Once again we are looking forward to another great season.On all fronts conditions are looking good ! Snowpack in The Northern Rockies means we will have great flows throughout the trout season.As usual we will get going on Alberta’s Bow River for some great pre-runoff fishing.As I make my way north I’ll be stopping for the better part of 5 weeks to fish and guide on Montana’s Missouri River -taking advantage of the great conditions and hatches that this river offers during late May thru to Late June.Our Regular post run-off season will be kicking off the last week of June.
watching and waiting -the dry fly game somewhere in Alberta
Conditions are also looking good on both the Waterfowl and Upland Bird front in Saskatchewan.This is a very short season (Sept 20th -Oct 31 st) and it generally fills up fast.Here in Arizona all the winter rains we have had help promise that it will be another great season here, especially for Gambels and Scaled Quail.
Bow River streamer eating Brown Trout #davebrownoutfitters
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.
Since 1988 Dave Brown has guided fly fishermen on southeastern British Columbia’s and southwestern Alberta’s renowned rivers, such as the Elk, Bow and Crowsnest. During the falls he has pursued his other passion-wingshooting over pointing dogs-and has spent a considerable amount of time hunting Western Canada and the U.S. Dave soon realized that the upland hunting in and around his previous Canadian home was pretty special, with few hunters and lots of birds, especially Huns and Sharptails. With other outfitters advertising upland hunts in conjunction with Waterfowl shoots, Dave realized that no one was offering what true upland bird hunters really want: walk-up hunts over pointing dogs. Subsequently, Dave has become the first outfitter to employ pointing dogs in The Provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan. In 2005 Dave met his Wife Lisa while Quail Hunting In Patagonia Arizona Dave emigrated to the United States and together they formed Dave Brown Outfitters U.S.A. L.L.C which act as an agent for Dave’s Canadian Operation which includes Guided Fly-fishing trips throughout S.E. British Columbia and Southern Alberta, The US Company also represents Dave’s Running Hun Lodge located in S.W. Saskatchewan which has fast become a “mecca” for serious Hun, Sharptail and Waterfowl Hunters.
Dave also was instrumental in developing a cast & blast program in which clients would target large, pre-spawn Bow River Brown Trout for several days and then head out onto the prairies to hunt game birds. The program has been very successful. He has has spent considerable time pursuing or game birds in different areas outside of his normal realm, such as Chukar and Valley Quail in British Columbia and since 2000 Dave and his Dogs have spent every season hunting Bobwhite Quail in Oklahoma. Now he and his dogs are busy throughout the winter months conducting guided Quail hunts throughout Arizona. During the off season Dave is busy training dogs, tying flies, attending Sportsman’s shows, fly-fishing for Bass and searching for more wing shooting venues.
At the end of the day Dave prides himself on being an Outfitter’s Outfitter and a Guide’s Guide, he is a “hands on” Operator, his enthusiasm, experience and knowledge of Fly-fishing and Wing-shooting are second to none, no other Outfitter or Guide in North America can offer such a variety of Outdoor Pursuits over such a vast area and run it as a viable business yet still have fun.
Dave gives thanks and credit to Ben O. Williams for his constant tutelage, especially with dog training.
Guide Team People are the most important part of any organization, and it is know different at D.B.O as we take great pride in the people that work with us
Dave Brown — Outfitter and Guide Darcy Richardson Head Guide and Water Fowl Coordinator Besides being an avid hunter, Darcy brings a lot of experience to the D.B.O. team as for several seasons he worked at a Waterfowling lodge in Northern Alberta and as a Fly fishing Guide in South Western Alberta and South Eastern British Columbia
Quinn Styles Quinn has worked with D.B.O since 1992 as a Fly-Fishing Guide and in the fall as an Upland Guide. Quinn has Three English Setters and a Chesapeake Bay retriever. Quinn will be heading up our Alberta operations this year.
The Dave Brown Outfitters Fly-Fishing Guide Staff has worked out of Fernie Britsh Columbia’s Kootenay Fly-Shop Since 1995 .We enjoy meeting our Clients in this friendly,fun and professional environment each morning .It’s close proximity to The Elk River makes it easy for our Elk River Fly-Fishing Guides to get you on The Elk River fast.K.F.S is the original Fernie Fly-Fishing Shop and is located off Hwy 3. in Fernie British Columbia.Along with great products from Orvis, Simms,Sage,Rio,Hatch and Scientific Anglers.
Inside The Kootenay Fly Shop -Elk River Fly Fishing Headquarters
The Kootenay Flyshop also boasts the most effective selection of flies for both the rivers and lakes of SW Alberta and S.E. British Columbia. Along with being The Elk River Fly-Fishing Headquarters for visiting Fly-Fishers,The Kootenay Fly-Shop features onsite lodging ,prefect for 2-8 Anglers .Whether you are a Guided Client or a D.I.Y. Fly-fisher, D.B.O. and K.F.S. want to ensure that you enjoy your time in the area by providing you with the best guides, gear and advise for our waters.Contact Us for all your Alberta and British Columbia Fly-Fishing resources.
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
The Bull River is located north of Fernie British Columbia.It’s a small wilderness river that features dry fly fishing in crystal clear water for native Westslope Cutthroat and Bull Trout.The Bull River is floatable via rafts and is an excellent sidebar to our Elk River Floats.Fly-Fishers enjoy non-stop dry fly fishing for Cutthroat trout from 10 -18 inches.The fishing is a sidebar to the wilderness feel and spectacular Rocky Mountain Scenery this river has.
Floating The Bull River
Fly-fishing The Bull River consists of mainly casting Dry Flies from a raft then getting out to work a variety of holding water including deep pools and swift runs.Streamer fishing can also be productive for Bull Trout.
Bull River Cutthroat
Due to the Bull River’s Alpine nature the Bull River usually starts the last week of July into September.For Fly-fishers want to float,The Bull River the time frame runs into the the 3rd week of August then the River becomes to low.
The Bull River features gin clear water and hungry Cutties
The Bull River compliments the Fernie Fly-Fishing experience and can be easily added on to Elk River and Saint Mary River multi river Fly-fishing trip.
