Bull River Drainage
Most who ask where the Bull River drainage is always finds themselves being pointed towards the unmistakable three sisters and told “in behind; over there”. The Bull River is a 117km (73mi) long tributary of the Kootenay River and joins east of Cranbrook; with access from just outside of Fernie via Hartley Pass.
The Bull River faces the jutting and towering peaks of the Steeple Mountain Range and is in a world of it’s own. The access to the Bull River is recommended on days where the skies are clear and you have a spare tire with you; it’s got burley roads. Once you are up beyond Hartley Lake you will come across fishable tributaries to the Bull River and eventually open up to a beautiful valley where the Bull River flows through big boulders and fishy looking water. The fish are plentiful and the scenery is breathtaking. The Bull River is a walk and wade stream however there are few guides in the valley that actually float the Bull River; so make sure you book well in advance if floating this river is an adventure you would like to take part in.
The Bull River drainage and valley is full of old history and doesn’t see much fishing pressure; this river produces some great caddis and mayfly hatches. Not only can you fish the Bull River; you can fish one of it’s tributaries. A trip to the Bull River is for the adventurous angler looking for a change of scenery. Combined with a great wilderness experience; fishing the Bull River drainage provides opportunities to see all kinds of wildlife including Goat, Elk, Moose, and Bears.
