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Sweet stuff L2P, waiting for them winter shots!

I've thought the same thing regarding Taimen. I think you'll have to come here and catch one for yourself to be really sure I'm using a combination of different baits from wooly buggers, flesh flies, streamers, bucktails and roe. Like Steelhead I find mixing it up until you find what's on the menu that day is the best strategy. Sorry I'm not familiar with that area, but I do know that Bullies can be found almost everywhere in BC. If you can find a river, I'd bet it has Bull Trout. Thanks to everyone for the kind comments and for allowing me a great community with which to share my adventures.

As many of you know I've found a new friend to play with on the Centerpin, one Mr. Bull Trout out here in the Rocky Mountains. I've luckily had time to escape from work here and there are here are the results of the last few trips. I have to say that I'm really loving Bull Trout fishing, especially on the Pin. They are aggressive, fight hard and seem to be hungry at all hours of the day! Hooked into a nice bender And here is my Personal Best Bully so far. It put up a massive fight, running me downstream 3 times and spooling a ton of line with each run. Thanks for reading!

Jessica and I send our intentions your way from the Rockies. Great report bud, look forward to your adventures on the ice.

Try this one. Only cost you a screw and washer and an old hat. I use this method. Keep the hat handy, hook a fish, set the hook, put on the hat, memorize the "video" button procedure and off I go. That last part is particularly easy with my Panasonic TS2 because it has a dedicated video button. I also find it's easy and fast to take self portraits with this hat cam because you can just lay it on a bag, floor ect.. and hit the timer button. I used it in my last bull trout report to do just that.

They once were considered the same, but science has cleared up that discussion. Bull Trout Facts

Bull Trout fishery here is very healthy and not endangered like they are in Alberta. That said BC has extremely tight regulations and are also quite confusing! If one has trouble interpreting Ontario regs, BC's would be in another language. All rivers are barbless and the river I fished was in a bait ban with limit of 1 fish (none under 30 cm) until Nov. 1. After Nov. 1 it is catch and release only. Another example of the tight regs, you can only keep 10 hatchery steelhead all year on a basic license and wilds must be released. There are Classified Waters that require additional tags on your license and for some species like Steelhead you must get a separate stamp. Even locals get confused with the regs here! I first came here 3 years ago. That trip inspired me to one day make this my new home. No bear issues for myself and other fisherman have said it's not an issue around here. That said when I really start getting out I will carry bear spray just to be safe.

You just might be better at nature watching than steelheading! Nice stuff bro. I think you could take some real nice scenery shots out my way.

Love those fall colours. Great stuff doc!

Long before Dollies and Bull Trout were considered the same species until it was proved otherwise back in the late seventies. Having a whole stretch of river like this alone all day is certainly something I'm still getting used to, particularly after years of fishing the Ontario tribs for Steelhead. I really appreciate the comments guys. Thanks for letting me share my in-between long work week adventures.

Despite John Milner of the famous Milner Centerpin Reels being located down the road in my new home in B.C. I was surprised to learn that no one really uses the Centerpin here in the Kootenay Region. My friend is one of the top fly fishing guides around these parts and he said he's never seen a Pin on the rivers. Even before I moved here, I was researching on how to apply the Pin on Bull Trout. Since Steelhead no longer make their way this far east due to the many dams on the Columbia River, I knew I'd have to find a new species to feed my love of Centerpin fishing. Today I got the chance to get out with some new friends in search of bigger Bullies. Their method of choice is a 1 oz bucktail bounced off bottom with a spinning setup. I took that knowledge, upped my float size and off I went. Today's view up the river. And down. My first ever Bull Trout weighed in at around 4 lbs. That's on the larger end of the "small" scale here, so I was very determined to see how something bigger would fight. What I learned today is that 50 percent of the fight happens out in the current where short runs and constant bull dogging puts your arms to the test. Once it starts to tire and you reveal the impending shoreline to these fish, the other 50 percent of the fight takes place. Thanks to my new friends showing me some choice spots, I ended up having an absolutely awesome day. I'll let the pictures do the talking. And going home never looked so sweet. Thanks for looking.

Water is freezing cold even in the summer, lakes included. I made the mistake of trying to fish in shorts this summer here and literally went numb in the knees. With all the glacier run-off and spring fed systems here it keeps it cold and I think really contributes to keeping the trout quite active. Bull Trout are definitely an interesting fish to fight. I want to catch a few more to really see what they do, especially a 10lb one, but from what I gather they will do big runs sometimes, but mostly will bull dog in the current and hold position until it tires out. That would explain why for the first 2 minutes I couldn't really move this bully up or downstream despite the strong current. And MJL, believe it or not, I do miss those ditches! Mostly the good company though And whenever you're ready, I'll have those rolls ready to go.

Beauties all around Chris! Gotta love smashing Steelhead on the fly.

All those Steelhead reports you guys have been posting has been creating some major withdrawal. Unfortunately we don't get "Steelhead" here per say. There are the Gerrard Rainbows, but most run up the Lardeau River during the spawn and it's totally closed off to fishing (though I have some leads on where I may be able to find them.) So the Bull Trout are my new Steelhead for the pin and after the one I got yesterday and the 12-lber my buddy landed hours before, I am optimistic there will be more fun reports to share. Cheers guys!

Adding a new species to the fishing resume is always an exciting endeavor, however in my last handful of trips, attempting to add the elusive Bull Trout to my list have proven fruitless. I recently moved to Kimberley, BC and have been busy building my new business here working 15 hour days. That means despite being surrounded by some of the most pristine waters, I have had little time to devote to fishing. Today I freed up a few hours and set out on yet another attempt to catch my first Bully, Destination: Kootenay River - an absolutely beautiful blue river unlike any I've ever fished before. Upon arrival I was greeted by this spectacular scenery. In the background you can see the Rocky Mountains. After about 2 hours of nothing standing in the freezing cold water, I was about to call it a day when I decided to switch up baits and within a few drifts I hooked into something. I couldn't see what it was, but it was heavy and was standing its ground in the current. I tried to pull it upstream, then tried downstream but this fish wouldn't budge. I was sure it was my first Bull Trout, but I wasn't until I saw it break water did my heart really start pounding. In BC single barbless is law of the land, so I took extra caution to keep the line tight and at the same time stay within the limits of my 6 lb lead in the fast Kootenay flow. This Bully just bulldogged the whole fight but I succeeded in beaching this beauty and landed my first ever Bull Trout. Another angle. Notice its nice red spots. A few drifts later, I landed my second Bull Trout. A little guy, but I'll take it. Locals tell me 15 and 20 pounders are not uncommon. Next target, break the 10lb mark! Thanks for reading!

Great stuff guys! Hope to catch up with you guys soon. Keep them reports coming!

If you're going to go the portable route and really want the most for your money, I'd highly suggest spending more and getting one of these: HB 570PT Low X67 HB 345C Or at the very least this: HB 160PT Anyone will tell you the benefits of a "good" fish finder are invaluable, so it is something definitely worth spending at little extra on.

Now that's how you shake the skunk off your back! Beauties all round, the perseverance paid off.

The Blackcat, 3000 BTU model with the rotating arms. I also got mine at Liquidation World.

I also use it in my two-man frabill and it does a good job of keeping you comfortable even on very cold days. The adjustable angling of the unit is its biggest advantage, allowing you to point the heat where you need it most.

Maybe you can report it to the councillor responsible for that ward. I never thought of that option but I once had a part of my driveway sink thanks to come recent city work. I called the city and they said they'd send someone over to fix it. Two days later they show up, fix it and it sinks again the day after. I call back, and wait yet another two days with no one showing up. My neighbor calls our area councillor and the city staff showed up literally minutes later. Good way to earn a vote IMO.

Must be great site if your work is blocking it! Try this one: http://www.factsoffishing.com/blog/dave-mercer/a-fish-worth-1-2-million/ The original link however has more story to it.

This is worse than getting caught by a conservation officer! The One That Got Away

Great stuff Frankie!

You got them Kings as dialed in as you have them Simcoe Lakers! Wicked stuff!