10 - CROWSNEST PASS HERALD - Wednesday, June 14, 2023
A “Magnificent Seven” Day I pose a challenge to the keenest of the keeners: to catch one of each of the Magnificent Seven in a single day. It is a daunting task that will require a lot of planning, driving, hiking and a good amount of luck. Fishing season for golden trout doesn’t open to mid-July, so that will determine the early limits of any attempt. Fall spawners (bull, brook, brown and lake trout) often are more interested in the opposite sex than they are in chasing lures. I will admit to having tried a couple of times to catch the Magnificent Seven on a single day, but could only catch (and release) five of the species. I believe it can be done and hope others take up the challenge.
The Dirty Dozen If The Magnificent Seven is not your style for a 1960s movie reference, how about The Dirty Dozen. In addition to the Magnificent Seven (trout), within an hour or so of my home I can also catch mountain whitefish, largemouth bass, northern pike, arctic grayling and kokanee (land-locked sockeye salmon) making for a full dozen targets for a spectacular fishing frenzy. Mountain Whitefish: Waterton River, Waterton Lake, Oldman Reservoir, Oldman River, Crowsnest River and tributaries, Crowsnest Lake, plus Elk River and tributaries in BC. Largemouth Bass: Baynes Lake and Surveyors Lake in BC. Northern Pike: Cochrane Lake (near Hillspring), Waterton River, Lower Waterton Lake, and Lee Creek (near Police Outpost Lake). Arctic grayling: Bear Pond and Big Iron Lake (near Chain Lakes). Kokanee: Lake Koocanusa and Grave Lake in BC. Joey Ambrosi has lived in the Crowsnest Pass for 30 years and still loves to fish and hike. He has written three fishing books, the most recent being Fishing the Canadian Rockies, 2nd Edition, which hit store bookshelves earlier this year. He has also written three hiking books on the region, including the Southern Rockies Trail Guide.
Arctic Grayling
Northern Pike
Monday to Saturday 11-5pm & Sunday 12-4pm
Large Mouth Bass
403-563-8510
Mountain Whitefish
www.albertaflyfishing.ca Kokanee
