Kootenay River - SE BC Fly-fishing

Located in South Eastern British Columbia, The Kootenay River is a large Freestone river that has a good population of bull, cutthroat, and rainbow trout, Dave Brown Outfitters has been guiding on the Kootenay River Since 1999 and is the first Guide Service to operate on the Kootenay River in British Columbia.

The Kootenay River
The Kootenay River below Libby dam in The State of Montana is a very re known tail water fishery, above the dam and Lake Koocanusa, The River is virtually untamed and unknown, because this enormous river drains such vast area fishing is best thru the months of April ,May and again in late August thru and into October. It is at these times that the river is low and clear. The river is made up of long featureless flats with faster moving side channels and braids mixed in. The River is home to a decent population of Westslope Cutthroats, Cuttbows, Rainbows and Bull Trout some of which are very large. This is an extremely scenic river, to the East is the Steeples which are the backside of the Rocky Mountain Range and to the West is The Purcell Range; The river valley is covered with Lodge pole pine and Aspen stands, sage brush and native bunch grass line the river's banks and wild life is abundant and support an immense Grasshopper population.

Fishing the Kootenay River
Because of this river's immense size, all our fishing is done from drift boats, Anglers will find themselves switching back and forth between Dry fly rigs and Streamer rigs with H-D sink tip lines. During the pre-runoff season Anglers spend time fishing for Huge Bull Trout with Sink tip lines when hatches of Caddis and Skwala Stone Flies come off, the river can come alive with surface feeding cutthroats and rainbows. Late in the season, fishing a Turk's Tarantula or Chernobyl Ant along undercut banks often produces great results.
Click here for the S.E. BC Hatch Chart

Season
The best time to fish the Kootenay River is from April into late May then again in late August thru and into October

Options
The Elk, St. Mary and Bull river's are all within an easy drive of The Kootenay River and there are numerous Small Streams in the Area.

Trip Duration
We suggest a one to two day trip on the Kootenay River, this river is easy to add on to a multi-day trip to S.E. British Columbia.

Accommodations
We have several lodging options in the Fernie Area including our own Tight Lines Lodge.

Special Equipment
For fishing Streamers we recommend a 9ft. 7 or 8 wt Rod, 200 to 300 grain 30ft sink tip. For Dry Fly Fishing we suggest 9ft 5 or 6 weight rod and a weight forward floating line.