Backpacking the Most Incredible Canyon I've Ever Seen | Fishing for Wild Trout (Day 1)

[@ChristianPaulPhotography]

Great fishing! Backpacking and fishing is my thing! Beautiful area!

[@FlickyFlies]

It's the best isn't it?! Thanks for watching my friend.

[@daveschlom4033]

I'm just happy that the comments weren't full of "Where is this?" Lovely film that takes me back to my backpacking days. Lovely to watch you fish this special place in Manitoba...

[@FlickyFlies]

Canada is so amazing! Yeah, I don't get too many of those but I imagine the more popular the channel becomes I'll end up getting more. But I'll never tell them the specific spot, typically I wouldn't even mention that it was in Manitoba but I'll let it slide this time...

[@daveschlom4033]

@@FlickyFlies Did I say Manitoba? Make it Mongolia!!! I really enjoyed this film. Well done.

[@gavinmancini1510]

Keep that place a secret love that canyon

[@FlickyFlies]

I am!

[@c.p.1688]

Well done! Great video! Thank you.

[@FlickyFlies]

Thank you!

[@tenkaraintheiowadriftless]

Hey Chris, such a beautiful destination and you captured the visual experience in your typical, excellent manner. I hope you ignore the ridiculous hot spotting paranoia and keep lugging your cameras and batteries into these wild places. Your cinematography is what defines your singularly unique expertise. Thanks for sharing, looking forward to Days #2 and #3!

[@FlickyFlies]

Yeah I'm not really understanding it. I will say, there is something about this specific place. Posted some vids from here a couple years ago and a bunch of people came out of the woodwork then as well. It's almost like it's many peoples favorite secret spot haha. The irony! Anyways, I don't plan on hot spotting any location ... not now, not ever. Always appreciate your comments my friend.

[@anatolek7]

Looks like a few of the canyons we have here in Arizona 😊

[@FlickyFlies]

I really need to explore Arizona ... it's on the (long) list haha. I'd really like to explore some smallmouth water there, actually. I've heard there are some good spots.

[@YaknTackle]

Nice

[@FlickyFlies]

Thanks man!

[@RETCAP10]

I can't believe that you defile pristine nature with Crocs. Might as well fish with PowerBait ;) Seriously, you rock!

[@FlickyFlies]

Crocin' and Rockin', baby!

[@davidnapper8097]

Epic location , nice sized fish and plenty of em . Don't get much better than that ! Have a hard time sleeping some nights so I'm always looking for fishin videos , this was a good one . Thanks 👍👍

[@FlickyFlies]

I have to embarrassingly admit that my friend and I were a little bummed about the size of the fish on this day. They come so much bigger in this water. Double the size or more, and lots of em! They just weren't eating this day. With that said, after some time and distance, editing and re-watching my experience there ... man what a beautiful and fun time we had with so many solid fish! Perspective can be important. Thanks for watching David!

[@davidnapper8097]

@@FlickyFlies Big fish , little fish , any fish is a good fish ! Due to mobility issues I stick close to home and fish local ponds for bluegill and bass . Fished ultra light mostly and just getting into tenkara and traditional fly fishing . Think I'm leaning towards tenkara . Places I fish are overgrown with brush and tall grass . Recently subscribed and catching up on previous videos . Thanks for taking us along !

[@FlickyFlies]

That's cool! I love hitting the bluegill pond. One of my dream trips is taking a trip to the Everglades, canoeing through cypress, catching lots of different species of sunfish and filming it all. Such varied patterns, good fighters, they readily eat. So much fun.

[@tntepicadventures]

Another great video! Thanks for all the effort you put into creating these. I create some Tenkara KZbin videos, so I know how much time it takes. Yours are very polished and fun to watch! Keep up the good work.

[@FlickyFlies]

Thanks man! For sure, it's a labor of love for me just trying to capture the experience!

[@tntepicadventures]

@@FlickyFlies you do a great job!

[@rambling_rob7035]

On the hike down, I almost thought it was the Gunnison. Not the right look, from my old memory. Looked like great water.

[@FlickyFlies]

It's so good! I do need to make a trip down into the Gunnison one of these days. It might stay "on the list" for another couple years.

[@rambling_rob7035]

@@FlickyFlies Bobcat trail is what we took. for you files.

[@yussefedwards]

Without using a strike indicator and without being able to see the fish... how do you know when to set the hook? It would be cool to see a Tenkara instructional video from you! Thanks for another great fishing video!

[@FlickyFlies]

It's pretty hard to film since the line is relatively thin and the camera is far away, but strike detection is one of the best parts of tenkara. The whole level line that I use is orange, and I'm running it straight to my flies. If it tights up, jumps, jiggles, anything ... set the hook! A lot of times, especially with heavier flies where the whole rig is "tighter" I'll feel the bite as well.

[@robertmcmanus5875]

For commenters to say "keep this place a secret" is to imply that a lot of folks don't know about it, which is false. I would say even before covid this was a relatively well know zone, especially in the population of the 60,000 person city 60 miles south. Unfortunately, the experience of this canyon has gone down significantly year over year, and so has the size of fish. 15 years ago, It used to be that 16"+ fish(especially in the lower canyon) were really quite commonplace and you might even get into 1 or 2 in the 18"-20" range. I would say 2019 was the first time i really noticed that the "secret was out" for this special place. We saw half a dozen cars and trucks with (many with CO plates) at the upper state land access for the section of canyon that requires a 900' vert hike. I'm glad people are still having fun down in there, I just wish it were still how it used to be

[@robertmcmanus5875]

It is worth mentioning that much of the decline in the 16"+ population can also be attributed to consecutive drought years with flows getting below 3cfs during the hottest time of year and water temps climbing into the 70's. With last year being an above average water year, and this year looking to be the same, I'm hoping that this age class of fish can grow into a healthier group.

[@FlickyFlies]

Thanks for commenting! It definitely seems like this place is a lot of people's favorite secret based on how many comments I've received saying as much. Once you figure out the location, it's kind of interesting realizing just how much info is out there about it. How it's promoted, even. I'm sure you know what I mean. I'm bummed that this place has gone downhill for you (and everyone) though. I will say, my friend was there in 22' and caught lots of fish in the 16'' range with a few into the 18+ territory, so they're definitely still in there here and there. I'm not really one to believe that fish smarten up, but could the increased pressure have more to do with catching smaller fish than the actual population size? I'm not sure, and it sounds like you're much more knowledgeable about it than me. Here's hoping this place can regain some of it's glory like the old days but unfortunately once you're down there and seeing other fishermen, at least for me, some of that magic is lost. I also realize that I could be that fisherman for someone else. In the future, I'm inclined to move on to even more off the map places myself but I'm sure I'll make it back into this canyon eventually.

[@robertmcmanus5875]

​@FlickyFlies First of all, this canyon routinely gets above 70 degrees when flows drop below 5cfs, in the afternoon from mid July through the end of August. Big trout tend to have higher post-release mortality in high water temperatures. Why? Because they extend the fights and get to a point where they cant recover in low disolved oxygen conditions. Secondly, there are many catch and keep anglers in the aforementioned city that hit the lower stretches of the canyon with the easier hikes. Whether or not you believe fish smarten up might not matter. Pressure is inherently bad for fish because even given absolutely optimal conditions(barbless, minimal play, well oxygenated cool water, and kept in water), the best science shows AT LEAST 5% of fish will die in the 48 hours after as a result of being caught. For barbed treble hooks that number is over 25%. I have legitimately had 50+ fish days in this canyon during the biggest hatches. Given the couple of fish that i know will die from bleeding(that I will keep), add in the additional 2-3 fish that will statistically not make it and now, a catch and release fly angler who takes extreme care to do minimal damage, is killing more fish than the worm dunker who catches his 3 fish limit and heads home.

[@FlickyFlies]

@@robertmcmanus5875 Thanks for the further thoughts. A lot to think about. Appreciate it.

[@JohnCallender]

I'm curious what rod you were using. Also, at 20:55 you're suddenly fishing a Western fly rod, but then you're back on the tenkara rod after that. That made me wonder why you switched, or if it was just an editing hiccup from a different session. (Oh, wait; that was your buddy, wasn't it? Different hoodie...) Thanks!

[@FlickyFlies]

Hey John! I'm using the Tenkara Rod Co. "Rocky". And yes, you're right, that was my friend with the western rig! Thanks for watching.

[@DudeMan-hv4ex]

Cool vid, fun to watch. But I think it would be cooler if you left the cameras at home for places like this and just enjoyed for yourself. Keep it on the down low…

[@skiddyfishing]

If he left his cameras at home, somebody else would bring their cameras to a similar place eventually. He is clearly a fan of cinematography and it makes him happy so I support it.

[@FlickyFlies]

Thanks for watching man! I sort of get the sentiment, but aren't you just feeling that way since you know where the spot is? I don't even mention a state. Having a hard time understanding how someone could find this location based on my video.

[@FlickyFlies]

@@skiddyfishing Appreciate you watching, thanks for kind words!

[@DudeMan-hv4ex]

@@FlickyFlies good point. Guess I’m just old school.