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#1 2010-07-30 16:07:11
- pianoboy
- Member
- Registered: 2006-06-07
- Posts: 91
Athabasca Rainbows and Grayling
While the girlfriend was out east for a few weeks I thought I'd make a back country trek up north into some Athabasca tribs. With the help of google maps (the folly of which will be revealed) I found the most remote spot possible about an hour north of Hinton, a 6 km hike from a logging road to Berland river.
The hike itself went well, I maxed out the pack weight expecting to be out there for almost a week. Found a beautiful spot by the river, set up camp, took a nap then went out for some evening fishing.
Landed a small Athabasca Bow. Beautiful fish, heavily speckled, rich colours.
The next day I worked downstream and apart from another small bow and a few rockies... nada. Nothing.. No bulls, no grayling. The river was fast and had few pockets, everything was hiding under logs making it difficult to approach. It was a complete bust.
The next morning I packed out, a little disappointed that in all my planning I'd not come across any indication that that part of the river would be so unproductive (20 km downstream from hwy. 40 in case you wanted to avoid it). The other big problem was that I didn't have a back up plan. I had left a map as to where I was going to be, and changing the plan and finding a new place hiking in/setting up camp/hiking out all over again wasn't appealing.
So I stopped where the road crossed Pinto creek which is one of the three along with Berland and Wildhay that are supposedly legendary for angling. It was tiny, but it seemed to bend a lot more with more chances of pools. It turned out to be an absolute gem. Grayling were coming up like popcorn on dries. Landed a few more bows as well. Found a good balance in fly size, the smaller ones were hard to set, the larger ones the grayling would swallow whole (to everyone that told me they have tiny mouths, you lie!)
Left around 7 and promptly detonated a brake rotor. I didn't even know this was possible. I think a large rock got stuck between the rim and the rotor and kaboom! As for the google maps, this is what they called a road.
And this is what my brake rotor looks like.
Limped home, got in about 2 in the morning after a 7 hour drive. I'm looking at the glass half full, beautiful fish, just not where I thought they'd be. As for the car, good thing I took my girlfriend's. Haha... I'm a dead man.
Would highly recommend Pinto Creek. I'm sure Berland is nice closer to where it empties in to Athabasca and I hope to return to try my luck on the Wildhay.
Last edited by pianoboy (2010-07-30 16:10:29)
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#2 2010-08-03 20:26:58
- mosbos
- Member
- From: St. Albert, A.B.
- Registered: 2005-10-10
- Posts: 73
Re: Athabasca Rainbows and Grayling
Too bad about your car problems. I fished the Wildhay on Saturday and got quite a few Athabasca bows and some RMW's. No grayling or Bulls on this trip though.
I may have to give Pinto a whirl for grayling or check out the Lund this weekend down by Robb. You won't catch me on the Berland for some time. Apparently the fishing has not been good for years east of the hwy 40 section and with that big Grizz that we encountered there back in May....I ain't in a hurray to go back.
If you get the chance try those reclaimed mining pits south of the Lovett Creek campground on the FTR. There are some good rainbows in there. My brother's wife lost a dandy on Sunday.
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#3 2010-08-05 21:27:54
- pianoboy
- Member
- Registered: 2006-06-07
- Posts: 91
Re: Athabasca Rainbows and Grayling
Thanks for the suggestions! I'd seen your pictures of that grizzly so I was loaded with bangers and spray but saw no signs of predators except for some coyote stool.
I must have passed right by Lovett Creek, I'm not sure if I'd drive the FTR again, such a pain especially through Cadomin. Brown Creek used to be a favourite so I could make a trip out of it though.
I fished Pinto downstream of where Polecat Road crosses it and wasn't expecting much as it's barely more than a trickle but the grayling were numerous and rising on everything. Didn't have to go more than a hundred feet to hit the first good pool. Have fun if you go.
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#4 2010-08-08 21:52:40
- GannyFallRunny
- Member
- From: Southern Ontario
- Registered: 2010-08-08
- Posts: 8
Re: Athabasca Rainbows and Grayling
Great fish man. Glad to see someone catching trout. Around here, it's been nothing but hot for weeks. Got the trout hunkered down deep. Oh well.
Tight lines
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#5 2010-08-11 09:48:28
- crabshaver
- Member
- From: Barrie, Ontario
- Registered: 2010-03-14
- Posts: 161
- Website
Re: Athabasca Rainbows and Grayling
The trout are out... its been Bass for me.
Looks like a real adventure!
**********************
The fish call me by name. I swear!
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