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text
& photo by Jim McLennan
illustration: Robert Biron |
March - Rainbow Trout,
Crowsnest River, Alberta
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Alberta’s
fly fishers, much like anglers across the country, suffer from
cabin fever by the time early spring rolls around. Blame it
on fishing withdrawal. In Alberta, the weather, water temperatures
and seasonal closures all conspire to restrict the season for
stream trout to the period between May and October. But the
Crowsnest River in the southwest of the province offers a March
break, if you will. The section of the river from the East Hillcrest
bridge downstream to Lundbreck Falls is open to catch-and-release
fishing throughout the winter and spring, and the upper portion
is usually free of ice in March. And the fishing is surprisingly
good at that time, with 15- to 18-inch rainbow trout (and some
even larger) gathered in pools. March is pre-runoff time, and
the water is usually low and clear, with the trout feeding more
actively as the water warms. When conditions are just right—a
warm, calm day with a bit of cloud cover, for instance—you
may even find them feeding on midges at the surface. For fly
fishers, that can only mean one thing: their first dry-fly fix
in months.
TACKLE
AND TECHNIQUES
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| BEYOND
RAINBOWS |
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the Crowsnest there’s also a high population
of mountain whitefish, while good numbers of cutthroat
trout and a smattering of bull and brown trout can
be found below Lundbreck Falls. |
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Sinking
lines and streamers, or strike indicators and deep nymphs, are
most commonly used for early-spring fishing on Alberta’s
rivers. On the Crow, though, the opportunity for finesse fishing
with light tackle and small flies (which many prefer) is a sure
cure for even the worst case of cabin fever. You’ll want
an eight- to nine-foot-long fly rod with 3-, 4- or 5-weight
floating line. Nine- to 12-foot leaders, tapered to 5X, are
recommended, as are Pheasant Tail, Lightning Bug and Rick’s
Mink nymphs in sizes 14 to 20, and Griffith’s Gnat and
CDC Midge Emerger dry flies in sizes 18 to 22. Good holding
water can be fished blind with nymphs, but sight-fishing is
also possible.
GETTING THERE
The Crowsnest River is about two hours southwest of Calgary
via Highway 22, or about 1 1/2 hours west of Lethbridge via
Highway 3. |
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Local
experts
• The Crowsnest Angler,
(403) 564-4333
• Wholesale Sports,
(403) 328-5252
For
more info
•
The Crowsnest Pass Chamber of Commerce, (403) 562-7108;
www.crowsnest-pass.com
• Crowsnest Highway
3 Marketing Consortium,
1-800-661-1222; www.highway3.ca
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Beyond
the Crowsnest River
Looking for more local rainbow hot spots? Also try:
• Lees Lake (ice
fishing)
• Beauvais Lake (ice
fishing)
• Bow River
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TO HOT SPOTS |
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