Southern Alberta’s Bow River is world-renowned for its hard-fighting brown and rainbow trout. The Bow River is truly a trophy fishery with both browns and rainbows averaging 19 inches. Our Bow River Fly-Fishing Guides primarily Fly-Fish The Bow River in and downstream of the City of Calgary Alberta.Due to Calgary’s Worldclass International Airport the Bow River and Southern Alberta is very accessible from most major U.S. cities and airports.
The Bow RIver
The Bow River is a fly-fisher’s paradise. Within the city limits and downstream of Calgary, the river boasts a self-sustaining combined population of 3000 rainbow and brown trout per mile. Combine that with an average size of 19 inches it’s easy to see why the Bow River Fly-Fishing experience is well noted for its BIG FISH, making Alberta’s Bow River one of the top producers and choices for anglers on the North American Trophy Trout circuit.The 50-mile trophy stretch is best suited to floating – even by western standards The Bow River is considered a big river with a flow that averages about 3500 CFS. The average width of the river is 80 yards. Except for very low winter flows The Bow River is impossible to cross by wading anglers. Downstream of Calgary The Bow River has carved a spectacular valley, the banks are lined with cottonwood and aspen stands that rise to grass-covered breaks and sandstone cliffs.Watchful anglers can see where buffalo were herded over “jumps” by native hunters. Most of the Bow River runs through private land, and cattle now graze where buffalo once roamed. Like all prairie river bottoms, wildlife is abundant; we commonly spot mule deer, eagles, pelicans, Great Blue Herons, Kingfishers,and waterfowl and shorebirds by the hundreds.
The Bow River Fly-Fishing Season
Although the Bow River is open year-round, we don’t start guiding until late April. Our season runs through until the end of October. Our favorite months to Fly-Fish the Bow River are May, July, August, September and October. We suggest booking your Bow River Fly-Fishing Trip during this timeframe.The fly-fishing on the Bow River picks up for the season in late April, with corresponding hatches of Baetis and midges. There are a few Skwala stoneflies around then as well. Towards mid-May the trout really start to look up as March Browns and caddis make their appearance.Although many rainbows begin moving up tributaries to spawn about that time, the fishing remains excellent as there are still plenty of ‘bows in the river to keep things interesting. The browns – which don’t spawn until the fall – get very aggressive, providing great action on streamers, nymphs and dries.
During August the Bow River drops and the fish are much more selective than they were earlier in the season. Trico spinner falls in the morning usually entice Bow River trout to look up. During the day, hopper fishing can be fantastic and evening skies are usually filled with newly-hatched caddis flies.Hopper fishing remains strong as summer blends into fall. The color changes that line the valley with reds, yellows and oranges also bring on strong hatches of blue-winged olives, midges, water boatman, caddis and October caddis. The aquatic and terrestrial diet is unmatched as the trout gorge to put on weight before winter.During the course of a day you could find yourself fishing streamers, nymphs and large attractor dry flies from a moving drift boat.At times your Fly-fishing Guide will want to pull over, anchor the boat and stalk large, surface feeding brown or rainbow trout eating small caddis or mayflies along the banks.
Fly-Fishing The Bow River with Dave Brown Outfitters
Make no mistake, you’re now in an angling situation that demands light tippets, small dry flies, a delicate presentation and, potentially, a battle with a very hot, above-average trout.You may also find yourself wading up a myriad of side channels, back channels, riffles and high banks casting “Hopper-Dropper” or light-nymph rigs to big trout that your guide has spotted feeding. These fish – whether they are just beneath the surface or eating dries on top – provide a great blend of New Zealand sight-fishing and Rocky Mountain trout fishing in one river!
Bow River Fly-Fishing - The City Stretch
Most of the Fishing on The Bow River takes place downstream of Calgary and we recommend fishing the different floats there.But if You are short on time or the lower Bow River is dirty the City Stretch is a great fall back.The average size of trout is not as big as compared to the Lower Bow River and its mostly a Brown Trout Fishery so it can be quite moody.However there are some big Brown Trout that inhabit this stretch.For more Information Read our Blog Post on The City Stretch.
Recommended Bow River Fly-Fishing Trip Duration
For some anglers Fly-fishing Alberta’s Bow River is their destination of choice; it’s very easy to spend 3-4 days fishing this river with more than 50 miles of trophy trout water beckoning. The Bow River also makes a great way to wrap-up a trip to Fernie in Southeast British Columbia Fly-Fishing The Elk River or Southwest Alberta Fly-Fishing the Crowsnest River. This is an easy add-on for Fly-fishers booking multi-day, multi-river trips and traveling out of Calgary.
Dave Brown Outfitters – Bow River Fly-Fishing Guide Service
In 1988 Dave Brown began his Calgary Alberta Bow River fly-fishing career. Each season, Dave and his Bow River Alberta Fly-fishing Guides spend countless days guiding and fishing on this incredible river, ensuring that the clients of Dave Brown Outfitters experience the best the Bow has to offer.
With our professional approach to guiding – coupled with our knowledge of the river and ability to instruct at all levels – your day Fly-Fishing The Bow River will be a memorable one.We acknowledge that despite a healthy trout population and a reputation as the best big-fish river in North America, at times the Bow River can be extremely finicky and technical. That’s the nature of superb western trout fishing.We understand that you have choices in selecting an Outfitter.In Alberta fishing Guides and Outfitters do not require a license therefore it’s “Buyer Beware” and “you get what you pay for”.With over 25 Years of Bow River Outfitting experience we can assure you is that our Bow River Fly-Fishing Guides have the experience and know-how to react to tough conditions in a number of ways to ensure that your trip is a success.
As a client of Orvis Endorsed Dave Brown Outfitters you are booking with the largest multi-river guiding service in Western Canada – period. We have the flexibility and logistics to move you to where the fishing conditions are best.
There is no worries about being stuck in a Calgary Fly-Shop With us, you’re in the best hands in the business.We will deliver an epic Alberta Fly-Fishing Experience!
CONTACT US TO MAKE A BOOKING!
Other Fly-Fishing Options close to Calgary Alberta
Dave Brown Outfitters can readily conduct day trips from Calgary to the Red Deer River, Upper Bow, Crowsnest River and Oldman River tailwater. We also have some very good small streams located northwest and southwest of Calgary. These waters range from spring creek brown trout fisheries to freestone Rocky Mountain streams – home to native west slope cutthroat trout and monster bull trout.For the Intrepid Angler we also Guide Fly Fishers on Montana’s Missouri River which is 5 hrs from The Bow River and Calgary Alberta.
Getting to The Bow River & Calgary Alberta
A Guided Fly-Fishing Bow River Float Trip is extremely easy to co-ordinate.Most U.S. carriers fly into Calgary and there are direct flights from Dallas, Denver, Houston, Chicago, Minneapolis, Phoenix, Las Vegas, Los Angeles and San Francisco. Calgary is also accessible from Detroit via West Jet Airlines out of Windsor, Ontario.
Bow River Fly Fishing Accomodations
Hotel pick up – Rather than have you meet your guide at a Calgary fly-shop which is both annoying and time consuming, we pick you up at the hotel that you are staying at.
The Glenmore Inn
Conveniently located in SE Calgary, it’s close to the Airport and the Bow River. A nice property and excellent rates.
The Fairmount Palliser
Located in downtown Calgary, the Fairmount Palliser is the #1 luxury hotel in Calgary.
The Mariot Delta South
Located in S.E. Calgary this is fast becoming our Hotel of choice for easy pick up and proximity to the River and amenities.
Guided Bow River Fly-Fishing Trip Equipment List
- Fly-Fishing The Bow River
- Streamer rods – 9ft: 7wt or 6wt
- Nymph rods – 9ft: 6wt or 5wt
- Dry fly rods – 9ft 5wt
- Reels – minimum 100 yards of backing on all
- Lines weight forward floating lines for all, and a 10ft sink tip line for your streamer rod
- Breathable waders
- Rain jacket
- Polarized sunglasses
- Wet wading gear (June, July, August)
- Fleece jacket
- Personal Items
- Alberta fishing license
Please Note: Our trips include all flies, leaders and boat rods. If needed waders can be rented.
Bow River Guided Fly-Fishing Rates
Rates: $650 per day per boat plus 5% G.S.T -Rates are in U.S. Dollars
4 night 3 Day Bow River Fly-Fishing Package
Inclusions:
- Flies
- Leaders
- Tippet
- Spare fly-rods
- Deli-style lunch
- Drinks
- Hotel P/U and D/O
Exclusions:
- Alberta fishing licenses
- Gratuities
