How and Where You Can Catch Big Catfish on a Fly Rod

A fly-fishing outing in Manitoba’s Red River turned into a lesson in targeting big channel catfish with simple gear. The author, who initially wasn’t interested in chasing catfish, hooked a 25-pound fish and quickly changed strategy. Guided by Elise Wood of Hunt Fish Manitoba and outdoor educator Kylie Therrien, the group fished near St. Andrews Lock and Dam, about 40 minutes outside Winnipeg in Lockport. Anglers lined the bank with conventional saltwater-style rods, while the fly-fishers waded roughly 50 yards. They cast close to the dam and out of shore anglers’ range. The writer credits a basic 3-inch Clouser fly and long casts—around 40 feet—as key.