Intro | South Ram River | North Ram River
Although not native to the North Ram or South Ram rivers, westlope cutthroat trout (above) are native to the upper North Saskatchewan River drainage and Alberta's Rocky Mountains. Impassable waterfalls (below) on the Ram River below the confluence of the North and South forks stopped westslopes from naturally occuring there.
|
The South Ram River originates high in the Canadian Rocky Mountains at Ram Glacier, tucked just inside Banff National Park. Here, there is a lush open valley and small lake where the river flows out over the meadow before cascading off a small rock ledge into the next valley. The river flows past two historic Forest Service cabins as it meanders through a wide, open valley. Elk, deer, cougar, wolves, and grizzly bears are known to frequent this valley, as the summer forage provides excellent habitat. The river is joined by Ranger and Hummingbird creeks as it meanders. There are several horseback outfitters that provide wonderful pack trips into the upper Ram River drainage from outposts at Hummingbird's confluence with the South Ram. Just below this, however, the river turns and cuts its way deep into the landscape, as the canyon begins.
The canyon section of the South Ram River covers about 45 river kilometers, all the way past the North Ram River, and into the treacherous "Chutes of the Ram." Historians note this as the location that nearly ended early explorer David Thompson's journeys, as the impassible waters here took its toll on his crew as they waited out a very tough winter during their explorations.
The canyon is home to some of the most remote and rugged, but extremely beautiful landscape few get to enjoy. Access is limited to hiking or fly-in helicopter tours. Numerous waterfalls drop the river quickly as it races out of the mountains and through the pine forested foothills. There is exceptional trout habitat as the river combines some of the best features for a cutthroat trout stream: runs, riffles, pools, log jams, boulder gardens, broken rock bottom, and deep pools—some of which are 20 feet deep. These deep pools offer excellent over-wintering habitat and shelter the trout during times of high flow. When the water is dirty, if can be difficult to entice these cutthroat from their deep, sheltered lies.
It is a place where three or more mayfly species may be in simultaneous hatch/spinner fall, or where the Golden Stoneflies are still hatching while the grasshoppers begin to emerge, providing an explosive dry-fly event. While only a few fish in excess of 22" are seen each year, westslope cutthroat trout up to exactly 26" have been caught on the South Ram River.
Perhaps the finest attribute the South Ram River has is its reputation as the purest remaining population of westslope cutthroat trout in Alberta. Originally stocked with trout originating in southeast British Columbia by Alberta Fish and Wildlife in the 1960s, South Ram River cutthroat escaped the hybridization that came with the advancement of rainbow trout in the Oldman river system in southern Alberta.
Today, the provincial government's mandate is to keep a healthy, thriving population of cutthroat trout in high numbers and trophy sizes. With only two road access points legally open to the public, the short term future looks great for the South Ram.
This is a small river that turns into a torrent each June and it is a fragile fishery. Time will tell if the catch-and-release regulations will be enough to maintain this exceptional fishery. Will this remote wilderness river remain the rugged, intimate, world class site, or will it evolve into just another river?
Hatches on both the North Ram and South Ram rivers are similar, with an array of stoneflies, caddis, mayflies, midges, and terrestrials. It is the stonefly hatches that are a big draw on this system, with Golden Stones often hatching into early August. As well, several mayfly species hatch throughout the season, and terrestrials (hoppers, ants, beetles, etc) hit the water later into the summer and into the fall. [See Ram River Flies for pattern suggestions. The Editor.]
In the South Ram River canyon, water levels can rise by several inches or a foot in several hours in prolonged storms. During extremely wet weather, torrents of mud flow off the canyon walls and turn the clear waters of the river to mud with visibility of two inches. Depending on how far up the river the weather hits, the river may take an hour or a couple of days to become fishable once more.
Due to the rugged nature of the canyon, if you do not know this river please go with someone who does or wait until mid-August to explore when the water flows are down. The Ram is a very impressive place; the 1,400-foot canyon should be a place to enjoy, not a final resting place. I advise against fishing on the outside bends of the river below high cliffs because of the danger of falling rock. Play it safe and fish from the inside of river bends where you will be safer from the often falling rock.
Access to the South Ram River is 64 kilometers south of Nordegg on the Forestry Trunk Road (Highway 732). The entire river lies in the Rocky Mountains Forest Reserve. Camping is available at the Ram Falls Provincial Recreation Area campground.
Dave Jensen is host of flyfishalberta.com and a professional fly-fishing guide and photographer. He lives in Red Deer, Alberta.
Log In