Rivers are now in summer mode and flows remain good.Fishing has been decent to good and we are expecting to have excellent Hopper fishing starting soon.READ OUR CURRENT TERMS AND CONDITIONS.
We have reduced our Guided fishing Rates for the following Rivers.Pencil In Booking Policy Applies.Due to Covid 19 Precautions We cannot provide lunches in Canada.Clients must pick up their own lunches.
Bow River $600 CAD
S.W. Alberta Rivers $650 CAD
Elk River $600 CAD
Saint Mary River $650 CAD
Canada -United States Border Closure and Bookings
The Border remains closed until August 21st.Therefore we are suggesting that our U.S.Clients that have booked Trips consider shifting their Booking to Montana and The Missouri River.We can help with Lodging Arrangements.We suggest those that want to fish in Canada in August consider our “Pencil in Booking” policy.
2020 Hopper Fishing
With a normal Spring we are expecting another good Hopper Year which we are excited about.With flows expected to be on the high side of normal will mean August should offer some exceptional fishing.
Hopper Fishing
Top River Pics for Montana,Alberta and British Columbia
The Missouri River generally fishes great from mid May well into October.The timeframe that we target is mid May to September.The Missouri River will have excellent flows throughout the season and late July & August will be good.With our new partnership we are able to make fishing on this excellent river happen!
Missouri River Brown Trout
Form the first week of July thru into October.The Bow River which is flows thru Calgary Alberta and is an easy quick Trout fix.If you like big browns and rainbows this is it.With Direct flights from most major US Cities this is an easy trip to put together and requires no rental vehicle.With the current flows we are sure this is going to be great.Have a look at this great Bow River 4 night 3 day fishing Package
Brown Trout Double -Missouri River
The Waterton River -Located in Extreme S.W. Alberta this is a good to very good Brown Trout River.Its floatable in early July then as it drops it is an excellent walk and Wade option for large Brown Trout.
Fly-Fishing The Crowsnest River
The Oldman River -Located in S.W. Alberta this river has many ‘faces” ranging from Alpine Cutthroat fishing to a medium sized Tailwater Float trip.
The Elk River in and around Fernie B.C. should be primo throughout July, August and into September.
If you are looking at booking dates please do sooner than later.Call us @ 800-453-3991,text us @520-604-2729 0r email us.
Oldman River Hook up
Good Friend Lindsey Channel hooked up on a streamer eating Missouri River Brown Trout
As our 2019 Season Fly-Fishing Season Ends we are excited about what lays ahead in 2020.We will be active on Montana’s Missouri River starting In May of 2020 along with our regular operations in Southern Alberta ,namely the
Bow River
and S.W.Alberta.Andres will be looking after the B.C. Operation allowing us to be more focused in Montana and Alberta.
Missouri River Fly-Fishing
We are working on some stellar lodging options in both areas so stay tuned as our vision unfolds!
D.B.O. Guide Mike Turnbull,a very happy client and a Hopper eating Bow River Trout –
Depending on the day,The Bow River in and below Calgary Alberta is an exceptional river to Fly-Fish because it holds a solid population of brown and rainbow trout that reach trophy size.The month of September and into October is an excellent timeframe to Fly-Fish The Bow River.Why? Hopper fishing is excellent,The B.W.O.’s are hatching and Streamer fishing for aggressive BrownTrout can be outstanding !
Bow River Hopper fishing
…Contact Us for rates and dates.Or call us @ 800-453-3991
Our Fly-Fishing story began in 1988 when Dave Brown,a Bow River Fly-Fishing Guide launched his Professional Fly-Fishing career. Overtime the operation evolved into Dave Brown Outfitters,which has gained and earned a strong reputation in the fly fishing community as the go-to outfitter of choice for those seeking the ultimate Alberta and British Columbia Fly-Fishing experience.As the first multi-river Alberta and British Columbia Fly-Fishng Guide Service,we offer unsurpassed trips on more than a dozen of the finest trout streams in British Columbia ,Alberta and now Montana.These rivers include,The Elk River,The Bow River,The Oldman River,The Saint Mary River,The Waterton River,The Wigwam River,The Columbia River ,The Slocan River,Bull River, and The Missouri River.They are renowned for a number of reasons, including above-average fish size, healthy wild and/or native trout, diversity of species, intense dry fly fishing and incredible hatches. Combined with exceptional scenery and lack of crowds, we can’t imagine a better place to pursue your piscatorial adventures.
Bow River Brown Trout
As the first Elk River Fly-Fishing Guide Service based in Fernie ,Britsh Columbia and the largest independant fly fishing outfitter in Western Canada. Orvis Endorsed Dave Brown Outfitters ensures the visiting fly rodder top-notch customer service,award-winning accommodations and friendly,professional,hard-working guides.Just don’t take our word for it,read our REVIEWS.
Southern Alberta’s Bow River is world-renowned for its hard-fighting brown and rainbow trout. The Bow is truly a trophy fishery, with both browns and rainbows averaging 19 inches. Our GuidedBow River Fly-Fishing trips take place in- and downstream of the city of Calgary – making the Bow River very accessible from most major U.S. cities and airports.
Outfitter and Guide Dave Brown with a happy Client and a 24 inch Bow River Brown Trout -Bow River Fly-Fishing Guides
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 and it’s easy to see why the Bow RiverFly-Fishing experience is well noted for its BIG FISH making The Bow River on of the Top Produces and choices for Anglers on The North American Trophy Trout circuit.
Double Hook -Up onThe Bow River
The 50-mile trophy stretch is best suited to floating – even by Western standards it is considered a big river with a flow that averages about 3500 c.f.s. The average width of the river is 80 yards. Except for very low winter flows the river is impossible to cross by wading anglers. Downstream of Calgary the 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 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.
Floating The Bow River -Bow River Fly-Fishing Guides
The 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.
Streamer eating Bow River Rainbow
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.
Bow Brown Trout
Early June typically marks runoff on the Bow River , which usually lasts two weeks. However, once the flow is stable or – better yet – if the river has crested and is on its way down, the fishing is awesome as anglers “pound the banks” with streamers. By the end of June and through most of July, anglers can expect to see Golden Stoneflies,Pale Morning Duns and caddis.
During August the 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 caddisflies.
Fly-Fishing Alberta’s Bow River
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. Click here for the S.W. Alberta Hatch Chart
Sight Fishing to a large rainbow -Wading Side Channels can Be Very Productive on Alberta’s Bow River
A Day Fly-Fishing The Bow River
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 Bow River Fly-fishing Guide will want to pull over, anchor the boat and stalklarge, surface feeding
Bow River Rainbows are Hot and Fat
brown or rainbow trout eating small caddis or mayflies along the banks. 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.
Hook -Up Bow River Fly-Fishing Guides
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 spottedfeeding. 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!
streamer eating rainbow
Guiding Services
In 1988 Dave Brown began his Bow River Fly-fishng Career . Each season, Dave and his Bow River 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 on the Bow will be a memorable one.
Bow River Brown Trout
The 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.
Recommended trip Duration
For some anglers, the 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 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-FishingThe Crowsnest River. This is an easy add-on for Fly-fishers booking multi-day, multi-river trips and traveling out of Calgary.
Bow River Rainbow -Bow River Fly-Fishing Guides
Other Options
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.
With Dave Brown Outfitters , that’s the only “bull” you’ll get. We acknowledge that despite a healthy trout population and a reputation as the best big-fish river in North America, at times the Bow can be extremely finicky and technical. That’s the nature of superb Western trout fishing. What 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 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. With us, you’re in the besthands in the business.
DBO Guide Gavin Stookes and a happy client
Getting to Calgary
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.
Accommodations The Glenmore Inn -Conveintly located in S.E. 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 .
Hotel Pick Up –Rather than have you meet your guide at a fly-shop which is both annoying & time consuming ,we pick you up at the Hotel that you are staying at.
Hook -Up Bow River Fly-Fishing
Bow River Fly-Fishing Equipment List
Streamer Rods -9ft -7wt or 6wt
Nymph Rods -9ft 6wt 0r 5wt
Dry Fly Rods 9ft 5
Reels -minium 100 yards of backing on all
Lines Weight Forward Floating lines for all,& a 10ft Sink tip line for your Streamer Rod
Breathable Waders
Rain Jacket
Polarized Sunglasses
Wet Wading Gear (June,July,August)
Fleece Jacket
Personel Items
Alberta Fishing License
*Note Our trips include All Flies ,Leaders and Boat Rods.If needed Waders can be rented.*
Bow River Brown Trout
Rates -$550 per day,per boat . plus 5% G.S.T. Inclusions
Flies
Leaders
Tippet
Spare Fly-Rods
Deli Style Lunch
Drinks
Hotel P/U and D/O Exclusions Alberta fishing Licenses
Gratuities
If 2019 shapes up to be anything like 2018 then look out ! We experienced one of the best Hopper Seasons in Alberta and British Columbia.All the rivers we guide on fished great.The only thing we can really say is Book Now ! the way conditions are shaping up it’s going to be another stellar year !