Big water like the lower North Saskatchewan River presents a whole new suite of problems for the Alberta flyrodder more accustomed to the cozy confines of foothills trout streams.
The most compelling conundrum is: where do you find the fish in all that flow?
The simple answer is: you don’t.
Instead of viewing the big river as a whole, break it down into its constituent parts, just as you do with a creek or small river. It’s the stream within the stream that you fish. Elements and structure within casting distance that experience in a different context tells you hold fish are the primary target. The same kickers, current breaks, slicks and eddies attract feeding fish in big water as they do on diminutive flows.Of course, seeing rising fish increases your chances of success exponentially.
Big water also presents the bank angler with long, time-consuming walks between pools. And the shorelines of downstream Alberta rivers are often no walk in the park. Floating the river is a stress-free way of covering a lot of water and quickly moving through the unproductive parts. But remember, river running can be as perilous as it is attractive. Even out on the prairie Alberta rivers move with considerable pace. And their turbid nature can hide rocks and shoals under only a few centimetres of water.
Safe and cautious watercraft must always be top of mind. And a well-thought-out drift with ample time built in to allow for the unexpected should be part of any big water game plan.
