If you’re a fly fisher that values quiet and solitude as part of the outdoor experience, the Bull River may be a good choice for you. Set against a majestic section of the Steeple Mountain Range known locally as the “Three Sisters,” the river runs through true wilderness. In addition to rods and flies, you might also want to take a 4-wheel drive vehicle and a spare tire or two. The challenge - this is rugged country. The reward- pressure on the river is very low.
Originating in the Macdonald Range of the Canadian Rockies near the Continental Divide, the Bull travels over 73 miles before joining the Kootenay River, a tributary of the Columbia River. In addition to its scenic mountain backdrop, the river is also well known for its astonishingly clear, aquamarine color. Divided by a dam, the upper section lends itself more to walking and wading where smaller cutthroat and bulls (10-14 inches) are likely to be found. The lower section can be floated and here the river is teeming with oversized cutthroat and a few good-size rainbows. Toward the end of the season its possible to encounter large runs of big, fat bull trout.