The Bow River

The Bow River can be described as a fly fisherman's dream. The Bow River is abounding with trophy rainbow and brown trout that are readily available on the fly year round. On any given day, fly fishermen can expect to catch trout averaging 20”, with realistic possibilities of catching brown trout pushing 30”.

The key ingredients that make the Bow River internationally renowned are its size, surrounding population's waste water treatment plants, annual massive run-off, a wide variety of characteristics providing incredible fish holding water and 1800-2500 fish per mile.

The Bow River is 623 km long. The section of river most fly fishermen focus on is from Calgary to Carseland, approximately 53 km of internationally known, dense trophy trout water. This section of the river inarguably offers one of the best fly-fishing experiences in the world. Whether sight fishing for massive trout on tiny dry fly's or craving for an elusive brown trout smashing streamers, the Bow River tends to tickle most fly fishermen's fancy.

The rainbow and brown trout were introduced to the Bow River in the 1920s in two separate incidents. Since then, these trout have naturally reproduced and continue to thrive today. It is hard to believe that the Bow River sustains such a healthy trout fishery below a city of a million people. The truth is that Calgary's wastewater is the perfect fertilizer for feeding a hungry aquatic eco-system. Also, these water treatment plants result in warm water flowing all winter long thus allowing year round fishing.

Given that the Bow River is the main drainage for the east side of the Rocky Mountains, it is no wonder that these fish remain so strong. Every spring in May and June, the snow pack begins to run off. The run off produces massive flows of volume, which helps to create hungry, energetic, and enormous trout. The rainbow trout of the Bow River much more resemble resident steel-head.

In spring of 2005, Alberta experienced record rainfall and flood levels. The Bow River swelled over 200 yards wide in many areas. Massive trees, root systems and anything caught in the rivers path was washed away. The main concern for most local fishermen was ‘fish kill’. However, once the run- off tapered and the water cleared, the Bow River was a brand new river. The flood carved out new characteristics providing spectacular fish holding water such as deep carved out runs, sheltered areas under leftover debris and new intimate side channels.

Native to the Bow River are the Bull Trout, West slope cutthroat and the rocky mountain white-fish. Today there are few Bull trout, although their numbers are steadily increasing and fewer cutthroat. Whitefish are the predominant species aside from rainbow and brown trout.