The snow is crisp and hard, crackling under my waders like shards of glass, sending tiny ice crystals flying up in the air behind me with every footstep. I have made this walk alone a thousand times over yet each time I get closer to it’s banks my heart starts beating in anticipation of our re-union. The air is cold and redolent with the smell of pine and fir, all the other trees have long lost their foliage and stand like naked sentries against the grey and foreboding sky. My breath hangs in the air, a fog that slowly dissipates behind me and rises above the trail like a cloud formation. Winter has laid its hand to rest and all, save for the river, is seemingly at a standstill. It is as though the world had taken a deep breath and forgot to exhale.

I come here once a year now, usually around the time when all the others have long since left the water, and I can fish for miles without seeing another soul. The solitude of this stretch of water, boundary water, refreshes me and I bathe in the tranquility of its pristine splendor. The tug of its gentle currents against my waders comforts me and welcomes me back like the embrace of an old friend. Like a close friend that one hasn’t seen for awhile and although changed by the years, we still recognize each other and pick up seamlessly where we left off last. It was here that I discovered how caddis moved about imperceptively on the riverbed wrapped in their brown husks, and how the big brown trout would lie vertically in the stretch of water under the old covered bridge and gracefully sip flies during a mayfly hatch with an audible slurp. It was here I caught the giant rainbow while a whitetail deer watched from the opposite riverbank, unbothered by my presence. It was here I came to find solace in the weeks following my father’s death and it was the river that comforted me in my grief and gave me the strength to move forward. It was also here one wintry day that I almost lost my life after being swept away by the current under an ice floe, re-surfacing a few seconds later on the other side like a cork bobber.

For the most part this river is largely unknown or ignored and very few people bother fishing its cold waters. I like it like this and sometimes feel that this section of the river belongs to me and that all its trout are waiting for me to return.The melodic rapids whisper hushed secrets to me, telling me where the good trout are lying and where to drift my offering. This river is like a good book that must be re-read every few years in order to pick up things missed first time around, either by lack of experience or attention, or simply to remind us of what a good story is really all about. Like all things temporal,  the river’s character changes every year - it ages, widens and narrows in places, matures, deepens. New pools form, boulders are re-located downstream, new deadfalls appear and and old ones blow downstream with the ice melt every Spring. I have learned from this river that the only constant in life is change. I have also learned from it that it is impossible to fish the same river twice- ARI VINEBERG

I made my way down to the Bow River earlier in the week to try my luck at some trout fishing. I arrived and viewed the splendid colors of fall here in Alberta. The leaves are turning a golden yellow mixed in with warm reds. The leaves are slowly dropping from the trees as the north wind is pushing them off their branches. I still cannot believe summer has come and gone once again. What a summer I had fishing the Bow River! I would like to thank my fantastic clients I was able to guide this spring and into the summer months. I sure hope you had as much fun as I did!

When I decide to fish the banks of the Bow River I usually pick a slow deep spot in the river, so I drove down to a hole which usually holds big browns at this time of the year. I walked out into the clearing and stood beside the river in total shock. I saw back hoes, earth movers and likes damming up one side of the river. “So much for catching any fish in that place today” I mumbled to myself. I was in the same location in the summer and ran into two guys surveying the river. I asked them what they were doing and they informed me they were planning to put some sewage piping from one side of the river to the other under ground. I spitted out some words I cannot repeat here and left the river thinking “there goes another good spot to fish the Bow”.

There was a time not so long ago that a fisherman could leave Calgary and take a short drive into seclusion. Not anymore! As this city grows and grows it infringes on the once private sections of the river. Pretty soon I will need to drive an hour to escape the commotion of the concrete jungle. Those secret spots on the river are no longer secrets, but I still remain grateful we have the river here. It sure has been good to me over the years!

I left the river with my head hung a little lower than usual. Destruction of the river never gets me into a good mood. I never hooked into any trout that day, wonder if all the construction had anything to do with that? I stopped to daydream of the past and shoot a few pictures of the fall colors. A playful duck was hammering away at the larva which was all along the shore line. The wind picked up and sent chills down my back, a little reminder from Mother Nature that winter is just around the corner.

www.bowriverblog.com

The past month has been quite busy for me in terms of fishing. I have been lucky enough to go out at least once every week in August.   It may sound like I am complaining but its far from it.  I appreciate any time on the water and enjoy it to the fullest.  Every outing offers an opportunity for something great to be descovered.  Like a new spot, technique or pattern that you may not have thought twice about in the past.   Early August I took part in the associate fishing tournament with my uncle.   He and I did  fairly well placing 6th spot overall. We weighed in at 12.24lbs. for 4 fish.  I had the 5th fish on but my drag system messed up on my reel casuing the fish to get loose.  What a heart breaker!!  I have to say that I did have a great time and at this moment would like to give special thanks to my Uncle!   

I aslo took part in the Largemouth Bass North BOUNTY FISHING tournament.   This was my first ever Bounty tournament I have to say that I was very excited to take part in it.  I ended up finishing 6th in this tournament as well.  My fish weighed in at 19inches.  This fish came off a 5/8 jig by punching heavy matted vegetation.  These largies were right in the middle of it all just relaxing under all the shade and cover.

I also took part in the carp BOUNTY FISHING tournament.  In this tournament I came in 10th spot with a fish of 26.25inches. This is a very small carp.  However, it was all I could muster up from a local spot that in the past has proven to hold big carp. 

Before I head out to fish a river at night I will go out and do some scouting during the daylight hours. I look for hazards that could endanger me and I also look for prime fishing water while there. I look for classic trout holding water such as pools, slow deep runs and under cut banks where fish could be holding. When fish are hiding here during the day it can be quite difficult to cast to them, or they are not going to feed during the day. As nightfall happens, these fish move out of their cover and come alive into more approachable fishing water where you can cast to them.

For these reasons your prime water at night might now include slow outside bends, tail end of a pool, inside shallow bends, and those calm open flats can all start to produce fish once the cover of darkness arrives, especially if this water boarders deeper “classic” holding areas.

The lures I prefer to use at night include plugs like Rapala’s, Berkley Frenzy’s, Matzuo jointed minnows. What I will do when fishing at night is have two fishing rods rigged up and ready to go. I do not like fumbling around at night trying to tie on hooks. So I avoid this hassle and get prepared before hand in the daylight hours.

When approaching the location of water you plan to fish, do so quietly and softly as to not scare off any fish that are holding near the edge of the bank. Also keep your flashlight or head mounted light away from your targeted water. Remember, the less you disturb your location the more chance you will have at landing a trophy Brown.

Please remember fishing in the dark is sometimes awkward and can be challenging. This type of fishing is purely based on feel. But once you have done it a few times you will become productive and could be rewarded with the trophy Brown Trout of your dreams.

Fishing a pond can be both fun and productive. Ponds usually do not get the pressure that main lakes and rivers see. Therefore, they can offer anyone a good chance to catch a fish. When the fish are biting you can pretty much throw anything at them and have a good shot at catching a nice bass. But what do you use when the fishing gets tough? Well I’m going to tell you the 5 lures that every pond angler should have in order to up their chances in tricking a fish into biting.

The first lure that should be in everyone’s tackle box is a top water lure of some sort. More specifically, you should have a popper lure. These lures offer great excitement and fun when the fish are attacking the lure. These lures are ideal for early mornings or later evenings. Both Smallmouth Bass and Largemouth Bass can not resist these lures on the pond.

The second lure that I suggest which should be in your tackle box is a stick worm. Stick worms like the Senko offer a slow presentation when fished weightless. Big bass can not resist the quivering action as it slowly falls to the bottom of the pond. The Senko is a great lure to be fished at any time of the day.

The third lure that I recommend that you have for pond fishing is a small crankbait. These lures offer a great advantage for the angler to reach the deep depths of the pond. When the fish are down deep throw a crankbait out and reel it in so it’s making contact with the bottom. This gets the attention of the fish in those dog days of summer.

The forth lure that every pond angler should have is a finesse minnow. A finesse minnow, that is about 3-4 inches in length like the Berkley Gulp Alive minnow, is a great choice. They look real and act real when fished on a drop shot rig. When those fish are locked jawed this lure is your best bet at catching a bass.

The final lure that ought to be in your box is a frog of some sort. Fished over matted vegetation can create some of the biggest explosions you will ever see. Giant pond bass cannot resist “Kermit” hopping along the weeds.

I listed a wide range of lures that should put more fish at the end of your line. These lures offer anglers the ability to catch when fishing gets tough. Remember, the key is to be different then the other anglers. The next time you fish at your favorite pond give these lures a try.

‘Till next time: May your hook sets be Massive and your fish be Monsters!

-Peter Natev

The Seasons and Spinners

From season to season minor adjustments need to be made. But with the changing of the seasons, summer and fall can be great times to fish the spinner. Fall provides the right water temperature and the angling pressure can be low which helps your odds on high pressured rivers and streams.

When fishing in the summer the most important factor to consider is the water temperature. This may require you to start fishing earlier in the day or later on in the evening depending upon where you live. Places where it is cool enough to support trout over the summer may not be cool enough to keep them feeding on a consistent basis. A good idea is to measure the temperature of the water you intend to fish. Test the water to see if it is within the trout’s feeding range. If the water is too warm, your odds will greatly decrease. You might catch the odd fish but why waste the time and effort? If the temperature is too warm move on to another river or stream which has cooler temperatures more suited to your preferred species. Once you reach your intended river with cooler temperatures you will find few changes in the trout’s habits.

Here are the ideal water temperatures for various species of fish:
Rainbow & Steelhead like 56 degrees, Brookies and Browns prefer 59 degrees. Salmon, such as Coho’s and Chinooks like 54 degrees. Pickerel like to feed in 63 degree waters. Bass feed in much warmer water, Small Mouths like 66 degrees and Large Mouths like it at 71 degrees.

As you know, early morning and late evening provide the best times to fish spinners in the summer because the water temperatures are usually within the trout’s feeding range. Sometimes water levels can be low in the early summer which causes trout to be wary or spooky. Trout often will sit near the banks in a river and will hide more than usual under fallen trees, rocks and under cut banks. Since the water level is low, casting a spinner near their hiding spot will scare them and they will not feed. Casting far beyond their hiding spot and bringing the lure across this place will improve your odds of hooking up. Try a heavier spinner with lighter line at this time of year as you can cast further with that combination.

Trout can also see and hear better at this time so fish well away from where you think the fish are hiding out. I fish well upstream of where I think there will be fish as trout cannot see as well behind them. If you have to approach them from the sides or from above, keep a low profile. Stop well short of where you would normally stand and make a longer cast. If you don’t, you will scare a lot of your potential trout. Remember in the summer that trout will not slowly eat their prey; they tend to take as little time as possible to catch their food. Expect them to dart out quickly from their hiding place and then turn and swim back to their hiding spot immediately after hitting your spinner.

This may be the most exciting time for me to fish trout because of the sheer power and quickness the trout poses. Retrieve speeds vary so test which speed is working best for you on that particular day. Try letting the spinner bounce on the bottom a few times before retrieving it in. Keep trying different tricks and find the best one for you on that day’s outing. Make sure that the stretch of river has not been fished, if you see a fisherman fishing ahead of you find another location as chances are he has scared all the fish from that stretch of the river. Find an un-fished stretch of river and your success will greatly improve.

             The past weekend my brother and I went fishing for some pike, at Canal Lake, which is located in the Kawartha region of Ontario, Canada.  We fished from shore casting a variety of baits to see what the fish wanted.   A little tip for fishing from shore is using a lure that can be thrown a long distance.  A lure that can cast further gives you a better advantage because it always you to cover more water. 

            Spinnerbaits and lipless crankbaits was our lure of choice.  Fishing was a little slow because of the funny weather we have been having with an inconsistency of warmth, which is needed to really get those fish in a feeding frenzy.   Lipless crankbaits worked the best and produced numbers of fish but no lunkers were caught.  The way we worked the bait was casting it out as far as we can and reeling the lure in at a steady retrieve just over submerged weeds.  We used 7’MH crankbait casting rods and 7.0:1 burner reels.  Our reels were spooled up with 14lbs fluorocarbon line.   Another tip that I would suggest is use a fluorocarbon line conditioner I can’t stress enough how much it helps with reducing bird nests and the prevention of line coiling.

            All though we did not catch any fish to be bragging about we still had a fun day out on the water.  Any day of fishing beats any day at home.   Not catching “Big Bertha” is only motivation to go out fishing again.

‘Till next time: May your hook sets be Massive and your fish be Monsters!

Using the Spinners

I have written several articles on finding fish and articles on different types of lures. I would now like to share some information regarding the use of the spinner. My intention here is to make your experience on the water more productive. Not only will you improve your odds you will have more fun as well.

Every fisherman has the privilege of seeing different colors and sizes of spinners when he enters the sporting goods store and looks at the shelves. We would all agree the selection is impressive but how do you select a lure which will best suit the river or lake you intend to fish. I used to believe in the old superstition that was based on hearsay, what appealed to my eye or the last fisherman I talked to at the river. What I think happens to most anglers and has happened to me is we select lures “A” “B” and “C” from the shelf. We then go out and fish these lures we selected. We then successfully make a satisfying catch with these lures and then conclude that we have found the “perfect lure”. The fisherman then fishes his “chosen” lures catching a fish every so often. Once in awhile an outstanding catch is made and the fisherman believes he now has an exceptional lure once the fish are “on the bite”.

I now look at things a lot different now I know more. I believe the angler makes a catch when his “chosen” lure coincides with the conditions that are best suited to his “chosen” lure and the style he is fishing it. The result is a predictable one, sometimes he catches a decent fish and sometimes he gets skunked and every so often he catches a monster. This is a classic example of anglers who fish for Trout. I believe the reason that fishing spinners has never been taken seriously is that many fisherman do not take the scientific approach to fishing them, what I mean is matching the lure to the prevailing conditions just like the fly fisherman who carries with him a dozen different fly’s to match the hatch. I believe that anglers when fishing hardware have to consider size, degree of flash, color combination in relation to the water color, temperature, and light conditions. These considerations will produce good consistent catches of high quality fish.

The main objective here is to put spinner fishing within a specific framework where the choice of a particular lure is based upon tangible environmental factors. This will help you dictate what color, size and weight of spinner should be used. An example, a fly fisherman in May will not tie a big fly on the line as this is when the May Fly hatch is coming off. He will tie a small fly that looks as close as possible to the May Fly, he will use the same colors and will keep the fly at the top of the water surface to imitate the hatch. Same thing with spinners, use a smaller spinner that is light and has the same colors in it and you will find success.  This is the framework I speak of here. There is absolutely no reason why trout cannot be negotiated with spinners regularly in all conditions. A great deal of practice combined with some patience and an accurate thermometer will be your greatest asset. A note book to write down your experiences will also add to your future fun fishing the spinner.

On the 4th of May 2008, in the Mississippi river, master angler Darin Opel caught the largest carp in the history of the western hemisphere. The sucker was 92 lbs, shattering the former record of 35 lbs set two years ago. But it’s not only the what that’s cool; it’s the how. As if the catch wasn’t impressive enough, Opel actually shot the fish using a compound bow and arrow - nailed it right above the eye. Then, after fighting with it for 10 minutes, he jumped in the water and wrestled it to shore.

Opel’s a genuine hunter, taking on not only fish, but sharks, and even alligators. In fact, he’s extremely allergic to fish, and gives away his catches to his buddies.

So if that’s the biggest in the west, how big do carps get in Asia?

Not to take away from Darin’s achievements, but the largest carp caught in Asia, pictured below, was a Siamese carp caught by the Thai fisherman on the right last year. It weighed a shocking 256 lbs.

Here’s a video that shows pictures bowfisherman Opel and the massive carp (fast forward to about a minute in): http://wcco.com/video/?id=41361@wcco.dayport.com

Bowfishing in action

In case you were wondering how it works…

These dudes love their bowfishing…

What’s next? …

“You Have Too Many Lures…”

“You have too many lures, you don’t need any more!” Is a phrase that I hear from my family and my friends when they find out I purchased new fishing lures. But are they right to say that I do in fact have too many lures? To be honest, they are partially right because line, hook, and worm would do just fine. After all, it is the most trust worthy bait ever used.

However, fishing for me is more then just sitting and waiting with a worm under a bobber for a fish to bite. I enjoy pitching a jig, ripping a jerkbait, and skipping a finesse worm under a dock. Lures offer more opportunities to catch fish. They are designed to imitate the real thing and to be used as a tool to hunt for those fish. The key word in the previous sentence is hunt. Lures allow you to go out and find the fish. Whereas, when using live bait you are sitting and waiting for the fish too bite.

I’m a collector and I enjoy seeing my tackle trays being filled with various types of lures. And it is only fitting that I do fall victim to the latest bass fishing trends. More notably, the swimbait trend. These giant lures with the most realistic paint finishes are a different lure then from prior years. Who knows maybe the next lure you by may be worth a pretty penny in the future.

Yet, the main reason as to why I purchase lures comes bake to fishing and catching more fish. I want to be prepared for any situation that nature throws at me. Whether it’s a lake that is clear or dirty or even filled with weeds I want to have lures that will best be fit for each situation. The key is being able to use the right lure in the right situation. You can’t use a hammer to screw in a 4 inch screw. It is important to have the right tools for the job.

The bottom line is that I buy so many lures because I realize that there is no one lure that can catch fish and be used all the time. Different situations call for different lures. This is a hard concept for the weekend angler to grasp. However, once an individual embraces the sport they too, like a bass, will fall victim to a new lure.

‘Till next time: May your hook sets be Massive and your fish be Monsters!

Peter Natev