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Bull Trout are not actually trout, they are Char. Char have
small scales as trout do and are very similar in appearance to trout in
many ways. The key to identifying char is that they do not
have black spots as trout do. What distinguishes Bull Trout from other
char is the lack of markings on the dorsal fin. Thus the slogan
that goes along with the province wide no kill regulations for Bull
Trout - "no black - put it back." It is imperative to be able to
distinguish between the different char in Alberta. Fortunately it
is easy by studying that dorsal fin. It will have black markings
if its a
Brook Trout, and white markings if its a Laker. If you
are ever in doubt - Put it Back!
The Bull trout is Alberta's provincial fish, and are of course native to
Alberta. They were once plentiful here in Alberta, but due to
overfishing were on their way to being extirpated in much of their native range.
Although most people think Bull Trout got their name from being such
voracious fighters, they in fact got their name from having such a large
head in relation to their body, as many Bulls do in relation to cows.
This is especially true of young Bull Trout, and even for mature Bull Trout
living in harsh environments with short growing seasons.
Bull Trout are very strong fish and usually require tackle used for Pike
and Bonefish. An 8 weight rod is usually perfect for big Bulls in the
6 to 10 pound range. They will fight from when they are hooked
until you land them. They are tremendous sport in both summer with a
fly rod, and in winter through the ice.
Bull Tout spawn in the
Fall. To catch Bull Trout on the fly requires the use of fast deep
sinking lines and flies more closely resembling Pike flies than trout flies
with big heavy cone heads. Watch your head! You can also use
mouse pattern in some deep slow moving pools. Everyone has heard the
story of how their grandfather used to tie a string on a live mouse and then
send it into a deep pool on a lily pad. They would then pull it off
the lily pad and watch as the came to get its lunch!
Bull trout also enable you to have your own double header. We have
been fishing for cutthroat trout and had a fish on when all of sudden from
out of the corner of you eye you see a silver flash and before you know it a
Bull has latched on to the side of your Cutty. That Bull trout does
not want to give up his lunch and we have even landed both fish in the net!
It feels like you are bonefishing with barracuda around!
It is always nice to catch a native fish, and Bull Trout also give us
that pleasure.
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