Snowpack is slightly above average inThe Northern and Canadian Rockies.This means that conditions should be awesome by the first week of July.We suggest not booking until after that.With High water comes great flows throughout the season.Last Season August was a top month and there is no reason why we won’t have a repeat performance of that.
From Late April thru to Runoff (late May) can be an excellent time to fish the Bow River and other Southern Alberta Rivers.Let us know and wee will get you booked in.
28 inch Bow River Brown Trout
D.B.O. Guide Team and Bookings
Our 2020 Season is booking up and we are excited to have the Same Guide Team(s) in both Alberta and British Columbia.For July,August and September Regular Season action our Top River picks are below.
Elk River Cutthroat
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.Working with a number of Montana Outfitters 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
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
British Columbia small streams are prolific fish and scenery producers; it’s not uncommon to catch 20-inch plus cutthroat, rainbow and bull trout in the small streams we fish. The Wigwam River,Fording River , Michel Creek and Alexander Creek are Elk River tributaries that are very accessible from Fernie, B.C. and The Kootenay Fly-Shop.
Fording River Cutthroat
South East British Columbia Small Streams
The Kootenay region of B.C. is blessed with countless small streams, and for the small stream aficionado the fishing is like the “good old days” if not better. Wild and native species of trout including cutthroat, rainbow and bull trout are stringently regulated to ensure healthy populations and trophy sizes; a number of our clients compare the aquamarine water and fishing experience to New Zealand – just not as far! Our small streams are a perfect fit for cane rods or 2- to 4-weight graphite, and dry flies proliferate through the hatch-filled season.
Small Stream Cutty
Fly Fishing the Small Streams
Our small streams are easily wadeable but typically demand a lot of walking in a day; the fitter you are the better.Fly-fishing The small streams can be added on to a trip to Fernie BC and The Elk River .
Hatches vary by month and elevation, often overlapping and often quite different from those taking place on valley-bottom rivers. For example, in late August it’s not uncommon to find Green Drakes (which hatch in July at lower elevations) hatching alongside October Caddis. Dry flies are the norm, but fishing streamers to giant bull trout that your guide has spotted is also on the plate.
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.
The Elk River Valley is loaded with some really nice Walk & Wade Creeks .Not only are the creeks close to Fernie B.C. ,these small streams are home to some very decent sized trout and are a great option to our Elk River Fly-Fishing Float Trips .
Located in S.E. British Columbia, The Elk River and its tributaries are home to a wild and native population of westslope cutthroat and bull trout. The Elk River is renowned for its dry-fly fishing. The river flows through the sleepy ski town of Fernie. During the summer months, fly fishers turn Fernie into a “trout town” while discovering the awesome beauty of the area and the amazing dry-fly fishing the Elk has to offer.
Elk River Cutty
The Elk River and Fly Fishing
The Elk River is the most easterly river in British Columbia. It begins at Elk Lakes and flows for 110 miles before entering the Kootenay River. As it cuts through the Rocky Mountains, this mid-sized freestone river picks up nutrients and more volume from countless tributaries and has carved a spectacular valley. What draws anglers to the Elk River is non-stop dry-fly fishing for big, wild, native westslope cutthroat trout along with the chance of catching a very large bull trout.
Foam Flies are popular on The Elk River
Fly Fishing the Elk River-Fernie B.C.
Due to the river’s size, the Elk River is best suited to floating and has a classic make up of boulder-strewn runs, deep pools, riffles and numerous side channels. An angler can expect to fish attractor dry flies while floating and while working the various types of structure while wading.
During one of the many prolific hatches, coupled with your Elk River Fly-Fishing Guide’s vast knowledge of the river, anglers can count on plenty of head hunting … throughout the day. For anglers wanting to tangle with bull trout, prospecting deep pools and runs with weighted streamers is the norm. Some of these char can get quite large and it’s not uncommon to catch fish over 30 inches. Nymphing can also be productive and is used as a last measure during non-hatch periods.
Elk River Fly-Fishing
Elk River Seasons
The Elk opens each summer on June 15, which coincides with the Green Drake and Golden Stonefly hatch. We usually end our season in mid-October. From start to finish, any time can be the best time to experience the great Fly-fishing on The Elk River.
Green Drakes -Get Elk River Fish Looking up !
Trip Duration
Dave Brown Outfitters makes use of private access, which allows us to float 8 separate stretches of the river. Coupled with the numerous tributaries, a Fly-Fishing trip to the Elk River can last one day or a whole season! There is that much water. The normal trip duration is 5 days.
Elk River Fly-Fishing
Options
You need several lifetimes to experience The Fernie Fly-Fishing options .There are many other waters in the area that we access from Fernie, including rivers and streams in S.W. Alberta,The Saint Mary River and a number of small streams. All Elk River options are within an hour’s drive.
Fishing with D.B.O – Elk River Fly-fishing Guides .
As the first Elk River “fly fishing only” Guide Service , Dave Brown Outfitters (formerly The Elk River Angler) has been conducting guided trips on the Elk River since 1990. We employ ONLY full-time professional guides on the Elk and throughout our operations. Many of us spend our winters guiding in Chile and New Zealand, and this breadth of knowledge and experience is readily shared with our staff and clients. Kiwi shallow-nymphing and stripping streamers Patagonian style can turn a so-so day around in a hurry when the hatches aren’t happening! For us guiding isn’t just a way to stay busy between ski seasons – it’s our passion and chosen profession. No one knows the Elk River like we do. Our level of service and our commitment to our clients is second to none.
learn more About Us.
Elk River Hook-Up
Accommodations
We have a variety of accommodations in the area, ranging from large spacious vacation homes to regular hotel rooms .Contact us to book your lodging of choice . Park Place Lodge – Located across from the Kootenay Fly-Shop perfect for those seeking hotel style lodging Tight Lines Lodge.– An excellent choice for intact parties or corporate groups Island Lake Lodge– An excellent choice for those seeking a Canadian Rocky Mountain Lodge expereince . Elk River Fly-fishing Reports–click here Read Our Reviews
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