informed him that I had hooked quite a few fish that afternoon. He then said, "only small ones I bet". I replied that I in fact had managed to land some fairly sizable trout. He seemed disappointed with this. His expression suggested he couldn't accept what I said; it just didn't fit; it just wasn't a possibility. But it did happen...as sure as buffalo jump and pelicans fly in southwestern Alberta. Here is a photo.

Lower Oldman River Rainbow

Trout, olives and bears, oh my!

I was out on the Crowsnest river last night for a couple of hours. I went out as the sky was somewhat overcast and had been most of the day. Lately, it has been mainly sunny and blue skies; no complaints here as summertime  in the Rockies is as quick as a New York minute.I was hoping the partial cloud cover would improve the evening hatch; it did. There were the usual PMD's, and a spinner fall, but also the nice addition of  Blue Winged Olives probably due to the clouds. This was the most significant hatch. I picked up a couple of mid-sized fish and broke off a large one.  I noticed a lot of bear dung on the riverside road and on all the pathways to the river. They are eating the few berries that are around this year. If you are out in the evening stay alert and make your presence known.

Crowsnest River

The black beetle rules

Early this summer I went up into the mountains to fish a small native cutthroat stream. The water was clear and the level almost perfect for dries. In certain spots I was sightfishing. I tied on a haystack pattern and picked up some fish. Eventually put on a black beetle and did even better. Caught some fairly large fish, considering the size of the stream, on the beetle. Cutthroats are right up there with Brook trout for their beauty. Here are some photos of the little gems...

Alberta Wild Cutthroat

Shut up and fish

While driving my dog down to the river for a cool swim on a hot August day I spotted a familiar figure on main street in Bellevue, my home town. I've named the familiar figure, The Sentry. He's like a guard on duty. It seems he's always standing there surveying Main street; checking out the scene. It is not much of a scene as Main street is short and simply a small collection of tired worn-out commercial buildings, many of them empty. He doesn't seem to do anything or have a purpose. He's just there, like a statue; an almost around- the-clock permanent fixture. It doesn't matter the temperature, he's always dressed the same: blue jeans; a black tee-shirt restraining a sizeable belly; and a ball cap. It is the official uniform of many Bellevue locals. Usually a black tee-shirt in this region has a Jack Daniels, Harley Davidson, or a Skull and Cross Bones logo on it; always something tough. The Sentry's shirt in bold print it read, "Shut Up and Fish!

That evening I debated whether to go fishing,or not. I eventually did go and re-visited a spot where a large fish has been feeding for quite awhile. He starts when the river bank cast a shadow on a section of slow water where insects get channeled. His rises have usually been sporadic but he's always there in the evening. I hooked him several weeks ago but didn't land him. I've cast to him since and fooled him with an small imitation but didn't get a hook-up. This time he was as challenging as usual; very selective and not interested in my offerings. I couldn't figure out what he was eating in spite of closely investigating the bugs on the water. Eventually he stopped rising; it was if he disappeared. I waited and waited. The light started waning and then I noticed a large fish surfacing directly across the river. I waded the short distance. It looked like the same fish; certainly the same impressive size. He was feeding more aggressively this time and took the tiny offering. Luckily I managed to land him. A great rainbow thanks to the Sentry's advice: Shut up and fish! Here's a photo...

20 Inch Crowsnest River Rainbow Trout

Crowsnest river, early august evening

I was on the Crow the other night from 7 to 9:30 pm. The water conditions are now low; typical summer levels. As the light faded larger fish moved into the shallow areas and started feeding on the evening hatch of PMD's and a Spinner fall which was quite intense. I spotted a couple large fish which were quite selective. A bank feeder wasn't interested in a number of different PMD patterns (duns) that I tossed his way. He was in a challenging spot and I had to reposition myself a couple of times to try and get a clean drift over him, as I thought his refusals may be due to drag which wasn't apparent to me. I eventually got him to slide an inch or so sideways to sip a spinner pattern but as I tried setting the hook no connection. It was my only chance. Several other late evening feeders seemed to be focusing mainly on emergers with only the occasional head rise. I missed one more large fish and then ran out of light. It was fun to be there even though I went home without landing a fish. The evening was calm, warm and the river valley full of life. I watched a doe and her fawn ford the stream just before I headed for my vehicle.

Lower Oldman River, emergers over dries

I fished the Crow on July 31 and then a local tailwater, Lower Oldman river on Aug 1st. I fished both rivers from suppertime until dark as weather has been hot and sunny. The dry fly action occurred late. On the Crow I saw PMD's, Yellow and Lime Sallies in great numbers, still some big Golden Stones and of course Caddis flies. The Crow is still dropping and is almost, but not quite yet, at an ideal level for the dry fly angler. Spotted some sippers; not many, and caught one. On the tailwater, similar hatches with PMD's and small stoneflies being predominant bugs...I think some Small Western Green Drakes were around. Water releases from dam (63 M3/S)still significant for this time of year making it far from ideal for top water action. I got a couple rainbows on surface but the most consistent activity was when fishing an emerger pattern trailing off of the dry as many fish bulging and boiling but rarely showing their heads. I fished a small RS2 style fly with some success. The river often requires this type of tactic. Trout in the Lower Oldman can get very single-minded and "lock-on" to emergers. Very challenging angling; the most difficult river in the region when the hatch is on. You have to alter your game plan at times and be flexible or risk going home empty handed. Picky trout are fun!