Bow River

THE FISHING

The Bow River is world renowned for the quality of its trout fishing. Given the urban environment of several of the blue ribbon stretches of the river, it’s quite incredible that there are between 2000 and 2500 trout per mile on this prolific stretch of water. The Bow’s reputation as a big fish river is richly deserved, with a larger size average for rainbows and browns than that which is found in than any of the rivers we’ve fished in Montana. The fact that this river runs through the middle of one of Western Canada’s largest cities is almost counter intuitive to the quality and size of the Bow’s trout population. You really have to fish it to fully understand how good a fishery it actually is!

Both the rainbows and browns are of wild stock, with the rainbows originating from a steelhead strain. The Bow River Browns come from two distinct strains, one from Germany and the other from Scotland. The end result from an angling perspective is a large powerful fish that can grow in to some pretty spectacular specimens.

Whether you are fishing the Bow for a few days or are lucky enough to be fishing it for a week, there is so much quality water available to you. The Bow offers an outstanding mixed bag of environments and angling situations that appeal to experts and beginners alike. Hopper and streamer banks with huge fish lurking, riffles and flats requiring a delicate dry fly presentation and beautiful scenic runs where a nymphing technique is highly effective; This river has just about every scenario that a passionate trout angler could hope for. The lower stretches of the river are chalk full of wildlife, birds and gorgeous scenery that will enrich the entire experience and there are many stretches of the river where it is hard to remember that you are in an urban environment with over a million people lining nearby. Several large stretches of the Bow River shoreline are either a nature preserve or city parkland, where there are no people or vehicles are permitted. The Bow is a fantastic river to float but there are also many excellent places where guests can get out of the drift boat to do a little walk and wading. Stalking and site casting to a fat brown or big sipping rainbow is always warmly welcomed and encouraged by the guides. Each guide has their favorite locations within each stretch of the river where guests can get out of the boat to stretch their legs and do a little dry fly fishing.

For guests that have more than 3 days to fish, I highly recommend spending a day down in the mountains, fishing the Old Man River for cutthroat and bull trout. The scenery in the Rockies is nothing short of spectacular and you’ll fish with the same guide in the mountains as you will in the city, on the Bow. It’s a totally different dynamic with different species and well worth the long day that this kind of day trip represents.

The mandatory Alberta Fishing License can be purchased ahead of time online at : www.albertarelm.com

BOATS AND EQUIPMENT

The guides use Clackacraft Low Profile flat bottom drift boats. The Low Profile cuts the wind better and allows some of our older guests’ easier access getting in and out of the boat, while staying just as safe and stable as a higher side boat. The fiberglass boats are also lighter, which makes them far more maneuverable than wooden or aluminum boats. They’re also much quieter and warmer than aluminum boats.

GETTING THERE

This is one of the easiest trout trips we know of to get in and out of. Guests will simply fly in to and out of the Calgary International Airport, where they will then be met by our driver for the 30 minute ride to the hotel. The Calgary airport is really well laid out and is very efficient in terms of arriving and departing.

Slipstream is a full service travel company that can handle a variety of services relating to your trip. For assistance, please contact us directly at 1 866 644-7703.

2024 Rates

7/6 DBL $3,975 USD
6/5 DBL $3,400 USD
5/4 DBL $2,800 USD
4/3 DBL $2,200 USD
3/2 DBL $1,625 USD