Full tilt bull trout on the Elk

With water in rivers running at full tilt all across the Kootenays it was a bit of a gamble to hit the Elk River for the annual running of the bulls last week, but determination and a decided yearning to get away from civilization and into the run compelled us on.
When we first rolled over the Elk River bridge we noted our normally productive flats fishing at the mouth of the Elk was under 20 feet of water due to the overflowing Koocanusa Reservoir. However the Elk wasn't as bad and, although slightly higher, was still fishable.

Derek playing bull trout on the Elk River

From the first evening to the final morning of our five-day trip we consistently landed bulls. Sure there were times when an hour or two would pass between fish, but there were also days when a dozen fish was landed in a similar span.

Chris hooks into his first bull on the fly rod

It was an amazing trip with lots of laughs and success on the water. Chris joined us and landed his first bull trout on the fly rod within an hour of his first cast. Congratulations Chris and hope to get out on the water and throw some string soon.

In the meantime enjoy a couple photos of Derek, Jake, Chris and I pounding bush, wading the Elk and running with the bulls.

To read more about bull trout fishing the Elk check out my recent article in New Fly Fisher Magazine. Go to www.thenewflyfisher.com

Jake with a nice bull

Not so early fly tying session

Me taking photo of Derek taking photo of Jake's fish

Return to fly-fish-bc.com