It is dusk when I arrived at the Bow River. The sun goes down early these nights as it is September. Quarter to nine and it is almost pitch black. I hurried to tie my Rapala up and walk down to the river bank. I strapped my head lamp on tightly and quickly walked down the grassy hill toward a deep hole in the river. As I was walking I came across a White Tail Deer making his way to the river for a drink, I think she scared me more than I scared her. She bounced off the gravel road way and back into the tall grass she came from. The head light was illuminating the path and my heart raced in anticipation.
I slowly inched my way down the steep bank to the rivers edge and made my first cast. It is completely dark now and I cannot see where my lure has hit the water. I heard the splash and cranked the reel handle making the Rapala dive down. I then lift the rod tip up making the lure twitch in the calm flowing water. The moon has not yet came over the bank behind me making it hard to see my next step. This is where the head lamp comes in handy. Walking up to a good spot in the river I am careful no to shine the light into the water, the light spooks the fish and will decrease your odds.
I arrive in the sweet spot and launch the lure outward. Twitch, twitch and bang the fish is on. I fight him and he struggles to unhook himself but not tonight. I land the brownie and let him off the hook. He swims his way back into the darkness. I then move a little up the river and cast again, this time an acrobatic rainbow is on board. He flies out of the river again and again until I tire him a little and land him along the rocky bank. A few pictures and back he goes into the Bow River.
There is something I truly love about fishing in the dark. The light of the moon, the quietness of the night and having the river all to myself seriously appeals to me. I was only able to fish for an hour but was happy with the result. The blue and white Rapala worked its magic once again in the darkness of night. If I had my choice I would fish at night over fishing in the day. The exhilaration of fishing at night has to be experienced by all fishermen.
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Great post! Sounds like you are on to something there. I haven’t fished that often at night, but, I should. I went float tubing in the dark one night a few years back and hooked and landed some nice size Rainbows. It was an awesome experience. Thanks for triggering a good memory with this post.
Author
Why thank you Mel, you should try night fishing for sure. I would bring someone with you when you head out as a safety precaution. This is when I get into the big fish. No one around but me and the trout so the odds of catching big fish are great.
Thanks for the comment and i’m glad I triggered a good memory for you !!!
~Mike.
I haven’t done a lot of fishing in the dark other than Atlantic salmon fishing but the experience is just so cool.
When I read your post a visit to Campbellton New Brunswick came to mind as it was the first experience I ever had fishing in the dark.
I was fishing for brook trout at the mouth of brook that fed into the Restigouche River. They are just the right size for a good BBQ.
As it was starting to get dark I moved out into the river a little, just to get past the brook mouth and changed up my fly.
I hooked into a big fish, which I never did land and wasn’t sure it was a salmon or a huge trout but the fight was the most awesome thing I have ever done fishing. It was like fishing with a blindfold on.
I have had a few other experiences fishing in the dark but mostly it was for salmon.
A very unique experience if one has never fished in the dark.
Author
Hi James, thanks f0r stopping by once again. I am glad this post brought back some good memories for you. Fishing in the dark is indeed a very unique experience that most never even consider to try.
In the last couple of years I have read up on the topic and put my knowledge into practice. I am sure glad I tried trout fishing in the dark. I have caught and released many huge fish.
Have a great day and happy fishing in the dark to you.
~Mike.
went last night for the first time. lost three big fish and landed one big rainbow. great action until about 11 oclock. Lots of good info frome your site.I went out inner city so there was lots of light from the bridge. tonight I land the big brown.
Author
Thanks for reading the Blog Ron. I am glad to hear the article helped you enjoy night fishing. Sometimes I want to fish at night more than I want to fish in the day.
Go get that monster brown Trout, if you catch him please let me know.
Thanks,
~Mike.
Hey Mike! I am really inspired by your post on night fishing and im going to try it out. I have a silver blue rattlin’ rap and was wondering if you could recommend me some more lures for night fishing.
Your site is an excellent resource for fishing at the bow.
Thanks
Awesome! I love night fishing unfortunately didn’t go at all this season.
Author
Nova, seems as though I missed your comment somehow. Very sorry for not replying sooner. my favorite lures for night fishing trout are crankbaits and jerkbaits like the Rapala Husky Jerks, the Rapala Original Floaters, The Rapala X-Raps, and even big CD 11 Countdowns will all catch big fish in the dark. Really any lures that send out lots of noise will do the trick.
Thanks very much for your question and sorry for not replying back in 2009.
~Mike.
Author
Hello Ben (Angler Gang), thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment. I only made it out a few times this year at night but I made my trips count. I caught some great sized Browns and a few sweet rainbows as well. There is just something about night fishing I love very much, could be the large trout but it also could be the experience all together.
Thanks very much for coming by and leaving a comment, your Blog looks great !!!!
Cheers,
~Mike