Crowsnest River Report, Mid- April 2013

Winter returned to the Crowsnest Pass this weekend. At least one foot of snow accumulated. Increased snow pack will pay dividends in August. I managed to negotiate the slippery roads and get to two rivers: the Lower Oldman and Crowsnest where I checked out several reliable dry fly spots. The midge hatch was fairly good, but there was no sign of life: no risers; no surface disturbances at all, just jumbo snow flakes melting into the mercurial river's surface. The rainbow and brown trout appeared to be hunkered down; probably watching golf on TV. The white river banks were flecked with many small dark midges and little stones. There was also a few big bugs, Skwala. The water temperature at both places was around 39-40F. It all looked so, so promising and I thought I'd catch a couple on top, but the Trout said "No". To stay warm I did some walking and took photos.

Here is a snap of the Crowsnest river in a snow storm:

Here are some snowy riverside shots:

 

Lots of midges in a small back eddy:

Beautiful horses near my home:

Crowsnest River Banks, Healthy vs Damaged

Canada is know for its Banks. Our Banks are seen as solid and stable. Our Banks are envied around the world. Britain even snatched the Governor of our Banks.

Below is a good, solid Canadian Bank. It is a Crowsnest River Bank.

healthy crowsnest river bank

 

intact crowsnest river bank

Below is a poor, weak Bank. It is also a Crowsnest River Bank.




unhealthy crowsnest river bank

cow trodden crowsnest river bank

 

The difference between the two Banks is the good, solid one hasn't had Cows on it and the poor, weak one has. The weak one has been trampled by the heavy creatures and is caving in. Also, the Cows have eaten much of the stream side vegetation which keeps the soil in place. When Banks cave in a river broadens, becomes shallower, and the water becomes warmer and murky. Water quality suffers and cold water species like Trout disappear.

If you keep Cows off of a river and leave the riparian vegetation alone (don't cut it down), the Banks will stay intact. Large wildlife like deer don't degrade Banks.

Pristine water is a rarity. You'd think we would want to keep the few cool, clear streams that we have left.

Here is a good solid Bank. I have often seen deer sleeping here.

 

 

 

Here is a damaged Bank.

Abstract Art by Nature

Nothing was happening at my local tailwater river today. I expected a good small fly hatch (midges) due to the weather: heavy sky, drizzle and sometimes snow. However, no bugs and no trout up when I was there. So to stay warm I walked up to some riverside cliffs and looked at abstract art. Here are some snaps while I was at the highly acclaimed gallery.

 

 

Easter Eggs, Starbucks and Missouri River Browns

missouri river brown

When my Retriever was younger she would spend a full day with me while I fished. Being a water dog she always hugged the river and stayed close by. If she wandered off I knew something was up. Once she found a goose nest, picked up an egg and proudly brought it to me. I guess she thought I'd be pleased. Instead I firmly said, "No". She reacted by immediately opening her soft mouth. The saliva covered egg rolled out and then I heard a "crack". Since then she has found other nests but has left the contents alone. Bird dogs are smart.

Migrating birds were all over the Missouri river this past weekend signalling Spring. Here is a picture of a riverside Goose nest with Easter eggs included.

The midge hatch this weekend was quite thin. Some fish did rise but not the numbers experienced two weeks ago. I was told many of the river's large Rainbows were in the tributaries spawning. I was hoping that with their absence some of the trout I spotted would be Browns. Some were, and I caught a couple early and late in the day when it was calm. Some Rainbows were also caught.

brown trout

All three fly shops in the town of Craig were open which is another indication that Spring is here. One serves up Starbucks coffee...a nice touch especially on a coldish late March morning or after wading in 38F water for several hours. Also a nice alternative to Interstate coffee with powdered creamer!

Once the river temperature rises to 40 or 42F the Blue Wing Olives will start to pop and large fish will be up all over the place, which is what this river is known for.

I almost didn't make the long drive south this weekend as the dry fly report wasn't promising. I'm glad I did as I spotted some risers, witnessed Spring returning along with majestic Canada geese, and remembered when my dog pranced out of the riverside brush with a big fat goose egg in her mouth. If I would have stayed at home inside, it would have all just passed me by. Carpe diem.







photo taken from missouri river island

morning calm