Question about arctic grayling

[pixe1334]

First of all, I want to say that I'm not looking for anyone's secret spots or anything like that, just looking to see how close I have to be to the mountains to have a real chance of finding arctic grayling.

I was looking at Athabasca, mcleod, freeman.

I've been thinking of maybe going to Athabasca river around Whitecourt (I know there's some stream north of Whitecourt but I don't remember the name), the freeman river, or maybe the mcLeod around Edson or something like that.

Would I need to go a lot closer to the mountains to have a decent chance of finding any?

Oh yea, just a general question, I'm assuming there's mountain lions around those areas? I'm probably going to wait until I can find someone to go with me if that's the case.

[Sooner]

Originally Posted by pixe1334

First of all, I want to say that I'm not looking for anyone's secret spots or anything like that, just looking to see how close I have to be to the mountains to have a real chance of finding arctic grayling.

I was looking at Athabasca, mcleod, freeman.

I've been thinking of maybe going to Athabasca river around Whitecourt (I know there's some stream north of Whitecourt but I don't remember the name), the freeman river, or maybe the mcLeod around Edson or something like that.

Would I need to go a lot closer to the mountains to have a decent chance of finding any?

Oh yea, just a general question, I'm assuming there's mountain lions around those areas? I'm probably going to wait until I can find someone to go with me if that's the case.

I have caught grayling in the creeks off the highway to Robb from Edson. Not big but fun. I have caught them in the Athabasca river by Fox Creek too. Not bad for size. I have heard you can go north of Swan Hills for them too. Anywhere you go, there may be a bear or a cougar. Just be aware of where you are and remember, creeks and rivers are noisy so they can mask your noise, be louder lol.

[Howard Hutchinson]

Brother has caught them NE of Edson in creeks up the Tom Hill Tower road about 20kms in. They are never more that 10" +/- but Grayling anyhoo.

[3blade]

I’d be close enough to see the mountains. The Athabasca is tough to fish until after runoff, but you know for sure they are around. Some of the smaller river and creek populations have collapsed due to resource road and atv trail sedimentation and culverts. Don’t read old info, things have changed. I remember the glory days of one particular river, catching and releasing beautiful thick fish that pushed 18 inches. 5 years ago I went back to see about the damage everyone was talking about…managed 3 10 inch grayling and one whitefish all day…and I knew where to look.

There are plenty of mountain lions and bears everywhere. Just carry bear spray and don’t worry too much.

Here’s a hint…if you are wading past your knees, you are standing where the fish used to be before you scared them. Graying are not grumpy old brown trout

[ecsuplander]

The Little Smoky is renowned for it's grayling fishing. Some larger fish in this river as well.

[mikeym]

any of the tribs that flow into the Athabasca will more then likely have grayling in them. most of the streams around Grande Cache, Hinton, Edson, Whitecourt, Fox Creek and Swan Hills will have grayling in them. a lot of the smaller creeks are real fun to fish for small grayling with big being a 10 or 12" one but tons of smaller ones eager to take your fly. bonus is that a lot of these smaller creeks see little pressure compared to the bigger well known grayling streams.
the Whitecourt, Fox Creek and Swan Hills triangle is probably my favourite area to target grayling as lots of good well known streams and lots of little out of the way streams and creeks that are lots of fun to explore. get a good map and do some exploring.
as far as cougers they would be the least of my worries. they will know you are in the area way before or if you even will know they are around. they tend to avoid humans at all costs. never seen one (or even bears) on any of the streams i have fished over the yrs. just be aware of your surroundings and make some noise and they will avoid you.

good luck
Mike

[pixe1334]

Thanks everyone, I will have to do some exploring (probably in July, August when the rivers aren't as muddy).

I was going to buy some bells and tie them to my backpack (or hat) so I make noise while I walk around.

[Pioneer2]

That way you will come back if you have to make noise instead of wearing a dinner bell.

[blackburbot]

Get the Alberta stream flow app and look for stream flows and rain conditions. Athabasca runs fairly high until September. Which is a long time away for fishing. Like Mike mentioned... Look for any stream that flows into the Athabasca or peace rivers, or eventually flows into them. Typically at this time of year the streams are just getting to that sweet spot and fishing becomes good. Do a little looking on google/apple maps and try to find bridges or other locations easily accessible. Can make for some fun days. Little fly rods or light tackle and a good knife to cut branches down that you are stuck in.

[jednastka]

They are also in many northern lakes. I have seen them caught on Reindeer Lake on the Saskatchewan-Manitoba border


Vic

[Sundancefisher]

Caught many in creeks around Fort Mac.

[odee]

Not much for mountain grayling, except stocked in lakes near the mountains. Timing is everything for grayling. Hopefully the creeks around Cynthia are coming back. Otherwise I would suggest Swan River, Pine Creek, Little Smoky and/or something near Grande Cache.

[lannie]

I have fished the house river on the way to Ft. Mac and the grayling were good sized and plentiful. Under the highway southbound.

[colvert]

If you have the time, go to northern BC. The beautiful Cottonwood River has plenty of them
Kept two of them, released dozens.
The male has the huge dorsal fin.

https://i.imgur.com/YFmGPlt.jpg
Such a beautiful river.
https://i.imgur.com/gYrBkLX.jpg

And a short video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kmPfOG5zhWg

[Landshark]

Originally Posted by colvert

If you have the time, go to northern BC. The beautiful Cottonwood River has plenty of them
Kept two of them, released dozens.
The male has the huge dorsal fin.

https://i.imgur.com/YFmGPlt.jpg
Such a beautiful river.
https://i.imgur.com/gYrBkLX.jpg

And a short video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kmPfOG5zhWg

Great video. Classic, with the dog right in where the action is. Thanks for posting that.

[antlercarver]

Was on the Athabasca river upstream of Edson. Any place along the shore where there was a eddy, we cast a mepps or panther martin and caught several grayling and rainbows. The eddy was visible by a slow swirling circle of foam. If the currant is such that it holds the foam, it will also hold insects suspended circling in the water.

[Talking moose]

Originally Posted by colvert

If you have the time, go to northern BC. The beautiful Cottonwood River has plenty of them
Kept two of them, released dozens.
The male has the huge dorsal fin.

https://i.imgur.com/YFmGPlt.jpg
Such a beautiful river.
https://i.imgur.com/gYrBkLX.jpg

And a short video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kmPfOG5zhWg

Is the cottonwood a frasier tributary?
Edit.
Found another cottonwood river. Most likely the dease tributary.

[colvert]

Arctic Graylings are found in the arctic watershed, also in the Yukon River watershed. You are right, the Cottonwood River is North of Dease Lake, it flows into the Dease River, which flows into the Liard which flows into the Mackenzie, a long way from the arctic, just like the Athabasca...

[keeks]

Lately, the Freeman has been producing more brookies than grayling. There are some great tribs of the Pembina that used to have great grayling fishing. I'm hoping if they ever open again the fishing will be even better. But I'm not holding my breath on that happening anytime soon.

As for bears and lions, Just carry bear spray, you'll be fine.

[Jack fish hunter]

Originally Posted by keeks

Lately, the Freeman has been producing more brookies than grayling. There are some great tribs of the Pembina that used to have great grayling fishing. I'm hoping if they ever open again the fishing will be even better. But I'm not holding my breath on that happening anytime soon.

As for bears and lions, Just carry bear spray, you'll be fine.

Small grayling or actual brookies?

[-JR-]

The Berland river can be good in fall for grayling and whites ,but earlier around july and aug you will find more rainbows around the first and second bridge crossings .

[keeks]

Originally Posted by Jack fish hunter

Small grayling or actual brookies?

Definitely brookies.

[flyrodfisher]

Originally Posted by keeks

Lately, the Freeman has been producing more brookies than grayling.

Have fished the Freeman for close to 40 years....have never caught a brookie.
Perhaps you mean Athabasca native rainbow....

[Jack fish hunter]

Originally Posted by flyrodfisher

Have fished the Freeman for close to 40 years....have never caught a brookie.
Perhaps you mean Athabasca native rainbow....

I fished it for a long time too. Never caught brookies just rainbows and grayling

[nimrod]

If cost is not a thing, then head to high level, find a float plane, head to Margaret lake, have your one tent, blow up boat, motor, fish the stream coming out of Margaret, west end, lots of arctic grayling there, also big pike and Lakers in Margaret lake, we fished it when the lodge was there, im sure its still there, but not open for fishing clients, there is also a landing strip, there but don't know the shape of it there, you can also ask alberta forestry about there camp there, at the other end os the strip there

[elkhunter11]

Originally Posted by lannie

I have fished the house river on the way to Ft. Mac and the grayling were good sized and plentiful. Under the highway southbound.

That is where I was taught to fly fish in the 80s, we caught a lot of 10-12" fish there.

[flyrodfisher]

Originally Posted by lannie

I have fished the house river on the way to Ft. Mac and the grayling were good sized and plentiful. Under the highway southbound.

Still an overlooked river for grayling.
Some decent fish live there....

[old dog]

Back in the 80’s I use to back back my second son and catch grayling in the Swan Hills area. Best little fighting fish I ever caught. I sure hope there is still a few kicking around those little streams I walked

[tiptoprod]

Originally Posted by colvert

If you have the time, go to northern BC. The beautiful Cottonwood River has plenty of them
Kept two of them, released dozens.
The male has the huge dorsal fin.

https://i.imgur.com/YFmGPlt.jpg
Such a beautiful river.
https://i.imgur.com/gYrBkLX.jpg

And a short video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kmPfOG5zhWg

Colvert, what would you say is the best time to head out to Cottonwood River?
I am planning to go up northern BC this year.
Do you find they are all about the same size?

Thanks!

[Supergrit]

Has anyone fished the shell reservoirs in Virginia hills. It was a great place to fish for grayling